'The Other Side of Eden' Part Three: Taichi's Demon
Genre: Fantasy, romance, adventure, semi-crossover, AU (Alternate Universe)
Warnings: Lots of OOC (out of character)-ness because I suck, shonen-ai, more obscure 'Ragnarok Online' refrences...
Notes: Now featuring the proper spelling of Taichi's name!... And I told you the length of this part would make up for the second part being so short... Twelve pages...

And stuff in /these thingies/ means non-humanoid speak (i.e. chibis, etc.).

They knew from the start the journey would be harsh, and it became more apparent the further they went. The sun was blazing brighter, and the team took to doing most of their traveling at night, when it was less scorching. Few of the creatures still living were edible, so food was becoming scarce, and water was a blessing when they came across the occasional oasis.

It was wearing on them, and a time came when the small Taichi fell ill.

He tried as hard as he could to continue. Refusing to give in to the fever that wracked his body, he rode on. The last thing he ever wanted was to be a burden on his teammates, so he had to be strong.

Besides, he made a promise.

So he went forth as best he could, until the sickness overtook him and he fell from his horse, unconscious.

"Taichi..."

A thick fog had fallen, and the boy couldn't see anything but white. He wasn't sure where he was or how he got there, and he didn't know where his friends were. He didn't want to admit it, but he was a bit scared.

"Hello?" he called out through the mist. "Is anybody here? Tezuka-san? Yuuta-kun? ... Momo-chan? Anybody?"

"Taichi."

When he heard his name said for a second time, he became sure it wasn't just his imagination. He turned to the voice and walked in the direction it was coming from, even though it didn't sound like anyone in his group. Actually, it sort of sounded like...

"S-senpai...?"

"Come here."

"Akutsu-senpai?"

And then a figure emerged from the fog. So tall, with wild grey hair and piercing golden eyes. A figure that most people knew to be afraid of.

"Akutsu-senpai! It is you!" Taichi ran up to the man, his heart overflowing with joy. He resisted the urge to greet him with a hug, stopping directly in front of him instead. "I've been looking for you so long, and now I finally get to see you again." He was practically vibrating in his joy. "Why did you leave? You have to come back with me! Everyone will-"

"Taichi, shut up."

The boy was instantly silent.

"You're really stupid, you know that?" He ignored the archer's pout. "When you're sick, you rest and get healthy."

"I didn't want to be a burden on my friends.."

"You're not going to be any good to them if you're dead."

A tiny quiver ran through Taichi's lower lip, but he swore he wouldn't cry. Even if his most important person scolded him, he'd be brave. "Senpai..."

"Look," Akutsu sighed, "I'm telling you this because I don't want you to get hurt. You're very tough for your size, but you have to know your limits."

"Yes, Senpai."

"Good. You take care of yourself now." And he turned, and began to walk away.

"Senpai!"

The tall man just raised an arm, waving the boy off. "I'll be seeing you, Taichi."

"Senpai, wait!" He ran after him, but couldn't seem to catch up. His heart pounded in his chest, but the back he chased never came any nearer. "Don't leave me! Senpai!"

And then he fell.

"Akutsu-senpai!"

His eyes flew open, his body sat up of its own accord, and his breathing came in gasps. Telltale streams trailed down his cheeks. He didn't even know where he was anymore, until a tiny person climbed up and sat on his lap.

"Momo...chan.." Recognition slowly came over Taichi's wet blue eyes as his mind cleared. "It was just a dream."

The chibi gave a concerned squeak.

Looking around, he realized he was in his tent, in his bed, and Atobe was sitting across from him with a raised brow. "Atobe-san...what happened?"

"You passed out."

The small archer's head drooped in self-imposed shame. "I'm holding everyone back, aren't I?"

Atobe didn't say anything. Where he was from, if someone didn't do their part they were...dealt with. But then, they also never got sick or hurt, so there was never a physical condition that was out of their hands that would attribute to lacking on the job. Still, humans were peculiar in their determination to stick together as a team. Wouldn't they be better off getting rid of weaker members?

"Not too long ago, I lived in a village called Yamabuki." Without prompting, Taichi began to talk. Childishly open and honest, he took the chance to tell someone his story, to get everything out, and maybe clear the tightness in his heart. "And I met...well, a friend." He paused a moment, gathering his thoughts. "I mean, I guess he was a friend. Even though he was kind of mean to everyone else, he never hurt me in any way."

Atobe's head cocked slightly to one side. Though he hadn't asked the kid to share his story (admittedly, he'd assumed Taichi was really too young to have a story), he didn't pass up the chance to listen, and maybe coming a bit closer to completing his...mission. "He only showed kindness to you?"

"Well...not kindness, really. He just...didn't use his strength against me. Everyone else got bullied and pushed around by him, and if they tried to fight back, they usually ended up injured."

"I see.." Atobe nodded. 'Humans are violent', he added to his mental check-list.

"I've always been small and weak, you know? So I admired him and his strength. I wanted to be just like him. But eventually he...I guess he got tired of the village, and he left. And I begged and begged and begged him to stay, but he wouldn't. I asked him to take me with him, but he couldn't." There was another pause as the small archer nibbled his lower lip. Then his eyes got misty and a blush spread across his cheek. "He...he stayed at my home his final night there, and we...aahn..." He blushed even deeper and gave an embarrassed giggle. "You know..."

Atobe grinned and winked.

Taichi giggled again, and made a sound like a small whimper. "Mm.. But when I woke up the next morning, he was gone. And I haven't seen him since." He bowed his head, hiding his eyes behind long bangs. But he couldn't hide the tears that ran down his cheeks, dripping from his chin. His fists balled up, and his body began to tremble.

Momo-chan, still sitting in the archer's lap, petted his hand and squeaked comfortingly and in understanding.

"I promised..." Taichi sniffled loudly, and tried to choke out the rest of his story. "I promised that I would become as strong as he was. I would work and train and...and... And I swore I would search forever until I found him again."

The sound in the tent dwindled down to little more than the boy's sniffles while Atobe considered all he'd just heard. The will humans seemed to have surprised him. Always going to great lengths, usually for another. And he thought maybe, just maybe, he really did need to learn more about them.

Standing up, he gave Taichi a pat on the head. "Get some rest, kid. We'll be heading out again when the sun starts setting."

Taichi nodded in response, and lay back down after Atobe exited the tent. Silent tears continued running down his face as he drifted back off to sleep.

-

He was greeted with a circle of smiles (or nods from those less inclined to actually smile) and a bowl of some kind of stew when he climbed out of his tent. Reassurances that he was not holding them back came from his friends, and in fact, if anyone wasn't feeling well they should say something before it got too bad. They didn't want to lose anyone.

Then their scholar, Fuji, laid the map out for the group, indicating where they were, and where they were going.

"Within a day or two we'll reach this mountain range here." He pointed to the drawings on the map. "We've plotted what we think will be the safest route over the mountains, but it'll still be quite treacherous. Everyone is to stick together; no wandering off alone." His blue eyes opened, indicating the more serious side of Fuji Syuusuke. "And that is where our map ends. After that we'll be in uncharted territory...if we even survive the mountain pass."

If he was going for effect, he succeeded.

Tezuka stood then, once again taking command. "Once everyone has their stuff together, we head out."

-

In the two days it took them to be in sight of the mountain range Fuji had spoken of, Taichi's health came back in full force. He returned to his usual cheerful self, being talkative with everyone, hunting with Yuuta, playing with Momo. It seemed he'd recovered from his illness, and forgotten his unsettling dream.

That was why it was so very unexpected when he suddenly brought his horse to a halt, staring wide-eyed into the distance.

"Senpai..."

Bringing up the rear, Tezuka stopped alongside the archer. "What is it, Dan?"

"Akutsu-senpai..." With a sharp kick to his steed's side, Taichi suddenly took off. Galloping as fast as the small horse could take him, he raced to catch up to the image he thought he saw ahead of him.

The others gave chase, some having more of an understanding of what was going on than others, but none wanting to lose the boy.

"Taichi!"

He'd had quite a head start, but their horses were stronger and had longer legs. They pushed the animals until they were able to surround the archer, and Tezuka reached over and grabbed his reigns, slowing the horse until it came to a halt.

But that wouldn't stop they frantic Taichi. One look into his clouded eyes confirmed that, and he pitched from his horse and continued on foot, running to whatever he was chasing.

In a flash, Kamio had dismounted and ran after the boy, catching up to him and tackling him to the ground. He held on for all he was worth as his small captive struggled for freedom.

"Akutsu-senpai!" Taichi flailed wildly, possessed, but was unable to break from the thief's grasp. "Wait for me, Senpai!"

The rest of the team quickly caught up, and Shinji put a finger to his lips, chanting quietly. A moment later the archer was still, having succumbed to the sleeping spell.

"He'll sleep for a little while now," the mage confirmed. "Maa, taking off like that. What is he thinking? Now I have to use my spells on him. Troublesome. After his Senpai? Nobody else saw anything. Of course, his eyes are better than everyone else's, but still. Was probably just a mirage..."

The group stepped passed the rambling magic-user and crowded around the sleeping Taichi. Even in his unconscious he looked pained; tears tracked down his soft cheeks.

"What's wrong with him?" Yuuta asked as he knelt over the boy, wiping away one of the teardrops.

"He's haunted," the older Fuji replied. "Ever since he fell with his sickness, someone or something has been following him." His bright blue, open eyes traced the unconscious form. "I don't know by what though."

There was silence, with the exception of Atobe leaning over to ask Tezuka how Fuji knew that and getting the reply "Fuji knows a lot of things."

The silence was broken when Shinji pointed a finger to the mountain range, drawing their attention. "Look over there." They turned to see a cave in the mountainside.

"It's an opening.. Do you suppose it goes all the way through?"

The chibi, Momo-chan, leapt from Kaidou's shoulder and scurried over to the cave, disappearing into the darkness inside. Then a few minutes later he ran back out and returned to his place on the beastmaster's shoulder, squeaking into his ear.

"He says there are creatures inside who told him it does go all the way through the mountain." Momo then squeaked something else into Kaidou's ear, and got smacked in the head for whatever it was. "It shouldn't be more than a few days' journey," he added.

Fuji put a hand to his chin in thought. "It might be quicker and safer than going over, and being in a cavern will provide us with shelter. I say we go for it." He looked to the one who would make the final decision. "What do you think, Tezuka?"

"Ah," the swordsman nodded. "It'll save us time. Let's do it. But remember, everyone..." He looked at his teammates pointedly in turn. "It's more than likely we weren't led here by accident." His steely gaze turned back to Taichi's unconscious form. "Be on guard."

Taichi was gently lifted and placed on his horse, which was tied with Kaidou's horse to lead. Then, together, the group entered the cave's unknown darkness.

"Taichi."

"Akutsu-senpai..." The small boy didn't bother looking up. He felt his important person's presence without having to see him. "I'll never catch up to you, will I, Senpai?"

"Hn." With the other's snort came a feint scent of tobacco. "No, you won't. You can never be like me." He tangled his fingers in Taichi's hair and forced him to meet his gaze. "Just like I can never be like you."

"Senpai?"

"Don't worry about it." Then he leaned over and kissed the boy on the lips. "I'll protect you."

And then he was gone, and Taichi was alone again.

This time when he awoke he was aware that what he saw was just a dream. But that didn't make it hurt any less. Didn't make the gaping hole in his heart any smaller.

He also became more quickly aware that his surroundings were different than they had been for the past few months. The endless desert sand had been replaced with stone walls, and the blazing sun was nowhere to be found. And he became aware that someone was sitting next to him.

"Fuji-san..."

"Dan-kun." The ever-present smile didn't falter. "There's something you must tell me."

"Ok..."

Fuji's eyes opened, seriousness returned. "Who is Akutsu Jin?"

"How did you...?" Taichi stopped his question when he remembered that the tensai just sort of knew things without explanation. It was more than a little creepy, but it was part of what made Fuji Fuji. "Aahn...he's...Akutsu-senpai...is someone very important to me."

"Do you know anything about him?"

He shook his head slowly. "Uh-uh... Just that he's big and mean and strong...and cares for me for some reason."

Fuji chuckled, smile slipping back into place. "I see."

There was something going on, that much Taichi could tell. But he knew it would be useless trying to get it out of the other. And yet he no longer felt afraid. Of anything, really. Somehow...he felt protected.

The sphere of light that floated among the group provided enough illumination for them to see several yards all around them. They were grateful to the mage for not leaving them in the dark, but Shinji just shrugged, saying it was an easy spell.

The cavern was small, and quite narrow in some places, so they opted to walk instead of ride, for caution's sake. Deep trenches and endless abysses spotted their path, and they were careful not to fall and be forever lost.

They had gone far enough into the cave that the entrance was far out of sight, and they were still far from the exit. Kaidou would, from time to time, confirm with a bug or bat or rat, making sure they were going the right way and getting directions if they came to a fork in the path. And they were even lucky enough to find a small stream from where melted snow on the mountain-top ran through cracks in the rocks. It gathered into a pool, which then ran off in a stream, then into a waterfall down into a dark abyss. The whole area was beautiful, and with fresh water and plenty of space, it was where they chose to set up camp for the night.

-

"Se..Senpai..."

Taichi didn't usually talk in his sleep. Sometimes peep, oftentimes giggle, but rarely did he talk. And yet, it was soft enough to leave his tent-mate undisturbed. The beastmaster didn't stir as the voice whispered on the air.

Or even when a small whimper escaped the boy's lips. "Don't leave me, Senpai..."

With ears far more sensitive than a human's, Momo was awakened by the sleep-talk. And after blinking his violet eyes, he looked over to see the archer sit up and climb out of bed. He squeaked questioningly after Taichi, then cursed his inability to speak the human language. Instead he clung on to the boy's pant leg, trying unsuccessfully to prevent him from leaving the tent.

"I want to go with you...Akutsu-senpai..."

Momo looked up to see Taichi's eyes wide open, but vacant and unseeing. He was sleep walking, caught in a dream and unable to awaken. No matter how much the chibi tugged and squeaked, it wasn't enough.

He became desperate when he realized the archer was walking straight towards the abyss they'd set up camp by. It was so deep they couldn't even hear the waterfall crashing at the bottom, and Taichi was about to head off the edge in his sleep.

As quickly as his little legs would carry him, the chibi ran back to his tent, leaping onto Kaidou's chest. /Wake up! Come on, get up! Taichi's in trouble/

"Go away." The beastmaster smacked the small creature across the tent, then resumed his slumber, hissing gently.

/Stupid viper/ Momo picked himself back up and quickly went back to trying to wake the human, this time jumping on him repeatedly and smacking him on the face. /Wake up, will you/

Furious, Kaidou sat up and pushed the chibi away again. "You'd better cut that out or I'm going to!"

/Shut up! Taichi's gonna die/

"What?"

-

They ran out of the tent just in time to see the archer step off into empty air.

"...shit."

In his dream, he was flying. The wind blew through his hair as his body drifted weightlessly down...

Down...

Down...

Taichi's eyes flew open as his mind registered that it wasn't a dream. He was really falling. And he screamed, not wanting his end to come this way. He wasn't ready to die, didn't want his friends to be let down, couldn't let his promise go unfulfilled.

Then somewhere between his cry and the noise of the waterfall, there came a sound of wings beating against the air. It grew stronger the nearer it came, and Taichi's heart grew even tighter in his chest.

And then his descent was stopped, and he found himself held in strong arms. He looked up to meet golden eyes and an angry face, and reached a hand out to touch the cold skin of that face. "Akutsu-senpai...you're really here, aren't you?"

"...yeah."

"Senpai!" He clung like he'd never let go, burying his face into the broad chest and crying all the pain and longing he'd felt over the years into hot tears of relief.

It had been a pretty rude awakening when Kaidou and Momo went running through each tent, hollering about their lost comrade. But they rushed out anyway, anxious to hear the details of the situation, and to make a plan to see if he could be saved. Tezuka was quick to give out orders, for Kamio to fetch a rope that they would use to lower Shinji into the abyss. If by chance Taichi survived, he could be healed and brought back up for more extensive treatment.

Before the chance to put the plan into action came, however, from the depths rose a figure, flying on huge black wings. Leather wings that made the air blow violently with each flap. And wrapped in the being's long arms was their missing archer.

"Taichi!"

"Stay back!" the man growled when the group moved to run to their teammate, to see him, and rescue him if necessary. The two words spoke volumes of the threat he posed, even as he landed gently on his feet.

Unnoticed went the affect the arrival made on Atobe. They missed the narrowing of his eyes, and the tightening of his jaw, until the term "Demon" sparked from his mouth.

And everyone gaped at the golden-eyed creature, but their shock amplified when those eyes turned toward Atobe and he grinned. "Angel."

Then they all turned again. "You're...an Angel?" Kamio asked cautiously.

"Fitting, is it not?" The reply came with a feint snort.

Before anyone could go on, the Demon attacked. In the blink of an eye Taichi was placed softly of his feet and Akutsu had pounced on top of Atobe, knocking him to the ground and laying over him. His golden eyes glowed and his grin was completely feral. "Fallen?"

"Not quite." Atobe shoved his attacker, and rolled them over, switching their positions. "I still have some of my power."

The Demon laughed, a sound that could terrorize weaker people. "Some? Some isn't nearly enough!"

He grabbed a fistful of Atobe's shirt collar and threw him, hurtling the Angel across the cave and into the wall. The impact was hard enough to make part of the stone crumble, and Atobe's body fell limply to the ground.

"Atobe!" Tezuka took a step forward. Though he'd left his sword at his bedside, he was ready to fight with his fists if he needed to, in order to protect his team.

"Don't!" Atobe struggled, using every bit of strength to climb to his hands and knees, and then to his feet. He cursed his half-human body, wishing for all the world he could have his full Angelic powers back. "Just...stay where you are."

"Atobe..."

He clutched his right arm, which had taken the brunt of the impact with the wall. If he were a lesser being the bones would probably be broken...or shattered. "Angels and Demons are enemies by nature. There's nothing you can do."

Akutsu laughed again, pleased at the pain and blood he caused to pour from his foe. He could smell the Angel's anger rising, and it excited him. He didn't care that Atobe had only a fraction of his usual power, that he was wingless and bare of Heaven's divine protection. As long as he got to kill an Angel, it was all the same to him. That's the way Demons were.

Again he flew at his opponent, knocking him to the ground a second time. Then, standing over the fallen Seraph, he raised a hand and pointed clawed nails at the pale throat.

Atobe's dark turquoise eyes hardened as he bravely waited for what was to come. He didn't even flinch as the Demon attacked.

"Stop!"

-

And time stood still. For a full minute nobody moved, frozen with shock. Until the large blue eyes that had been clenched tightly shut peeked open, blinking at the dagger-like nails that had stopped mere centimeters from his face.

"Taichi." Akutsu's fierce golden gaze turned to the boy who dared step in his way. "What the hell are you doing?"

"Senpai!" The small archer lunged at the Demon, wrapping his arms around his waist and holding him in a tight embrace. "Please don't hurt any more people, Senpai."

"He's not a person."

"But he's my friend."

A raise of the brow was the only visible sign Atobe gave of his astonishment. But his mind was racing as he watched the pair, almost in disbelief when Akutsu put a hand on Taichi's shoulder. He questioned if it was truly possible for a human's heart to be strong enough to tame a Demon. Yet, there it was, before his own eyes.

A silent moment lingered, and then Akutsu pushed Taichi away and turned his back to him. "Do you know why I was never able to hurt you?"

"Senpai..?"

The Demon cast a dead glance back over his shoulder. "Because you're stronger than me." And then he walked away, fading out of existence as he went.

Taichi dropped to his knees with his head thrown back. Tears streamed down his cheeks, but there was a smile upon his lips.

A promise was fulfilled.

-

They stayed close to the small archer until he finally passed out from exhaustion. And as he rested, surrounded by the safety and comfort of friends, they remained silent, lost in their own thoughts.

Then Tezuka abruptly stood up. "Atobe, come with me."

to be continued...

Note: stupid editing thing is screwing up my formatting and making this very difficult...