Blah thoughts
Blah Guarian mind speak
/blah/ master mindspeak.

Chapter 8:

You're Mine

Ian jumped up the steps that led to large, brick church, careful not to slip in any of the puddles that covered them. He shook the water from his messy navy colored hair, and pushed it out of his crimson eyes. Even though it had stopped raining earlier that day, a lady had dumped some soapy water out of her window as he was walking under it, covering the diminutive Russian in soap and water.

He straightened his green cloak before he started pounding on the large wooden doors of the church. "Hey, open up in there!" When no one answered right away he continued to yell and shout at the occupants that he knew had to be inside the church. It was Sunday and service hadn't ended that long ago.

"Hold on, I'm coming, I'm coming." Sounded a voice from inside the church. Ian heard what sounded like a bolt being slid out of place, and then the scraping of the door being dragged across the stone floor as it was opened.

"Hello." Ian greeted frostily. He was a little miffed with having being kept waiting so long, in his uncomfortable wet clothes. His foot tapped against the stone foyer impatiently, making a squelching sound as the water that was trapped in his boot squished around.

"Can I help you, young man?" asked the women that stuck her head out the door. Her shoulder length blonde hair fell into her face, shading her brown eyes from the sun that glared over the top of the other buildings and flashing off the bits of metal that were everywhere.

"Yes, you can. I'm looking Shikura Caryuski. I was told I could find her here." He eyed the older women skeptically looking for any sign that she might be hiding his target.

About to answer the young Russian, she stopped when she remembered the note that Shikura had left in her slipper:

Dear Mother,

I'm sorry to have to leave without telling you face-to-face, but it couldn't be helped. There are people after me. People who wish to use Chandra and me for some evil purpose. So I'm leaving with Lilzo and Ketsuna. I can't tell you where I'm going; I don't even know where we're going. But please do not let on that I have left, we need the time to get away.

I will return when all this is over, I promise.

Love,

Shikura

She grinned sweetly at the boy, and shook her head. "I'm sorry young man. She isn't here. She's out in the market buying wares from those merchant's who are gutsy enough to set up shop in this ghastly weather. She should be back later tonight if you'd like to try then?"

Ian eyed her skeptically, but nodded nonetheless. "All right. I'll be back later then. Good day, miss. Sorry to have bothered you." He turned on his heel and jumped down the steps to where his horse stood waiting. To Ian's annoyance the saddle had dried off even a little from when he was drenched on the contrary all the water had pooled into the middle of the saddle. He grumbled darkly as he swiped at the water, trying to get most of it off, so his ride back to the Citadel wouldn't be completely uncomfortable.

Tyson, Max, Rei, and, Celestial stopped there chat and looked up as their visitor came through the door that from the front of the store to the back. The first thing they all noticed was his gravity defying red-hair. Max being the kind of person he is, greeted the newcomer first.

"Hi, nice to meet you I'm Mizuhara Max." His grin reached his eyes easily, but faltered slightly when the boy didn't offer a greeting in return. He glanced at his two friends and shrugged. The white wolf at the boy's side eyed the small group warily. All had Guardian Spirits and therefore all were considered a threat.

Cele was looking at the emblem that was emblazoned on the necklace he was wearing. It was a gold chain with a silver pendant, and etched into the pendant was a black Phoenix. Her narrow black eyes narrowed in thought as she tried to remember where she had seen this symbol before.

Tyson noticed her staring at the boy and nudged her in the arm. "Cele, it's rude to stare, ne."

She blinked and looked over at Tyson. "I know I've seen that Crest before." She mumbled motioning at the Boys necklace. "Doesn't it seem familiar to you at all, Ty?"

Tyson looked at the object in question. Something seemed to click when he got a good look at it. The boy was talking to Rei at the moment and had turned to get a good look at the Neko-jinn. He nodded at Cele's question. "Yeah it does, but I don't know where from."

"Something you two find interesting about my chest, or do you just have a staring problem?" The boy asked raiding a blood-red eyebrow at the two friends. Cele scowled up at him and Tyson blushed slightly shaking his head.

"No, we were just admiring your pendant. We've seen it somewhere before and couldn't remember where." Tyson explained regaining his composure.

"Well you could have just asked to see it then. My name's Tala by the way. Tala Valkov. And this is my Guardian, Wolborg." He introduced the wolf and ruffled the fur between his ears. Wolborg growled in annoyance, but tolerated it.

"I'm Kinomiya Tyson."

"Celestial Magi."

"Rei Kon."

Cele continued to think about where she had seen the Crest before, while the four boys talked about something or other. /Notath. Have you seen this symbol before/ She asked her Guardian. He had a much better memory than she did, and would most likely remember.

Yes I recognize it.

/From where/ She demanded, almost shooting up from her lounging position she had on the ground, with her back against the crates, her hands crossed over her stomach.

Do you remember when Helet, attacked you and Tyson when you were younger. Cele nodded mentally. He had a crest like this on an armband he was wearing at the time. This boy, Tala, may be working for the same person that he was/is working for. Notath stated calmly, It might be beneficial, Mistress if you pay attention to the conversation.

Cele blinked and came back to the real world in time to hear Tala pose his question to the four gathered there. "My employer would like for you to work for him. The room, board, and food are all free. All you would have to do is work. And you would be paid very well." He looked at each person in turn, gauging his or her individual reactions.

Max looked curious, but somewhat nervous. Ray was all suspicion and caution. Tyson looked confused. And the girl, Celestial, looked downright mutinous. Tala turned surprise filled turquoise eyes on the black haired girl. "Did I say something wrong?"

This brought the others attention to Cele as well. "Cele, what's up? What's gotten you so wound up?" Questioned Tyson, looking down at his childhood friend from atop the crate he was sitting on.

"I know where we've seen that Crest before." She snarled, pointing at Tala's necklace.

"Where?"

"Helet had one. But it was on an armband back then. Don't you remember Tyson, when he attacked us all those years ago, almost killed us."

Tyson turned to look at the Crest again, this time recalling the incidences of his past. Something clicked and his eyes snapped together and he glared pure hatred at Tala.

Max and Rei looked at him warily. "Tyson, you okay?" Max asked, actually moving out of the way as Tyson stood up and faced the redhead.

"Get out of my shop." He growled; his hands clenched tightly at his sides. "We don't want to take your Employers offer. You can tell him the answer is no."

Rei's golden cat-like eyes darted between the two teens. Seeing the hatred in Tyson's, and the triumph in Tala's? What the hell? Why does he look happy that Tyson's refused the offer?

"It's a shame that I can't do that. You see my boss told me to take you with or with out your consent. So you see, we have a slight problem here." Tala grinned maliciously as he eyed the four teens as the quickly got to his feet at his statement.

"What's going on here? Just a minute ago you were all friendly and now you've turned into a freaking Shinigami wanna-be." Max snapped. He was usually an easy-going person. But he and his friends were being threatened by some one with a Guardian Spirit, and that didn't happen very often.

He laughed harshly at Max's innocent naiveté. "It's called acting, little boy. I happen to be very good at it." His eyes flashed from a happy, friendly blue, and then back to the harsh, soul-searching blue they were before.

The four teens eyes widened as they say the flawless transition. "So it was a ruse all along, huh?" Rei asked, as he shifted his weight from foot-to-foot. His body sensed the fight that would eventually take place, adrenaline coursed through his veins.

"Of course. Not many people give their friendship to strangers right away. That you would believe that shows you've led a sheltered life, and know nothing of the real world."

"Leave now. And I might consider letting you leave in one piece." Cele snarled coming to stand beside Tyson who was trying to keep his temper under control.

"Yet another problem. This is how it's going to work boys and girl. You all are going to follow me no questions asked, and I won't kill Kinomiya's old man. How's that for an ultimatum?" His smirk grew as he saw the facial expressions on their faces fall, from defiant, to whipped in a matter of seconds.

"Leave my Otousan out of this!" Tyson shouted, throwing a fist at Tala's smirking face.

Before his fist could make contact Tyson was pounced on by Wolborg. The wolf Guardian pinned him to the floor and snarled, teeth millimeters from Tyson's face.

He walked till he stood over Tyson. He crouched down so he could see the younger boy's face. "Well do we have a deal? Hm?"

Tyson nodded sadly, scrunching his eyes shut, trying to stop the angry tears that fell sown his face. "Hai. We have deal. The other's aren't involved."

"Don't be stupid Tyson. We don't want you're Otousan hurt." Max assured him turning to glare at Tala, blue eyes like ice. "You have us too, you despicable bastard."

"So everyone's in agreement then?" They all nodded. "Excellent."

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