Shadow within the Darkness
(Day 13 – Part 6)
By: Little Ucchan
Two piercing gray eyes watched the battle continue, the golden freckles sprinkled within that stormy cloud-like hue sparkling in the evening sun. He watched the six teenagers and white tiger on the streets like how an incoming challenger would monitor his opponent's movements before it was his turn to do battle: with acute precision. He had an analytical eye. And he didn't miss much.
And so when he sensed the energy surging through the armored boy in red, he knew. Lady Sierra was not going to win this time. But as to if she was going to live… that possibility was up in the air. My dear… let's see if you really have the devil's luck on your side.
It all happened in a single moment. There was hardly any time to breathe. One exhale of air later, it was all over. Ryo's Flare Up Now had overpowered Lady Sierra's hiraishin.
The attack struck the ninja dead on, the girl only having had time to raise her arms in defense before the energy consumed her, the force of the move shaking the very foundation of the earth. The ground exploded, shooting dust and debris into the air, creating a smoke screen so thick that it was smothering.
Although the attack had hit its initial target, some of the energy had escaped, breaking into several straight beams of energy, slamming through walls, cutting deep depressions into the earth, and one stray shot heading straight for the spectator perched upon the fire escape of an apartment complex.
He narrowed his eyes, his aura's power rising beneath his skin. I don't think so.
***
Sage gasped aloud, whirling on his heels, his senses alerting him to a demon presence hardly 100 yards away. He was just in time to witness the energy of Ryo's surekill explode harmlessly in front of the building. Rowen, Cye, and Kento had also turned around upon hearing the loud blast, watching as the ball of fire and smoke dissipated into the atmosphere to reveal a lone figure standing behind the grated metal balcony. They only caught a glimpse of the tall, menacing figure with the long arched wings and rough dragon-like tail before the demon disappeared, the impression of its intimidating aura still fresh in the boys' minds being the only lingering proof of its existence.
Kento let out a deep breath, running a shaky hand through his tousled ash-blue hair. He didn't even make eye contact with the demon and already he had lost his nerve. And if he had… God help him if he had. He wasn't very sensitive to this sort of thing, unlike Sage and Cye. Even Rowen was more receptive to auras than he was. But even if he was standing 100 yards away from the blasted thing, it was hard not to notice the power pulsating from it. It made his knees weak and his tan complexion fade to a sickly white. Who… or what was that? he asked himself. Do I even wanna know?
The rest of the guys shared the same thoughts. Just who was that demon? What was it doing here? And why did it leave? With so much power at its disposal, why didn't it just kill them on the spot? Such questions ran through each of them minds, and also, a predominant fear of the future and what it had in store for them. Only one boy was oblivious to the danger that had mysteriously passed without so much of a warning shot. But it wouldn't be right to say that that same boy wasn't in some sort of distress of his own.
White Blaze gave out a loud roar in warning, bringing the remaining Ronin warriors to attention as Ryo sunk down to his knees. The grip he had on his katanas was limp, and his head was hung low in a mix of shame, stupefaction, and horror.
What… what have I done?
The street was still smoking, the spot where his opponent once stood clouded so thick with dust that you couldn't even see one inch into it.
I promised Cye that I wouldn't… I… had promised myself that I wouldn't…
His breathing was still; eyes wide and blank, not focused on anything.
But I…
He did not move. All was a blur.
I…
…
I killed… a living person. I've… killed a human being.
A thought this grave would have brought him to tears. But yet… he felt nothing. He had no reaction. His entire body had shut down once he had admitted it. Had accepted it. And the truth had left him empty inside.
Him, the master of the Inferno armor. Him, the one that White Blaze had chosen. Him, the leader.
A Ronin warrior…
…had taken the life on someone else. Someone who wasn't even out to kill him.
Where? Ryo asked himself. Where did I lose control!? He wanted to win so badly. Everything was riding on him. On that moment. There were no second chances after that. And he didn't want to let his friends down. He had refused. Erased the possibility of it ever happening.
And the armor responded.
It responded to his desire… and carried it out with deadly efficiency. He wasn't even aware of it. Of the words coming out of his mouth. Not until it was too late to change anything.
Pounding his fists against the asphalt, his katanas clattering noisily onto the floor, Ryo lowered his head in shame. Regardless of the war, he has never killed a person. And he never thought he would. And not her.
God forgive me… The tears began to fall from his face. God forgive me for what I have done.
***
The melancholy atmosphere hung thick in the air. Just as thick as the cloud of dust and smoke surrounding the blast site. The mutual feeling of remorse seeped deep into each of their hearts; sorrow rivaling that of only a funeral. This wasn't supposed to happen. Death was the one thing that had not entered any of their minds.
Was this really the end?
One person didn't think so.
Reappearing, this time at a more obscure location, the demon watched the billowing cloud of smoke, using his keen eyesight to peer through the dense veil and make out the silhouette of a young woman.
He smiled to himself. Well, looks like you have the devil's luck after all.
***
Rowen was the first to see her, the smoke finally starting to clear up. He only caught a glimpse of her arm, but he knew that she was still alive. A sense of awe struck him, unable to believe that she had survived Ryo's surekill. She, who didn't have armor like the rest of them, had lived through it. But if she had survived, what did that mean for Ryo?
His eyes widened, followed by a gasp of surprise from Cye and similar looks of disbelief from Kento and Sage when the smoke cleared and Lady Sierra was standing before them. Her clothes were soiled and torn, though not as bad as one would think it would have been. She had wounds all over her body; the skin was only grazed as some placed, moderate cuts in the others. But she had a deep wound on her right side, the black color of her gi being stained an ever darker, heavier shade where she was bleeding. And yet, her eyes were hard and unwavering. But not indifferent. Not like before, where her gaze was usually impassively glazed over. No. This time, her eyes were burning… with anger.
"RYO!! GET UP!!"
Ryo's eyes snapped open, the warning piercing through his morbid thoughts so quickly that he had almost forgotten how to breathe. He rose to his knees, seeing for the first time the woman that he thought he had murdered. Her eyes were fixated on his. Shockingly baffled blue against swirling stormy hazel. And to his amazement, she sped towards him at full speed.
He had barely backed up onto his feet before she snatched his arm. The other snaked up to his throat, the cold fingers wrapping itself around his neck. He grabbed hold of her wrist to pull her hand away, but when he did, he stopped.
Ryo felt her arm trembling in his grip, realizing for the first time that the hold she had on his neck was not strong at all. It was as if she had decided to choke him, but had stopped midway. Reversed her decision at the last minute. Had lost her nerve and instead left her hand there, trembling.
He looked into her eyes. Saw her staring back up at him. And beneath that wall of anger, he saw pain. Not of the physical nature at all. But emotional. She was hurt, distressed, confused. But most of all… she felt betrayed. Betrayed by him, and he didn't know why. Not until he looked more closely and had finally recognized the sorrow that seemed to surround her entire being. And when he did… he was left breathless.
"Laura…?"
He said it softly so only the two of them could hear, but immediately she reacted. He felt her arms grow stiff, her hands clamming up as the emotions swirling beneath her eyes kept switching from anger to fear to confusion to absolute astonishment.
And before he could say anything else, she had broken out of his grip and ran off.
"Shit!" he cursed under his breath, stripping down to his sub armor as he hurdled over the wall she had gone over. Leaving his friends behind in utter bewilderment, he chased after her.
She was still fast, regardless of her injuries. Right when he'd turn a corner, she'd already be down the next street. And her black ninja gi made it hard to follow her, the sky already dim with darkness. His only hope was to keep a lock on her aura. As long as he did that, he wouldn't be able to lose her.
Down another alleyway they went. Ryo was gaining on her. He could feel it. She was too tired to keep this up, fighting two duels in one day plus being hit by his Flare Up Now. She couldn't last this long.
He saw her pull open a door and dash inside. He followed suit, recognizing the interior as being the back exit for the mall. Ryo sped down the corridor, pulling out of his sub armor and back into his civilian clothes just as he burst through the door into the mall.
She was nowhere in sight.
Ryo searched around, with his eyes and his senses. But he came up with nothing. It's as if she had just… vanished. How could he have lost her? She was right there! Damn it!
He looked around some more, over the heads of passing shoppers in hopes of catching a glimpse of her. How hard could it be to find a wounded girl in a ninja battle gi?
Alas, he was searching for the wrong thing. Or else, he would have noticed the brunette in a light turtleneck sweater and pleated skirt that was making her way out of the mall and out onto the side streets, calling for the next taxi home. He would never have missed her if he had just searched for the dark stain of blood at the girl's side.
***
*Tick*
…
*Tick*
…
*Tick*
The wall clock continued it's methodical pace, counting the seconds away; the pendulum swishing back and forth. The little girl sighed, looking at the time again. The seconds are slower today.
Sitting atop a tall stool with her arms resting on the kitchen counter, she swung her legs back and forth, lowering her chin onto her arms. Oneesan's really late.
Sammy remembered her sister saying that she'd be gone for a couple of hours. She usually knew what that meant. It's kinda hard not to know, after all. Growing up, Sammy had demon hunters all around her. It came to her as no surprise to learn that her sister was one as well.
But… she looked at the time again. She'd always come back before dark.
The sun had been down for almost an hour. And her sister wasn't home.
I'm worried.
Sammy never liked the fact that her sister had to fight. But she understood the need. She knew what fueled her to do so. What made her choose the path that she traveled down now. Laura never liked telling her exactly what was going on. But then again, Sammy being her only sibling, she wasn't one to deny her anything either. Especially the truth. For it was the truth that had been kept from her that got her into the mess she was in now. It was because the people she loved concealed the truth from her; didn't tell her what was going on. That's what got them killed.
If only… she had known.
It was that kind of mentality that made Laura promise to tell Sammy everything. She wouldn't hide it, because she doesn't want the same thing to happen again. She didn't want people to lie to her because she was too young. That she wouldn't understand. Bullshit! Children understand. More than adults ever could. They keep everything simple. Break down the most complicated of problems right down to its essence. So you never lose sight of the truth.
Sammy understood. She knew why she was here and not in China. It was to prevent the past from happening anew. But then she always wondered… would it have been better back in China? Where everyone there knew, and could support you? Could help you? True, more people would get hurt. But didn't strength come in numbers? And wasn't it easier to face a difficult problem… when you had friends and family by your side? To catch you when you fall. To help you carry your burdens so that they didn't seem so hard to bear anymore.
Her sister could be so narrow-minded sometimes. But then again, Laura was the one who remembered what happened four years ago. Not her. She experienced it all. She knew the pain, the suffering. The loss of life. Sammy didn't remember that much about it. She was barely over a year old. So her older sister would be the one to know what was at stake. She'd know what to do… right?
…It was late.
Sammy had started to doze off, her mind going back. Back to a time when she was younger. She didn't know how old. But she knew she was able to crawl. She was a fast crawler. That's what everyone told her. Said she was crawling all over the dirt at the village.
The village.
Yes. It was one of the few memories she had of the clan. They were extremely vague. Hazy-like. Whenever she'd recall it, it'd always appear to her as a blur. But, she remembered someone carrying her. Ironically, it wasn't her mother. Or her father. But a boy. And her sister was standing next to him. So young. And happy. She was always laughing back then. Sammy remembered that. How it sounded. She doesn't hear it very often anymore.
But as to why she remembered that boy… she wasn't sure. Just every time she'd close her eyes and her mind would bring her back, she'd see him. Always two images. Him carrying her with her sister by his side, laughing. And the other… she was in his arms again. Wrapped in a damp blanket. It was hot all around, and he was hugging her tight. Protecting her. Protecting her from fire… all around.
People always say that babies don't remember much when they're young. Or if they do, the memory fades as time passes by. But those two images were always there before her eyes. Her sister's laugh was what rang in her ears. The touch of damp cloth amidst sweltering heat was what she felt. And the smell of faint lotus petals --- the scent that she picked up from him when he was carrying her that night --- was what would always stay with her.
She had asked her sister once… about that boy.
His name was Naru.
But as to his relationship with her sister… she didn't say. And Sammy didn't ask. It was the one subject that Laura was really touchy about. Maybe she'll never find out about that boy that saved her life.
***
Sammy awoke to the sound of the doorknob being unlocked. She immediately leaped out of her seat to the kitchen floor, her sneakers squeaking on the glossy tiles. She stopped before continuing, remembering that she wasn't supposed to wear her shoes in the apartment. Hearing the door open and close quietly, Sammy made a mad dash to her room, kicking off her shoes and throwing them under her bed before going to the front door.
"Oneesan! You're back!!"
She skidded to a halt, eyes wide in shocked horror as she watching in the darkness the weak form of her sister leaning heavily against the door, taking in shaky ragged breaths and clutching her right side that was dripping red with blood.
"ONEESAN!!!" Sammy ran up to Laura, grabbing hold of her arm as the teenager began to sink down to the floor. "Oneesan!! Are you okay?!" she cried. "Oneesan!!!!!! Please!!!!"
"I'm…I'm okay, Sammy," she managed to say, her chest heaving up and down. "I'm… I'm just fine… Don't… worry… Sam…"
"Oneesan…" She hugged her sister tight, tears spilling from her eyelids. "Oneesan… please don't leave… Please don't leave! Please!!!"
Laura slowly wrapped her free arm around the girl's trembling body, rubbing her back in a soothing manner in order to pacify the child. "I'm not… leaving Sammy," she spoke softly, kissing her forehead. "I'm not leaving. Don't… worry… I'm not leaving you."
"Oneesan…"
"C'mon now," she gave her shoulder a slight squeeze. "Remember the time… Uncle Bennie was in that accident… a couple months back?" The little girl nodded. "He looked pretty bad… didn't he?" Laura laughed a bit. "You were crying so much. Uncle Bennie's your favorite uncle… wasn't he Sammy?"
She watched as Sammy smiled a bit. Uncle Bennie was always a laugh riot. Great with kids, even though he didn't have any of his own. Maybe that's why…
"Well… he turned out just fine, remember?" Laura continued. "A few days of bed rest… and he was back on his feet…" She paused. "And that's how I'm gonna be… I'll… be fine. I… I just need to rest… Sammy…"
"Are… you sure?" she asked, looking up to meet her sister's eyes.
Laura hesitated in answering. She knew that her pendant would heal her wounds. In fact, that's what she was doing right now with the gash at her side, keeping her hand there so she could channel her energy into the wound. But as for how long…
Her energy was spent. It took all her strength to bring up a shield strong enough to hold against Ryo's attack. And still, she sustained injuries. The rune would not hold out very long.
She sighed. There was so much to do now. She needed to prepare for what she knew was to come. But she was so weak. Could she still take care of Sammy in the condition that she was in?
Realizing that her sister was still waiting for an answer, Laura gave her one of her best smiles. "Hey, you know me. Nothing can keep me down for long."
"But Oneesan, this is the first time you were really hurt."
And it's not going to be the last, Laura added silently. "I'm fine… don't worry so much about me okay?"
Silence.
"Okay Sammy?"
"…Kay."
She smiled softly. "Hey, you wanna do something to help me out?" Her sister practically beamed at the chance, her enthusiasm making Laura laugh, despite herself.
"Can I help? Really?!"
Laura nodded. "Can you get the first aid kit for me? And a towel and a fresh bowl of water, okay?"
"Kay!!"
The ball of energy jumped to her feet, getting right to work by sprinting down the hall to find the first aid kit. Laura watched her go about with amusement. Sammy could always make her relax, providing her a type of inner peace that she was lacking; and at that moment… desperately needed.
She closed her eyes, leaning her head against the door. After a moment of still silence, she pressed her free hand against the floor and pushed herself up. But the movement sent a sharp stab of pain at her side, making her body feel weak all over. She settled back down against the door, breathing hard, trying to block out everything from her mind.
She could normally do it. Block out the pain. Isolate the wound from reaching her senses. Numb it out so she couldn't feel. But now… it was too much. She had to focus on her wounded side first. But to heal it, she needed her strength. And right now… she didn't have any to spare.
This is bad. Feeling around her chest for the rune that was looped around her neck, she pulled it up to her lips, kissing in gently. She could feel the energy inside. It was tired. Spent. It would take a while to build that up again. You really helped me out back there. she told the rune. Her curse and her blessing. But I guess even objects of power can get tired sometimes.
Laura let the pendant fall back to its normal resting place, lowering her arm to her side. Why do I feel, that this is only the beginning of my troubles? She sighed, closing her eyes. Mother. Father. Please… give me strength.
***
*Click* The sound of the front door being unlocked caught Sanada-san's attention, sitting up from the book he was reading. "Ryo? Is that you?"
The door quietly closed shut, followed by the soft padding of feet across the wood planks. The footsteps continued, with the slight scratching of White Blaze's claws against the floor until a door was opened and closed shut without so much of a greeting towards his grandfather's direction.
Realizing that something was wrong, Sanada-san placed his book down and got out of bed, emerging from his room to see the large feline standing outside of Ryo's door, staring up at it with a worried expression.
Sanada-san sighed, looking at the closed door with sad eyes. Ryo… I told you to be careful today.
***
Inside of his own room, Ryo collapsed onto his bed, his head falling face first into his pillow. He laid there with not a thought in his mind. Just stayed there, unmoving. Trying to grasp some sense of peace. But…
He couldn't. His mind wouldn't rest. And his heart… His heart was aching with the sort of pain that took his breath away. The agony that made his chest heave. That made his limbs go limp, trembling. Unable to grasp anything. To hold onto anything. His throat felt clogged, the familiar knot wedged deep within him. He wanted to cry. He felt like it. But the tears wouldn't come. He wanted to scream. To lash out in anger. Just get rid of it all. But he could barely part his lips to make room for a soft whisper. He wanted to sleep. To slip into oblivion. To shut his mind off, just for a little while. But every time he closed his eyes, all he saw were those hazel orbs filled with pain.
All Ryo could think about was her. He didn't know which feeling was worse. The feeling he had when he thought he had killed a human being, or the feeling he had now. Of knowing that he had almost killed one of his own classmates. Worse yet. One of his friends. Someone who he valued dearly. And then, to find out that she knew… that she was aware that he almost…
Ryo gritted his teeth, burying his head deeper into his pillow. How could he possibly face her again? To just see her in the streets… At school… Could he ever look at her in the eyes?
She had done everything to try and get their armors. But still, there was a limit to what she would allow herself to do. At first she wouldn't hit them. Then she wouldn't cause any serious injuries. Then it got so far as the hiraishin. But that was it. No more. She wouldn't overstep that boundary.
And he had.
And now… Now…
She'll never talk to me again. Their friendship was lost. How could he ever apologize for what he had done? There were no words to convey his regret. His sorrow. And even if he could come up with something to say… a way to make it up to her… he knew it wouldn't be enough the mend the rift that had opened up between them.
His friendship with Laura was over.