Author's notes: I really don't like the title to this chapter, so if
anyone can think of something better please submit it to me!
To Glade an other newbies: It will be a while before you read this, but thanks so much for reviewing and reading!
To Metajoker: Yes, I've gotten a lot of compliments for Kokie! (But what about little-Ame-chan?) Reactions to deaths will be muches fun. I can't wait!
To joy_joy_joy(): Well, here's the next chapter, enjoy!
Chapter 56 : The Glimmering Pass
"Arm yourselves men!" A tall man announced, sheathing a short sword to its sheath on his belt. He turned and looked over his "troops", his beaded earrings following his movements. "It's time to show Kutou that the bandits of Mount Reikaku can never be beaten!"
The large mass of bandits cheered and raised their hands into the air, following out onto the battlefield.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Men in red and scarlet uniforms charged at the army in blue, swords and spears rising into the air, shields ascended. The sound of echoing war was heard everywhere along the eastern border of Konan, and it repelled itself on the west. Farther out, two men seemed to have the upper hand.
*Clang!*
Sword met sword and the short soldier pushed his weapon hard, but his opponent pulled back and struck at him rigidly. The Kutou soldier gasped as his blade snapped in two at the other's strike, right as he felt his jaw crack under the pressure of a fist.
Nuriko spun his sword around to intercept with the next soldier who came at him. "They... never learn... do they...?" He asked, ending a lock and hitting the blue suited man in the ribs with his elbows. The man's face went pale and he gripped his midsection, tumbling over onto the ground.
Nuriko's companion brought his sword down hard and cut off the metallic end of a Kutou spear, immediately slashing down the soldier's torso. "Obviously not."
Nuriko was about to answer, but he quickly twirled around to match up with two soldiers charging him. Metal met metal with the one at left, and Nuriko spun and kicked the second square in the face, colliding the butt end of his weapon with the head of the remaining soldier. "Maybe we should hold this conversation!" He said, another soldier charging.
"Yeah..." Tamahome replied. Instead of waiting, Tamahome ran further into the battle so score more opposing soldiers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I need you to take a deep breath Sir." A woman addressed to the wounded soldier on the cot in front of her. She kneeled at his side, and when he did as instructed, the nurse pulled tight two strings in her hand, hearing a slight wince following. Her dirty blonde hair was pulled up in a loose ponytail to keep it out of her face. She reached over to a bag beside her and pulled out a roll of bandages, beginning to go to her work.
One of the flaps of the large tent opened, a broadly built man stepping in with his own bag of supplies. He looked around at the wounded soldiers, frowning.
The nurse spotted him and lifted her head. "Sir, are you the doctor we've been..."
"Yes." Mitsukake replied, walking towards her. "These men... they're in bad condition."
"As always with war." She glanced over to the soldier next to the one she was working on. "Please, tend to him. He has a fractured rib and a sectioned tear near his abdomen..."
Mitsukake nodded, passing by and kneeling beside the soldier who expressed pain on his half-conscious face.
"Please hold on." Mitsukake said firmly. "You'll be all right." He began to open his bag, taking out a few supplies and laying them on the floor.
The nurse looked up from her work, holding a dressing in place. "Thank you, Doctor."
Mitsukake glanced back. "It is what I do."
The nurse pulled a bandage from under the patient's back and wrapped it around again. After the third time, she looked up again. "My name is Hanali, Sir."
Mitsukake smiled lightly without looking back. "Call me Mitsukake."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The broad sword came down across the Kutou man's shoulder, and in turn he fell to the ground, sharply.
Ame turned around quickly and struck against another enemy sword, moving his hands quickly for his weapon to follow. After a moment he disarmed the soldier and struck, winning another victory.
Ame wiped his forehead. Both he and Kokie were on the inner field, and they fought soldiers who managed to get passed the first and second lines. He looked over to the older woman not too far off.
Kokie leapt over the man's sword, spinning the wooden staff in her hands and striking it hard on his arms, forcing him to drop his weapon. On her second move, she took the sharp end of the spear and ran him through, pulling it out quickly to watch him fall. She looked up and met Ame's gaze.
"YOU're the one who wanted more excitement."
Ame smiled.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A blue spark flashed in the sky, followed by a bright red one. Within the forming clouds the sparks stuck together like glue, swirling around each other and fanning out, slowly moving towards the ground in their spread.
"What's this?!" A Kutou soldier shouted, clanging his sword against the strange barrier before him that began to look like a violet liquid.
"Hurry up no da!" Chichiri shouted, holding his staff up and waving to the villagers to run past him. The remaining citizens took only what was on them and ran, women with children and men with animals. Chichiri would keep the armies off as long as possible to save these innocent lives, and with this kind of advanced barrier, he had bought the civilians quite some time.
********************************
"Understand my orders! Take the head flank to the west!!!" A young voice shouted throughout the Konan palace. "Li, get more horses ready, and where are the blacksmiths? Soldiers need weapons!"
"Yes highness!" The magistrate quickly complied and ran from the hall as Boushin entered the front room. The young prince certainly was a spitfire in times of war. As he approached the throne once again, he rubbed his forehead, closing his eyes. Almost without looking, he spoke again. "Yes, Miss Cheinun, what news do you have for me now?"
"I've received word that Hokkan's second supply army will be sent out as earlier as tonight, Majesty." Inami replied.
Boushin moved his hand land looked forward. "Let us hope it will help."
Inami smirked. "If I do say so Sire, I believe Hokkan will have something Kutou is not expecting."
Boushin looked over. "And what would this be?"
"They'll be using wooden cannons, Sire. And the closer we can get to the Kutou main hold, the more effective they will be." Inami explained. "Plus, the Hokkani Navy is prepared to go out if indeed Kutou wishes to war at sea. If it helps your ease any, they are near undefeatable."
Boushin smiled only slightly, nodding his head. "Thank you, Miss Cheinun. When you do have the opportunity, please send word..."
"Hai, Boushin-sama." Inami answered. She bowed slightly before turning to leave.
"Miss Cheinun?"
"Hai?" Inami asked, turning around.
"How... is Miss Saori doing in all of this? I'm afraid I haven't had much time to see her."
Inami smiled. "I saw her a bit earlier, she was playing at the Nisuya board. I wouldn't worry too much about her, she's a strong girl in good hands."
Boushin nodded again. "Thank you."
*****************************
A large horse galloped strongly up a grassy hill, finding the view to overlook the bloody scenes before it. Its rider smiled, armed with heavy armor fit for a king.
"It seems our men will win this battle." Nakago spoke to his own listening ear. "Perhaps with Kutou's new ruler and my forces, Konan will fall to us, as well as the frozen waste land aiding it." Nakago took his right hand and clenched it into a perfect fist. He would see how many puny lives he could rid himself of this time, especially to dim the lights of opposing warriors. Little did his enemy know, he all ready had more planned out then they could comprehend.
~
~whiz!~
The flash of a meteor scanned over the half-dead grass, meeting into its targets, taking them down like dominos. As soon as it passed through the forest green uniform of one soldier it went to the next, quickly taking down a long line of Northerners. Once that line was complete its partner was sent out, the first returning gracefully to its owner's hand.
As Suboshi regained his weapon, he took a deep breath of air, watching further damage done. He was finally well enough to battle, even if it was on the inner lines. He stood without aid, and the only noticeable ailment on him was the nearly inconspicuous tight banding on his left arm, which other than that was fully operational.
He looked up quickly with his sapphire eyes, seeing his second meteor bell return to him. He lifted up the rope in his left hand, ryuseisui colliding with it sharply at the tip, spinning wildly upon its roost. He laid the rope across the back of his hand and threw up the other ryuseisui, letting it land quietly on its place as well. It was then that he felt the mild sharpness on his right arm. He smiled a bit as he let go of his weapon and pulled up a loose sleeve. Amiboshi must have remembered he couldn't check it on his left, and as Suboshi suspected, the kanji was a bit sloppy. Suboshi glanced over it and secured his weapon to his waist, though it was still mobile enough to be used. He had to go alert Nakago...
...That Amiboshi had the Shinzaho, and would be returning shortly.
****************************
"Boss! They're tryin' ta make their way over that river!" Koji ran up to the fiery-haired bandit to alert him with the news. "That river's our last standing defense, Genrou."
Tasuki stood, looking over the river. It was an estimated 30-40 feet across, but he knew it got ridiculously deep, so crossing was slow. At the other back Kutou soldiers could be seen crossing. On his side, a line of bandits stood ready with arrows drawn.
"Genrou?" Koji repeated.
Tasuki didn't answer for a moment, but then a smirk crossed his face. "We'll just have to make this defense the best one, eh?" He said. "Get the men ready."
Koji nodded and sprinted away, oblivious to what his best friend was thinking.
Tasuki ran down the small sand rise he was standing on and crawled down to the rocky river bank, his boot toe just barely touching the water. He looked up at the coming soldiers with a menacing look on his face, like he didn't even see the men with their own arrows aiming at him. He reached back, and got his favorite, handy tool.
"Rekka, SHINEN!!" Tasuki shouted. He pointed the spread fan right over the water, the immense wave of fire spreading out to all ends. As soon as it hit a large mass of steam raised off the river top, creating more haze then a heavy fog. To add to matter, especially with Tasuki's second hit, the water in the area began to heat up, not only adding to the steamy effect, but causing a few "burning" sensations to the soldiers in its grasp.
"Have you're way with 'em men!!" Tasuki shouted. He heard a loud roar from his troops as the sound of spears and arrows whizzed through the air onto the blinded Kutou fighters.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The dull dagger came down across the woman's fore arms, leaving a line of red blood to match her eyes. After a simple curse word, the soldier found the sharp end of her spear implanted straight into his chest.
"That was for my violin, ya bloody savages!" Kokie shouted in her low voice, ripping the long weapon back out of the corpse. She noticed a sudden shadow fall over the scene, and she looked up to find forming clouds overhead. She smiled and looked over at her partner. Seems there must have been enough moisture in the sky for Ame's special attack.
The blue haired man stood in a clearing free from attackers, his eyes closed and his right hand outstretched to the sky, a bright blue symbol of "rain net" glowing on his forehead. The darkening clouds above him seemed to calmly swirl and compress together, and in moments a light rain began to fall onto the dry soil.
Amefuri opened his eyes, not moving his hand from its high position. Slowly the sprinkle of water turned into a down pour, raining down on the advancing Kutou soldier in their direction and what was left of the inner flank.
"AME!"
Ame turned around just in time to see a glinting weapon swing at his head, and he quickly ducked down under it. Not using his resting sword, Ame went down on one hand, and swung his legs around like a blade into the Kutou soldier's shins. The man fell back instantly, at which point Ame grabbed his own weapon and added a grave to Kutou's list.
Ame realized his long blue hair was now messily scattered about his face, it seems the sword had cut close enough to split the tie that held it back. He looked back to Kokie, who was only watching him, having no men of her own to fight at the moment. Ame smiled lightly, gathering his hair back behind him, though it would have to lay freely at the moment. It the rain of the storm, Amefuri really did look like a young warrior of Byakko.
"Ame-chan, are you okay?" Kokie shouted.
"Yes." Ame answered, raising his hand a bit. "Kokie darling, would you please watch yourself, and stand back?"
Kokie folded her arms and smiled.
Suddenly, the falling rain refrained from hitting the earth and swept together, forming around the glowing palm of Ame's hand. The quickly gathering rain formed into a sphere, growing larger and larger before rising up above its master. Amefuri lifted his other hand to join his first as the water collected in a massive blue-clear orb.
advancing Kutou soldiers finally looked up to see the odd spectacle before them. Only a few could recognize the blue symbol radiating off the young man's forehead--and they thought only one man had a trademark like that.
Then, Ame's hands dropped.
The mass of water flooded down the sloped terrain like a tornado, wiping across all the fighting men like a herd of wolves. They were knocked off their feet and easily swept away, defenseless against the powerful element controlling them.
*************************
Keisuke shook his head off from the light rain outside, walking into Tetsuya's apartment. "Honey, I'm home!" He bellowed stupidly.
"Shut up, would you?" Tetsuya said, crossing the hallway in front of him into his bedroom. Keisuke looked in after him. "Where's the book?"
Tetsuya pointed without looking up from some papers on his bed. "On the kitchen counter."
Keisuke sighed after a moment of silence. "Tetsuya, do I honestly have to ask what's going on?"
Tetsuya shrugged. "I left off on Ame doing something..."
Keisuke rolled his eyes and walked into the living room towards the kitchen. "I left off on Ame doing something..." Keisuke mocked in a higher voice. He dropped a wet duffle bag onto a loveseat in Tetsuya's living room, passing into the kitchen. He pulled up a stool to the counter, turning over the open book and reading for himself. He propped his elbow up on rested his chin in the palm of his hand, turning the page. Apparently the war was still going on, though it had still only been one or two days since Keisuke last read. It was getting pretty late now, but the fighting didn't really seem to stop anywhere...
"Chichiri's in the palace...." Keisuke mumbled, seeming only half- awake as he glanced over Kanji.
The clock ticked in the background.
Keisuke's eyes suddenly went wide, and he picked the book up off the table to re-read it, making sure he hadn't read wrong. He almost dropped it.
"TETSUYA!! TETSUYA, GET IN HERE, FAST!!!! YOU WON'T BELIEVE IT!!!"
********************************
Miaka shook her head in disbelief as she quickly walked down the hall with Chichiri.
You... you can really do it? When?"
"Now, no da. It's the only time. The Seiryu Seven are on the battlefield."
"Now?!" Miaka shouted. "But... but how?!"
Chichiri didn't look at her, only forward as he moved briskly down the corridor. "It's the same way I let you talk to Tamahome way back then, no da. I can use that same method to locate her, and you can pass through the veil at the right time to bring her back, no da."
"Wow..." Miaka said, speechless. "Chichiri, I didn't know you could do that."
Chichiri smiled lightly at her. "I've gotten a lot stronger over the years, no da." He answered. "We must move quickly, no da. This is the only time to do it, you can't stall, no da!
*
*
*
A flash.
The tired blonde looked up from her resting place on the narrow bed, rubbing her eyes and peering at the opposite wall through her hair.
There was a light red spark on her wall, and it began turning lightly, like a whir pool on the stone. As it spiraled faster and faster, it changed colors from red to violet, to blue, to green.
Yui's hazy blue eyes focused on it as she quickly sat up in bed, pushing her covers off and standing up, not sure whether to approach the light or not.
Finally, the center of the spiraling magic spread out, forming a frame around the wall, and a transparent screen in its center, revealing a warm room, and...
"MIAKA!" Yui shouted, running and collapsing on the floor before the image of her best friend, one whom she hadn't seen in so... so long.
"SH!" Miaka hushed, placing a finger to her mouth. "Yui, be quiet, we'll be caught!"
Yui didn't seem like it was enough to make her care. "Miaka... I... I can't believe it's you!"
Miaka now smiled a sad smile herself. "Yui... I haven't seen you in so long..."
Yui caught a glimpse of the chanting monk in the far corner. "You... he did this? Miaka, what if someone comes down?"
"Don't worry, I'll..."
"Now, no da! Miaka, do it now!"
Miaka suddenly became alert and stood up, surprisingly Yui, who was clueless. Miaka hunched over and pressed her hands to the seemingly invisible veil.
Yui gasped as real hands appeared before, followed by the body and cautious face of Miaka.
"Yui, come on!" Miaka said, extending her hand.
In a quick gasp, Yui grabbed onto Miaka's arm, and felt herself being pulled through the teleporting veil, landing on the palace floor of Konan right as the light behind her vanished.
To Glade an other newbies: It will be a while before you read this, but thanks so much for reviewing and reading!
To Metajoker: Yes, I've gotten a lot of compliments for Kokie! (But what about little-Ame-chan?) Reactions to deaths will be muches fun. I can't wait!
To joy_joy_joy(): Well, here's the next chapter, enjoy!
Chapter 56 : The Glimmering Pass
"Arm yourselves men!" A tall man announced, sheathing a short sword to its sheath on his belt. He turned and looked over his "troops", his beaded earrings following his movements. "It's time to show Kutou that the bandits of Mount Reikaku can never be beaten!"
The large mass of bandits cheered and raised their hands into the air, following out onto the battlefield.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Men in red and scarlet uniforms charged at the army in blue, swords and spears rising into the air, shields ascended. The sound of echoing war was heard everywhere along the eastern border of Konan, and it repelled itself on the west. Farther out, two men seemed to have the upper hand.
*Clang!*
Sword met sword and the short soldier pushed his weapon hard, but his opponent pulled back and struck at him rigidly. The Kutou soldier gasped as his blade snapped in two at the other's strike, right as he felt his jaw crack under the pressure of a fist.
Nuriko spun his sword around to intercept with the next soldier who came at him. "They... never learn... do they...?" He asked, ending a lock and hitting the blue suited man in the ribs with his elbows. The man's face went pale and he gripped his midsection, tumbling over onto the ground.
Nuriko's companion brought his sword down hard and cut off the metallic end of a Kutou spear, immediately slashing down the soldier's torso. "Obviously not."
Nuriko was about to answer, but he quickly twirled around to match up with two soldiers charging him. Metal met metal with the one at left, and Nuriko spun and kicked the second square in the face, colliding the butt end of his weapon with the head of the remaining soldier. "Maybe we should hold this conversation!" He said, another soldier charging.
"Yeah..." Tamahome replied. Instead of waiting, Tamahome ran further into the battle so score more opposing soldiers.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I need you to take a deep breath Sir." A woman addressed to the wounded soldier on the cot in front of her. She kneeled at his side, and when he did as instructed, the nurse pulled tight two strings in her hand, hearing a slight wince following. Her dirty blonde hair was pulled up in a loose ponytail to keep it out of her face. She reached over to a bag beside her and pulled out a roll of bandages, beginning to go to her work.
One of the flaps of the large tent opened, a broadly built man stepping in with his own bag of supplies. He looked around at the wounded soldiers, frowning.
The nurse spotted him and lifted her head. "Sir, are you the doctor we've been..."
"Yes." Mitsukake replied, walking towards her. "These men... they're in bad condition."
"As always with war." She glanced over to the soldier next to the one she was working on. "Please, tend to him. He has a fractured rib and a sectioned tear near his abdomen..."
Mitsukake nodded, passing by and kneeling beside the soldier who expressed pain on his half-conscious face.
"Please hold on." Mitsukake said firmly. "You'll be all right." He began to open his bag, taking out a few supplies and laying them on the floor.
The nurse looked up from her work, holding a dressing in place. "Thank you, Doctor."
Mitsukake glanced back. "It is what I do."
The nurse pulled a bandage from under the patient's back and wrapped it around again. After the third time, she looked up again. "My name is Hanali, Sir."
Mitsukake smiled lightly without looking back. "Call me Mitsukake."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The broad sword came down across the Kutou man's shoulder, and in turn he fell to the ground, sharply.
Ame turned around quickly and struck against another enemy sword, moving his hands quickly for his weapon to follow. After a moment he disarmed the soldier and struck, winning another victory.
Ame wiped his forehead. Both he and Kokie were on the inner field, and they fought soldiers who managed to get passed the first and second lines. He looked over to the older woman not too far off.
Kokie leapt over the man's sword, spinning the wooden staff in her hands and striking it hard on his arms, forcing him to drop his weapon. On her second move, she took the sharp end of the spear and ran him through, pulling it out quickly to watch him fall. She looked up and met Ame's gaze.
"YOU're the one who wanted more excitement."
Ame smiled.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A blue spark flashed in the sky, followed by a bright red one. Within the forming clouds the sparks stuck together like glue, swirling around each other and fanning out, slowly moving towards the ground in their spread.
"What's this?!" A Kutou soldier shouted, clanging his sword against the strange barrier before him that began to look like a violet liquid.
"Hurry up no da!" Chichiri shouted, holding his staff up and waving to the villagers to run past him. The remaining citizens took only what was on them and ran, women with children and men with animals. Chichiri would keep the armies off as long as possible to save these innocent lives, and with this kind of advanced barrier, he had bought the civilians quite some time.
********************************
"Understand my orders! Take the head flank to the west!!!" A young voice shouted throughout the Konan palace. "Li, get more horses ready, and where are the blacksmiths? Soldiers need weapons!"
"Yes highness!" The magistrate quickly complied and ran from the hall as Boushin entered the front room. The young prince certainly was a spitfire in times of war. As he approached the throne once again, he rubbed his forehead, closing his eyes. Almost without looking, he spoke again. "Yes, Miss Cheinun, what news do you have for me now?"
"I've received word that Hokkan's second supply army will be sent out as earlier as tonight, Majesty." Inami replied.
Boushin moved his hand land looked forward. "Let us hope it will help."
Inami smirked. "If I do say so Sire, I believe Hokkan will have something Kutou is not expecting."
Boushin looked over. "And what would this be?"
"They'll be using wooden cannons, Sire. And the closer we can get to the Kutou main hold, the more effective they will be." Inami explained. "Plus, the Hokkani Navy is prepared to go out if indeed Kutou wishes to war at sea. If it helps your ease any, they are near undefeatable."
Boushin smiled only slightly, nodding his head. "Thank you, Miss Cheinun. When you do have the opportunity, please send word..."
"Hai, Boushin-sama." Inami answered. She bowed slightly before turning to leave.
"Miss Cheinun?"
"Hai?" Inami asked, turning around.
"How... is Miss Saori doing in all of this? I'm afraid I haven't had much time to see her."
Inami smiled. "I saw her a bit earlier, she was playing at the Nisuya board. I wouldn't worry too much about her, she's a strong girl in good hands."
Boushin nodded again. "Thank you."
*****************************
A large horse galloped strongly up a grassy hill, finding the view to overlook the bloody scenes before it. Its rider smiled, armed with heavy armor fit for a king.
"It seems our men will win this battle." Nakago spoke to his own listening ear. "Perhaps with Kutou's new ruler and my forces, Konan will fall to us, as well as the frozen waste land aiding it." Nakago took his right hand and clenched it into a perfect fist. He would see how many puny lives he could rid himself of this time, especially to dim the lights of opposing warriors. Little did his enemy know, he all ready had more planned out then they could comprehend.
~
~whiz!~
The flash of a meteor scanned over the half-dead grass, meeting into its targets, taking them down like dominos. As soon as it passed through the forest green uniform of one soldier it went to the next, quickly taking down a long line of Northerners. Once that line was complete its partner was sent out, the first returning gracefully to its owner's hand.
As Suboshi regained his weapon, he took a deep breath of air, watching further damage done. He was finally well enough to battle, even if it was on the inner lines. He stood without aid, and the only noticeable ailment on him was the nearly inconspicuous tight banding on his left arm, which other than that was fully operational.
He looked up quickly with his sapphire eyes, seeing his second meteor bell return to him. He lifted up the rope in his left hand, ryuseisui colliding with it sharply at the tip, spinning wildly upon its roost. He laid the rope across the back of his hand and threw up the other ryuseisui, letting it land quietly on its place as well. It was then that he felt the mild sharpness on his right arm. He smiled a bit as he let go of his weapon and pulled up a loose sleeve. Amiboshi must have remembered he couldn't check it on his left, and as Suboshi suspected, the kanji was a bit sloppy. Suboshi glanced over it and secured his weapon to his waist, though it was still mobile enough to be used. He had to go alert Nakago...
...That Amiboshi had the Shinzaho, and would be returning shortly.
****************************
"Boss! They're tryin' ta make their way over that river!" Koji ran up to the fiery-haired bandit to alert him with the news. "That river's our last standing defense, Genrou."
Tasuki stood, looking over the river. It was an estimated 30-40 feet across, but he knew it got ridiculously deep, so crossing was slow. At the other back Kutou soldiers could be seen crossing. On his side, a line of bandits stood ready with arrows drawn.
"Genrou?" Koji repeated.
Tasuki didn't answer for a moment, but then a smirk crossed his face. "We'll just have to make this defense the best one, eh?" He said. "Get the men ready."
Koji nodded and sprinted away, oblivious to what his best friend was thinking.
Tasuki ran down the small sand rise he was standing on and crawled down to the rocky river bank, his boot toe just barely touching the water. He looked up at the coming soldiers with a menacing look on his face, like he didn't even see the men with their own arrows aiming at him. He reached back, and got his favorite, handy tool.
"Rekka, SHINEN!!" Tasuki shouted. He pointed the spread fan right over the water, the immense wave of fire spreading out to all ends. As soon as it hit a large mass of steam raised off the river top, creating more haze then a heavy fog. To add to matter, especially with Tasuki's second hit, the water in the area began to heat up, not only adding to the steamy effect, but causing a few "burning" sensations to the soldiers in its grasp.
"Have you're way with 'em men!!" Tasuki shouted. He heard a loud roar from his troops as the sound of spears and arrows whizzed through the air onto the blinded Kutou fighters.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The dull dagger came down across the woman's fore arms, leaving a line of red blood to match her eyes. After a simple curse word, the soldier found the sharp end of her spear implanted straight into his chest.
"That was for my violin, ya bloody savages!" Kokie shouted in her low voice, ripping the long weapon back out of the corpse. She noticed a sudden shadow fall over the scene, and she looked up to find forming clouds overhead. She smiled and looked over at her partner. Seems there must have been enough moisture in the sky for Ame's special attack.
The blue haired man stood in a clearing free from attackers, his eyes closed and his right hand outstretched to the sky, a bright blue symbol of "rain net" glowing on his forehead. The darkening clouds above him seemed to calmly swirl and compress together, and in moments a light rain began to fall onto the dry soil.
Amefuri opened his eyes, not moving his hand from its high position. Slowly the sprinkle of water turned into a down pour, raining down on the advancing Kutou soldier in their direction and what was left of the inner flank.
"AME!"
Ame turned around just in time to see a glinting weapon swing at his head, and he quickly ducked down under it. Not using his resting sword, Ame went down on one hand, and swung his legs around like a blade into the Kutou soldier's shins. The man fell back instantly, at which point Ame grabbed his own weapon and added a grave to Kutou's list.
Ame realized his long blue hair was now messily scattered about his face, it seems the sword had cut close enough to split the tie that held it back. He looked back to Kokie, who was only watching him, having no men of her own to fight at the moment. Ame smiled lightly, gathering his hair back behind him, though it would have to lay freely at the moment. It the rain of the storm, Amefuri really did look like a young warrior of Byakko.
"Ame-chan, are you okay?" Kokie shouted.
"Yes." Ame answered, raising his hand a bit. "Kokie darling, would you please watch yourself, and stand back?"
Kokie folded her arms and smiled.
Suddenly, the falling rain refrained from hitting the earth and swept together, forming around the glowing palm of Ame's hand. The quickly gathering rain formed into a sphere, growing larger and larger before rising up above its master. Amefuri lifted his other hand to join his first as the water collected in a massive blue-clear orb.
advancing Kutou soldiers finally looked up to see the odd spectacle before them. Only a few could recognize the blue symbol radiating off the young man's forehead--and they thought only one man had a trademark like that.
Then, Ame's hands dropped.
The mass of water flooded down the sloped terrain like a tornado, wiping across all the fighting men like a herd of wolves. They were knocked off their feet and easily swept away, defenseless against the powerful element controlling them.
*************************
Keisuke shook his head off from the light rain outside, walking into Tetsuya's apartment. "Honey, I'm home!" He bellowed stupidly.
"Shut up, would you?" Tetsuya said, crossing the hallway in front of him into his bedroom. Keisuke looked in after him. "Where's the book?"
Tetsuya pointed without looking up from some papers on his bed. "On the kitchen counter."
Keisuke sighed after a moment of silence. "Tetsuya, do I honestly have to ask what's going on?"
Tetsuya shrugged. "I left off on Ame doing something..."
Keisuke rolled his eyes and walked into the living room towards the kitchen. "I left off on Ame doing something..." Keisuke mocked in a higher voice. He dropped a wet duffle bag onto a loveseat in Tetsuya's living room, passing into the kitchen. He pulled up a stool to the counter, turning over the open book and reading for himself. He propped his elbow up on rested his chin in the palm of his hand, turning the page. Apparently the war was still going on, though it had still only been one or two days since Keisuke last read. It was getting pretty late now, but the fighting didn't really seem to stop anywhere...
"Chichiri's in the palace...." Keisuke mumbled, seeming only half- awake as he glanced over Kanji.
The clock ticked in the background.
Keisuke's eyes suddenly went wide, and he picked the book up off the table to re-read it, making sure he hadn't read wrong. He almost dropped it.
"TETSUYA!! TETSUYA, GET IN HERE, FAST!!!! YOU WON'T BELIEVE IT!!!"
********************************
Miaka shook her head in disbelief as she quickly walked down the hall with Chichiri.
You... you can really do it? When?"
"Now, no da. It's the only time. The Seiryu Seven are on the battlefield."
"Now?!" Miaka shouted. "But... but how?!"
Chichiri didn't look at her, only forward as he moved briskly down the corridor. "It's the same way I let you talk to Tamahome way back then, no da. I can use that same method to locate her, and you can pass through the veil at the right time to bring her back, no da."
"Wow..." Miaka said, speechless. "Chichiri, I didn't know you could do that."
Chichiri smiled lightly at her. "I've gotten a lot stronger over the years, no da." He answered. "We must move quickly, no da. This is the only time to do it, you can't stall, no da!
*
*
*
A flash.
The tired blonde looked up from her resting place on the narrow bed, rubbing her eyes and peering at the opposite wall through her hair.
There was a light red spark on her wall, and it began turning lightly, like a whir pool on the stone. As it spiraled faster and faster, it changed colors from red to violet, to blue, to green.
Yui's hazy blue eyes focused on it as she quickly sat up in bed, pushing her covers off and standing up, not sure whether to approach the light or not.
Finally, the center of the spiraling magic spread out, forming a frame around the wall, and a transparent screen in its center, revealing a warm room, and...
"MIAKA!" Yui shouted, running and collapsing on the floor before the image of her best friend, one whom she hadn't seen in so... so long.
"SH!" Miaka hushed, placing a finger to her mouth. "Yui, be quiet, we'll be caught!"
Yui didn't seem like it was enough to make her care. "Miaka... I... I can't believe it's you!"
Miaka now smiled a sad smile herself. "Yui... I haven't seen you in so long..."
Yui caught a glimpse of the chanting monk in the far corner. "You... he did this? Miaka, what if someone comes down?"
"Don't worry, I'll..."
"Now, no da! Miaka, do it now!"
Miaka suddenly became alert and stood up, surprisingly Yui, who was clueless. Miaka hunched over and pressed her hands to the seemingly invisible veil.
Yui gasped as real hands appeared before, followed by the body and cautious face of Miaka.
"Yui, come on!" Miaka said, extending her hand.
In a quick gasp, Yui grabbed onto Miaka's arm, and felt herself being pulled through the teleporting veil, landing on the palace floor of Konan right as the light behind her vanished.