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centeruChapter Thirteen/ucenter
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Megumi was sore. Not only was she sore, but she hurt all over from various cuts, scrapes, and a handful of close calls. Never before was she so grateful for another woman to lead and protect her. Megumi wasn't a follower by nature and she tended to resent it when someone tried to force her. Tokio seemed to acknowledge this, although it must have gone against her core nature. Wolves are very social creatures and very conformed. As leader Tokio expected complete and immediate obedience.
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"Your left. I suggest you use fire this time. If you let him get too close you will have a scar." Tokio instructed serenely as she slashed her iron tessan through the throat of an enemy.
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Despite the fact that the female werewolf only wielded an iron fan she was just as deadly as her mate with his katana. The edges of the fan were thin and razor-sharp while the outsides were reinforced by steel. Both the edge and the blunt part were effective in the hands of the alpha.
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Megumi swung around to the left. It had taken an amazingly short amount of time for her to automatically react. She almost didn't have to think about the instruction. She did have to think about conjuring the fox-fire to hand and then she had to aim it.
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Being a healer had lend to her skills in patience and perfectionism, but her aim was truly pitiful. Tokio had remarked that if she could focus her aim better then she wouldn't have to conjure such large balls of fire to ensure success. She'd have to work on that provided she made it out of this cesspit of violence alive.
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The green-blue fire flew from her hand almost without effort, but it didn't fly straight. Instead of hitting the human in the chest it winged his arm. Within seconds he was engulfed in greedy flames and screaming.
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"Do not stop." Tokio encouraged as if reading what was going through Megumi's mind. It was one thing to kill werewolves and vampires, but Megumi hadn't considered that some of the human slaves might actually wish to defend their station in life. To take a human life made her stomach roll dangerously and her resolve weaken.
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"Tokio, the way is clear." Saitoh remarked calmly as he finished off the remaining opposition with one clean swipe. Despite the fact that he averaged twice as much as the two females combined in kills he hardly had any gore on him at all. Megumi made note to avoid him in the future. She had assumed he was a fighter, but this new evidence made her realize just how serious he was. "We should find more members. These skirmishes are taxing and your student is tired. Also, they only get more numerous the deeper we go."
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"Agreed." Tokio said with a slight nod and flicked some blood off the blade of her fan. She turned to Megumi, "Do you need a rest?"
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Megumi's body struggled to comply when she straightened and said in a practical tone, "I am, but this is not a good time for us to rest."
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"She speaks true." Saitoh remarked with an amused smirk, "My katana sings for blood to stake its thirst."
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Megumi wasn't sure if that was a compliment or a statement that he wanted to continue.
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"Very well."
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They fought in relative silence. Megumi didn't even have the energy to yell except when one of her two companions were blindsides, which was rarely in any case. It wasn't until Tokio sustained a deep slash from a wild shot that Megumi made them stop. It was clear anyway and they all needed to keep their strength up. Passing out from blood loss would not only be embarrassing it was deadly.
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She bound the wounds of the two of them with bandages the female werewolf magically produced from somewhere. She didn't have anything to wash them with, but she made both promise to wash them out thoroughly, even if it reopened them. Infections were far more dangerous than the flesh wounds.
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"Here. You require aid as well." Tokio said sensibly and made Megumi sit down. Her slender fingers danced along with skill and it didn't take that much longer.
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"We need to start going down towards the Reception Hall."
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"Why?"
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"Where else would you find a king?" Saitoh sneered. "He will be waiting to see who is worthy of his attentions."
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So they went deeper. These were halls that Megumi had never set foot in during her short time as a slave. They were narrower making the fighting more difficult. The torches were few and far between casting only vague light.
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The human slaves had petered out entirely. Megumi supposed that the dim light made it impossible to fight and be sure of their target. Or maybe they were fearful to cross paths with where more powerful being seemed to have taken up as their territory to defend.
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"Hold." Tokio said abruptly. Her usually impassive face was taunt with anticipation and trepidation. Saitoh disappeared into the darker shadows of the hall with only his near-silent footsteps to mark his passage.
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The pair waited in tense silence for him to return. When he didn't reappear after a few minutes Tokio crept forward. Megumi was slightly confused and very worried. They always waited for Saitoh to come back. Always. Once they had waited for nearly fifteen minutes for the male alpha to return. Something was very wrong and she had no idea what it was.
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"Megumi, this could be a fatal investigation. I want you to stay here. If I do not return in five minutes retreat and find someone to watch your back. If you can, escape. You are a doctor; fighting does not suit you. Willingness to help does not merit your life when this is truly not your fight."
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"You can't just go in there! What's going on?" Megumi protested. That sounded like a final good-bye if she'd ever heard one. And she'd only known the woman for half a night, yet she didn't want to lose her and her quiet strength.
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"There are, or maybe were, three powerful vampires ahead. Members of the Ten Swords. I fear Hajime may require my help."
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"That's…"
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"Suicidal? Perhaps not. My mate and I fight very well as a team." Tokio said with a proud smile, "There is a chance."
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Before Megumi could protest further Tokio vanished. Indecision rooted her to the spot. Did she follow anyway and disobey a direct command? If there were vampires ahead it was possible that she would be a hindrance and a distraction. But if there was anything she could do to help she wanted to do it. Before she could move she felt a presence behind her.
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Whirling she lashed out with a wash of fox-fire.
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The green-blue flames swirled dangerously melting the rock on the sides of the corridor and lighting the small area up eerily.
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"You learn quickly. Tokio is a good teacher." A familiar, flat voice commented as Kikisha stepped out of the shadows. Soot marred her pale skin, but she appeared unhurt, "You should be more careful about who you strike."
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"I didn't mean…!" Megumi snapped after the feeling of relief faded away.
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"I did not say you did." Kikisha replied carelessly. "Mistakes are to learn from. I was merely pointing it out so you could acknowledge it."
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Megumi licked her lips feeling the stings of her cuts now that she was stationary. She hadn't understood how the men of the village could get into such petty brawls and then happily limped up to her small hut to be treated. But the after wash of adrenaline was appealing, if tiring, and she could see how it could be addictive. Your body shut down and focused. You didn't feel pain or heat until it ebbed.
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"You are by yourself. Are my alphas near? I cannot imagine they would leave you for a unimportant reason."
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"They went after some vampires."
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Kikisha nodded and remarked, "You should go as well. It is safe. I just came from that direction."
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"Thank you…" Megumi trailed off when she realized she was speaking to thin air. Her polite response echoed lightly off the stone, mocking. "Well, okay."
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It got to the point where even her enhanced vision was hard-put to make anything out. She could tell there had been torches at one point and time, yet now they were just twisted lumps of iron. Like something heavy or big had smashed into them causing them to lose their shape.
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"…We hunt together then." That was Saitoh's voice. It was filled with deadly malice making her shiver.
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"Yes Saitoh."
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"You may come out Megumi. It is safe and Misao does require your talents. She seems to have hurt her ankle quite badly." Tokio's voice drifted softly warming the cold darkness that seeped all around.
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She fumbled a bit and made sure she still had hold of her emergency supplies, grateful that Tokio had thought to carry bandages of her own. Otherwise, she might be hard pressed. Tokio hadn't sounded like it was a matter of life and death; however, the wound still might be substantial.
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When she finally reached the place where the light had been restored, by means of a loose stub of a torch, her dark eyes widened at the destruction. Large chunks of stone littered the circle of light, stacked hap hazardously. There were craters in the floor and walls. Stone dust swirled in the firelight lazily, as if still settling from being disturbed.
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Her eyes swept further and she could make out a slumped figure. She hesitated with a sinking feeling in her heart.
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"Sanosuke does not need your assistance I am sad to say." Tokio said quietly.
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Megumi was grateful that the alpha didn't launching into something about dying in an honorable manner. What good did honor do the dead? She bit back the bile that threatened. Carefully she treaded over, stopping just shy, and gave a respectful acknowledgement. Now was not a time for ceremony.
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She owed this man. She owed him for bringing her into the light about her heritage, for dragging her on this deadly adventure, for introducing her to many new people. While she didn't particular enjoy the fighting or her brief period as a slave she felt it had been needed. She was much wiser and experienced. Something she would have never achieved on her own. Hiding on the outskirts of some dinky village.
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"I hope you died happy." It was ridicules to say. What did it matter to him now?
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All the pomp and ceremony were mere aids for the living to deal with death. The dead had no need for them.
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"Of course he did. Sano loved to fight." The girl called Misao spat bitterly, "But it's my fault it happened at all! If I hadn't been so reckless… selfish… unthinking."
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"There is no such thing as fault in a case like this. He made his decision. You cannot possibly believe that he did not know there would be consequences." Tokio reminded with a sharp tone.
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"If I hadn't gone for that stupid sword…!" Misao spat back.
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"If you had not gone for your weapon then you would be defenseless. It was not your intention to put yourself in danger. You were trained by Shinomori to stay alive. Instinctively wanting a weapon is a base nature, however, you have been taught to recover one immediately." Tokio reasoned.
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Misao glared, still apparently fully intending to take the blame on her young shoulders.
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Megumi's eyes narrowed. She walked up and dealt a stinging slap to the girl's cheek. The young werewolf recoiled in surprise.
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"Quit behaving like a petulant child!" Megumi snapped venomously. "Tokio is your alpha and you will respect her words!"
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"Megumi-."
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"No. She needs to stop behaving like a brat. This is serious and its real life. Behaving like this will get her killed. You can't baby her forever." Megumi hissed recalling her own growing up. It was a painful lesson, but one that must not be avoided or forgotten. She turned to Misao and said lowly, "Get over it and pull yourself together. You can fall apart later. People are counting on you."
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Those green eyes widened and the girl trembled as she absorbed the words. Her eyes darted over to Sanosuke then to Tokio then back to Megumi. She bowed her head slowly, letting her shorn hair fall in her face.
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"I apologize alpha. I was out of line and disrespectful. When this is over I will accept any punishment you will give me." She didn't wait for an answer, "I don't like you, but you have given me a wake up. Thank you. I… I need to start acting like an adult and stop treating this like a childhood game."
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Megumi let out a breath. She hated being so harsh. People even went so far as to call her abrasive, behind her back of course, when she had to be harsh to get a point across. Yet sometimes patients wouldn't listen to her!
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She looked at the ankle in the dim light and stifled a gasp. The area was puffy and bruised with dark smears of purple and black. As her fingers danced across the inflamed skin she felt one clean break, the bone end pressed out against the thin skin, and two hairline cracks. She bit her lip and put on an impassive face as she got to work. She could fix this. It was bad, very bad, but she would fix it. And the young girl would walk again, she would run.
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"What happens when you shift?" She asked Tokio. The alpha was carefully arranging Sanosuke just a ways away. "Will these just fall off? Because this ankle needs to stayed braced. If it re-breaks then it will never be useable again."
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"Show Misao how to set it properly. As a wolf she can easily get along on three legs. She will not require a brace in that form." Tokio replied.
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Once it was done the three made a painstaking trip back to the outer corridors. Tokio stopped, but she didn't seem overly worried. She turned back to Megumi, "Your friends are here. The battle, perhaps, has gone well for them."
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As if summoned two figures separated from the gloom. Her eyes scanned over them with her heart leaping in her throat. She expected blood at least. Enishi was coated lightly, but Hiko didn't have a speck on him.
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"Are you two all right?" She asked hustling up. Hiko ignored her with a far off look. It was disconcerting to see the powerful man with his head up in the clouds.
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"We are. Thank you for asking." Enishi replied and she narrowed her eyes. He hid it well, but she could tell his wounds from the battle with Aoshi hadn't entirely healed.
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Before he could move or protest she managed to pin him to the wall. He looked surprised, but by then she was already checking under his shirt.
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"I suggest behaving. A woman will do as she pleases." Tokio remarked with a teasing laugh to Enishi.
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Megumi steadily ignored the hidden barb, but she ducked her head to hide a slight blush. That wasn't the sort of thing you said! She was just making sure her patient was comfortable and healing. And he was comfortable if his body language was any indication.
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"There." She said at last, trying to compose herself. Now was not the time to act like a silly little girl. Especially not after she slapped Misao for something very similar. She tied off the last clean bandage feeling strangely inadequate. It seemed like all she could do was patch people up. Her fighting career, which had prematurely ended, had been rather un-noteworthy.
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"All better?" Enishi asked, breathing in her ear.
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Well, that wasn't going to go well. He could be as arrogant and charismatic as he wanted. Megumi Takani wasn't a woman who chased material goods. She certainly wasn't that shallow and if he thought he could win her over with a smooth voice and sex appeal… well, it might work.
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"Hey! Don't you guys have a vampire king to slay?" Misao broke in with perfectly appalling timing. She gave a sly, cheery grin.
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"Where's Tokio?" Megumi asked looking around for the reserved alpha. She only spotted the fading color that was Hiko disappearing into the shadows. The man certainly didn't want for anything when he was on a mission.
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"She went to find Saitoh and Okita I guess." Misao shrugged. She gave a boisterous, yet somehow shy grin, and said, "Thank you for all the stuff. I don't think we'll see each other again, because you know, you're human. I plan on taking off as such as the sun rises. Cover more ground you know?"
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"Without your pack."
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"Yeah, something like that. Kikisha is going with me, so it's not like I'm doing it all by myself! Besides, I promised to take care of my ankle, didn't I?" She shifted, "I'll just limp on out of here. I can't stand this place anymore. Can't stand the stink of death and the rot of corruption! There were too many horrible memories and not nearly enough good ones anyway. I might clear up some stuff too. Have a nice life!"
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Megumi shook her head. What wonderful last words. Have a nice life. Maybe the girl was just purposely foolish and optimistic.
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"I suppose you will have to come with me." Enishi said ambiguously.
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"I suppose I will." She said giving a fox-grin but restraining the bubbling laughter.
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She pressed close to his form half expecting a horribly mutated Shishio to leap from the shadows with fiery, maniacal glee. A silly notion, but it was just the two of them now and Enishi was injured and also slightly winded from whatever he was doing before they met up.
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There was a solid sound up ahead where Hiko was that implied some sickening thoughts. At least there wasn't a scream to accompany it.
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Suddenly there was bright light. The fire cast out a bright blaze of orange and yellow wash showing sudden extravagance. The stone floor had a long strip of crimson fabric that led like a path to an open chamber. Braziers lined the room making it unbearably warm. Royal purple and crimson mingled in a swirl of stately color that decorated everything precisely.
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Megumi fought the urge to wipe the back of her neck where a drop of sweat was tickling. She hadn't expected this at all. She didn't know what she had expected, but cushions and carpets were a far cry from her image of vampires.
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"So you did make it through Soujirou after all." A rich voice said. There was a respectful yet malicious undertone to it as the owner sprawled like a male lion on his rock. "I wasn't quite sure you would measure up, but it seems, once again, that the rumors about mortals that are decent fighters weren't exaggerated. Too much."
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"But what about yours." Hiko snapped. He was stilted in front of the lounging vampire king with his shoulders stiff. His hand was resting on his sword hilt, but true to his style of fighting, hadn't drawn it.
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"I assure you that you won't be disappointed." The vampire practically preened. The woman at his side was eyeing them from the corner of her eye wearing a dark scowl. "I've kept my blade and skills honed for such an occasion."
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Somehow Megumi didn't like the sound of that. Although she hardly expected the vampire king to be a push over, he seemed much more dangerous than either Hiko or Enishi were giving him credit for. Or were they just so confident in their abilities that they knew something that she didn't?
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She wasn't sure when the battle begun. One moment Shishio was stretching languishingly and the next he and Hiko were pressing an attack. With a loud clash they separated to do a preliminary probe.
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Neither seemed inclined to talk anymore. Instead they parried and thrust in an intricate dance of razor edges. The only words were between the swords as they met, crossed, and retreated elegantly. The grace was incredible and Megumi found herself fascinated. Enishi and Aoshi's fight had been quite a sight, but this was on a whole other level it seemed. The pair battling in front of them was comparable to two large predators dueling. There was no wasted movement or power.
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Both combatants held small smirks on their otherwise concentrated faces.
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"What is that fool doing? He should know better than to play right now." Enishi snarled lowly. His hand was curled tightly around the hilt of his special sword and his eyes were mere slits of blue-green.
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"Playing?" Megumi asked hoping that she sounded perplexed and not like she was trying to distract him. Add stress to his body and mind would hardly be helpful if and when Hiko needed to step down. "It's beautiful though."
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"Yes. Beautifully morbid." He agreed never taking his eyes off the dance of deadly intent, "But a problem. Shishio will never get tired or winded. Hiko should stop his game and go for a kill."
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As if his passionate, cynical words sparked a response, Hiko slammed Shishio across the stone room. The vampire easily caught his balance and sneered.
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"You wouldn't want this to go on until dawn, now would you?" Hiko taunted arrogantly. His katana and stance never wavered. He wasn't so confident as he pretended as he spoke. Megumi supposed that bluffing and reading your opponent was nearly as important as the actual skill and fighting.
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"I don't need that long."
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There were several more flurries before Shishio managed to corner Hiko. The big man didn't appear to be too worried about it however. He held a defensive stance with a determined expression, his long, black hair swaying gently in front of his thick shoulders. His breathing was slow and even still; he didn't give the impression of being tired or fatigued.
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Moving with the speed that most would be shocked to see from such a bulky man he barreled through Shishio who let him go with a quick side step. Before the big man could turn and recover his balance there was a dangerous crack and the smell of acidic gunpowder filled the stone tomb.
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Hiko hardly had time to register the flying projectiles that were aimed for his head and neck. He took a step back to deflect the power as much as he could within the split second that he had. His katana flew up to bat one glove aside, yet even as he correct the arc to deflect the second it slammed with a sickening crunch into his broad shoulder making him stagger back. Before he could straighten Shishio gave a wild snarl and throw himself at the human slashing with broad strokes of his sword.
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Hiko blocked each one, sometimes only barely, before throwing the smaller man off of him with an enraged grunt.
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"Fight fair you maggot." Hiko rumbled almost under his breath. He was starting to breath a bit heavier and the scorched area where the glove had hit was bruising a medley of purple, black, and green.
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"I see absolutely no reason to fight "fair" as you so call it. Means to an end my narrow-minded opponent. The important thing is winning and the strong do that anyway possible." The vampire king explained with conviction. "Besides, a surly human cur like you could never win out."
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Hiko answered that taunt with a well-executed lunge and slashing with several close, tight attacks aimed at the upper nine points with exactness that was uncanny and almost frightening.
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Shishio ended up being on the retreat as blow after blow rained down. From what Megumi had seen so far, most of Hiko's moves seemed to be one-shot moves, intended to take down the victim with one hit. This one was an entirely different tact and Shishio was surprised by the way he was giving up ground.
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The two paused to reevaluate like a pair of sculpted statues.
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Shishio gave a wide grin full of teeth and slowly rasped the edge of his blade against the floor. It drew along, picking up speed, with awful nails on the chalkboard sound. Suddenly the whole tip of the blade was engulfed in a swirl of flames that lashed around giving off dozens of slender smoke snakes that twined and twisted upward. The fire gave a new, sinister light to the room.
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"How-?" Megumi asked with wide-eyes and unconsciously took a step back. Enishi's eyes narrowed even more with displeasure, but he didn't make a vocal comment. The look on his face said quite enough.
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"Cheap parlor trick. I thought you were a warrior." Hiko snorted, clearly unimpressed that flames danced on live steel.
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Shishio gave a patient, if insane, look and he smirked boastfully, "My Mugenjin is a special sword. It has bathed in the fats and oils of your mortal kind, soaking and retaining them, yet without dulling or weakening the blade. The lard coats and fills making an excellent surface to burn from. All you require is the right amount of frictions to spark a light."
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"Fascinating." Hiko retorted dryly.
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"It is." Shishio agreed blithely, lazily swinging the steel torch around in a loose guard. His crimson eyes glittered in anticipation.
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The next engagement was different to Megumi. Neither of them wasted any movement, not even the tiniest scrap. It was as if they both decided to throw their all in at the same moment. Each precise clang slammed and reverberated around the stone chamber while the softer sounds of swishing cloth and grunts were lost in the flashier ones.
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Shishio took a step back to put some distance, but Hiko had used his sheath to deal out a rapping blow to his wrist. While it didn't loosen Shishio's grip it did throw off his attack. Flames spiraled out like a tornado crinkling happily as they warmed the air searching for a target to consume. The orange licks flickered and dances in their merry circles towards Hiko's left shoulder. He jumped back and beat out what could have been a fatal attack with one big hand. He looked at the shirt and shrugged tearing the rest off and flinging the hindrance to the side easily.
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By the pale light Megumi could see the multitude of scars that criss-crossed his upper body lightly. There didn't seem to be any deep incisions or entry points, not like she would have expected. Most of them appeared to be very old and faded, barely visible against his white skin.
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"I hope Hell accepts you."
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"Hell? This world is Hell." Shishio sneered. "And it's my Hell."
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What happened next was too hard for Megumi to follow. One moment the two were in locked swords and the next Hiko was crashing into a wall with a sickening thud. He crumpled like a toy doll and lay motionless from the force.
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"Pathetic. Mortals are nothing but playthings. They are pitifully weak."
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Enishi almost lunged forward with eagerness. He hadn't been too happy about Hiko getting first shot, obviously, and was more than ready to make up for his comrade's failure.
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Shishio gave a knowing smirk and flashed his sword around to meet the head-on assault with flourish.
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The two slightly larger blades slammed together with a heavy, metallic clang.
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Megumi kept one eye on the pliminary sparring while she crept towards Hiko. She wasn't particularly expecting to be stopped and so when the female vampire stepped in front of her she jerked back with a yelp.
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The two eyed each other and Megumi's mind flitted the stray thought that the lipstick the woman was wearing was atrocious. On the other hand, she was armed with a long dagger that was held in a way that spoke of at least some skill. She also looked prepared to use it if Megumi made a mistake.
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"Please step aside."
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Her mother's words rang in her head as she said that. Never back down when someone's life is at stake. Never. Even if you have to bluff or use force it is the difference between life and death. Don't be afraid to stand up for yourself for the sake of others. You'll find a way.
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"I can't do that." The female vampire said with determination. Her smoky eyes kept flitting over to the battle being staged on the other side of the chamber. Worry tinged her features and Megumi realized that she was dealing with someone who was willing to do anything. And that anything meant whatever had to be done no mater what.
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"I know you don't care, but he may die. In my position of healer I cannot just sit here and watch it. It is a matter of professional pride." She said that last sentence as she tried to shove past. She was almost surprised when she shoved the vampire aside lightly with her shoulder.
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Kneeling down, still mindful that she didn't have a particularly happy vampiress at her back, she checked for a pulse and sighed in relief when the strong beat against her fingers continued steadily. He reached up subconsciously and snatched at her hand with clumsy, unseeing fingers.
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"Stubborn man." She snorted, "Even smashed against a wall you're egotistical."
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He was moving more now. They were slow, experimental motions and a groan rumbled from him. He flipped over on his back like a turtle trying to right itself.
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"Hold still you ass of a man." Megumi hissed as he accidentally, or she hoped it was accidentally, as he smashed her index and thumb beneath him. He stopped moving and blinked slowly, trying to focus.
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"Eh, its that sharp tongued shrew." He muttered and put a big hand to his forehead. The strong fingers delicately moved in slow, concise circles on the furrowed skin. She gave him a hard poke earning an undignified grunt. "Watch it. That's some bedside manner you have."
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"Hush up." She snapped sternly, "Do you know where you are?"
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"Shishio's lair." He replied hesitantly, "That bastard pulled a dirty trick."
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"He is a vampire with a reputation to uphold," Megumi chided teasingly, secretly glad that he seemed oriented at least. She held up her fingers, "How many?"
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"How many what?" He replied obstinately trying to get up before she was done checking him over. She shoved his chest and he fell back. "Three. Find anything interesting?"
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"There's nothing that another man doesn't have." She retorted crispy. She was sure that he had sustained far more damage from the collision, but she couldn't seem to find more than bruised and broken skin.
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He sat up and immediately looked towards Yumi.
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"She didn't kill me; that's nice." Hiko grunted. Megumi got the feeling that it hadn't occurred to the vampire before, and that the stupid man had just planted an idea in her head for the next time he was down and out.
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"Lord Shishio will crush you at his leisure." Yumi interjected, "When he is finished playing with you."
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"Uh-huh." Hiko answered noncommittal.
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Enishi and Shishio didn't seem quite so chatty, but then, Enishi had fought Aoshi in near-silence until the end. He had a laser focus that didn't involve distractions of any kind. At least he was when he had control. He seemed fine, but then something would be said that sparked his temper. Megumi wasn't sure what sort of problem it was for him; whether psychological or simply an exaggerated trait. The doctor part of her chortled with delight at the prospects. The woman part of her was slightly more reserved and worried about it. They both agreed that it was something that could be brought under control with effort.
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There was a pause as the two ended up in a deadlock. Shishio had a good handful of Enishi's wild, silver hair and had bared the man's throat with a vicious twist back. Enishi had his strong hand holding the hilt to keep the blade's distant from his neck artery. His other arm was straining to loose his watou from the crush of their bodies and bring it up into Shishio's abdomen.
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Enishi did a lithe, powerful twist leaving a painful handful of hair in Shishio's fist. Mugenjin nicked his neck on the outward spin and crimson trickled down the blade. First blood had been brought.
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Shishio stared at the trickle and licked his lips showing pronounced fangs.
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"A point for me." He chuckled with good humor and flicked the liquid on his blade away leaving a smattering of red to blend with the carpet.
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"Enjoy it while you can." Enishi remarked shoving up his glasses with one finger unworried.
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Having done the required little interval of taunting speech the two started in earnest. Or at least that's what Hiko commented from beside her.
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"No messing around this time; that's odd. Usually he plays with his prey like an oversized cat with a particularly vicious hare."
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Megumi hardly saw how Shishio could be compared to a harmless bunny.
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Only in the mind of a man.
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She couldn't help thinking that Enishi moved with the liquid grace of a large, deadly feline. While Hiko seemed to favor his size and strength, much like a bear she mentally snickered, Enishi used his amazing agility in harmony with his speed. What was even more amazing was the way Shishio shifted his fighting style to accommodate and defend against the difference. He adapted at a frightening rate. The only way she could see him being defeated was if his opponent managed to take him by fatal surprise.
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The two lunged back and forth, continuing their deadly dance. It wasn't until Enishi started to falter in his steps that Megumi was worried. She looked up to Hiko, who was now standing with his blade naked in his hand. His dark eyes and broad face were unreadable.
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"He's at a disadvantage." Megumi ventured earning a snort. Hiko was silent for a moment before speaking in a blunt tone, "He's tired and injured from his fight with my stupid student. You've seen the damage Aoshi did. It isn't remotely healed, even though his recuperation rate surpasses even my own. Shishio is relentless and merciless. He's not like my student; he won't hesitate to take advantage of the slightest slip."
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The fight continued with Enishi slowing down. Megumi was sure that the only thing keeping the man on his feet was his indomitable drive to avenge his sister.
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Crack.
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The smaller, stockier man's head jerked from the impact and his body followed. He skidded a good yard before subsiding in a crumpled heap.
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There was a long pause as no one moved before the figure rose. Blood had covered most of his face from the broken nose and busted lip in addition to the other facial injuries. What wasn't red was near-black with bruised flesh. The only light color was the whites of his widened eyes. The irises retreated before the dark, smothering pupils.
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"You can move. Maybe you are worth my attention." Shishio chuckled never taking his eyes off the struggling man. "Why are you so driven I wonder? I killed someone that you love I would guess. Men with revenge on their mind go with the make or break attitude. Well, I will break you and toss your body out like a discarded toy."
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Enishi stood silent and frozen with his long blade held in front of him.
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"You killed my big sister." He hissed in a cold rage. His body trembled slightly. Although it could have been due to the shock he was suffering, it seemed more likely that he was trembling with rage.
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Shishio stood considering before a sinister smile crossed his features.
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"The one that Battousai was with. You should be honored that I would even bother to remember her. She was pathetic. Thinking that she could kill me, or that Battousai would help her."
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Megumi was sure the vampire king remembered every single one of his victims. Not because their deaths weighed on his conscience like Kenshin, but because it was a mental count of his trophies.
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"You killed her." Enishi repeated with a lowered voice. His body was reacting in a very unusual way. Cords appeared pushing at the surface of his skin. Megumi just wasn't sure what they were or how he was manipulating them. If they were veins they would be flat and of no use anyway. Arteries were even less like although they would be far more useful in distribution fresh oxygen to his battered cells.
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"I haven't seen him actually use this. It should be interesting if nothing else." Hiko remarked nonchalantly and leaned in closer for a better view.
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"What-?"
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"He calls them the Nerves of Insanity."
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Nerves... but... but... was that even possible? Her healing training disputed that it was impossible. Nerves didn't just grow; they weren't like muscles. Yet there they were, and she could see how they would be a tremendous advantage. The thicker the bundle of nerves the faster the message would shoot along. It would make his reaction time super-human.
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"She was weak. The strong kill the weak."
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Enishi's reply was lost when he lunged forward. Shishio was caught off guard by such a reckless, fast move. The watou dragged a long, jagged wound across Shishio's chest cutting away fabric, flesh, and bandages.
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Before the king could recover he launched, what looked to Megumi, an impossible airborne move that practically cleaved Shishio's left arm off at the shoulder. It would have crushed his upper body if he hadn't rolled out of the way in time.
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There was a flash of movement as Yumi threw herself in front of her downed lover. She didn't bother pleading, and she didn't make a sound as the second stroke passed through her body.
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Enishi fell back, recoiling from his unintentional kill.
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"He refuses to kill women." Hiko supplemented helpfully. "A foolish sentiment. They are twice as likely to stab you in the back." He took a step forward to interfere before he hesitated, "You remind him of his sister. Don't get yourself killed."
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Megumi forced a light chuckled, pushing her misgivings and revelations down, "The great Hiko worried about someone? The surprises will never end, will they?"
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"I only worry when it's justified." Hiko sniffed haughtily.
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Megumi missed Shishio's initial react to the inadvertent slaughter of his mate, but now he was pressing his advantage for all it was worth. Enishi was fairing pitifully. Although his body and will were unbreakable his psyche was delicate.
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In a very cold, calculated move Shishio used Yumi's body as a shield before tossing it at the silver haired man.
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As if it were a planned tag-team Hiko interposed himself between them. His powerful downward blow sent shockwaves ringing, and he showed no sign of injury.
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Megumi skirted the two clashing fighters towards Enishi. She could tell right away that his wounds and exhaustion had caught up with him. The stress he must have put on his body just to be slumped was far more than he should.
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When she reached him, careful not to trip or slip, she knelt down making sure he knew she was there.
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"Tomoe?"
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"No. It's me, Megumi. Can you lie down?"
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He seemed to accept this, and with her help he obediently laid down. He was still as she carefully looked him over. She was about to voice her findings when she happened to glance down. The man had fallen unconscious with his breathing deep and even.
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Her left hand, which she had been using to steady her position, was covered by his bigger palm. When she tried to remove it his fingers made a grab.
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"You men are so clingy." Megumi declared with a smile.
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She stifled a scream as she looked up. A flying vampire king, going in the general direction you were stationed at, was a frightening sight. It was one that would have sent most people running.
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Instead she instinctively protected the helpless man beside her.
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Fox-fire lashed out in a desperate, swirl vortex of combustion.
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The inferno was far more powerful than anything she'd managed to produce. It was almost a solid wall that curved eagerly to accept this flying gift of fuel. The vampire's bandages flared and lit up as the flames and cinders enjoyed their tenderness.
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"Woman, you better be more careful!" Hiko snapped before he sunk down against the wall. Shishio's body lay in four perfect pieces at his feet while his katana lay in five jagged ones.
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"What, no thank you Megumi for distracting him so I could kill him because I was getting beaten to so badly?" She retorted hotly. Her hands were trembling and her heart was thundering like a whole herd of white cattle.
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"How about, how do you know how to fight like a kitsune?" Hiko grunted. She started to answer then smiled slyly, "Every woman has secrets."
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She took no little pleasure when he fell down face first from blood loss.
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It was over.
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At least the place wasn't caving down around their ears because she wasn't even sure she could drag Enishi out, let alone Hiko. Trust her bad luck to leave her with two near-fatally wounded men and no supplies. A stretcher and two or seven strong people would have been handy at the moment.
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"Do you require aid?" Kikisha came out the shadows. She looked around at the battlefield then shrugged. Misao limped out from behind her and flashed an impish grin.
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"And that is the end of Lord Shishio of the Vampires." She snickered and gave a sketchy, playful bow. Kikisha smirked in response before padding over to Hiko. She bent down beside him softly.
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"I am returning to my mother's pack. I promise not to disappear again without word." She remarked in a hushed tone, "And I am sorry for the trouble and grief my disappearance caused you. Perhaps we can try again once you have settled."
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"He can't hear you." Megumi said impulsively. Damn that tongue of hers. Talk about intruding on a tender moment, although she had no idea what kind. She hoped it wasn't a romantic one.
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"I know." Kikisha replied wistfully and straightened, "Whom do you wish to move first?"
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"Hiko is heavier…"
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"That is not an issue. Allow me to scout. I will find aid so that you do not have to break your back with manual labor."
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"What was that all about?" Misao asked poking some remains idly after the older wolf had left.
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"I have no idea and I think she wants to keep it that way."
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"Probably. So looks like we all get a happy ending after all huh? Well, most of us. I saw your friend Kaoru along with that kid," She made a annoyed face, "They went with Himura so I can tell you they'll be safe."
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"Perhaps we will meet again. Of course, Sir Ken better admit his feelings or I might have to remind him." She chortled with foxy ears. Misao blinked before joining in.
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The cold stone hadn't heard laughter of such a sort in ages.
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A/N: x__x I feel, somehow, that I cheapened this chapter. I may or may not rework it later. Hopefully I got most Enishi-related things right. It's totally finished in the writing, but I have one more chapter plus the eppy to post. I'll probably put those up next week; together. Whew, and it's time to take a break I think. So I'll only be posting Strays (and working on Drifter's sequel.)
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bWistful-Eyes:/b *grins* someone can do math... that's good because I can't ^^ I was specifically told, and I quote, 'You can do anything you want but you can't kill him.' But I thought a mental breakdown was most appropriate, because Hiko is many things, but he's basically a "moral" and "ethical" man.
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bFyyrrose:b I never keep my mouth shut. You should know that by now. Well, I'm done. What? You never knew why I didn't like Chou or that you thought up the idea? You were also screaming at Yoshida to crush Okita's ribs some more too -__- So you know... Interesting? It's a very applicable point. "Normal" is another one of "those" words. You've seen the end. Didn't I tell you I was going to do that? I did. Why does no one believe me when I say the words "happy ending?" You and Mom and Cara and Rob and Kerry! You're paranoid. Not everything that comes off my fingers are dares you know. Some of the comments I wish I could take back actually, but not that one about Susumu X__X And I didn't mean it *that* way! Okay, maybe just a little, but that's a bit... perverse? Even for me.
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centeruChapter Thirteen/ucenter
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Megumi was sore. Not only was she sore, but she hurt all over from various cuts, scrapes, and a handful of close calls. Never before was she so grateful for another woman to lead and protect her. Megumi wasn't a follower by nature and she tended to resent it when someone tried to force her. Tokio seemed to acknowledge this, although it must have gone against her core nature. Wolves are very social creatures and very conformed. As leader Tokio expected complete and immediate obedience.
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"Your left. I suggest you use fire this time. If you let him get too close you will have a scar." Tokio instructed serenely as she slashed her iron tessan through the throat of an enemy.
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Despite the fact that the female werewolf only wielded an iron fan she was just as deadly as her mate with his katana. The edges of the fan were thin and razor-sharp while the outsides were reinforced by steel. Both the edge and the blunt part were effective in the hands of the alpha.
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Megumi swung around to the left. It had taken an amazingly short amount of time for her to automatically react. She almost didn't have to think about the instruction. She did have to think about conjuring the fox-fire to hand and then she had to aim it.
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Being a healer had lend to her skills in patience and perfectionism, but her aim was truly pitiful. Tokio had remarked that if she could focus her aim better then she wouldn't have to conjure such large balls of fire to ensure success. She'd have to work on that provided she made it out of this cesspit of violence alive.
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The green-blue fire flew from her hand almost without effort, but it didn't fly straight. Instead of hitting the human in the chest it winged his arm. Within seconds he was engulfed in greedy flames and screaming.
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"Do not stop." Tokio encouraged as if reading what was going through Megumi's mind. It was one thing to kill werewolves and vampires, but Megumi hadn't considered that some of the human slaves might actually wish to defend their station in life. To take a human life made her stomach roll dangerously and her resolve weaken.
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"Tokio, the way is clear." Saitoh remarked calmly as he finished off the remaining opposition with one clean swipe. Despite the fact that he averaged twice as much as the two females combined in kills he hardly had any gore on him at all. Megumi made note to avoid him in the future. She had assumed he was a fighter, but this new evidence made her realize just how serious he was. "We should find more members. These skirmishes are taxing and your student is tired. Also, they only get more numerous the deeper we go."
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"Agreed." Tokio said with a slight nod and flicked some blood off the blade of her fan. She turned to Megumi, "Do you need a rest?"
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Megumi's body struggled to comply when she straightened and said in a practical tone, "I am, but this is not a good time for us to rest."
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"She speaks true." Saitoh remarked with an amused smirk, "My katana sings for blood to stake its thirst."
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Megumi wasn't sure if that was a compliment or a statement that he wanted to continue.
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"Very well."
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They fought in relative silence. Megumi didn't even have the energy to yell except when one of her two companions were blindsides, which was rarely in any case. It wasn't until Tokio sustained a deep slash from a wild shot that Megumi made them stop. It was clear anyway and they all needed to keep their strength up. Passing out from blood loss would not only be embarrassing it was deadly.
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She bound the wounds of the two of them with bandages the female werewolf magically produced from somewhere. She didn't have anything to wash them with, but she made both promise to wash them out thoroughly, even if it reopened them. Infections were far more dangerous than the flesh wounds.
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"Here. You require aid as well." Tokio said sensibly and made Megumi sit down. Her slender fingers danced along with skill and it didn't take that much longer.
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"We need to start going down towards the Reception Hall."
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"Why?"
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"Where else would you find a king?" Saitoh sneered. "He will be waiting to see who is worthy of his attentions."
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So they went deeper. These were halls that Megumi had never set foot in during her short time as a slave. They were narrower making the fighting more difficult. The torches were few and far between casting only vague light.
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The human slaves had petered out entirely. Megumi supposed that the dim light made it impossible to fight and be sure of their target. Or maybe they were fearful to cross paths with where more powerful being seemed to have taken up as their territory to defend.
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"Hold." Tokio said abruptly. Her usually impassive face was taunt with anticipation and trepidation. Saitoh disappeared into the darker shadows of the hall with only his near-silent footsteps to mark his passage.
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The pair waited in tense silence for him to return. When he didn't reappear after a few minutes Tokio crept forward. Megumi was slightly confused and very worried. They always waited for Saitoh to come back. Always. Once they had waited for nearly fifteen minutes for the male alpha to return. Something was very wrong and she had no idea what it was.
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"Megumi, this could be a fatal investigation. I want you to stay here. If I do not return in five minutes retreat and find someone to watch your back. If you can, escape. You are a doctor; fighting does not suit you. Willingness to help does not merit your life when this is truly not your fight."
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"You can't just go in there! What's going on?" Megumi protested. That sounded like a final good-bye if she'd ever heard one. And she'd only known the woman for half a night, yet she didn't want to lose her and her quiet strength.
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"There are, or maybe were, three powerful vampires ahead. Members of the Ten Swords. I fear Hajime may require my help."
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"That's…"
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"Suicidal? Perhaps not. My mate and I fight very well as a team." Tokio said with a proud smile, "There is a chance."
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Before Megumi could protest further Tokio vanished. Indecision rooted her to the spot. Did she follow anyway and disobey a direct command? If there were vampires ahead it was possible that she would be a hindrance and a distraction. But if there was anything she could do to help she wanted to do it. Before she could move she felt a presence behind her.
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Whirling she lashed out with a wash of fox-fire.
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The green-blue flames swirled dangerously melting the rock on the sides of the corridor and lighting the small area up eerily.
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"You learn quickly. Tokio is a good teacher." A familiar, flat voice commented as Kikisha stepped out of the shadows. Soot marred her pale skin, but she appeared unhurt, "You should be more careful about who you strike."
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"I didn't mean…!" Megumi snapped after the feeling of relief faded away.
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"I did not say you did." Kikisha replied carelessly. "Mistakes are to learn from. I was merely pointing it out so you could acknowledge it."
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Megumi licked her lips feeling the stings of her cuts now that she was stationary. She hadn't understood how the men of the village could get into such petty brawls and then happily limped up to her small hut to be treated. But the after wash of adrenaline was appealing, if tiring, and she could see how it could be addictive. Your body shut down and focused. You didn't feel pain or heat until it ebbed.
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"You are by yourself. Are my alphas near? I cannot imagine they would leave you for a unimportant reason."
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"They went after some vampires."
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Kikisha nodded and remarked, "You should go as well. It is safe. I just came from that direction."
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"Thank you…" Megumi trailed off when she realized she was speaking to thin air. Her polite response echoed lightly off the stone, mocking. "Well, okay."
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It got to the point where even her enhanced vision was hard-put to make anything out. She could tell there had been torches at one point and time, yet now they were just twisted lumps of iron. Like something heavy or big had smashed into them causing them to lose their shape.
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"…We hunt together then." That was Saitoh's voice. It was filled with deadly malice making her shiver.
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"Yes Saitoh."
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"You may come out Megumi. It is safe and Misao does require your talents. She seems to have hurt her ankle quite badly." Tokio's voice drifted softly warming the cold darkness that seeped all around.
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She fumbled a bit and made sure she still had hold of her emergency supplies, grateful that Tokio had thought to carry bandages of her own. Otherwise, she might be hard pressed. Tokio hadn't sounded like it was a matter of life and death; however, the wound still might be substantial.
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When she finally reached the place where the light had been restored, by means of a loose stub of a torch, her dark eyes widened at the destruction. Large chunks of stone littered the circle of light, stacked hap hazardously. There were craters in the floor and walls. Stone dust swirled in the firelight lazily, as if still settling from being disturbed.
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Her eyes swept further and she could make out a slumped figure. She hesitated with a sinking feeling in her heart.
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"Sanosuke does not need your assistance I am sad to say." Tokio said quietly.
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Megumi was grateful that the alpha didn't launching into something about dying in an honorable manner. What good did honor do the dead? She bit back the bile that threatened. Carefully she treaded over, stopping just shy, and gave a respectful acknowledgement. Now was not a time for ceremony.
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She owed this man. She owed him for bringing her into the light about her heritage, for dragging her on this deadly adventure, for introducing her to many new people. While she didn't particular enjoy the fighting or her brief period as a slave she felt it had been needed. She was much wiser and experienced. Something she would have never achieved on her own. Hiding on the outskirts of some dinky village.
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"I hope you died happy." It was ridicules to say. What did it matter to him now?
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All the pomp and ceremony were mere aids for the living to deal with death. The dead had no need for them.
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"Of course he did. Sano loved to fight." The girl called Misao spat bitterly, "But it's my fault it happened at all! If I hadn't been so reckless… selfish… unthinking."
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"There is no such thing as fault in a case like this. He made his decision. You cannot possibly believe that he did not know there would be consequences." Tokio reminded with a sharp tone.
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"If I hadn't gone for that stupid sword…!" Misao spat back.
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"If you had not gone for your weapon then you would be defenseless. It was not your intention to put yourself in danger. You were trained by Shinomori to stay alive. Instinctively wanting a weapon is a base nature, however, you have been taught to recover one immediately." Tokio reasoned.
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Misao glared, still apparently fully intending to take the blame on her young shoulders.
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Megumi's eyes narrowed. She walked up and dealt a stinging slap to the girl's cheek. The young werewolf recoiled in surprise.
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"Quit behaving like a petulant child!" Megumi snapped venomously. "Tokio is your alpha and you will respect her words!"
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"Megumi-."
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"No. She needs to stop behaving like a brat. This is serious and its real life. Behaving like this will get her killed. You can't baby her forever." Megumi hissed recalling her own growing up. It was a painful lesson, but one that must not be avoided or forgotten. She turned to Misao and said lowly, "Get over it and pull yourself together. You can fall apart later. People are counting on you."
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Those green eyes widened and the girl trembled as she absorbed the words. Her eyes darted over to Sanosuke then to Tokio then back to Megumi. She bowed her head slowly, letting her shorn hair fall in her face.
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"I apologize alpha. I was out of line and disrespectful. When this is over I will accept any punishment you will give me." She didn't wait for an answer, "I don't like you, but you have given me a wake up. Thank you. I… I need to start acting like an adult and stop treating this like a childhood game."
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Megumi let out a breath. She hated being so harsh. People even went so far as to call her abrasive, behind her back of course, when she had to be harsh to get a point across. Yet sometimes patients wouldn't listen to her!
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She looked at the ankle in the dim light and stifled a gasp. The area was puffy and bruised with dark smears of purple and black. As her fingers danced across the inflamed skin she felt one clean break, the bone end pressed out against the thin skin, and two hairline cracks. She bit her lip and put on an impassive face as she got to work. She could fix this. It was bad, very bad, but she would fix it. And the young girl would walk again, she would run.
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"What happens when you shift?" She asked Tokio. The alpha was carefully arranging Sanosuke just a ways away. "Will these just fall off? Because this ankle needs to stayed braced. If it re-breaks then it will never be useable again."
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"Show Misao how to set it properly. As a wolf she can easily get along on three legs. She will not require a brace in that form." Tokio replied.
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Once it was done the three made a painstaking trip back to the outer corridors. Tokio stopped, but she didn't seem overly worried. She turned back to Megumi, "Your friends are here. The battle, perhaps, has gone well for them."
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As if summoned two figures separated from the gloom. Her eyes scanned over them with her heart leaping in her throat. She expected blood at least. Enishi was coated lightly, but Hiko didn't have a speck on him.
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"Are you two all right?" She asked hustling up. Hiko ignored her with a far off look. It was disconcerting to see the powerful man with his head up in the clouds.
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"We are. Thank you for asking." Enishi replied and she narrowed her eyes. He hid it well, but she could tell his wounds from the battle with Aoshi hadn't entirely healed.
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Before he could move or protest she managed to pin him to the wall. He looked surprised, but by then she was already checking under his shirt.
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"I suggest behaving. A woman will do as she pleases." Tokio remarked with a teasing laugh to Enishi.
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Megumi steadily ignored the hidden barb, but she ducked her head to hide a slight blush. That wasn't the sort of thing you said! She was just making sure her patient was comfortable and healing. And he was comfortable if his body language was any indication.
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"There." She said at last, trying to compose herself. Now was not the time to act like a silly little girl. Especially not after she slapped Misao for something very similar. She tied off the last clean bandage feeling strangely inadequate. It seemed like all she could do was patch people up. Her fighting career, which had prematurely ended, had been rather un-noteworthy.
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"All better?" Enishi asked, breathing in her ear.
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Well, that wasn't going to go well. He could be as arrogant and charismatic as he wanted. Megumi Takani wasn't a woman who chased material goods. She certainly wasn't that shallow and if he thought he could win her over with a smooth voice and sex appeal… well, it might work.
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"Hey! Don't you guys have a vampire king to slay?" Misao broke in with perfectly appalling timing. She gave a sly, cheery grin.
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"Where's Tokio?" Megumi asked looking around for the reserved alpha. She only spotted the fading color that was Hiko disappearing into the shadows. The man certainly didn't want for anything when he was on a mission.
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"She went to find Saitoh and Okita I guess." Misao shrugged. She gave a boisterous, yet somehow shy grin, and said, "Thank you for all the stuff. I don't think we'll see each other again, because you know, you're human. I plan on taking off as such as the sun rises. Cover more ground you know?"
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"Without your pack."
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"Yeah, something like that. Kikisha is going with me, so it's not like I'm doing it all by myself! Besides, I promised to take care of my ankle, didn't I?" She shifted, "I'll just limp on out of here. I can't stand this place anymore. Can't stand the stink of death and the rot of corruption! There were too many horrible memories and not nearly enough good ones anyway. I might clear up some stuff too. Have a nice life!"
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Megumi shook her head. What wonderful last words. Have a nice life. Maybe the girl was just purposely foolish and optimistic.
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"I suppose you will have to come with me." Enishi said ambiguously.
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"I suppose I will." She said giving a fox-grin but restraining the bubbling laughter.
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She pressed close to his form half expecting a horribly mutated Shishio to leap from the shadows with fiery, maniacal glee. A silly notion, but it was just the two of them now and Enishi was injured and also slightly winded from whatever he was doing before they met up.
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There was a solid sound up ahead where Hiko was that implied some sickening thoughts. At least there wasn't a scream to accompany it.
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Suddenly there was bright light. The fire cast out a bright blaze of orange and yellow wash showing sudden extravagance. The stone floor had a long strip of crimson fabric that led like a path to an open chamber. Braziers lined the room making it unbearably warm. Royal purple and crimson mingled in a swirl of stately color that decorated everything precisely.
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Megumi fought the urge to wipe the back of her neck where a drop of sweat was tickling. She hadn't expected this at all. She didn't know what she had expected, but cushions and carpets were a far cry from her image of vampires.
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"So you did make it through Soujirou after all." A rich voice said. There was a respectful yet malicious undertone to it as the owner sprawled like a male lion on his rock. "I wasn't quite sure you would measure up, but it seems, once again, that the rumors about mortals that are decent fighters weren't exaggerated. Too much."
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"But what about yours." Hiko snapped. He was stilted in front of the lounging vampire king with his shoulders stiff. His hand was resting on his sword hilt, but true to his style of fighting, hadn't drawn it.
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"I assure you that you won't be disappointed." The vampire practically preened. The woman at his side was eyeing them from the corner of her eye wearing a dark scowl. "I've kept my blade and skills honed for such an occasion."
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Somehow Megumi didn't like the sound of that. Although she hardly expected the vampire king to be a push over, he seemed much more dangerous than either Hiko or Enishi were giving him credit for. Or were they just so confident in their abilities that they knew something that she didn't?
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She wasn't sure when the battle begun. One moment Shishio was stretching languishingly and the next he and Hiko were pressing an attack. With a loud clash they separated to do a preliminary probe.
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Neither seemed inclined to talk anymore. Instead they parried and thrust in an intricate dance of razor edges. The only words were between the swords as they met, crossed, and retreated elegantly. The grace was incredible and Megumi found herself fascinated. Enishi and Aoshi's fight had been quite a sight, but this was on a whole other level it seemed. The pair battling in front of them was comparable to two large predators dueling. There was no wasted movement or power.
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Both combatants held small smirks on their otherwise concentrated faces.
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"What is that fool doing? He should know better than to play right now." Enishi snarled lowly. His hand was curled tightly around the hilt of his special sword and his eyes were mere slits of blue-green.
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"Playing?" Megumi asked hoping that she sounded perplexed and not like she was trying to distract him. Add stress to his body and mind would hardly be helpful if and when Hiko needed to step down. "It's beautiful though."
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"Yes. Beautifully morbid." He agreed never taking his eyes off the dance of deadly intent, "But a problem. Shishio will never get tired or winded. Hiko should stop his game and go for a kill."
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As if his passionate, cynical words sparked a response, Hiko slammed Shishio across the stone room. The vampire easily caught his balance and sneered.
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"You wouldn't want this to go on until dawn, now would you?" Hiko taunted arrogantly. His katana and stance never wavered. He wasn't so confident as he pretended as he spoke. Megumi supposed that bluffing and reading your opponent was nearly as important as the actual skill and fighting.
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"I don't need that long."
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There were several more flurries before Shishio managed to corner Hiko. The big man didn't appear to be too worried about it however. He held a defensive stance with a determined expression, his long, black hair swaying gently in front of his thick shoulders. His breathing was slow and even still; he didn't give the impression of being tired or fatigued.
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Moving with the speed that most would be shocked to see from such a bulky man he barreled through Shishio who let him go with a quick side step. Before the big man could turn and recover his balance there was a dangerous crack and the smell of acidic gunpowder filled the stone tomb.
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Hiko hardly had time to register the flying projectiles that were aimed for his head and neck. He took a step back to deflect the power as much as he could within the split second that he had. His katana flew up to bat one glove aside, yet even as he correct the arc to deflect the second it slammed with a sickening crunch into his broad shoulder making him stagger back. Before he could straighten Shishio gave a wild snarl and throw himself at the human slashing with broad strokes of his sword.
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Hiko blocked each one, sometimes only barely, before throwing the smaller man off of him with an enraged grunt.
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"Fight fair you maggot." Hiko rumbled almost under his breath. He was starting to breath a bit heavier and the scorched area where the glove had hit was bruising a medley of purple, black, and green.
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"I see absolutely no reason to fight "fair" as you so call it. Means to an end my narrow-minded opponent. The important thing is winning and the strong do that anyway possible." The vampire king explained with conviction. "Besides, a surly human cur like you could never win out."
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Hiko answered that taunt with a well-executed lunge and slashing with several close, tight attacks aimed at the upper nine points with exactness that was uncanny and almost frightening.
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Shishio ended up being on the retreat as blow after blow rained down. From what Megumi had seen so far, most of Hiko's moves seemed to be one-shot moves, intended to take down the victim with one hit. This one was an entirely different tact and Shishio was surprised by the way he was giving up ground.
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The two paused to reevaluate like a pair of sculpted statues.
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Shishio gave a wide grin full of teeth and slowly rasped the edge of his blade against the floor. It drew along, picking up speed, with awful nails on the chalkboard sound. Suddenly the whole tip of the blade was engulfed in a swirl of flames that lashed around giving off dozens of slender smoke snakes that twined and twisted upward. The fire gave a new, sinister light to the room.
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"How-?" Megumi asked with wide-eyes and unconsciously took a step back. Enishi's eyes narrowed even more with displeasure, but he didn't make a vocal comment. The look on his face said quite enough.
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"Cheap parlor trick. I thought you were a warrior." Hiko snorted, clearly unimpressed that flames danced on live steel.
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Shishio gave a patient, if insane, look and he smirked boastfully, "My Mugenjin is a special sword. It has bathed in the fats and oils of your mortal kind, soaking and retaining them, yet without dulling or weakening the blade. The lard coats and fills making an excellent surface to burn from. All you require is the right amount of frictions to spark a light."
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"Fascinating." Hiko retorted dryly.
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"It is." Shishio agreed blithely, lazily swinging the steel torch around in a loose guard. His crimson eyes glittered in anticipation.
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The next engagement was different to Megumi. Neither of them wasted any movement, not even the tiniest scrap. It was as if they both decided to throw their all in at the same moment. Each precise clang slammed and reverberated around the stone chamber while the softer sounds of swishing cloth and grunts were lost in the flashier ones.
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Shishio took a step back to put some distance, but Hiko had used his sheath to deal out a rapping blow to his wrist. While it didn't loosen Shishio's grip it did throw off his attack. Flames spiraled out like a tornado crinkling happily as they warmed the air searching for a target to consume. The orange licks flickered and dances in their merry circles towards Hiko's left shoulder. He jumped back and beat out what could have been a fatal attack with one big hand. He looked at the shirt and shrugged tearing the rest off and flinging the hindrance to the side easily.
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By the pale light Megumi could see the multitude of scars that criss-crossed his upper body lightly. There didn't seem to be any deep incisions or entry points, not like she would have expected. Most of them appeared to be very old and faded, barely visible against his white skin.
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"I hope Hell accepts you."
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"Hell? This world is Hell." Shishio sneered. "And it's my Hell."
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What happened next was too hard for Megumi to follow. One moment the two were in locked swords and the next Hiko was crashing into a wall with a sickening thud. He crumpled like a toy doll and lay motionless from the force.
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"Pathetic. Mortals are nothing but playthings. They are pitifully weak."
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Enishi almost lunged forward with eagerness. He hadn't been too happy about Hiko getting first shot, obviously, and was more than ready to make up for his comrade's failure.
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Shishio gave a knowing smirk and flashed his sword around to meet the head-on assault with flourish.
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The two slightly larger blades slammed together with a heavy, metallic clang.
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Megumi kept one eye on the pliminary sparring while she crept towards Hiko. She wasn't particularly expecting to be stopped and so when the female vampire stepped in front of her she jerked back with a yelp.
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The two eyed each other and Megumi's mind flitted the stray thought that the lipstick the woman was wearing was atrocious. On the other hand, she was armed with a long dagger that was held in a way that spoke of at least some skill. She also looked prepared to use it if Megumi made a mistake.
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"Please step aside."
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Her mother's words rang in her head as she said that. Never back down when someone's life is at stake. Never. Even if you have to bluff or use force it is the difference between life and death. Don't be afraid to stand up for yourself for the sake of others. You'll find a way.
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"I can't do that." The female vampire said with determination. Her smoky eyes kept flitting over to the battle being staged on the other side of the chamber. Worry tinged her features and Megumi realized that she was dealing with someone who was willing to do anything. And that anything meant whatever had to be done no mater what.
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"I know you don't care, but he may die. In my position of healer I cannot just sit here and watch it. It is a matter of professional pride." She said that last sentence as she tried to shove past. She was almost surprised when she shoved the vampire aside lightly with her shoulder.
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Kneeling down, still mindful that she didn't have a particularly happy vampiress at her back, she checked for a pulse and sighed in relief when the strong beat against her fingers continued steadily. He reached up subconsciously and snatched at her hand with clumsy, unseeing fingers.
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"Stubborn man." She snorted, "Even smashed against a wall you're egotistical."
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He was moving more now. They were slow, experimental motions and a groan rumbled from him. He flipped over on his back like a turtle trying to right itself.
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"Hold still you ass of a man." Megumi hissed as he accidentally, or she hoped it was accidentally, as he smashed her index and thumb beneath him. He stopped moving and blinked slowly, trying to focus.
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"Eh, its that sharp tongued shrew." He muttered and put a big hand to his forehead. The strong fingers delicately moved in slow, concise circles on the furrowed skin. She gave him a hard poke earning an undignified grunt. "Watch it. That's some bedside manner you have."
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"Hush up." She snapped sternly, "Do you know where you are?"
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"Shishio's lair." He replied hesitantly, "That bastard pulled a dirty trick."
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"He is a vampire with a reputation to uphold," Megumi chided teasingly, secretly glad that he seemed oriented at least. She held up her fingers, "How many?"
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"How many what?" He replied obstinately trying to get up before she was done checking him over. She shoved his chest and he fell back. "Three. Find anything interesting?"
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"There's nothing that another man doesn't have." She retorted crispy. She was sure that he had sustained far more damage from the collision, but she couldn't seem to find more than bruised and broken skin.
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He sat up and immediately looked towards Yumi.
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"She didn't kill me; that's nice." Hiko grunted. Megumi got the feeling that it hadn't occurred to the vampire before, and that the stupid man had just planted an idea in her head for the next time he was down and out.
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"Lord Shishio will crush you at his leisure." Yumi interjected, "When he is finished playing with you."
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"Uh-huh." Hiko answered noncommittal.
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Enishi and Shishio didn't seem quite so chatty, but then, Enishi had fought Aoshi in near-silence until the end. He had a laser focus that didn't involve distractions of any kind. At least he was when he had control. He seemed fine, but then something would be said that sparked his temper. Megumi wasn't sure what sort of problem it was for him; whether psychological or simply an exaggerated trait. The doctor part of her chortled with delight at the prospects. The woman part of her was slightly more reserved and worried about it. They both agreed that it was something that could be brought under control with effort.
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There was a pause as the two ended up in a deadlock. Shishio had a good handful of Enishi's wild, silver hair and had bared the man's throat with a vicious twist back. Enishi had his strong hand holding the hilt to keep the blade's distant from his neck artery. His other arm was straining to loose his watou from the crush of their bodies and bring it up into Shishio's abdomen.
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Enishi did a lithe, powerful twist leaving a painful handful of hair in Shishio's fist. Mugenjin nicked his neck on the outward spin and crimson trickled down the blade. First blood had been brought.
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Shishio stared at the trickle and licked his lips showing pronounced fangs.
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"A point for me." He chuckled with good humor and flicked the liquid on his blade away leaving a smattering of red to blend with the carpet.
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"Enjoy it while you can." Enishi remarked shoving up his glasses with one finger unworried.
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Having done the required little interval of taunting speech the two started in earnest. Or at least that's what Hiko commented from beside her.
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"No messing around this time; that's odd. Usually he plays with his prey like an oversized cat with a particularly vicious hare."
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Megumi hardly saw how Shishio could be compared to a harmless bunny.
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Only in the mind of a man.
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She couldn't help thinking that Enishi moved with the liquid grace of a large, deadly feline. While Hiko seemed to favor his size and strength, much like a bear she mentally snickered, Enishi used his amazing agility in harmony with his speed. What was even more amazing was the way Shishio shifted his fighting style to accommodate and defend against the difference. He adapted at a frightening rate. The only way she could see him being defeated was if his opponent managed to take him by fatal surprise.
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The two lunged back and forth, continuing their deadly dance. It wasn't until Enishi started to falter in his steps that Megumi was worried. She looked up to Hiko, who was now standing with his blade naked in his hand. His dark eyes and broad face were unreadable.
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"He's at a disadvantage." Megumi ventured earning a snort. Hiko was silent for a moment before speaking in a blunt tone, "He's tired and injured from his fight with my stupid student. You've seen the damage Aoshi did. It isn't remotely healed, even though his recuperation rate surpasses even my own. Shishio is relentless and merciless. He's not like my student; he won't hesitate to take advantage of the slightest slip."
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The fight continued with Enishi slowing down. Megumi was sure that the only thing keeping the man on his feet was his indomitable drive to avenge his sister.
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Crack.
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The smaller, stockier man's head jerked from the impact and his body followed. He skidded a good yard before subsiding in a crumpled heap.
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There was a long pause as no one moved before the figure rose. Blood had covered most of his face from the broken nose and busted lip in addition to the other facial injuries. What wasn't red was near-black with bruised flesh. The only light color was the whites of his widened eyes. The irises retreated before the dark, smothering pupils.
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"You can move. Maybe you are worth my attention." Shishio chuckled never taking his eyes off the struggling man. "Why are you so driven I wonder? I killed someone that you love I would guess. Men with revenge on their mind go with the make or break attitude. Well, I will break you and toss your body out like a discarded toy."
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Enishi stood silent and frozen with his long blade held in front of him.
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"You killed my big sister." He hissed in a cold rage. His body trembled slightly. Although it could have been due to the shock he was suffering, it seemed more likely that he was trembling with rage.
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Shishio stood considering before a sinister smile crossed his features.
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"The one that Battousai was with. You should be honored that I would even bother to remember her. She was pathetic. Thinking that she could kill me, or that Battousai would help her."
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Megumi was sure the vampire king remembered every single one of his victims. Not because their deaths weighed on his conscience like Kenshin, but because it was a mental count of his trophies.
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"You killed her." Enishi repeated with a lowered voice. His body was reacting in a very unusual way. Cords appeared pushing at the surface of his skin. Megumi just wasn't sure what they were or how he was manipulating them. If they were veins they would be flat and of no use anyway. Arteries were even less like although they would be far more useful in distribution fresh oxygen to his battered cells.
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"I haven't seen him actually use this. It should be interesting if nothing else." Hiko remarked nonchalantly and leaned in closer for a better view.
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"What-?"
p
"He calls them the Nerves of Insanity."
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Nerves... but... but... was that even possible? Her healing training disputed that it was impossible. Nerves didn't just grow; they weren't like muscles. Yet there they were, and she could see how they would be a tremendous advantage. The thicker the bundle of nerves the faster the message would shoot along. It would make his reaction time super-human.
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"She was weak. The strong kill the weak."
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Enishi's reply was lost when he lunged forward. Shishio was caught off guard by such a reckless, fast move. The watou dragged a long, jagged wound across Shishio's chest cutting away fabric, flesh, and bandages.
p
Before the king could recover he launched, what looked to Megumi, an impossible airborne move that practically cleaved Shishio's left arm off at the shoulder. It would have crushed his upper body if he hadn't rolled out of the way in time.
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There was a flash of movement as Yumi threw herself in front of her downed lover. She didn't bother pleading, and she didn't make a sound as the second stroke passed through her body.
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Enishi fell back, recoiling from his unintentional kill.
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"He refuses to kill women." Hiko supplemented helpfully. "A foolish sentiment. They are twice as likely to stab you in the back." He took a step forward to interfere before he hesitated, "You remind him of his sister. Don't get yourself killed."
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Megumi forced a light chuckled, pushing her misgivings and revelations down, "The great Hiko worried about someone? The surprises will never end, will they?"
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"I only worry when it's justified." Hiko sniffed haughtily.
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Megumi missed Shishio's initial react to the inadvertent slaughter of his mate, but now he was pressing his advantage for all it was worth. Enishi was fairing pitifully. Although his body and will were unbreakable his psyche was delicate.
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In a very cold, calculated move Shishio used Yumi's body as a shield before tossing it at the silver haired man.
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As if it were a planned tag-team Hiko interposed himself between them. His powerful downward blow sent shockwaves ringing, and he showed no sign of injury.
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Megumi skirted the two clashing fighters towards Enishi. She could tell right away that his wounds and exhaustion had caught up with him. The stress he must have put on his body just to be slumped was far more than he should.
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When she reached him, careful not to trip or slip, she knelt down making sure he knew she was there.
p
"Tomoe?"
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"No. It's me, Megumi. Can you lie down?"
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He seemed to accept this, and with her help he obediently laid down. He was still as she carefully looked him over. She was about to voice her findings when she happened to glance down. The man had fallen unconscious with his breathing deep and even.
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Her left hand, which she had been using to steady her position, was covered by his bigger palm. When she tried to remove it his fingers made a grab.
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"You men are so clingy." Megumi declared with a smile.
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She stifled a scream as she looked up. A flying vampire king, going in the general direction you were stationed at, was a frightening sight. It was one that would have sent most people running.
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Instead she instinctively protected the helpless man beside her.
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Fox-fire lashed out in a desperate, swirl vortex of combustion.
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The inferno was far more powerful than anything she'd managed to produce. It was almost a solid wall that curved eagerly to accept this flying gift of fuel. The vampire's bandages flared and lit up as the flames and cinders enjoyed their tenderness.
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"Woman, you better be more careful!" Hiko snapped before he sunk down against the wall. Shishio's body lay in four perfect pieces at his feet while his katana lay in five jagged ones.
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"What, no thank you Megumi for distracting him so I could kill him because I was getting beaten to so badly?" She retorted hotly. Her hands were trembling and her heart was thundering like a whole herd of white cattle.
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"How about, how do you know how to fight like a kitsune?" Hiko grunted. She started to answer then smiled slyly, "Every woman has secrets."
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She took no little pleasure when he fell down face first from blood loss.
p
It was over.
p
At least the place wasn't caving down around their ears because she wasn't even sure she could drag Enishi out, let alone Hiko. Trust her bad luck to leave her with two near-fatally wounded men and no supplies. A stretcher and two or seven strong people would have been handy at the moment.
p
"Do you require aid?" Kikisha came out the shadows. She looked around at the battlefield then shrugged. Misao limped out from behind her and flashed an impish grin.
p
"And that is the end of Lord Shishio of the Vampires." She snickered and gave a sketchy, playful bow. Kikisha smirked in response before padding over to Hiko. She bent down beside him softly.
p
"I am returning to my mother's pack. I promise not to disappear again without word." She remarked in a hushed tone, "And I am sorry for the trouble and grief my disappearance caused you. Perhaps we can try again once you have settled."
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"He can't hear you." Megumi said impulsively. Damn that tongue of hers. Talk about intruding on a tender moment, although she had no idea what kind. She hoped it wasn't a romantic one.
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"I know." Kikisha replied wistfully and straightened, "Whom do you wish to move first?"
p
"Hiko is heavier…"
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"That is not an issue. Allow me to scout. I will find aid so that you do not have to break your back with manual labor."
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"What was that all about?" Misao asked poking some remains idly after the older wolf had left.
p
"I have no idea and I think she wants to keep it that way."
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"Probably. So looks like we all get a happy ending after all huh? Well, most of us. I saw your friend Kaoru along with that kid," She made a annoyed face, "They went with Himura so I can tell you they'll be safe."
p
"Perhaps we will meet again. Of course, Sir Ken better admit his feelings or I might have to remind him." She chortled with foxy ears. Misao blinked before joining in.
p
The cold stone hadn't heard laughter of such a sort in ages.
p
p
A/N: x__x I feel, somehow, that I cheapened this chapter. I may or may not rework it later. Hopefully I got most Enishi-related things right. It's totally finished in the writing, but I have one more chapter plus the eppy to post. I'll probably put those up next week; together. Whew, and it's time to take a break I think. So I'll only be posting Strays (and working on Drifter's sequel.)
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bWistful-Eyes:/b *grins* someone can do math... that's good because I can't ^^ I was specifically told, and I quote, 'You can do anything you want but you can't kill him.' But I thought a mental breakdown was most appropriate, because Hiko is many things, but he's basically a "moral" and "ethical" man.
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bFyyrrose:b I never keep my mouth shut. You should know that by now. Well, I'm done. What? You never knew why I didn't like Chou or that you thought up the idea? You were also screaming at Yoshida to crush Okita's ribs some more too -__- So you know... Interesting? It's a very applicable point. "Normal" is another one of "those" words. You've seen the end. Didn't I tell you I was going to do that? I did. Why does no one believe me when I say the words "happy ending?" You and Mom and Cara and Rob and Kerry! You're paranoid. Not everything that comes off my fingers are dares you know. Some of the comments I wish I could take back actually, but not that one about Susumu X__X And I didn't mean it *that* way! Okay, maybe just a little, but that's a bit... perverse? Even for me.
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