Fatal Fight?

When Genki awoke the next morning it was still early, his lover slept at his side, arm around him and leaning against his chest. A smile spread across his face as he watch her chest rise and fall softly. His roughened hand came to her cheek gently tracking her jaw line. He knew this would not wake her and so it did not. His lips softly met hers. A soft sound like a mew came from her lips with a gasp. A gentle kiss ensued back at him. Their love flowed between them again; mind and hearts content neither willing to interrupt such love with any lust or passions. When their lips parted at last, Holly's cheeks held a deep blush in them.

"Why do you blush love?" his voice came like soft velvet to her.

"I blush because I have never felt such deep gentle and true love as I have with you. Every moment that passes, every kiss we have, grants me more and more love. My heart over flows with such love I have never felt before. I always want to feel this."

"You will babe you will. My love for you is ever growing. Just as my faith is every growing."

"Genki my love will forever grow for you as well. And my faith even though I still do not understand much."

"You'll understand in time love."

"I know I will. Genki how can you keep your faith in hard times?" his eyes softened towards her, his arms holding her gently.

"I can keep faith in the worst times because I know God will bring me through it. I know he loves me and that he is only testing me. Everyone has to be tested. I also know that I want to serve him to be the light in the world he intended me to be. I can't just give up on that. It's embedded in my spirit, soul, and heart."

"Genki I realize that your faith is stronger then mine because you have been Christian longer, but how can you put all your trust in God when he hurts us both?" his eyes gazed gently into hers.

"I can because like a father He chastises and punishes his children to teach us. We haven't been living like Christians yet. We let lust drive us. That is why we are suffering now. I for one am glad to feel this pain, it will help us to grow not only closer in love but closer to the Lord."

"Are you insane? Happy to feel pain, that's…"

"Exactly what you read in Romans. And through out the bible. It tells us as Christians to rejoice when in pain. I know that very hard to do but I try to do such when I can." His hand brushed over her cheek.

"Genki I don't know if I'm strong enough…"

"You have me to catch you when you start to fall Holly. I will always be here to help and love you. I know we will be proud parents later on. And I know you will bare the best daughter I could ask for." He kissed her softly.

"You flatterer…I will do what I can to please you. I...I'm… not sure how to deal with this pain. We could have lost our daughter."

"Yet we did not. We may have fights with our friends and between us but the most important thing is that we keep love in our hearts. A hardened heart is one of hate and disregard for others."

"I'll need your help."

"And you have it now and always love." He held her tight. Her hand stroking his side lovingly for a few moments.

"We have to go Genki."

"Yes, and hopefully this time the group can keep up. We have little time left I can feel it." She gazed at his mysteriously serious face. * he is so handsome when he does that. He looks so strong, untouchable even. *

"Alright then let us get breakfast going and get underway." He smiled to her as they got up.

They had little trouble getting the group up with the smell of food around. Once the food was gone he signaled them all to listen.

"Listen up guys we have to push it now. I can sense time is running out. Whether you tire or not you must find a way to keep going we must reach his fort today." Everyone began to whisper until Holly stood up.

"If you can not make it then we will be forced to go on with out you. If Mu gains the extra power we will never win." Everyone stared at her in shock then nodded. Smiling Genki geared up with his future wife and got the journey underway.

6 hours later most of the group was starting to slow down. The difference between the soldiers and the monsters showed more and more. The monsters strained to keep up and were helped along best they could by the soldiers. * Its great they are finally working as a team * Genki soon spotted the daunting and majestic fort ahead of them. With a grin he looked back at the others.

"We'll rest in those rocks while we create and attack plan." Everyone was glad for the short rest period in the rock out of the wind and snow of the mountains. Genki drew his plan in the snow for all to see. "We'll enter from the south taking them by surprise if we are lucky. Most look like they are bored and probably won't be ready for any attack. Knowing Lopez he is inside enjoying himself. All the monsters will focus on fighting the military soldiers while Holly, Aaka, Armaoq and I search for Lopez. The soldiers will aid the monsters then break off to find the second in commands and look for information on Mu's location. Any questions?" silence followed as he nodded to Holly. He heated up some tea for them with his power.

"This tea is a special blend guys. It'll keep you warm and give you energy for battle." Holly's words were soft and firm. Everyone felt revitalized by the substance given to them.

Once Genki knew they were ready he signaled their attack. Everyone followed his plan of attack not willing to question him. Taken by surprise the soldiers had little time to sound the alarm. Holly forced her self on as she heard the cries of the dying. A sound that would haunt her for many years after all this was over. Aaka comforted her with a pat on the shoulder and an understanding glance. Genki shifted along with Holly and surprisingly Armaoq.

"Genki to the room on the right" Genki veered right and slammed into the door breaking it down. Lopez was caught in the act of raping a young 13 year old girl in his beast form. She was bound tightly to the bed, gagged to silence her screams and pleas for help. Tears stained the sheets and her cheeks. Her brown fearful eyes pleaded them for help. The inferno beast soldier glared at them. His claws had scared the girl's body and he was still within her. Pulling out he faced them after buttoning his pants.

"Caught with your pants down. You should be more careful Lopez."

"Hmp. So should you." He spewed fire form his mouth at the four but Genki absorbed it instantly. Rushing forward as Holly turned to Akka.

"Get her out of here." The vampress nodded and went to battered girl starting to untie her. Genki meanwhile slammed full force into the heavy Inferno knocking him through the wall. Holly watched shocked a moment until Armaoq caught her attention. In a frenzy of fur and claws the intense fight ensued. Holly and Armaoq jumped into the furry slashing, icy and silver flames vengefully swirling around them all joined by Genki's intense red flames of anger. The armor worn is too tough for them, with a sudden tail lash Lopez knocks Holly through a wall. Her eyes widened as she felt a piercing pain in her chest and left side. Blood seeps from the wounds as she lays still. Armaoq comes to her side. His eyes wide for only a moment the old male goes to work.

"Genki you have to go on with out us" hatred and fury burn in Genki's green eyes. A red hue within his orbs as they stare at the Inferno beast. In a blaze of flames and claws he lunges forward taking Lopez through several more walls. His arms wrapped around the lizards body his mouth at his throat the inferno roars in pain but is cut short of air. Though his armor is thick on his chest, neck, and belly were vulnerable. Seizing this chance Genki slashes his gut before being thrown off. A searing pain cuts deep into the lion like beast's side and face. The inferno has cut deep within him with his talons.

Meanwhile the old male wolf tries desperately to help Holly. His large paws have freed her from the debris but he dares not remove the wooden and stone spikes that have pierced her flesh. Logic dictates she would only bleed faster if he did. Leaning against him for support tears fall from her eyes in fear and pain. * not again please Lord don't let our child be hurt. Please Lord my God help us. I know we haven't been doing what we should but please we want to as soon as we are given the chance. We will teach our daughter to be Christian and change our lives for your laws just let us live through this please. In Jesus name amen. *

"Hang in there Holly, Akka will be here soon."

"We have to help Genki."

"Worry about your child."

"I am but I can not go on with out my husband." The old male growled plagued by his responsibilities to her he could not go help the younger male.

"He will have to do it himself."

Genki roar in agony his voice carrying through the corridors of the fort. Everyone including the monsters and soldier heard it. His right leg bled profusely along with his left shoulder. The inferno laughed at him with a sneer.

"Still to stupid to win a fight." His armor was scratched up and belly cut wide open but he was still standing. Holly rose pushing Armaoq aside despite his best efforts to stop her she ran towards the battle scene losing precious blood. Genki fell to the ground after a final attack. His claws engraving deeply into Lopez's face. the Inferno roared and bit down on Genki's neck unable to breath he struggled powerlessly against the dragon like Beast. * Holly I'm sorry… * his final thoughts in deep regret and pain in his heart of his failure. His eyes revealed to him a blur of tan fur and a shrieking cry from his opponent as he was pulled off. Holly slammed into him full force knocking him away from Genki.

~~~~~~ POV Time ~~~~~~~

~~~Holly~~~

I threw my self at Lopez, aching body and bleeding wounds ignored. I felt his claws cut deep into my back. My canines embedded deep into his neck. I began to drain his blood hoping blood loss would weaken him. I felt my clawed hand sear through his body. His body tensed, frozen in fear and pain. The warmth of his body and the wetness of his blood poured around my hand as I excavated his innards. He had attacked my soul mate and my child I could not let him live. Not after all he has done, he not only did this to me but he has raped and killed many girls. I can't stand people like him. Why is there so much hate within me? So much desire for blood and death? My teeth clamp tight and I pull back ferociously. Ripping his throat wide open. His blood pours down as my blood and tissue covered paw retracts pulling out his organs and letting them drop to the floor in a blood mess. With a finally desperate act and tears in my eyes I bring my self forward slashing at his neck with my claws. Contact is made his head is detached and blood sprays all over me. I feel arms wrap around me, gentle arms. Genki thank God you are alive.

~~~Genki~~~

In a blur of brown I saw her take him off me. Her body spilling its blood as her powerful muscles slammed him into the wall cracking it. Gasping for breath I had lost I saw furry in her eyes that I have never seen before. Her teeth drove deep within his neck, his blood spilling forth. Her claws sliced through his abdomen. His blood poured out. I couldn't believe my eyes, how could my innocent and gentle Holly do such an act? I noticed the position of the spikes within her and my heart skipped a beat. Is our child alright? That must be the source of her fury; her love makes her anger towards him grow rapidly. Lord save our child and my wife in Jesus name amen. Lopez's innards fall to the floor as his neck is ripped open. I could smell his fear and pain in the air. I saw tears in Holly's eyes as she gave the final blow decapitating him. His body fell to the floor as I came to her. Pain surged through my tattered and weak body. I knew I was ill, that I might die but I forced my self on. Wrapping my arms around my love I hold her close providing comfort for her actions.

~~~~~ End POV ~~~~~

Genki held his lover close, holding the crying woman he loved with all the strength left in his aching and torn body. The rawhi hit moments later sending them both to the ground. Aaka and Armaoq ran into the room both gasping at the sight of both young lovers bleeding. Armaoq lifted Genki from the blood soaked floor as Aaka took Holly. With little effort the young couple was escorted to the infirmary once again.

Genki's eyes slowly opened as he was laid on the table. A blurred image before him slowly cleared taking shape to show him Aaka.

"Holly…I she…"

"Shh… child. She needs an operation again. I and Armaoq should be able to handle it." he voice gentle yet firm.

"No I must help her. Please patch me up enough to hold." The older couple looked at each other a moment then nodded. Tightly wrapping his wounds they helped him stand. * God I have been asking a lot of you lately but please help your servants. Give me the strength I need to help my wife and child. Help me to be their for them. If I must die let my death not be in vain but allow me to teach Holly the most important lesson of all. Faithfulness in the worst times. * He watched as the old male lay his wife on a clean table. Aaka brought the equipment as her husband gear Genki up for his work ahead. With a deep breath Genki began his work slowly removing the items that had pierced Holly's delicate flesh. Shaving away her fur of her beast form he saw just how damaging those two items were to her body. Moving quickly his hands searched her wounds pulling out shrapnel of stone and wood.

"Aaka suction please. Armaoq ready some antibacterial and antiviral." Both nodded and proceeded to do what was asked of them. Taking the cloth from the old male, Genki dabbed its contents all over the interior of her wounds. Then carefully he began to reconnect muscles and tissues working backwards to finally sew her flesh closed. His hands diligently making sure everything was precisely where it was supposed to be in each wound. After having Armaoq turn her over he did the same from the backside of the wound. Treating it, then reconnecting muscle, tissue, and flesh. By the time he finished he was exhausted. His body already under attack was worsening. After injecting her with an inflammatory and an antibacterial and antiviral he sat down. His chest heaving as he threw off the clothes worn. Holly was placed on a bed after being bandaged by the two. Then they came back for him. He felt Aaka's hand on his head but could do little more then rest for now.

"You're burning up." He felt a pair of arms hoist him onto a cold medical table and soon everything blacked out.

Aaka unwrapped his wounds finding them infected. Her husband sniffed the wounds and snorted in disgust at the smell.

"We should not have let them go this far. It took far to long…"

"He would have been heart broken if we had failed her."

"His life now hangs in the balance."

"I know. These wounds are bad. Inferno's have Kimono dragon in them. Kimono's are known for killing anything with a single infectious bite. He was well aware as are we."

"There is little chance he'll live without us cutting off what is infected."

"There is a chance, I want you to find a way to get a hold of some maggots. You know their use. I will need some of your blood before you leave."

"A daring scheme. But it is all that's left." He gave her a syringe full of blood before leaving. Aaka took a scraping of the bacteria with her and dropped some blood on it. It shriveled all but a few strains.

"Lord be with them both and keep them safe. Pain teaches us but death discourages. Holly would not stay faithful at this point in death. She doesn't know much yet. Please do not test her so yet. Wait till she builds her strength and learns more of you. She is but a baby in faith." Scrapping the bacteria from his tissue and flesh carefully. She then injected Armaoq's blood into Genki. Taking a known antibacterial/antiviral she treated the wounds best she could. Her husband returned with the creatures she asked for and she carefully laid them in the wound after scraping it again dislodging the bacteria killed by the antibacterial and washing it. The maggots got to work right away begging to eat dead flesh and bacteria. Wrapping the wound again she nodded to her husband who carried Genki to Holly's side. Laying him in a bed right next to hers. They put an IV on both giving them blood and saline solution.

With a sigh both walked out of the medical ward. They were greeted by worried expressions of the monsters and soldiers.

"They are in bad shape but they should make it. They will be bed bound for weeks though. Especially Genki. He is the one who worries us most. The infection he received from the bite Lopez inflicted is highly infected. Pray for him all of you, pray for them both and their child." Exhausted the group's heads dropped going to their designated meeting spot all sat down to rest. Aaka and Armaoq made their rounds treating wounds and such. Soon joining them in relaxation due to fatigue.

Weeks passed as the young couple fought for life. Genki was in severe pain night and day, his fever proved problematic for all. Holly watched him slowly suffer and had to force Aaka into allowing them to sleep in their own room together. Aaka agreed only if they would stay in bed and continue to accept IV fluids. As each day went by Holly felt more and more pain in her heart. Her wildest fears of Genki's death playing through her mind like a movie.

"Genki hang in their please. I need you." Tears fell form her eyes onto the sheets above his chest. Suddenly she felt a gentle touch on her shoulder and looked to see Aaka sitting there.

"Its alright child. Have faith."

"How can I? He's dying, slowly and in agony."

"Never lose hope." The older woman's voice we soft and flowed soothingly to Holly. "He is strong. He wants you to keep your faith Holly. Don't think God has forsaken you, he hasn't he is testing you. You know how to pass the test in your heart, listen to it instead of your pain and grief." Her eyes locked with Aaka's, she felt the woman's hand caress her cheek in a motherly fashion. * She is a mother to us all and Armaoq a father. They care for me and Genki so much… but why? *

"I will try."

"That's a girl. Here" she handed Holly a bible. "Read of it. It may help you."

"Thank you."

After her mentor left she looked back at Genki. His face contorted with pain, his breath came harshly and slowly as if he might stop breathing all together. His body was warm, too warm as Holly changed the cloth on his head and neck to lower his temperature once again. "Lord please save him. Lead him out of this agony; lead him away from death. I need him; I cannot go on with out him. No one can fill the void that would be found in my heart if he leaves me now. Please I beg of you. Test us as you may, take everything away from us but please leave us together, whole with the life you have put into my body. Please in Jesus name amen." She cried out her plea with all she had left within her putting all her faith within that one prayer. She opened her bible up looking through it for something to read to her true love. " Then Job replied: 'If only my anguish could be weighed and all my misery placed on scales! It would surely outweigh the sand of the seas – no wonder my words have been impetuous. The arrows of the Almighty are in me, my spirit drinks in their poison; God's terrors are marshaled against me. Does a wild donkey bay when it has grass, and ox bellow when it has fodder? Is tasteless food eaten without salt, or is there flavor in the white of the egg? I refuse to touch it; such food makes me ill. Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant what I hope for, that God would be willing to crush me, to let loose his hand an cut me off! Then I would still have this consolation – my joy in unrelenting pain – that I had not denied the words of the Holy One. What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What prospects, Thai I should be patient? Do I have the strength of stone? Is my flesh bronze? Do I have any power to help my self, now that success has been driven from me?' " after reading this passage she now understood. Looking at her future husband and the father of her daughter.

She soon took the incense from Genki's pack along with his lighter. Setting it upon the table she knelt before the Lord. "Lord forgive my foolishness and naivety. I was reading your word but not hearing it in my heart. Please forgive your undeserving servant. For I was deceived by my own flesh and mind. Help me to listen to my spirit and heart, guide me to the path you desire me to travel. Thank you Lord for this pain I feel, thank you for showing us our folly. Please brings us up with you again, please help Genki to live through this. Lets us defeat the great evil that Satan has sent to destroy this world. I grieve that I should have killed that man with my own hands in such a manner and rejoice at the pain I feel form it. Keep my heart soft and ready for your words Almighty God. I burn this incense for You, may its scent be pleasing to you. In Jesus name Amen." With that she lit the incense and blew out the flame. Smoke of lavender rose into the air. She rose the returned to Genki's side resuming her reading.

To be continued…