I must apologise for my extended leave of absence from this fic … various things that I won't detail (very boring I assure you)But I'm here now with perhaps my longest chapter of this fic yet, so I'm hoping you'll forgive me. Not only that, this is where things get interesting ^__^
Enjoy.
Chapter Fourteen
Kai turned around and looked over his shoulder again, frowning darkly as he did so.
"Something wrong?" Lee asked, wondering why he kept doing that.
Kai shook his head. "Not overtly. I just have the strangest sensation that someone is following us."
Lee glanced back around and frowned. "There's nothing there."
"I know … but still." Kai's eyes grew distant and he didn't say anything more. Lee glanced at him curiously for a moment before concentrating on the road ahead. Wrighton was just over the next hill.
Everyone else was chatting excitedly, but Lee could see Kai getting wound up tighter with each step they took closer to the prosperous town. He knew there was something bad ahead, they would all be fools if they could not feel it, but Kai seemed to sense more than they could.
"So what are we going to do after we sign up for the tournament?" Lee heard Tyson ask the others.
"Well, I was hoping to head to the university," Kenny informed him. "Maybe then I'll be able to help find a way to restore Dizzy to her proper plane."
"Really?" The corporeal spirit seemed taken aback by this.
"You didn't think I wouldn't try to do something to rectify my mistake did you?" Kenny almost sounded hurt by the insinuation.
"No, I just thought you would wait until al this business with the Dark Lord was over."
"Well, I don't think I'll be able to do everything right now," Kenny admitted. "But that doesn't mean I can't still research up on the phenomenon for future reference."
"Oh. Thank you."
Lee smiled as he glanced over his shoulder and saw Kenny and Dizzy both blushing at each other. The looks on the others' faces expressed varying emotions, from delight to amusement. Tyson was trying to hold in his laughter, until Max poked him in the ribs and whispered something in his ear that made him blush.
"So what about everyone else?" Rei asked, tactfully changing the subject and drawing attention away from the slightly embarrassed couple.
"Not sure," Mariah said. "Maybe I'll go with Kenny and Dizzy to the university, or stay with you all."
"I'll be checking out the competition," Tyson grinned. "We'll have to see exactly what these southern swordsmen are like."
"Ahem." Mariah glared and raised an eyebrow.
"Or swordswomen," Tyson amended with a sigh.
"Thank you." Mariah looked appeased and the White Tigers chuckled, Rei included.
"I'll stick with Tyson, it will be interesting to see various techniques," Max told them, a slight flush to his cheeks.
"I'm sure that's exactly why you're staying with him," Rei commented dryly, causing a few laughs." Gary? Kevin? What about you two?"
Kevin shrugged. "Look around I guess. We haven't been outside for quite a while."
"Yeah" Gary agreed. "Maybe we'll check out a few taverns." The two grinned at each other.
"Properly supervised of course," Lee added, starting them. They were unaware he had been listening in on the conversation. "I think it would be best if I stuck with you two, just to make sure you don't get up to much mischief." Kevin and Gary looked a bit down at this but Lee was unsympathetic. "We do have to be careful you know, we don't want anyone getting caught here. This isn't all a vacation."
"We know," Rei told him quietly, his eyes drifting to Kai who was still leading them down the long road to Wrighton.
"Good." Lee moved to stand beside Kai again. Rei hesitated only a moment before following him.
"Hey Kai?" he asked, his voice wavering slightly as he talked with their leader. Lee glanced at him curiously. Rei had hardly looked at Kai much less talked to him since leaving Guildeburg. Something had happened and though they didn't show it too much, there was sometimes a tense air about the two of them that put the others on edge.
Kai glanced at Rei, his face still emotionless, as it usually was, but this time it seemed more forced than his usual 'lost in thought' sort of blankness. "Yes?"
"What are you planning to do? Didn't you have something to do in Wrighton originally before the tournament and Mr. Dickinson's warning?"
Kai nodded. "I'll be looking for the Tablets of Fire and Darkness."
"What are they?"
Kai frowned slightly in thought. "Very old scripts that talk about the prophecy of the Dark Lord and the Immortal Spirits. No one really knows where they are, or cares that much. In fact, hardly any know of their existence. I only know of them because of my study of the topic. It was said they were in the area around Wrighton … though I only knew the place, not the name of the place. The record I had was so old it predated most modern cities and towns. There are no duplicates of them, but it was mentioned they were lost in a landslide or something years ago. Had anyone really considered their worth they would have been found. But luckily no one had."
"Luckily? Rei asked skeptically. "I don't see how it's lucky that you have to search so much for them."
"If they were easy to find and more people knew about them, the Dark Lord would already have them in his possession. It's good that he knows nothing of them."
Rei chuckled sheepishly. "Guess that makes sense."
Kai managed a small smile. "Yeah. Actually, I was hoping you might be able to help with this." He seemed almost reluctant to ask.
"Really?" Rei frowned. "How?"
"I'm assuming that any information to be found on the scripts would be known to the Underside. I may require your assistance to help me out with details. I only have the vaguest knowledge of their location."
Rei hesitated. "You sure?"
Kai bit his lip. "I need those scripts Rei," he said quietly, firmly. Seeing his determination, Rei realised how important this was.
Rei nodded. "Okay then. We'll talk once we get to an inn. We'll have to start tomorrow as well, that will give me enough time to figure out just who's working for who. I know a few contacts here who are still managing to keep from submitting, though their price for their help will be very high."
"I'm sure we can overcome that barrier."
Rei nodded. "Then I'll help."
"Thank you."
Rei didn't answer, he just walked along with the two leaders in silence, glancing at the road ahead much in the same way as Kai was doing.
Lee wondered exactly what had happened to incite such an odd conversation.
*~*~*
Wrighton.
The scent of salty air assaulted them before they even stepped into the town. Voices were raised in the normal bustle seen in any town. People walked around, going to markets heading back home, rushing around on errands. It was perfectly normal. Which immediately put them all on edge.
Rei frowned. Forshire was nothing like this when the Dark Lord sent his minions. There was always an air of fear and uncertainty hanging over everything. Even the common townsfolk had noticed and acted suspicious of everything. But this …
He began to wonder if his contacts were even alive any more in a city that had taken so easily to the Dark Lord's rule. Kai and the others were thinking along the same lines, but appeared only slightly less worried. Because of his knowledge of the world's less savory sides, Rei could see problems and dangers were they could not.
"I'm going to need a lot more than what I have to get what we need," he whispered to Kai as they headed to an inn.
Kai glanced at him worriedly for a moment before leading them all inside a large clean looking building. This time they managed to get two rooms joined with a small sitting room. They all squeezed into the middle room and looked over at Kai who looked suddenly serious.
"I want all of you to watch every move you make. There is always someone watching and making one mistake can be fatal. Do not act suspicious in any way. Act the parts we're playing, we're meant to be mercenaries or traveling swordsmen … whatever." Kai glanced at Tyson.
"Right," Tyson agreed, taking over. "We should all stick in groups as well. I've traveled with a few parties of mercenaries. Trouble happens when we split up. So I suggest we all go to sign in for the tournament then split up into moderate groups tomorrow."
"Mariah and I will stay with Kenny and Dizzy," Lee said. "We shouldn't expect too much trouble at the university, but it's better to be safe." They all nodded. "Kevin Gary, you two stay with Max and Tyson." The two neko-jins nodded. And what about you two?" he glanced over at Rei and Kai.
"We've got our own things to take care of," Kai told him. "And a large group for that would be too suspicious."
The others looked about to protest but Rei glared at them. "Trust me guys, the less you know about any of what we're doing is better."
The others looked a bit suspicious but didn't say anything more. After all, Kai should know what he was doing and Rei wasn't stupid either, he knew the streets better than anyone among them. They decided to head off to register for the tournament then. It would be starting in three days.
Rei hung back from the others a bit with Kai, wanting to talk quietly. He looked over at Kai. "We've still got a problem," he whispered so as not to alert the others.
"What have you got on you?" Kai asked quietly.
"Not enough, not now at least after seeing what the town is like. I was counting on the four ounces as a backup just in case things were this bad." He glared slightly at Kai who didn't look fazed at all.
"How much have you got?" Kai repeated.
Rei sighed. "Ten ounces of Essence, seven of Night and five vials of Purity. That's not going to be enough to get us info Kai. If you hadn't stopped me last time, I'd still have the Firebloom. That might have scraped enough."
Kai didn't say anything for a while, then he spoke in a voice so low Rei had to lean in and strain to hear him, even with his heightened senses. "What's the value of two pounds of raw Darklight?"
Reis' eyes widened and he looked to have trouble speaking. "How in the darkest pits of hell did you manage to get two pounds of raw Darklight?" Rei choked. "That stuff's worth a fortune!"
"Problem solved then," Kai smirked.
"And you were talking about the way I deal." Rei glared. "What the hell are you playing at Kai? Just how much is this script worth?"
"Can you really put a price on life?" he retorted.
Rei looked away, biting his lip, struggling with something. "Powers, Kai," he breathed. "They just don't get any more mysterious than you do they?" He shook his head. "We'll only need half a pound of it by my estimate. Maybe a pound. How is it weighed?"
"Four ounce lots."
"Good. That should work out for us then." He glanced at Kai again and shook his head, muttering disbelievingly under his breath. The two of them didn't say anything more as they followed the others, but Rei would still glance over at Kai and shake his head every so often.
There was already a crowd of people in the square for registration that day. They had arrived just on time. The booths closed after today and everyone was rushing in. They saw a few groups of fighters that looked formidable and some that looked like complete pushovers. But the minute they stepped into the square, every eye was trained on them.
Kai moved forward and led them to the registration table, waiting for the group before them to finish.
The man didn't look up as they moved forward, just saying in a bored tone, "Number of fighters?"
"Eight," Kai told him.
"Names of fighters, their leader and healers if any."
Kai glanced around, gesturing for the others to step forward. Lee and the other White Tigers did. "Lee, Mariah, Kevin and Gary," he told the man. "All of the White Tiger Clan."
The man glanced up for a moment, curious. Neko-jins rarely left their lands, the actions of other were often hostile towards them and even rarer did the White Tigers leave their forests. They were reputed to be extremely fierce and well trained. Seeing Lee's look though he simply nodded and wrote all this down.
Rei and Max stepped forward next. Max smiled brightly. "Mizuhra Max," he told the man, who again looked up in confusion at the smiling blonde. Rei chuckled and the man shook his head. Another neko-jin.
"Kon Rei, of the White Tigers." Lee and the others looked a bit surprised at the usage of the second name but kept it to themselves. Kon was the name of the family that had taken Rei in as a young boy before he was taken back to the White Tigers. He had hardly referred to them in his youth, but during his exile he'd used the name instead of his clan name. It drew less attention.
Tyson moved forward then. "Kinomiya Takao."
The man's head shot up at this and he stared in amazement at Tyson, who looked slightly unnerved by the look.
"What?"
"You're … you're the …"
"Shh!" Tyson put a hand around the man's mouth. "If you're about to say what I think you are, then don't or I swear you will regret it."
"Don't threaten the official Tyson," Kai ordered.
Tyson stuck out his tongue at Kai. "I thought you said no one would recognize my name?"
"I said 'most people don't realise Kinomiya Takao is really …' well you know who you are." Kai shrugged. "It's not my fault you're so famous."
Tyson glared at him for a moment before turning back to the official writing down their names, who was starting to turn blue at the cheeks. "Sorry about that," Tyson apologised sheepishly. Could you just write my name down and not say anything about … um … my other name?"
The man nodded, still slightly awed by the fact that the Dragon Swordsman was standing just before him. He wrote down Tyson's name then looked up at the remaining three.
"These are our healers —"
"Kyoujyu and Dizzara," Kenny told the man. Kai looked surprised and Kenny shrugged. "Everyone else was giving him their proper names, I thought it would be best."
"Right." Kai turned back. "I'm the leader, Hiwatari Kai."
The man paled at this and stared up at Kai almost in horror. Kai merely raised an eyebrow and the man scribbled down the remaining names and filled out anything else.
"Uh … t-the tournament begins i-in three d-days time," he stuttered at Kai.
"Of course." Kai turned away from the man with a cold look, gesturing for the others to follow him back to the inn.
"Now we have undeniable proof," Rei whispered quietly.
"What?" Lee asked, confused.
"The way that man reacted to Kai's name," Tyson told the White Tigers. "It's obvious that he not only recognized it, but feared it. Our enemies have a powerful hold here."
"I still —" Lee was cut off by Kai.
"The Dark Lord is a traitor in my clan, using my people as his tools, that's why the man reacted so badly to my name." He ran his fingers through his hair. "I'm not sure whether I should have told him my name now."
"Maybe," Kenny mused. "But then again, people will be rather afraid to look into us too much if they think they may invoke the wrath of the Dark Lord's followers."
"Perhaps" Kai still looked unconvinced. "I just hope we don't run into trouble because of this."
"I'm sure if we do we can deal with it Kai," Tyson assured him.
Kai nodded. He still had the oddest feeling that there was something going on that he didn't know about.
*~*~*
Kenny was the first up the next morning. He glanced over at the bed with Max and Tyson on it and smiled. Those two were just too adorable. He was glad Max had found someone like Tyson to be with, his friend deserved every happiness he could get.
Stretching slightly, Kenny looked over at the other two in the room and froze, as he always did when he saw how both Rei and Kai's barriers fell as they slept.
The two were curled into each other. Rei had his arms wrapped tightly around Kai's waist and Kai was leaning one of his over Rei's shoulders. It was odd to see them like this now. They hadn't shared a bed for a few weeks, save for at the White Tiger's village. With the tense atmosphere surrounding the two of late, Kenny had almost forgotten how close they had actually become.
In fact, it was hard to believe that just a few months ago he and Max were back at his castle planning their escape from the responsibilities and trivialities of aristocracy. So much had changed in such a short time and they'd found each other so quickly and had grown so close that it was now hard to imagine life without the others around.
Smiling fondly as he thought of the others, Kenny got up and dressed then headed out to the other room where he waited for the other three he was to be with today to get up.
Dizzy was the first to walk out. She smiled at him brightly and he felt himself blush slightly in response to the action. Every time he saw her it seemed he would feel a bit flustered. He didn't quite know how to explain it yet.
"Mariah and Lee are still getting up," Dizzy told him. "They should be ready in a few moments."
"Right." Kenny busied himself by making sure he had everything he might need.
"Are you still sure about this?" Dizzy asked quietly.
Kenny nodded. "Of course. I want to do something to help you, it was my fault you're stuck here after all, and I feel really bad about trapping you this way. And since we have some time …"
Dizzy smiled at him brightly again. "Then thank you. You're much more thoughtful than most other mages I've met." She sighed. "Since the war, there have been fewer worthy of being called such, and among those it was very rare to find one with such true respect for magic and the spirit. I'm glad to have met you Kyoujyu. I would like it very much if you would address me by my true name from now on. I bear no resentment to you."
Kenny found himself blushing as Mariah and Lee walked out. He hardly had time to ponder on the spirit's strange change in attitude, much less try to interpret the odd glint showing in her eyes right now. He just followed the two neko-jins out, trying not to blush as Dizzy slipped her hand inside his, as though seeking his protection.
Perhaps this is part of my destiny, Kenny thought to himself as they walked through the streets. One of the more enjoyable aspects of it anyway.
*~*~*
Rei glanced over at the warm body next to him once he opened his eyes and sighed. Kai had always looked rather captivating, but while sleeping he seemed even more so. Rei had wished that things between them would somehow sort out, but they hadn't, and he had only unguarded moments like these to revel in what might have been with the stoic leader.
Seeing him stir slightly, Rei drew away and got up, heading over to see if anyone else was up. There was no one in the other beds, so it was safe to assume they were the only ones left in their rooms. Glancing over at Kai quickly, Rei grabbed his pack and moved so that he was able to change his clothing without being seen.
"Are the others gone?" Kai asked wearily once he knew Rei was done. He'd kept his eyes closed the whole time, realizing what Rei was doing, but the neko-jin blushed anyway.
"Yes."
"Good. I'd rather not have them pester us for questions about things." Kai got up and quickly stripped off his shirt, uncaring that Rei was still in the room and turning a violent shade of crimson at his actions. Rei swiftly turned his back and quickly rummaged around to find his vials and pouches, just to give him something else to do while Kai changed.
"Do we have everything?" Kai asked once he was done, coming over to gather his belongings.
"Yeah. We'd better be careful while going around town though," Rei advised, his sobriety returning once he glimpsed the various substances they had with them. "I know things are sure to be difficult here." He looked over at Kai pleadingly. "Let me handle negotiations, please. I know that you disapprove of some things, but I need to be able to work without hindrance."
"So long as you don't degrade yourself in such a way again," Kai snapped, eyes blazing. They hadn't truly talked about the incident before so bluntly, but Rei was once again amazed at the depth of feeling Kai had towards this issue.
"There won't be a need," he assured Kai, looking away.
"Good. Then if you're ready?" He gestured to the door, leaving Rei to contemplate Kai's odd reactions to things.
I doubt I'll ever understand why he still gets so worked up over all this.
*~*~*
Surprisingly enough, they hadn't needed to use the Darklight yet, simply because thus far they'd only found leads to 'someone who might have heard a rumour' but they were getting closer with each step. Now, they found themselves outside a tiny run-down shop in the worst area of town. Thus was where those of dubious loyalty resided and, oddly enough, Rei felt more safe here than anywhere else in town. These people were less likely to sell them out to the authorities than anyone else they'd met.
Upon entering both Rei and Kai had to stop and catch their breath for a moment. There were so many substances burning and laying thick in the air that they were surprised they could see through the haze, or even breathe at all. Looking around, the two noticed that it was a similar shop to the one Mr. Dickinson had, though at the same time far different. Some of the items in here were so obviously illegal it was no wonder the owner lived out this way. Rei had to force himself not to touch anything, he couldn't be sure about anything in this shop. The two looked up as someone entered the room.
A lady, quite a few years older then them, smirked as she surveyed her visitors. "Well," she drawled in amusement, "I do wonder what brings two fine young gentlemen to my humble abode."
Kai glanced at Rei, letting him take over. Rei smiled and approached the woman. "I've heard a rumour that you might know of something we're looking for."
"I see." The woman's smile faded slightly as she took in their appearance. It was obvious she thought this a set-up. "Well I don't know if I'll be able to help you all that much. All I have is seen before you." She gestured around the room.
"Perhaps a trade of information then," Rei suggested quietly. He made the slightest movement with his hand, pulling out a small packet from his sleeves for an instant before stashing it away again.
The woman smiled again. "I see, well that might be acceptable. Come around to the back and I'll see what I can do for you." She gestured and turned away, letting Rei and Kai follow her to the back room of her shop. The back rooms were a bit more organized, though still thick with smoke. Both Kai and Rei were still wary when she sat down and gestured that they do the same.
"Who sent you here?" she asked mildly, though both could tell the question was anything besides mild curiosity.
"Siren," Rei told her.
She nodded. "Good. I assume then you're looking for something even more out of the ordinary than usual."
"Tablets," Kai interrupted watching her closely. "Very old ones."
"I have a lot of old documents and artifacts, you'll have to be more specific."
"Fire and Darkness."
She narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "I'm sorry," she replied slowly. "I can't help you." Her eyes flicked to Rei's hand again. Quite obviously these tablets were worth more than Rei offered at first.
Rei leaned over to the small table between them and placed down two small packets. "Darklight," he told her quietly. "Half-pound pure."
Her eyes widened and she glanced at Rei's face. He looked completely serious. She looked over at Kai and hesitated slightly. "I-I don't think …"
"I'm not with them," Kai said softly.
"How can I know?"
"You don't."
She hesitated again, biting her lip. "All right. I suppose one of them wouldn't be foolish enough to tell me who they are so blatantly. You're the stranger then, one of the fighters with the neko-jins?" She glanced at Rei again, who smiled and nodded. "Heard something from a friends of mine in Guildeford."
Kai glanced at Rei, stiffening slightly as he recalled the events in the town. Rei ignored him. "I have a friend or two there."
She relaxed slightly and got up, heading to a chest in the corner of the room. "All right, I think we can make a deal." She unlocked it and riffled through a few things. "I truly can't help you with the original tablets, they were destroyed some years ago, but my old master had the foresight to copy the writings down in his youth." She found a few scrolls and locked the trunk again before placing them on the table. "He spent most of his life attempting to translate it as well, without success. These are the only copies you will find."
Kai gently lifted one of the scrolls up and untied its binding. Looking at the unrolled parchment his eyes widened and a smile crept onto his face. "This is it," he breathed. "The original stories and spells of the Powers and their Guardians."
Rei's own eyes widened as he heard Kai say this. "That is what it is?" He glanced over Kai's shoulder and frowned. "Looks like complete gibberish."
"I'm about the only person around who might have a chance at translating it." Kai looked up at the woman. "You wouldn't happen to have any notes that your master had with this? What he managed to get through while studying it?"
She hesitated slightly. "It will cost you again."
Rei pulled out one of his other small packages, not the Darklight, but something worthwhile nonetheless. She nodded and headed over to the chest again and pulled out three more scrolls. "I had always thought there was more he did, but these were all that were found. He was murdered and other things were taken, more scrolls I'd assume."
Kai picked up one of the rolls and studied it. "This should do me well enough." He continued scanning and stopped suddenly. "More than enough," he breathed in a choked voice.
"Kai?" Rei looked at him in worry.
"I can do it, Rei. He's gotten me almost half-way with these." Kai laughed delightedly and impulsively leaned over and kissed Rei, holding him tight. "I can do this," he laughed, not quite realizing what he'd just done. He pulled back and looked intently at Rei. "Go find the others and tell them to meet me back at the inn. We'll have to move quickly once I've read a bit further."
"S-sure," Rei stuttered, blushing slightly. He got out of his chair rather quickly and with an embarrassed glance at the woman he left them.
The lady just narrowed her eyes, an indulgent smile on her face. "You always order your lover around like that?"
Kai's head shot up from the scroll as he heard this. "Lover?"
She frowned. "Well from the kiss I assumed …" she trailed off as she noticed how pale Kai went at this comment. He really hadn't noticed what he'd done, it was a completely impulsive move.
Kai looked away quickly and busied himself by tying the scrolls up again his thoughts a mess. Powers, what must he think of me? I cannot believe I did that … what will he think of me now? Kai looked up once the scrolls were tied up again. "Thank you so very much for your help."
The woman shrugged and leaned over to pick up the packages left for her. "It was a business deal, nothing more." She smirked. "Though I must admit such a show is quite rare to see. Not all of my clients are as innocent as you are. You may appear cold and impassive, but you are clearly not." Kai looked away in embarrassment. "Forgive me for asking this, but why exactly did you want these scrolls? I did not take you for an Underground member. The neko-jin perhaps, but you both seems so innocent to all of this … noble even."
Kai looked down at the scrolls he'd placed in his bag. "My family … I have to stop the traitor in my clan and I will do anything to succeed."
The woman nodded. "Then I am glad. I don't much like revolutions in the Underground, it's always quite messy and things were going so well before. I wish you the best in your quest then Hiwatari."
"Thank you." Kai nodded to her and left the small back room.
The woman shook her head. "The fate of the world in the hands of a child, despite his strength and power he is so innocent. I would not wish such darkness upon anyone." Sighing she quickly stashed away the drugs she'd received and moved back into the main store, awaiting her next customer.
*~*~*
Kai frowned, looking around. He must have taken a wrong turn just before, he didn't recognize this particular street. He backtracked and found himself back in familiar sights. He headed on towards the inn again, not really taking in his surroundings like he should have been.
Had his mind not been completely occupied with thoughts of the scrolls and of Rei then he might have noticed the person exiting one of the stores he was just passing moments before he hit him.
"I'm sorry," Kai said, slightly embarrassed. He berated himself for his carelessness. First rule for any situation: Observation.
"No problem," came a deep cold voice. Kai started momentarily, thinking he recognized the voice … but no … it couldn't be …
The man got himself up and turned to face Kai, but he too started upon seeing him and stared wide-eyed at the man before him.
Kai reacted first.
"Bryan?"
AN: How's that for a cliffhanger? (sorry, I just can't not torture you all like this … besides, anticipation is good for a person) Still I hope you all liked that (took me ages to get it all out)
Until next time
Laters.