Chapter 2

The Hell of Eternal Torture

"They think they can judge our after life,

Though they will never know until they die,

But they are right about one thing,

Hell awaits for us...

"It haunts our dreams...

It deprives us of sleep...

It is in this world...

It exists in our state of mind...

"Hell even transcends this external world,

Since your state of mind lets it be so,

Embrace this world and the world beyond,

So that you may know no bonds.

"Escape your state of mind,

See the true self of thine,

Tear what binds you to this external world,

So that you may ease the pain of your soul.

"Let go of your mortal shell,

Run away from your eternal Hell,

Then find the wisdom within,

So you may find your Heavens..."

"Saraswati," The State of Damnation

Miaka walked onto a tiled floor, entering her kitchen. She yawned a bit before opening a cabinet, taking a glass, walking over to the sink, and turning on the cold-water faucet. The woman paused for a moment, suspiciously looking outside the window of the kitchen. Nothing was there. Shrugging, she placed the glass under the faucet, filling it with water. Her eyes stared at the ripples of the glass, which did not seem to disappear even after she turned off the faucet and withdrew the glass. Even though the girl was not an expert at Physics, she knew something was going on.

She twirled three hundred and sixty degrees, taking a look at her surroundings. Nothing was there. Releasing a sigh, she quickly gave up on searching for the source of the water-ripple, concluding that it was merely a figment of her imagination. However, as she raised the edge of the glass to her lips, the scream of her child echoed into her ears, causing her to drop the glass. The glass shattered as it hit the ground.

Miaka quickly ran out of the kitchen, ignoring the tiny pieces of glass digging into the bottom of her foot. She made haste up the spiral stairs, then ran through the hall and into her bedroom door. A shriek escaped her lips as she saw the horror before her.

A tall, pallid man (at least 6'7) with long silver hair and blood-red, mesmerizing eyes held a gashed up Taka by the neck. Fangs stuck out of the man's mouth and blood-red, thorny, and demonic armor covered his body from neck to toe. The man was not alone - three masked men in black, but similar armor, accompanied him. To make things worse, the man was digging into Taka's neck, drawing blood and causing him to scream in agony. Below the suffocating Taka was a kneeling Moukou, sniffling and crying from the traumatic experience. Miaka rushed forward, just for the door to instantly close behind her.

"That was not very bright of you, was it, my dear?" a cool, sensual, and feminine voice said from behind Miaka. Miaka turned around to find a five feet and ten inches tall female with long, cherry black hair tied in a pony tail and very iced blue eyes. She wore a black and studded leather corset with indigo shoulder pads and a pair of black and blue breeches. Her lips were flushed, as if death itself touched them. Even though the woman was tall for her time period and gender, she was very beautiful...beautiful to the point of sending even Miaka in rapture. Come to think of it, Miaka thought she looked much like Soi, except icier in appearance. The woman approached Miaka, studying her intensely. "Such a pretty maiden, not the child you once showed me, M'Lord."

"She has grown up indeed," commented the man. He looked at the struggling Taka, then tossed him against a China cabinet, breaking the fine piece apart along with its contents. He laughed as Taka struggled to stand up. "As a matter of fact, the meat is nice for the taking."

"Bastard! You lay a hand on her and--" started an angered Taka before a swift kick hit his stomach. "Agh!" Taka doubled over.

"Such disrespect you show to your new Master," the warrior woman cooed while pacing around Taka.

The woman's "Master" chuckled in amusement just for an unexpected leg to sweep him, causing him to fall to the ground. After the crimson-armored man took the fall, Miaka groaned at the pain on her leg. Grabbing her leg, she yelled, "Moukou, run!"

Without hesitation, the little boy darted for the door, taking advantage of the fact that no one was blocking it anymore. The soldiers retaliated, but were blocked by a struggling Taka and limping Miaka. Husband and Wife took their positions while their son successfully escaped. The iced-eyed woman took a step forward to pursue the escapee, but her Master placed an arm before her, "We are not after the child, only these two. Let us deal with them before the others find out." She nodded in affirmation, stepping away.

"Take them down," commanded the man. All three soldiers drew their blades. Miaka tackled one soldier before he could attempt a slash while swiftly placing his sword arm in between her legs and her arms around his neck in a death grip. Taka side-stepped and did a reversed sweep to the back of the knees on one of the soldiers, while pushing him to the other. Both of Taka's soldiers died on their own blades. Unfortunately for Miaka, her grappling was imperfect, allowing her opponent to break free with brute force. The soldier placed the blade at her throat only to meet Miaka's resisting arms. At first, the soldier had the advantage of strength...until he felt a sharp pain go through his body, causing him to cough blood and fall over. The sword could come from no one but Taka.

"Miaka," Taka said while pulling her back to her feet, then doubling over and coughing blood himself. "Run!"

"No!" she refused, tears swelling in her eyes. "On our wedding day, we promised 'to be together, til' death do us part'. You are not---"

"Then 'til' death do us part,' it is," cackled the crimson-armored man. Before Miaka could retaliate, a pair of frail, cold, and feminine hands braced her from behind, grasping her by her elbows.

"Miaka!" Taka said while struggling to stand once again, just for him to fall forward. Blood stained his shirt, while the bleeding from the juggler vein did not stop. The man's strength withered slowly, despite what his will wanted.

"W..who are you!?" screamed a terrified and crying Miaka. She turned to the person bracing her, whimpering, "Soi?"

"I am Tenkou, possessing a mortal body," answered the sadistic man. "That is how I was able to break through to your world, without the Gods knowing who I am."

"Haku Kaen was my sister. I have nothing against you, nor your pathetic husband, but I want to see your fanged friend's head, handsomely on a silver platter," hissed the woman behind Miaka. "The Hells call me Kan'ya Shikome."

"But it does not matter if you know our names, for your deaths are nigh," Tenkou purred. "This time, though, I am not letting you off so quickly. Your pain will kill you before I do. Shikome, hand her over to me."

"Yes Ma--AGH!" screamed Shikome. Miaka broke from her release, quickly glancing behind to see Shikome holding an ankle, which was stabbed with a chunk of wood by a crawling Taka.

"Keep...away...from...her - Miaka, go," gurgled the hacking Taka, as he struggled to keep alive.

This time, Miaka made a run for the window only to bump into Tenkou's chest. She tried to pull away, but Tenkou grabbed her quickly, his wits surpassing hers. He gripped her wrist, lifting her into the air, ignoring her kicks. A chuckle vibrated in his throat, "Shikome, make sure her husband watches this as he dies..."

Shikome pulled the piece of wood out of her tendon, naturally kneeling while grabbing her assaulter, setting him on her lap and holding him down, which was not hard to do considering his condition. Taka naturally struggled at first, then stopped, realizing that it was no use. A sigh escaped Shikome's lips. Seeing that everything was going as planned, Tenkou looked at his helpless victim, grabbing the front of her kimono and ripping it away from her, wondering where he should make his first move. Tears washed down Miaka's blood-stained face, but her captor could not care any less. Miaka was suddenly tossed onto the bed. The pale warrior woman turned away instantly, but could not escape the shadow of the scene that took place before her.

Taka could do nothing but watch the reality before him, but he was too weak to do anything about it. Shikome's eyes twitched as the shadows of her Master mutilated and violated his victim.

Dawn made its way, absorbing the night away. In the sky of downtown Tokyo, two crimson energy balls entered the atmosphere, crashing into the business district. After the land, the energy balls shaped into two human forms. The red energy faded, leaving Tasuki and Chichiri. Both seishi stared at their surroundings, being in a trance from culture shock. Chichiri snapped out of the trance quickly.

"Time to look for Miaka, no da," Chichiri said. I am not familiar with Miaka's world, but I feel a strong presence of tainted chi nearby, thought the monk. The two seishi started their journey, walking across the street. All of a sudden, a driver slammed its breaks to avoid hitting them, honking at them loudly and causing the two seishi to jump in fear. Both decided it was better to walk on the side of the streets (also known as A sidewalk, but like they would know) so that none of the "iron carriages and monsters" hit them.

After twenty minutes of walking, the two found a neighborhood filled with houses. Right behind them, they heard a male voice, "Chichiri! Tasuki!" The monk and bandit jumped.

The person who called their name ran right in front of them, stopping and panting. It was a tall man with golden brown hair and black trench coat. Chichiri tilted his head, inquiring, "Do we know you?"

The man nodded, "I am Miaka's brother, Keisuke." Keisuke asked, scratching his head, "What are you two doing here? Are you supposed to be in your world?"

"Emergency, no da," Chichiri answered.

Keisuke widened his eyes. "Is Miaka okay?!"

"That is what we are wonderin'," Tasuki said. "We were sent here to fin--"

"No time for talk! Come with me, I can take you to her house!" exclaimed the protective brother of Miaka.

Keisuke ran ahead, saying no more. The warriors of Suzaku followed.

Through and out town hung bulletin boards of a golden robed man with extremely short brown hair and a black headband around his head. Kajiwara Yui glanced about in the dawn, quickly turning away from the direction of the sun rise. Since the time she graduated from high school, she kept her sand-colored hair long. Today, it was in a bun. The woman wore a black business suit, since she felt it was her duty to look sophisticated and professional in her classes. She sighed.

"What is it with this Saint Jin of Kyoto?" complained an irritating Yui, who was referring to the bulletin boards. "He did miracles, just like any other saint. The Catholic Church seems to have too strong of an influence, especially in a country that has a Shinto-Buddhist majority."

Then the girl thought about what she just said for a moment, then added to her rant, "I guess he is not to blame. Maybe he is so revered for being one of the few Japanese-borne Catholic saints."

So why was Yui the only one between her and Miaka still attending school, despite the fact that she is married as well? Simple. She cast the role of a housewife aside to attend Medical School. After all, the woman had the brains for the job. While Miaka's specialty was compassion and forgiveness, Yui's specialty was her intelligence and logic. Besides, as much as she loved Miaka, she wanted to be in an environment filled with people that matched her level of thinking.

Tetsuya, her husband since she entered college, worked at the local museum and at the school as a part-time Assistant Professor in the Ancient History department. The road was not easy for the two as far as schooling and making a living went, but in four years or so, it would be worth it. Both individuals could not only make extra money, but could also use the money to make their child's future easier. Unlike Miaka, Yui did not suffer from a teen pregnancy and took the extra precautions to prevent such a thing, as well as to prevent a pregnancy in her college life.

Yui sighed. She hated waking up early just to attend class - especially when the classes were before six in the morning. All of a sudden, her thoughts were distracted when she heard the crying of a child and little foot steps tapping on the side walk. Dear Gods, she recognized that voice!

Before her was a black-haired child with a pair of dirty polka-dotted pajamas on, running toward her direction. He saw Yui, instantly recognizing her and screaming, "AUNT YUI! HELP!"

"Moukou," gasped the woman. Her soft voice became a yell, "MOUKOU!"

The two ran toward each other, Yui automatically kneeling before the young boy, grasping his shoulders and looking at him in the eyes with concern. "What are you doing here alone? Where is mommy or daddy? Are they worried about you?"

The boy began to bawl harder, grabbing Yui by her blouse and burying his head in it. Yui could hear him choking on his tears as he stuttered, "Mommy and...daddy...are in trouble. I saw a big mean evil-looking man grab daddy and...and...make him bleed! Then mommy came and--"

"What!? Let us go to mommy and daddy, RIGHT NOW!" Yui interrupted, grabbing Moukou's hand while running in the direction he came from. Moukou somewhat dragged from behind. Shortly, a taxi was coming, causing Yui to stop her pursuit and wave her hand. "Taxi!"

The taxi stopped as the two opened the door to the passenger seat.

Keisuke, Chichiri, and Tasuki stopped at a tall, white, and two story house. All three of them bent over slightly, holding their stomachs, trying to catch a breath. Chichiri walked forward, before stopping in his tracks, saying, "This place is surrounded by tainted chi."

"What do you mean, tainted chi?" asked Keisuke. "Are you saying that..."

"Yes, 'they' already been here," Chichiri said, before being shoved aside by a running Tasuki.

"Miaka! Taka!" Tasuki shouted out, jumping on the edge of a first floor window and leaping toward the balcony. He grabbed the edge, lifting himself onto the balcony. Chichiri grabbed Keisuke, following Tasuki. Tasuki reached below, yelling, "Give him a lift buddy!"

Keisuke stood there puzzled while Chichiri cupped his hands, saying, "Keisuke, hurry."

I had the keys to their house, Keisuke thought before obeying the monk's command. He hopped onto Chichiri's cupped hands, jumping while the monk lifted him into the air. Seeing that his hands would not reach the balcony, Tasuki quickly hung himself by his calves. Tasuki grabbed the ordinary man by his wrists, using the remaining momentum and his own strength to swing Keisuke into the balcony. The bandit fell on a shin and exhaled a deep breath, feeling his stomach ache from his strenuous actions. Chichiri hopped in shortly.

"What the...?" Keisuke began, his eyes widen in shock at the scene behind the window. Blood decorated the walls and furnishing. Three dead men covered the ground, not including an injured and laying Taka. That was not it; the once beautiful, pure, and white Egyptian cotton that covered Taka and Miaka's bed had fresh blood stains on it, as well as a naked and mutilated Miaka. He tried to open the window, but it was locked.

"Shit! We did not get here in time!" Tasuki yelled. At the same time Tasuki did, Keisuke rammed the window open, causing shattered glass to fly everywhere. Tasuki ran for Miaka's bed while Keisuke checked on a Taka, who was beaten to a bloody pulp.

Keisuke covered his nose as the scent of blood and bodily fluids assaulted the air around him. With his free hand, he pressed onto Taka's neck, checking for a pulse. No pulse existed. Frowning, he remorsely said, "He is dead."

Tasuki knelt before Miaka, checking her pulse as well. To his surprise, and also his relief, he felt a pulse. He turned his attention to everyone else, yelling out, "She's alive! Get over here Keisuke, Chichiri!"

Chichiri walked over to the bed, as did Keisuke. Without saying a word, Keisuke ran to a cell phone, which survived the wreck.He knelt down and picked it up, dialing a phone number. Tasuki saw the cell phone light up and jumped back, yelling, "What are you doing!? Is that some magical trinket?"

"I am calling the ambulence, we have no time to waste!" Keisuke yelled back, putting the phone to his ear.

"What is an ambulence?" Chichiri asked, scratching his head in confusion, his attention on Keisuke.

"An ambulence takes the sick and injured to a place where they can get better," answered Miaka's brother.

"Ohhhh! Like a doctor!" Tasuki concluded.

"Exactly," Keisuke answered, not realizing someone picked up the phone. He said, "Ohhhh. Sorry about that miss. We need a hook-up to the ambulence."

"Who is he talking to?" Tasuki asked Chichiri.

"I think that thing in his hand," Chichiri responded, being just as confused.

"Yes, sir. We found a massacre in the house at 4367 South 45 Hikama Street Tokyo, Japan, " continued Keisuke, who ignored the ongoing conversation. "Err, take us to the downtown Tokyo hospital please and get here quick!"

Keisuke pressed the keyguard feature on the cell phone and stuck it in his pocket, walking over to the bed with everyone else. Tasuki took off his cloak, revealing a loose white shirt, black breeches and boots, and a purple vest. Instantly, Keisuke spotted a diamond and garnet bracelet on the bandit's wrist. "Where did you find that?"

"I found it on the ground, in the room where Miaka stayed at in one of her visits," Tasuki said, eyeing it for a moment before looking back at Miaka's unconscious body. He gently picked her up with one arm, holding her against him as he laid his cloak on the bed with a free hand. Not able to bare seeing how badly wounded she was, he wrapped his cloak around her. Through the whole entire time, his eyes did not leave her face.

Hmmmm, Chichiri pondered as he watched Tasuki.

A minute later, the sirens blasted in the air. Tasuki jumped, freaking out yet again. "AAAAAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHH! WHAT THE HELL IS THAT NOISE!?" He drew out his fan, scanning his surroundings intensely while Chichiri and Keisuke watched in astonishment, yet amusement. The bandit ran to the balcony, looking around and spotting a red fire truck, yelling, "That is one loud and nasty noise that weird red carriage makes!"

"Calm down Tasuki, it is only the sirens of a fire truck," Keisuke said while taking a look himself. "I will go answer the door."

Yui opened the door to the taxi and widened her eyes at the scenery before her - a fire truck and now an ambulence is parked at Miaka's house. Moukou crawled out of the taxi while Yui paid the driver her fee. She grabbed Moukou's hand and ran toward Miaka's house, halting at the opening of the front door. A pair of men carried out an injured and struggling Miaka, with an oxygen mask on. The sight was more than enough to make Moukou cry against Yui's stomach. Gently, Yui pulled Moukou from her and knelt, "I am going to check on mommy, okay?"

Moukou nodded, keeping close to Yui as she jogged next to Miaka. Miaka woke up, looking at Yui with terrified eyes. A tear streamed down her eyes as she saw Moukou with her. She looked back up to Yui, "Take care of him for me."

The blond woman's eyes filled with tears as she screamed, "Do not say that! You are going to be fine!"

Two officers held Yui back before she could proceed. One of them said: "You cannot go any further than this. Sorry."

Keisuke walked out of the house with Tasuki and Chichiri. Yui saw them and ran toward them. Moukou slipped through the officers and yelled, "I wanna see my mommy!"

Yui turned around and looked at Moukou for a bit, then turned back to her original audience. "They will not let me go in the car with her...sorry I could not get here sooner!"

"Well, at least my nephew is okay," Keisuke said solemnly.

Tasuki stared at the "carriage" that they were taking Miaka into. He sighed, not sure how their healing arts are compared to his world. Chichiri asked Keisuke and Yui, "Is there anyway that we can see her?"

"Yes, we can take a taxi," said Yui.

"They said I could ride with Miaka, since she is family," said Keisuke. The man looked at Yui, then at the seishi. He noticed their confusion. "What is wrong?"

"Uh, what is a 'taxi'?" Tasuki asked, scratching his forhead.

"Uh, a 'taxi', is much like a mini-carriage you sit in," Yui said, trying to simplify her vocabulary so that Tasuki and Chichiri would understand. "It is much faster than a horse though."

"Ohhhhhhh, I get it now!" the bandit exclaimed. "Well, let's get going. We should not keep my Mik..err...Miaka waiting!"

Yui beckoned the seishi to follow her while Keisuke walked into the ambulence, whispering something to Moukou. Moukou ran out, joining Yui's group that was heading toward the end of the road, where taxis commonly drive by.

Author's notes: Reviews are appreciated, as usual. I also want to add some side notes to this chapter. Story hint - can anyone guess who Saint Jin is? ;) After I get a few reviews, I will know how to do the next chapter(s).

Kan'ya Shikome - She is a creation of my own, yes. I want to add some in-depth description about her name, though. According to Jefferey's Japanese/English Dictionary ), Kan'ya translates to Cold Night and Shikome can mean homely woman or "plain woman"; I vouched for the "plain woman" definition for it really describes this girl. She is not shallow by all means, but you will notice that she comes across as an Ice Queen.