Summary: The island changes you. Survival is uncertain. How is Nasuti involved with Seiji's disappearance and can Ryo get him back?

Ryo/Seiji shounen ai Drama strong R

Warning: This story contains shounen ai which is male/male love. Please do not read if such ideas upset you. Please use your good judgment. This fiction also contains violence and foul play. Consider yourself warned.

Rated R for violence, strong language and sexual situations.

Disclaimer: "Yoroiden Samurai Troopers" does not belong to me. God, how I wish it did...


Author's note: The story you are about to read is becoming progressively darker. For anyone who is familiar with my other stories, this fiction will be even darker than those are.



To Have and Have Not
by Libellule
Chapter six: splitting



Gazing at her image in the mirror, Nasuti ran her fingers through her hair, smoothing the brown wisps away from her face. She studied her reflection, peering intently into her own eyes as her mind wantonly imagined a thousand different scenarios that could unfold.

Nasuti's heart fluttered wildly, like a caged bird in her chest.

Excitement. She told herself, though she knew, as her mirror image stared back at her, that it was sheer anxiety that made her breath quicken. Of all the emotions she could be feeling, she had not expected guilt to be one of them.

"I have done only what is necessary." She whispered quickly, "You deserve to be happy."

You deserve Ryo, she thought. No one knows just how much.


Nasuti knew all kinds of things. She specialized in the little known, the obscure... Was it really such a wonder that she had been able to take advantage of Seiji?

They all underestimated Nasuti, she knew that. The troopers thought she was weak, someone who needed protecting, not someone to be protected from.

Well, she had certainly shown them hadn't she?

"Not one of them will suspect me," she muttered, "deeming dear, sweet Nasuti too weak and feeble to be of any consequence."

She opened the right dresser drawer and retrieved her make up case. Brightening her skin tone with a foundation powder, Nasuti recalled how she'd started on this path.

The sword had always stuck out in her memory ever since she had first laid eyes on it during a rainy summer holiday in London. She had been twelve years old when her grandfather had taken her on that special trip to the art museum. It was her first time in England and her grandfather went through great lengths to please her. He had known the curator who had arranged to take Nasuti behind closed doors to show her artifacts that were not on display.

"Grandpa, what's that?" Nasuti had asked, pointing to the glass case where the sword was stored.

"That's a very dangerous weapon," he told her. "The Blood sword, so called for the blood red jewel in the blade."

She looked at the red stone, mesmerized by its splendor. "It's beautiful! Why is it not on display?"

He paused a long time and his face became gray, betraying his worry. "Many accidents occurred while procuring this sword. People disappeared. There were even attempts at stealing it-- anyone who got close enough to disturb it was never found."

Then he steered her away lest she be drawn to it as well. "It is best kept away from society where it cannot cause trouble."

But she'd been seduced by it nonetheless. That weapon had become her secret obsession. In addition to research on the yoroi, she kept a watch on the Blood sword as well, waiting for the day she might see it again.

That day had finally come, if somewhat haphazardly. Ryo had set afire her jealous rage. She had conspired this scheme and set it into play without thinking. In fact, Nasuti had spent the last two weeks in a daze, barely remembering how she got from one day to the next.

She had pulled a few strings, calling on her grandfather's contacts in London, and before her two week holiday was up, Nasuti had made arrangements for the sword to be transferred into her custody. Having a wealthy, and esteemed parentage powered with a large bank account, made it all too easy for everything she desired to fall into place.

She leaned towards the mirror, applying a mauve shade of eye shadow to her eyelids.

Despite all her bravado, she had second thoughts. It was not too late to confess... to set things right again.

If she didn't see this through, however, her chance with Ryo would be gone. And that was not an option.

Don't be such a coward! Have a little courage, Nasuti. She asserted. To get what you want, you have to take what you can, when you can.

Picking up a jet black liner pencil, she carefully began to outline her eyes. She thought the color to be very appropriate. Fiercely, she smudged the black beneath her lashes with her finger.

As hard as she tried to expunge the thought of Ryo and Seiji together, she could not erase the image of their kiss from her mind. To witness that first, desperate kiss had ripped her heart from her chest. In that moment, a terrible violence had surged up inside her, filling in the abysmal hole where her heart once took residence with volatile, inky rage. And she wasn't about to take her heart's defeat lying down.


Anger renewed, she sat back from the mirror, gently tousling her hair to a wild fullness. Unbuttoning the top two buttons of her blouse and throwing her shoulders back, Nasuti posed in front of the glass, practicing her best seductively concerned expression.

She opened her eyes wide, and drawled, "Oh no! How terrible! Seiji's gone?" An ill-fated smile crept onto her face, and she chided silently, You can't smile when you say it, or it will seem insincere.

Pleased with her appearance, she finished the look by applying a shade of lipstick which she had dubbed "Ryo Red", and pressed her lips together.

There was a soft tap on her door, and a gentle call, "Nasuti?"

Show time. It was Ryo come to tell her the news, no doubt.

Taking a final glance in the mirror for confidence, Nasuti whisked away from the door, busying herself by straightening the clothes hanging in her closet, trying to act as inconspicuous as possible.

"Come in."

The knob turned slowly, and the door lagged open, Ryo weakly pushing back the hinged panel.

Leaning back casually, Nasuti turned to greet him, ready with a smile, but she was unprepared for the shock of total devastation on his face.

"Ryo, my God, what's happened?" Nasuti asked with genuine concern-- for something of catastrophic proportions had to have occurred for such utter distress to be marring Ryo's face.

Nasuti felt the remnants of her heart seize as she witnessed Ryo's features contort further with raw, unmasked pain.

"Please, Ryo, say something. You're scaring me..."

When he finally met her eyes, Ryo had restrained his emotion tightly enough so he could hold it together while he spoke. "Something... awful has happened." He paused, floundering for a moment. "There was this sword--."

A moment of profound irritation gnawed at her patience as she thought incredulously, He's this upset over Seiji? It took all her self-control not to sneer.

"--and, so much blood--."

"Blood?" Nasuti interrupted, her facing blanching. "There wasn't supposed--." She stopped suddenly, catching her error. "Ryo, what are you trying to say?"

"Seiji and Shin are gone." He finally blurted. "And could both very well be dead."

"...Seiji and Shin?" Nasuti whispered.

"Yes," Ryo answered. "I realize that you and I haven't gotten along lately, but I beg you-- I need your help. We have to find out more about this sword, and I know you're the only one who can help us."

"Yes, of course." Nasuti promised coolly. Shin wasn't supposed to be there. She mused. Poor Shin, too kind for his own good. A casualty of war I'm afraid.

It was a good thing that Ryo led the way out of her room or he would have seen her scornful smile.

********


Hot, sticky morning air clung to Seiji's skin as he slowly returned to a state of awareness. Throbbing pain pounded inside his skull in tune to his wild pulse. A migraine headache was in full swing, making him wince at even the slightest motion.

Because of this, Seiji did not realize he was being watched until he opened his eyes and came face to face with large, brown orbs--

Little Iliki was stretched out on her side next to him, left ear pressed against the dirt, with her eyes opened wide as she scrutinized his every feature.

She drew in a loud breath as she noticed that his eye color was not brown like her own, and every other person she had ever known, but pale violet instead. And not red either...

Her small hand reached out hesitantly, and she carefully touched Seiji's light hair, curling it around her fingers. Subconsciously her other hand ran to her own hair, feeling the difference between his hair and her course black mane which trailed halfway down her back. His hair was the color of the sun, not white as she had originally thought.

She scrunched her mouth in consideration-- he was certainly not uhane.

Seiji realized that the girl's thoughts were bleeding into his own. Marking her keen fascination with a watchful eye, Seiji forced himself still as Iliki studied him. It took a moment, but he was able to separate her from his impressions.

Without warning, the girl gave his blond hair a swift, hard yank--

Pain flared up from his migraine, and he quickly pulled away from her, sitting up mumbling, "Wretched child."

The girl also sat up, a look of satisfaction on her face that she had provoked him in some way.

Seiji had never liked children much. They asked too many questions, made too much noise, were a liability, and they pulled hair, he scowled.

How had he ended up alone with her?

Mele had suggested that they settled down for the night under the protection of a large outcropping of trees. She was very insistent that they stay hidden, as she did not have many bullets left, and did not want to be ambushed by a pack of ravenous uhane.

Expanding his senses, Seiji felt that Mele was nearby, though he could not see her. She must have gotten over her reluctance to trust him, Seiji thought with a tinge of annoyance, as she had seen fit to leave her charge in his care.

Iliki had crouched down on her little legs, and proudly placed a small fruit on the ground in front of him. She pulled another one out from behind her back, and took a bite, giggling as the juice dribbled down her chin.

Looking from the child's expectant face to the overripe fruit on the grass in front of him, Seiji hesitantly picked up the pear shaped fruit. He inspected it carefully and when he was satisfied that the fruit was safe, he took a bite. As his teeth pierced the skin of the soft pear, its juices burst out, spraying Seiji's face with sticky, sweet nectar.

Iliki squealed with delight, but quickly slapped her hands over her mouth trying to hide her incessant laughter.

It was almost funny. If Seiji's head hadn't hurt so much, he might have joined the little girl in laughter.

Iliki jumped up quickly, digging her hands deeply into the pockets of her jumper. Fishing out a tattered handkerchief, she presented the small cloth to him modestly.

"Thank you," Seiji said in his own language, and smiled at the girl.

Her face lit up as she grinned, biting her bottom lip shyly.

He couldn't remain indifferent to the girl, he avowed begrudgingly, as she was rather adorable. It was unlike Seiji's character, but he felt a very strong connection with this child. Perhaps it had something to do with Kourin rescuing her from death.

Hesitantly taking another bite from the pear, Seiji watched her, watching him. With a brazen, unguarded, yet innocent fascination, Iliki scrutinized his every feature. Seiji noticed that she kept staring at his hair, realizing that his resemblance to a uhane would be very obvious to a child.

He returned her stare-- there was something about this girl that would not allow Seiji to dismiss her as he would any other child.

Pushing a twig around in the dirt, making nonsensical patterns and markings, Iliki had apparently forgotten her fascination with him.

Seiji watched her drawing in the dirt, and the little child suddenly looked up at him.

"Look!" She said, standing up without brushing the dirt from her knees. Iliki laid her small hand on his forearm.

Reluctantly, Seiji let himself be pulled to the small patch of disturbed earth. He frowned as he stared at the markings.

"See?" Iliki asked excitedly.

Now Seiji wasn't sure how to answer her, because he did not see what she had drawn-- it looked like nothing more than meaningless scratches in the dirt.

But before he decided how to respond, she pointed to her sand sketch, and said proudly, "You. Mele. Me."

Carefully connecting the lines and shapes, Seiji made out three stick figures from her scribbles.

He supposed that she might be confused by his presence and his relation to Mele. Seiji did not know what Iliki's family life might be like, but it was obvious that he was filling a father shaped void in her life.

"Iliki--." Seiji began, but she was not paying attention to him. The girl's eyes shifted from Seiji to something behind him.

"Mele!" She shouted, jumping up to meet her. The little girl ran to the older woman, hugging her waist in a loving greeting.

"Hi, sweetheart." Mele said, stooping down to her eye level. "How are you feeling?" She brushed Iliki's disheveled hair out of her face, probing her forehead discreetly. There wasn't even the hint of a scar where the mortal gash had been.

"I feel fine," Iliki answered.

Mele smiled at her, then glanced up at Seiji. "Have you eaten?"

"Yes," he said.

"Good. We have to get moving."

"Where are we going, Mele?" Iliki asked as she gathered her things, which consisted of nothing more than a poorly patched together satchel.

"We have to meet up with the others," Mele said. "It's not safe to be out unprotected."

"We're going home?" Iliki asked hopefully.

"Yes, kiddo."

Mele removed the clip from her gun to verify the number of bullets she had left. There were only five left. She had better make them count.

"You're coming with us, right?" Iliki ran up to Seiji, clasping his hand between her two little ones. "Please?" Her eyes were wide and eager. "We live in a tree house," She added as if that would clinch the deal.

Seiji nodded, trying hard not to grin. Iliki's face brightened at the silent affirmation.

Sensing Mele's eyes on them, Seiji felt her somberness bend ever so slightly as he deepened the little girl's joy with his tacit reply.


*******



Opening his eyes slowly, Shin focused on the large shafts of dried palm branches overhead. Tiny rays of light peeked through the minuscule spaces between the boughs creating a meshwork of light across his face.

Squinting in the light, he sat up on the soft woven pallet. On the floor in front of him was a thin mat laid out with a magnificent display of provisions-- dried fruits, berries, nuts, fillets of fish, grain breads, bottles of wine and jugs of water. A beautiful spread of flowers lined the edges of the dwelling. and a few candles were burning quietly in glass vases.

If Shin didn't know any better, he could have sworn that this was an offering. He laid back on the pallet, trying to remember how he came to be in this situation. After saving the girl and her companion from drowning, Shin had been led to a small settlement of makeshift huts, set close to the beach. The girl he rescued called immediately for her family, and began talking emphatically in a language he could not understand and suddenly-- the few people who inhabited these dwellings surrounded him and fell at his feet. Abashed, he tried to make them understand that he was just an ordinary guy, not one to be worshipped, but they would not be swayed.

It wasn't until the boy he rescued regained consciousness that his memory became hazy. In an attempt to convey his gratitude, the wakening boy reached out, clasping his hand-- all at once his lungs constricted, and Shin suddenly couldn't breathe-- that is when he must have collapsed. Only vaguely did he remember being helped to the hut and guided to the pallet.

That was twice now that Shin had been physically affected when others had touched him.

"What does that mean?" Shin whispered to himself. He couldn't help but think that he was feeling other people's pain through mere physical contact. And that thought troubled him.

"It has to be this world," he said, thinking out loud.

He wasn't comforted by the thought. In fact, he felt very ill at ease. If he was this influenced by the island in only being here such a short time, how was Seiji being affected?

That's assuming that Seiji had not been killed by one of those metal creatures.

A smirk twisted his face-- Seiji was more cunning than that; he wasn't dead. If anyone could escape certain death, Seiji could.



*************************


The room was darkened, the shades never having been drawn. Nasuti peered thought the dim light at the bloody mess on the floor, the stained sword jettisoned off to the side. She stepped fully into the room, the heels of her shoes click-clacking loudly against the hard wooden floor.

Oh, she was angry. It was such a simple plan, but obviously not fool proof, she brooded as she surveyed the damage.

All she would have had to do was return the sword to the museum... but it was too late now. Kind, sweet, good natured, stupid Shin had touched it-- she felt a pang of regret deep in her stomach.

One missing trooper was easily dismissed as an accident, but two missing created suspicion. She had thought that she'd have time to put the sword back before anyone noticed Seiji's disappearance. She hadn't counted on Ryo's instincts kicking in.

Her emotions raged inside her, fighting to break through. Don't let this sway you, Nasuti thought. It's one minor set back.

While it was unfortunate that Shin had interfered, he was becoming increasingly... expendable.

There was just one more pressing matter to deal with. She couldn't have anyone figuring out her connection to the weapon. Ryo was too guilt stricken to suspect Nasuti. Shuu was as thick as they come-- a sweet, but simple minded fool who would believe what she told him. The only one she had to worry about was Touma.

The little researcher that he is, I can't have him snooping around for information on that sword.

She had to stay one step ahead of him. He wouldn't find out any more than she would allow.



****


The forest was thinning, the thick trees becoming narrow and further apart. A soft cool breeze drifted through, caressing the trees softly with its gentle zephyr.

Walking side by side, Mele said smiled at Seiji as they watched Iliki prance about ahead of them. The child was happily talking to and dancing with her imaginary friends.

"She's really taken with you, Seiji," Mele said suddenly while keeping an eye on the little girl twirling in front of her. "She's never attached to anyone so quickly before."

Seiji smiled slightly, but said nothing.

Gently, Mele clasped Seiji's arm, her touch causing him to look at her.

"Thank you," She whispered. "You can't know what saving her means to me." Gripping his arm tightly, keeping him still, she inclined towards him on tip toe, pressing her lips against his cheek.

Seiji froze--

"Don't look so stunned." She laughed at his expression. "It's just a thank you kiss. I don't fancy you or anything."

He dipped his head, trying to hide his lopsided, sheepish grin.

"Now that's more like it," Mele said, laughing. "You're twice as handsome when you smile like that." She cooed teasingly.

It was only for a moment, that they let their guard down, but it was just long enough to give ample opportunity to the predator hidden among the tree branches.

Sensing danger nearly too late, Seiji pushed Mele to the ground, shouting, "Get down!"

A snarling uhane dropped from the tree, swinging wildly at them, its sharp nails barely missing the flesh of Mele's neck. It landed squarely, baring its red eyes to them. The creature hissed sharply and charged the two, crossing the short distance in seconds.

Suddenly, the uhane jerked back as a loud shot rang out. Mele's smoking gun was still pointed at the uhane-- the uhane clutched its bleeding shoulder yelping in pain.

"Stupid beast," Mele retorted. "Did you honestly think you'd catch one of us in broad daylight?"

It growled in response, a low throaty rumble-- a noise, Seiji realized, that was not mere contempt.

Pressed back against a tree trunk, Iliki hid in fear of the scary beast unaware of the rustling of branches just above her.

There was no time--

Enhancing his speed, Seiji became a green and white blur as he lunged towards her, snatching the child up in one instant and rolling with her the next.

Screeching in pain, the creature slammed into Seiji's back, its claw like nails unable to penetrate his subarmor.

Rage erupting-- How dare it attack a defenseless child-- Seiji turned on the uhane smashing his arm back into its ribcage. It wasn't able to choke for more than a second before Seiji brought his fist up, slamming his knuckles into the uhane's face.

The creature was knocked senseless, falling backwards away from them.

Turning towards the child, Seiji staggered slightly as Iliki launched herself at him, throwing her arms around him securely. Hesitantly, he ran his fingers through her black mane of hair.

A third uhane dropped down from just above them, its long white hair flying wildly behind it. All Seiji could do was shield Iliki from it as he braced himself for a blow.


"Hold it right there or you're gonna lose what little brains you have!" Mele shouted, her gun trained on the standing uhane.

It stood less than a foot from Seiji, glaring at him with disgust. The uhane cocked its head to one side considering the blond haired, violet eyed man before it.

:Human eyes: It thought with surprise. :Not uhane-- human.:

Seiji winced as its thoughts pervaded his mind, though he tried his best not to show it. It was like shards of glass scraping against his brain.

Casting a look at the wounded uhane, the white haired one backed off slowly, stooping to rouse the unconscious uhane at his feet. With a final glower of contempt, the three darted back into the darkness of the forest.


Iliki whimpered softly as she held tightly to Seiji's waist, her small body shaking against his-- crying.

Iliki was only five. The uhane had rightfully scared her.

Seiji looked down at her unsure of himself-- he never seemed to do the right thing when children were concerned. Ryo would know just what to say-- Shuu indefinitely, he was great with kids-- but Seiji was somehow lacking the knowledge of how to console another, particularly a child.

Perhaps he should have learned it from his mother, but she was nothing more than a luminous impression in his memory. He couldn't even remember the sound of her voice, or what she looked like.

Seiji knew he should say something...


"It's okay, Iliki." Seiji assured her. "You're okay."

But the child continued to cry-- he couldn't bear to listen to her cry, to hear the depth of her upset.

His grip tightened around her, embracing her securely. "Sweetheart, don't cry," Seiji whispered in her ear. "I'll protect you, I promise. Nothing will hurt you as long as I am here." And he meant it.


"Are you her personal guardian angel, or something?" Mele asked, coming up beside them. Iliki let go of Seiji, and ran to Mele, who scooped her up in her arms. "That's two times now that you've saved her."


Seiji said nothing, only nodding slightly-- something was wrong. He felt as if something was trapped inside his skull, trying to claw its way out. The pressure mounting inside of his head was so great, that he was sure his skull was about to crack.

"Are you all right?" Mele's voice exploded in his mind, shattering the lucidity to chaos. He staggered against the tree trunk to steady himself against the blinding, searing pain.

"Seiji?"

Tension creased his brow. A wetness was trickling down his chin as he realized that his nose was bleeding.

"Shit." He cursed softly, smearing the blood away with his fingers. Seiji was no fool. The connection between delving into people's minds and the blood pouring out his nose was not lost to him.

Somewhere through the haze, Seiji thought he heard Mele's voice, but in the pain he could not differentiate her thoughts from his own.


*****************************************

Author's note:

I realize it's been a long time and I hope that there is still an interest in my story. Please let me know if you enjoyed the story and would like me to continue. Li_bell_ule@yahoo.com

please visit my website:thedragonflysleeps.tripod.com

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