A/N: This chapter is fully revised.

The Elementals

Chapter 4

Seiji halted scanning the scene in front of him and managing to keep his rage under control giving him an outward appearance of calm venom. He was already in sub-armor prepared for anything. One tends to do that with Shu, he gets his self in more trouble than Ryo. Well most of the time. He had managed somehow to force himself up off the ground.

He knew Kongo was lost, the bright orange light in the back of his mind that told him everything about its owner had suddenly dissipated and rung through Seiji's mind like a siren. A little part of him was thankful they couldn't sense Ryo before, because the pain was unimaginable. Two of these would drive him insane. He knew he screamed. Though he couldn't hear it through the pounding hammers in his mind. A dull pain still throbbed inside him, a bit more tolerable then the hell he was previous through. He barely picked up Touma and Shin were still disabled. A good wake up alarm.

Shu was slumped against a van a tiny trickle of blood running down the corner of his mouth. While his right arm was covered in blood and a deep gash running from his elbow half way up his arm. Seiji's eyes found the remains of his yoroi crystal scattering in the breeze. He carefully looked around for the attacker. No matter how much he wanted to charge after the demon that did this to Shu, he couldn't walk in a trap and end up like him. His senses were currently useless still stifled by the disappearance of Kongo.

Which he highly regretted.

"Please save me the time and just hand over your yoroi crystal."

She was directly in front of him twirling her dagger lazily in her hand. Perfect distance to have full control of her enemy and attack as she pleased.

Damn she was fast.

He flipped backwards avoiding a lethal dagger and was thrown into battle. The woman not wanting to waste any more time than necessary. He barely evaded any attacks, and found himself taking thrice more hits than he was giving. There was no way he could avert his gaze for even a second and check on Shu, the fight was taking his full concentration and skills. He was still being caught off guard; he just couldn't keep up with her.

Weaving in and out of trees he tried his best to keep distance between his attacker. Running at full speed but still being toyed with. When she planted a blow the force of it and his speed sent him flying into whatever would stop him. He didn't know why if they wanted to kill him so bad, that she wasn't just getting it over with.

He found himself being pummeled into a tree barely holding back a grunt. With a green flicker of light his sub-armor was gone. So was the enemy. Seiji didn't care to hold back a grunt, if anyone just got battered around like that he doubted they would be on their feet. Trying to get feeling back in his arm he expertly massaged it while cautiously looking around. He still had his yoroi crystal, which meant she was not near done with him. The way they left his friends for death told him that he was sure she wouldn't leave him like this.

Then a thought suddenly came to mind. Shu! She's after Shu! He dashed around running in the direction that he found Shu. Why in the world didn't he see what she was doing? What she was planning? One plan didn't work, he wasn't too immobilized to run but she had successfully put a good long distance between him and Shu. By her speed he knew she was already their, delivering a deathblow.

Grabbing her wrist thinking he had successfully caught her off guard he twisted it back. Her face contorted with rage and easily fought against his strength. She planted the blade in his stomach sliding deeper then jerking it viciously out watching the human fall to the grown helplessly grabbing the wound.

"Don't interrupt me, human." She grabbed his shirt and pulled him up glaring angrily. She caught a flying fist with her hand turning it painfully to warn of any other weak blows and pinned him against the wrecked van.

"Now be still." she spoke sweetly and placed a hand on the bloodied shirt.

"Shin." he shook the brunette's shoulder harder this time after not getting any response the first two times. It had taken a good five minutes for Byakuen to rouse him.

"Shin." he said more insistently, they had to get to Seiji and Shu. Definitely Shu, not being able to sense his friend bothered him, especially now that he can't sense two of them. Ryo didn't seem at all affected, but he did shift around uncomfortably.

Seiji was in trouble, a lot of trouble. He didn't want to feel through the link but the flickering light of Korin demanded him to. The unsteadiness of it made him sick. It was like Korin was being drained, the bright green light dimming almost into nothing. Shit this was not good, if they get Seiji before Shin and him can get there they will once again be paralyzed unable to help their friends. More pain racked through the bond in waves, Touma ignored it. No, not good.

"Shin!" he hissed.

"I'm awake. Quit poking me." He winced at the pain reverberating through the link and held out and a hand for Touma to help him and nearly had his arm unhinged.

"Arigato." Touma said ruefully.

"It's all right." Shin grinned. "But hey, at least I'm not as bad as you."

Touma rolled his eyes. Out of all the times to be joking! "You hang around Shu too much." Shu could make jokes right in the middle of battle and still make everyone laugh. Amazing, how they survived one day in the middle of a war between the netherworld and human world. They were the worse bunch of misfits alive.

Checking on Ryo and determining he was safely asleep and unhindered by the events they left Byakuen roosting himself by the couch watching them warily.

Shin was used to the sight of his friends injured in battle, passed out with plenty of injuries to go around. It's expected when you spend half a year fighting a war that will never end. Sure, they defeated Arago, but did they honesty think it would be over? This was proof; evil never dies. It just grows stronger and comes back for revenge.

Natsuti went through first-aid kits like no tomorrow, Seiji was either getting his strength back or in battle. Once Kikotei came around their yoroi's ability to heal their wielders decreased to nothing since they were always drained. So it was common to find one or more of them in their rooms bundled up with blankets and sleeping. Actually that's what they did most of the time.

But this? The Masho were never so strong that they made the samurai troopers fall like dominos. They lost a few times but it was never this bad.

Yet the sun still shined brighter than ever, no clouds in the blue sky and life went out its normal way. Shin snapped around started by a sudden ripping sound as Touma tore a good piece out of his oversized gray shirt that just happen to be borrowed off of Shu. He walked quietly over to the unconscious and pale teen and tightly wrapped it around his arm. Shin proceeded to Seiji only finding a stomach wound, deep but the bleeding had stopped for some reason Shin felt no need of thinking about.

This just wasn't working out.

"What are we going to do?" he asked quietly.

No reply.

Shin put an arm under the blonde warrior's back and the other under the bend of his knees and picked him up. They weren't really heavy, actually abnormally light considering how much strength they possessed and the muscle that would be needed. But they blew it off as just another freakish side effect of the yoroi. Probably if they didn't look the way they did know, the samurai troopers may resemble those "Strongest Man" on T.V. Shu, the slightly biggest one out of all of them grimaced at the sight.

The blonde showed no sings of regaining consciousness as he started off back to Natsuti's but something stopped him. Glancing at Touma and seeing he had already stopped and was waiting for Shin not more than a couple feet away he turned around. Careful to not jar any injuries owned by the blonde and searched for the shards that would tell him Korin, also, was gone. Shin had not felt anything giving him the hope Seiji at least was still with them. But it was true, Korin was gone.

"Come and Shin we have to get home."

Hai, there was many reasons to get home. He shouldn't waste time.

Natsuti pushed the door open with her arm carrying her usual load of bags and books home. The eerie silence of the mansion greeted her. Every inch of the great house was needed. Even though four rooms were occupied she found it was impossible to find one room that blocked out all the wild ruckus of the five samurai troopers who spent much of their time arguing, playing any games they can get their hands on, and threatening to kill each other.

Half the day included constant fighting over the television, most in the morning while everyone was waiting for breakfast. Sometimes she had to resort to banishing them to their rooms. There they yelled at each other through the walls. But the memories couldn't bring a smile to her face as even her sensed the thickness in the air. She shut the door with her foot and slipped her shoes off. Dropping the bags by the couch she inspected the previous trooper. Noting to change his bandages she listened for movements in the house that will tell her of the other four's occupancy. None came.

She climbed the stairs and poked her nose into the first room, Seiji and Touma's. She found Seiji in bed. Bruises decorated the arm that was out of the covers and Touma was propped up against the bed sleeping. Bandages and an assortment of other things were scattered around him. Natsuti choked back a sob. She found the next room wiping away the tears that were streaming down her cheeks with her sleeve. Shin looked up at her startled then lowered his head. She didn't want to see Shu, maybe later, when she wasn't on the verge of bursting into tears.

"Are you okay?" she asked, her voice wavering.

"Hai, just tired. All of this ispretty toughon Touma and me. Touma still asleep?"

She nodded. "What are you going to do?"

"We thought of going to Kayura and Masho. Just to watch over you guys so we can find out something."

Natsuti shook her head furiously at the thought. "You can't, it's too dangerous." If she said that to Ryo of Shu they would easily refuse and loudly explain to her they can't let this happen to their friends.

"What do you think we should do?" he asked.

She didn't know. The Samurai Troopers, had lost.

Natsuti sighed to herself sadly one bowl or ramen in her hands slowly cooling. She sit on the floor absently poking at the wobbly noodles with a fork. She hadn't dared move Ryo, surprisingly he has healed faster than usual however. She expected the slow healing of humans compared to the yoroi's aid. It has been little over a week, she was switched back to night shift due to the doctor returning to work. Timed perfectly because she was not going to leave all five boys here alone.

Not much she can do but take care of them. Seiji puzzled her, even though she'd become quite understanding of how to take care of an injured samurai trooper. Seiji wasn't a Samurai Trooper anymore, therefore he should be just, well… normal. It was remarkably similar to when Kikotei would sap the energy of the four yoroi in return leaving them drained. He didn't stir but slept silently.

And the last two, she thought running a hand through her hair. Kayura and Anubis brought them to her doorstep while Natsuti was still getting used to the new sleep routine. Kayura's face was grave but not truly. Like she was hiding something, still had hope with some Ancient knowledge she wielded. Sitting them both on the newly bought chairs, (since the guys had invented a new way to torment each other) they told her the two would live and Kayura aided them all she could. It wasn't a lot, she said. The staff is to protect the Samurai Troopers, without their yoroi she healed only little. Natsuti nodded and they left as if nothing had happen.

She walked over to the two boys checking over them, expecting the same injuries as the others. Both needed no attention. A few large dark bruises but no wounds, thanks to Kayura. She draped blankets over them and left to fuss over Shu and Seiji. Natsuti tried to remember the days, almost two weeks since they nearly killed Ryo. Seiji and Shu were down just three days later. Then Touma and Shin while they went prowling the streets and where the Dynasty gates once stood. She told them not to, but it was just delaying the inevitable. After finishing she promptly went to bed

Natsuti casually propped her bag against the television checking her watch then pulled a bang behind her ear. Ryo was awake, blaming himself once he had enough sense to. The others still slept. He was looking at his two friends sadly and Natsuti could just hear what was going through his mind. He was too hard on himself and now with the downfall of the Samurai Troopers he didn't know what to do.

She had noticed his behavior, edgy like he was on guard. Natsuti highly doubted that went by Seiji unnoticed including Shin who was the extra empathist of the group. She worried herself all day coming to tears a few times. Natsuti didn't know how what happen would affect the boys living in her house.

Not necessarily living but two of them had no parents, Touma and Ryo, and the others once they told their parents of everything allowed them to stay at her house every other week. Seiji's grandfather actually wanted him to stay more understanding of what exactly the Samurai Troopers are. It included a conversation of Natsuti needing to revive three mothers and two fathers. She became grateful she was a doctor.

"How are they?" Ryo asked weakly, rubbing his sore shoulder.

"Fine." She said gently. "The same when you asked me the first time you woke up and after that."

Ryo hung his head careful to support it with his hand.

"I want you to get some sleep Ryo. You don't have Rekka to help in healing." She almost gave it a second thought. There was no way in this world Ryo should still be alive. How much of the truth it hurts, it was true. His head injury alone was enough to kill anyone on impact. As with Shu, he should have bled to death. Seiji just confused her beyond imagination and she put that away for later. It was impossible. How fast they were healing? Face reality Natsuti, these former troopers should be dead. She also put that away for later, she couldn't worry anymore.

Did she have to say that? Ryo thought. It was… no there was no way to describe it. Empty. Nothing. The various thoughts that echoed dimly in his head were absent. Rekka no longer hung just at his grasp ready to light the fireplace and spend all day talking to Byakuen. Whom he noted lay sprawled out by his feet purring as Ryo absently scratched behind his ears.

He had yet been able to see Seiji or Shu but how Natsuti occasionally made her way up the stairs Ryo figured they weren't that bad. Shin and Touma didn't really look that bad. Touma made it difficult for Ryo to properly punish himself over the former bearer of Tenku because only his blue hair stuck out. The rest of him was hidden beneath the covers.

So he did not know how bad Touma was injured. Ryo didn't know how he got here either, sleeping on the couch when he supposed he was already dead. He certainly had enough injuries. Then Natsuti filled him in on her way to work.

Ryo, himself, was sore, hurting, and could barely think without getting a hell of a headache. Natsuti said it had healed up, once she was finished gawking, and removed the bandages. Ryo in return was not allowed to walk around the house. He couldn't anyway. His vision always spun and he would collapse back on the couch. His shoulder was especially tender, he was unable to move it without sending a jolt of pain down his arm. His was arm no longer bandaged. His stomach was still bound, every time Natsuti changed them he blushed furiously.

As long as his friends are all right he can deal with it.

"Did you hear me Ryo? You need sleep, you look awful." She was heading out the door slipping on her shoes and turning around to show him she meant business.

"Not till one of them wakes up." He said sternly.

"I at least want to see you sleeping when I come back." And she left.

The anger building up inside him was not anything unusual. He hated seeing them hurt like this. What was he doing? Just sleeping away on the couch safe and oblivious to everything going on around him. His friends nearly dying, the bond shattering like glass, and the little hope left that they could make it through was gone.

He knew if he still had Rekka his anger would weave with the fire fueling it till he regained control. He didn't bother thinking about Kikotei. Natsuti told him he should go outside, contradicting with what she said in the first place. On top of that knowing if she let him release his anger out on a tree she would find an unconscious Ryo with bloody knuckles. He could read it on her face as she inwardly scolded herself.

He managed a few times to walk around and get himself something to eat. He refused to watch television and wake up the other two in the room. Ryo wanted to watch over them but found himself resting more than spending his time wondering what to do. He did fight it. For as long as he could then suddenly found himself lying on the couch rolling over and meeting a wall off cushion not remembering where it came from.

"No," he corrected himself. "I want to get those demons, beat the hell out of them and see how they feel." He grabbed a pillow stuffed it on his lap and rested his aching head. He had no idea of what to do. His friends would look up to him for guidance, they depended on him.

He promptly fell asleep.

Seiji pulled the blanket over his head, wondering faintly at where it came from. It was too bright in his room and he just realized it hurt if he turned over on his side. The light usually never bothered him, it being his element. He could simply look straight in the sun and feel its strength. In his sluggish, sleepy mind something told him, a sense, that things were no longer right. Snapping his head up he remembered just the thing that wasn't right.

Holding his arm, which in the action of jerking up too fast made it painful, he shot a glance around the room. Touma wasn't present neither any of his friends in the back of his mind. It scared him till he recalled his fight with that lady. Where his last conscious memory was the sparkle light of his yoroi crystal dancing in the sun's rays. It was unnerving no longer feeling Korin.

Testing his strength he slowly got out of bed and went prowling the house. He found Shu in the next room arm hanging off the bed and the other one bandaged. Half the covers were off the bed; the others bundled up at the foot of the bed. But no Shin. He knew he'd been sleeping for more than two days and he was notably hungry.

It worked the same way as before; they would sleep for a couple days after a hard battle and wake up eating enough to fill an army. Take another nap then either argue with each other or go outside to be plummeted in battle. He made his way near the stairway and found the two he'd been looking for. Ryo had somehow fell asleep with this face in the pillow.

Seiji yawned tiredly and pondered if he could actually make it down the stairs. He actually thought about going back to bed, just for a few more hours.

Ryo raised his head a little too fast when he heard the last stair creak as weight was applied to it. Thinking Natsuti was at work as far as he knew. Having unwillingly fell asleep he was thinking perhaps Nasti was back and coming to check on him. But checking the clock she was most definitely at work. So maybe one of his friends was awake. He regretted when his head screamed in a fury of pain and he held back a groan of annoyance.

Seiji, with a lack of grace, seated himself on the bottom step clutching his arm and yawning. Thinking to himself at least there wasn't any blinding light down here.

He glanced at Ryo with a weak smile.

"Sit." Seiji ordered, at the first movement his leader made to get up and greet him. Ryo may be awake but the last time he saw the former trooper wasn't exactly good. He was having a difficult time adjusting from bloody, white, barely breathing, and dying Ryo to conscious Ryo. So no one could blame if for being just a little protective.

It was quite ironic, Ryo was the leader but if any of them told him to do something he would. They were usually right anyway, Ryo tends to lose his brains to his fiery Kanji and end up dong something absolutely stupid.

He yawned again and studied the arrangement of his friends. He supposed the little mat of blue sticking out of the blanket was Touma. He couldn't tell whether he was tangled up with the covers or the cover was tangled around him. Shin slept much like Shu as to not go into details.

"How are they?"

"Don't know." Ryo replied honestly.

"And you?" Seiji would either get a "Don't worry about me." Or "Fine."

"Fine. Just a little tired."

Translated meant 'I wish you wouldn't ask because really I feel like shit and don't feel like talking about it.' Seiji smiled smugly. He could still read Ryo like a book, despite the loss of his yoroi.

"I bet." Grabbing the rail he hoisted himself up and walked over to the window plopping down of the table. The table Natsuti constantly insisted it wasn't a chair. Well it shouldn't even be right in front of the window where Seiji could get a perfect view of the forest encompassing the mansion.

Ryo stared at his friend not knowing whether to be cautionary that Seiji shouldn't be up so fast or content that he was all right.

"Should you be up?"

"Should you be sulking all day?" Seiji retorted, turning his head briefly to look over Ryo ignoring the puzzled expression on his face. His head injury that he had used most of his energy left was healing but Seiji could tell the after effects of such an injury was still present.

The raven-haired teen had both hands through his hair supporting his head as if afraid it was going to fall off. It they still had the bond all of them would know and would block themselves from Ryo. No one wanted to have whatever thoughts and emotions his friends were feeling when they more concerned about the pain grinding their head into bits.

Usually Seiji just took care of it since for some reason normal medicine failed to work. A few bruises were scattered around his arms. Apart from that it's all Seiji noticed.