A/N: This chapter is fully revised.

The Elementals

Chapter 5

Seiji sit up after dozing on the couch next to Ryo. He rubbed the sleep out of his eyes searching for any sign of what time it was or day. He seemed to have royally screwed up his biological clock. For some reason it was important to him. Basically just to make sure Youjakai hasn't destroyed their reality in which they live in.

The conversation lasted till Seiji got sick of seeing Ryo yawn, that and his guilt trip he was currently in. Out of all of them Ryo had to be in the worse shape. Also because he could barely get up. At that moment he was no longer present on the sofa making Seiji wonder (more worry himself to death) where he was. The light catching it his eye signified he had slept all night, which meant Natsuti was home. So most likely she was fussing over Ryo or the others.

Despite the events that have unfolded he couldn't get himself into a depressed state. It's not that he didn't liked fighting, he was okay with it, hell he was brought up to be a master swordsman. He just accepted it as his fate. He enjoyed kicking bad guys butt anyway and especially those who hurt his friends. Who else would do it?

He only knew Touma before the whole Arago thing started. With just a few weeks of friendship they suddenly had a strange knowing of the others presence and whereabouts without really thinking about it. Or one of them would be humming a tune in their head and the other would hum it out loud.

Picking up thoughts was what really freaked them out. Well, you have to understand. The bond was first spread all the way to Britain with one samurai trooper. One in China, and the other in some old orphanage.

First, it reached clear across the world, literally, to Touma who lived in America for some period of time. He used to travel around with his parents because like their son they had a fascination with the night sky and the world. That's why Touma had grown so used to being alone, not in any depressing way, but he didn't need company and he was perfectly fine with sitting alone and going about his leisure not having to worry about a companion.

He was honest with Seiji when he first met him and Seiji could already sense the uncomfortable feeling around his friend. Touma knew how to act friendly he just didn't want someone tagging along with him expecting his daily routine to be interesting and talking his head off when he preferred thinking. He told him this in hopes of the blonde looking jock to not bother him and instead be freaked out by it.

He didn't like people talking to him when he would drift off to his own world and think about his countless stories in his mind. There, Touma reviewed, written, edited, and summarized his story. Thinking of characters and their personalities. Making certain key events linked to his plotline in certain order. He could easily lose himself in this world and not be fully aware of the world around him.

Seiji respected that. It was better said that he marveled it because he knew in Touma's mind there were so many unheard and unknown stories ready to be written that no one but Touma would know about till they hit the keyboard. During that time and because of that Touma didn't like to be bothered. He didn't think anyone understood him and would find that weird. So with Seiji's close inspections he found out that Touma truthfully didn't doze in class. Instead of being stared at when his eyes would look out to a world unknown he would close his eyes and sit quietly in his desk.

Then the stories would begin and some would be worked on and when Touma would get annoyed that he couldn't fully block out the noise or couldn't properly seat himself in his mind his eyes would open moments later and he would resume listening to the teacher.

He found out a few details about the writer Touma. Touma disliked writing on paper. Reports, essays, and such were tolerable but he felt he wrote his best when his typing matched the speed of his mind. Though it didn't match it close enough it was still easier than hand writing it. He also quickly and reasonably stated it was completely ridiculous to have to write something over and over again just because you wanted to edit a part of the story. That's why Touma has a computer in his room.

He also stated he hated writing something twice. Though he was very good at remembering what he wrote he didn't feel like it was the same distinguish work he did the first time and when the rare times Touma would have to write a chapter over it would discourage him from writing further. At those times Seiji had to talk his friend into it. He was very good at it after a few practice sessions and he quickly got Touma at his computer again.

The papers scattered in their room were very old stories Touma wrote when he had no access to computers. He learned another writer weakness from Touma. Once he wrote a story on paper he got a sudden block from writing further when his story on paper ended. It was odd but it was Touma and he had to respect that.

It was the only way his best friend would let him in and at first it was very awkward for Touma. Not many students enjoyed writing the way Touma did and he did not like sharing this information with other strangers. Like Seiji said, Touma had been alone many years and was very accustomed to relying on himself for company. After a while Touma enjoyed how Seiji acted when he preferred his mind writing and eventually they became very close friends.

So the bond pulled Touma to Japan where he met Seiji and also where he found it interesting to learn how to use a sword. Touma's body was just too off posture to wield a sword. Seiji could instantly realize when someone could handle a sword properly and it just didn't fit Touma. However he did notice the strange posture to match that one of an archer. That's when he found out that it was his destiny he use a bow.

Touma was amazing with a bow, just like Ryo is with katanas. He grudgingly gave in and excelled in everything Seiji taught him.

Then Shin came along, his parents moving to Japan for some reason that remains unknown to even Shin. He had only one relative in Japan and that was his cousin. He didn't mold easily to the Japan ways. It was constantly busy, traditions Shin only watched on television, and that language was hard for him to speak with his English tongue.

Shin was stunned the first time he was told to take his shoes off before he entered a home. He found that very unnatural on why people would take off their stinky shoes and let their stinky feet air out all over the house. He eventually came accustomed to it but didn't allowing his British upbringing to be stomped down by people's stinky feet.

He met Shu on the way to school when the stonehead had got lost between his house and the end of the street. The unstable bond used its full power to have Shin neighboring Shu's house. He doubted the yoroi gave a hell what they did to the rules of reality and instead made their own rules. If they wanted the samurai troopers together, even though they were spread all over the world, they would have the troopers together. Reason why all of them could walk just a few blocks to get to each other's houses.

Except Touma and Ryo, who now lived quite a few miles from the others. But the bond seemed to accept that it was a very good place for them to be. With privacy, a lake, and plenty of space to train. So it so graciously allowed Touma and Ryo to live there.

All of their parents were slightly fidgety about the fact there had been controlled by mystical yoroi. How they had been manipulated by a force they had no idea existed and miraculously found houses and apartments that were close to their teens' friends. It was a distance not even Shu can get lost.

Ryo just popped out of nowhere standing in front of their classroom books in hand and staring curiously at them. Like he was wondering why that strange nagging feeling in his mind had suddenly stopped the second he stepped in the room and met their gazes.

Ryo had complained for minutes when things were sorted out months later about that most aggravating feeling that was trying to pull him towards something. He felt very upset when none of his friends were taunted by such things. Touma quieted him by telling he was destined to be their leader and therefore was most bothered by the separation. That left Ryo thinking.

Before that time they had become used to each other and their… abnormalities… and was having a silent conversation about this teen who made this connection they had all haywire. At that time they never knew Ryo would be their leader. The sport guy. Guy who had a tiger watch him during school. The guy who had an attitude that was contagious.

So you have to see… they are the worse bunch of misfits alive.

He was worried about what would happen to the human world. Could Kayura and the Masho take care of it? He doubted it, unless they're stronger. He then just noticed Shin was missing and of course Touma wasn't awake. The blue-haired lazy ass would use any excuse he can invent in his overloaded brain to sleep. He would find Shin later.

So why exactly can't he get the feeling of… wrongness? Things were definitely not right. Everything has been destroyed. Maybe this wasn't it? Spending months fighting demons and nightmares no one could ever imagine left you with little skepticism and he could very much believe it. But if anyone went through what they did one may not have the same thoughts. They might want to instead deny any such future problems with evil and try to live peacefully again.

It was an idea. If anything were going to occur it would effect Ryo first. He was the one who formed the bond. The one the four had before was just because they were close to each other. If any of them went too far it wouldn't work at all.

So leaving his musings for later he went in search of his missing friends. Natsuti must have removed his bandage, surprising him because he didn't know he could heal so fast. Seiji expected to heal as slow as normal people who don't have injuries everytime they go into battle.

He checked the kitchen first since he could smell either Shin's or Natsuti's cooking all the way in the TV room. He couldn't force himself in a depressed state like Ryo and that wouldn't help anyway. He was certain Kayura was going to at least clear some things up. She is the guardian of the human world and the samurai troopers…. Well the used to be samurai troopers.

He took it slowly, being able to walk around was good but take advantage of that he may find himself face first on the floor. With Natsuti standing over him scolding on his stupidity at the same time worrying her head off. Seiji held on the wall for support and surveyed the kitchen. Shin sit by Ryo chin propped on his palm while he looked blankly out the window. The former water trooper looked like he had came out of a scuffle but nothing more. The same as they all look when one of them is forced to return to the waking world when they are in need of sleep.

Ryo was asleep, his forehead resting on his arm, his somewhat good arm. Shin gave an absent smile at their sleeping leader and went back to his thoughts. Maybe Shin and he kept their empath abilities and he could sense Ryo's condition and was glad their leader was fast asleep. But that wouldn't work. Shin had to open himself up to the bond, and there was no trace of bond left for him to work with. His empathy abilities were different from Seiji's.

Seiji could easily sense the thickness in the air. Natsuti was fixing pancakes a sad look on her face. Notes were pinned to the refrigerator, one from Shin's, Shu's and his parents. Natsuti adopted Touma and Ryo. All the papers were worked out once Ryo could sit up without instantly falling asleep and not flinching when someone touched him. The unexpected battle after they defeated Arago had left their leader very, very, weak.

A social worker would think Natsuti had drugged him or abused him. Like Natsuti ever would! Then he would have to go to a hospital. And well after that stuff wouldn't work out in their favor. Touma's parents died while imprisoned in the netherworld. He didn't seem to care at all. Seiji wondered why. Kind of funny when you think about it. Touma and Ryo being brothers. They never considered the other that way. Really Seiji didn't think he had ever thought about it. Touma spent over half the year staying with Seiji and still trying to wield a sword. He was the best with a Jo(1)

What was also funny was that while Shin and Shu had plain white sticky notes he had a pink cuddly little bears sticky note with pink little bows and everything. They mock him. If things were still right he would never hear the end of it. It would haunt him till his friends were satisfied they had made his day miserable.

"Hungry Seiji?"

That alerted Shin's attention, a look of disappointment he had not sensed his friend's presence. But smiled anyway.

"Hey Seiji."

Though Ryo obviously too captured in sleep didn't bother saying anything.

"Very." He replied to Natsuti.

"He's out." Seiji said motioning towards Ryo.

"He's been out ever since Natsuti forced him to eat." He stated.

Not seeing Ryo's tiger shaped shadow that even included white and blank striped fur and a voice he wondered where it disappeared. Ryo's shadow very rarely, and he meant rarely, left his side when his owner was hurt.

"Where's Byakuen?"

"Ryo said he left after Natsuti woke him up."

Odd behavior for Ryo's shadow.

"How's Shu?" he asked, he felt incredibly guilty for not being able to protect Shu. In the end only got himself very painfully drained of all energy. He still felt the after effects.

"Pretty good actually. What about you?" Natsuti told him Kayura had healed Touma and him. Explaining the lack of bruises and wounds that he received in battle. Now he just felt like he could sleep another few days and be in shape(or how much in shape a non-trooper can be) to figure out what they are going to do. He had seen Seiji, not as bad as he expected, and he wondered how well the blonde was doing. He knew Nasti was getting curious on why they were healing as fast as they were. She didn't mention it, but it's not like he spent weeks learning what emotion came with what face.

Seiji sit in front of Shin, closest to the stove so he would get to eat first. Yeah, not very virtuous of him but he was hungry. "Okay, you?"

Shin rolled his eyes. "I'm fine Seiji."

Natsuti poked Ryo with the spatula listening to the conversation between Seiji and Shin. In a two-week period they all had healed quite sufficiently. Except Ryo, but with the healing terms of the Samurai Troopers she wouldn't doubt it. He didn't sleep very much and Natsuti knows when a trooper is injured sleep is good. Right now he was going to eat.

"Ryo you don't get up and I'll send Byakuen to relieve himself in your room."

His head snapped up and he clutched it as if it was going to fall off. Glaring angrily at Natsuti he absently looked around for his tiger. Nasti lay a plate full of pancakes in front of him.

He heard snickers.

"Has to do it somewhere huh Ryo?"

Ryo grunted, ignoring Seiji. His head was still swimming and he waited till it stopped. He really didn't want to miss his mouth and give his friends something else to laugh about. At least they were okay now. Shin and Seiji were up. He knew Touma would get up sometime. Shu he had not made it to.

It didn't really matter though.

"Man am I hungry." Shu walked in with no trace of a limp or bandaged arm.

Nasti mouth hung open in wonder. She didn't fix enough for four hungry boys. Especially Shu.

"What did you honestly think I couldn't smell it?"

Shin snorted.

"Tried to wake blue boy up but he just swatted at me and growled. Reminds of my mom."

"It is Touma."

"Hai, but he shouldn't be so snappy."

"He's sleeping."

"Okay blondie I'm sorry I'm talking about Touma. Geez you can be so defensive."

Seiji stuffed another forkful of pancakes in his mouth replying with a retort but it coming out muffled sounds. Seiji was actually very polite.

Shu gingerly examined the movement of his arm while also shoving all the pancake he can get in his mouth. Before this is how it works out after a hard battle, one containing the summoning of Kikotei. Ryo half-asleep eating, Seiji and Shin waiting for the rest of the group and blue boy refusing the thought of waking up. That's why Touma is always the fastest healer. Natsuti or Ryo got him up. The only two who lived with him and were immune to the animal like instincts he picks up when sleeping.

It did feel different, well really different, without the thoughts and emotions echoing in his head. It's like someone who lived in the city, the busy streets, cars rushing by, and people's voices. Then living in the country where it was quiet, big, and empty. He wondered how Ryo was taking that. When one of them blocked themselves he wouldn't like it very much and kept nagging at them. He was happy to know pyro boy was fairing good.

"Ryo buddy how much sleep have you got?" He thought he saw Natsuti smirk.

"Ih duhno."

"You sound like Touma." Shin laughed.

"He hasn't got any." Natsuti turned around her deadly spatula weapon in her hand. "And if he doesn't I will ground him to his room."

"Awwwww Natsuti don't do that."

"Humph."

"You wouldn't say that to Touma." Then he just noticed what he said. "Well what about your patients?"

"My patients are not my son or samurai troopers."

"But…"

"Ryo Sanada one more word and I will ground you. Not eat the rest of your pancakes." With that she returned to washing dishes.

Ryo could hear the laughter of his friends and glared daggers at them. They just laughed harder. Natsuti didn't even say anything.

"This is so unfair." He grumbled. The Masho would be howling with laughter if they were here.

Seiji sighed looking around the clearing. Meditation was hard without the peace of his yoroi. Also that his mind felt slothy, he thought it was the after effect of the bond shattering. He was seated in the open area that served as Touma's target practice and his meditation spot. He found another once his friends made up a game of trying to dodge Touma's arrows. That or get hit by them and see who dies first. The ruckus that would accumulate would force him somewhere else with less danger of flying arrows. They weren't his real arrows but Touma doesn't miss. In the two days that have passed he had sensed something. Sense was good, he was happy about that.

He wasn't sure exactly what it was and resorted to meditation to try and find out. Now that it was finally quiet without the rest of his friends horsing around, racing, arm wrestling, and everything else you can think of. Seiji, ironically, couldn't concentrate. He would see just a glimmer of green beyond his grasp. He would try to reach it for but his mind couldn't travel so far. He lost his patience and decided to retreat back to the mansion.

Natsuti woke up Touma yesterday and forced him to eat. Wasn't much of a problem since that's what Touma does regularly. Shin called his parents yesterday since they are less tolerant of what their son is doing. You know, such things as saving the world. They, however, do not know their son is no longer a samurai trooper and nearly died if it wasn't for a former lady of the Youjakai who was after his life. It's good to do slowly at first. His mom tends to go into hysterics. Shu's just told him to behave and not aggravate Natsuti. Seiji's own parents understand most of it because of their background.

It could be worse. They could know what really happen.

All the adults like Ryo. They view Touma as a gentleman who knows how to behave and use his manners. Both of them are suck ups. But he guessed any kid sucked up to their friends' parents. Seiji just didn't get the whole point if they are suppose to be all wise and knowing because they went through life already. Why couldn't they realize a kid was totally faking when they were in front of them and any nice comment sent them into fits of hysteria.

He walked in the dew-blanketed grass, it being early morning his daily routine bringing him out when the light first shines over the earth. He didn't expect it to call to him now, but it did. It would be in vain to resist it. He saw Natsuti pull in the driveway. As he expected…

"Seiji what are you doing out here?"

"Meditating." Well, he was being honest.

"You haven't ate anything?"

What? Did she think he could cook? He's as bad as Shu! "I can't stay indoors it bothers me. Ryo went outside yesterday." Natsuti looked at him thoughtfully as if what he said interested her. He didn't know which part. The Ryo going outside or him not staying indoors.

"Who else is awake?" She didn't want to have a 'two boys awake then the rest of them appearing' happen again.

"Shin."

She slung her bag over her shoulder and beckoned him to come in. At least she's getting a weekend off. Natsuti took her ID tag off and hung it up then tossed the bag down and slid her shoes off. "What do you want?" she asked.

"Pancakes." Seiji replied happily.

"You had pancakes the day before."

Seiji frowned. "So?"

"Why can't you be like normal human beings and eat eggs and bacon. Or maybe sausage and toast?"

Seiji shrugged he couldn't figure out what exactly they were now. "We like pancakes."

"Oh yes I know don't worry. I go through fifteen boxes a month."

"Pancakes then?"

She waved him away and told him to go fetch the others. Seiji taking advantage of this headed to Ryo's room first. Wary of the tiger he told Byakuen he meant no harm to his charge and was simply getting him up. It didn't seem a good enough answer but the tiger sit where he was at and watched Seiji carefully. He wasn't at all pleased what the enemies did to his charge without his knowing and was furious. Seiji was utterly perplexed at the tiger's disappearance at breakfast. Though while he couldn't communicate with Byakuen like Ryo can he was suspicious. The tiger wouldn't leave Ryo without a good reason. He didn't permit anyway except Natsuti to enter Ryo's room after he first summoned Kikotei. It was very believable Byakuen was a human in his past life.

The man stood straight terrified in the soundless pitch-black chamber, the light even too afraid to dare show its face. He couldn't see his companions in spite of his vision in the dark. He could sense their fear thick in the air like the ominous chamber in which they were waiting. He knew the fear just wasn't his own the summoning that had rammed through their minds was enough to put fear in the strongest of warriors.

They were all summoned to his master's chambers for their failure, summoned for punishment. He had no idea how Rekka survived. It was impossible. He had successfully severed his link with the others and destroyed his senses. The physical impact of his yoroi crystal being destroyed should alone have killed him. Now they would have to act fast before the ignorant little troopers could regain their bond.

"The Elementals' bonds are strengthening and the link forming again." The voice paused. "You should be grateful they don't realize it. Does anyone know why?"

The patience in his voice was even more terrifying. Patience, but full of rage. Much rage. He stood quietly trying his best not to shiver like a mouse. His voice was locked away in his throat. Perhaps Daris will have enough idiocy in her to respond. He waited, something to break the eerie silence but she never did.

You failed, failed at killing the Elementals, and it shouldn't be necessary to mention they had no yoroi to protect them. It was a simple task. Maybe I've let your pride grow too far." He seemed to ponder his words.

He suddenly heard Reilan screaming in agony and then it was silent again. She was sent after Tenku once Valen separated him from the water trooper. After the others and his failures there was much pressure on Reilan and Valen to succeed. Valen would have if their Guardian didn't interfere.

"Yes, she failed at killing the Air Elemental…" his voice was still quiet.

"One of them! Even one of the Elementals dead and they would pose no problem for me!"

He looked up in horror as the cloaked figure began to walk towards them and was now shaking with fear. Fear. He only felt fear in front of his master. He sensed the fear in the troopers, especially their leader, Rekka.

"But no they are still alive!"

But it wasn't the fear he knows. The feeling he has in front of his master. No, it was unselfish fear. He was afraid for his friends. Afraid of what will happen to them if he dies, what will happen to the world. Something, something about that kept him alive. Long enough for Tenku to track him. Rekka should have died. He left him for dead. For this, Tenku was one of the most hated troopers. Though, Korin will pose a problem.

His very potent healing abilities have so far saved the trooper's lives many times. Though it has its limits as it taxed Korin's strength and left him weak for some time. They could use that to their advantage if they ever needed to carefully plot out a plan.

If they were to almost fatally injure a trooper forcing Korin to summon his healing abilities that would already weaken one trooper and have another recovering. That would leave them two to deal with since one will stay behind to watch over his comrades. The pure of heart were so predictable which made their victory so easy

"Damon!" the voice rang loudly in his head. "What is of the Elementals?"

He swallowed hard and forced his voice to be emotionless. It was harder to stab down his fear. He knew his master could sense it. But he would not show fear in front of the others. Of course they knew the growing terror that filled them when their Master approached. It swept over them and bore down on their body. It wasn't just merely the aura he carried with him it was the horrible atrocities he committed and the overwhelming power he wield.

"The Air Elemental continues to sleep." He was told to watch Rekka carefully. But Korin has showed more signs than any of them. He should've known; Seiji was the spiritual one of the group. When something is amiss he could sense it. "The Light Elemental may become a problem." Seiji could talk to Rekka about it thus causing their bond to once again flow.

Then there was Kongo whose supreme weakness made him laugh. Tears! He had tears in his eyes! The thought almost made him laugh if it wasn't for his Master watching him. Mortals stick to those useless emotions that only make them weaker and vulnerable. It's pathetic. All the useless, wanting revenge for what he did to Rekka. Of course Damon just watched, Daris was the one who took out Kongo and Korin. But it was a very humorous show. The Korin pops out of nowhere and was easily taken care of. Furious for what they've down to his friends but in no power to fight.

"Do you hear what you're failures have brought?" the floor shook violently under his feet and Damon absently took a few steps back.

"We… we can still destroy them Master. They are still very weak, they may be healing fast but it's taking a great toll on their strength." He recognized Daris' voice, her words trembling with fear. This was a very bad failure, very bad. Daris was the best at controlling her fear in front of their master, if she was afraid…

"No, no since to not make use of them. They can be useful."

Yes, he thought, and we may suffer the same fate as Arago. No, Arago was a fool, his delirious want for power made him careless and mad. He used the unimaginable power of the nether spirits thoughtlessly. The power they had over the yoroi was infallible. They could use the yoroi like pawns, summon Kikotei, and now because of Arago's ignorance his Master was still trying to find where Rekka sealed them.

The power the spirits possess is unimaginable if used correctly. They were easily able to use the yoroi and manipulate them how they wished. If they could continue to do that even without the yoroi to use, this battle will end shortly and with five additional members to control how they wished.

That was his Master's plan but he was unsure if it word work out. Damon knew the elements' power and trying to turn it evil will upset a delicate balance and they could end up destroying the world in which they want to conquer.

His Master was different, but Damon still thought they should destroy the foolish troopers before the present a problem, if any. They can't be called Elementals if they haven't discovered their true power. He quickly disappeared as his Master waved him away to spy. He spied only because he could hide his aura from everything, even the earth. Waves of relief fell over him as he thought he was beginning to have mortal emotions return to him.

Useless things.

"Up now Touma Hashiba!"

"Mmf slefing!"

Natsuti had one very cold glass of water in her hand ready to use it if she must. She couldn't understand how Seiji forgot about Touma. It was impossible to miss him on the way to kitchen and she was afraid the rest of the boys were going to eat all the breakfast. She should be grateful she was a doctor, no teacher could ever raise enough money to feed five teenage boys.

"Go."(5)

"Nasti!" he dug his head in the chair and pulled the blanket over his head.

"You know how worried I was about you Touma?" she professionally put on a voice quavering with tears and close to tear filled eyes. Worry wrapped itself around her words as they reached the sleeping boy. "I thought your were gone! After what happen to Ryo I was so worried!" she faked a sob. "And the rest of you… to lose you guys…" she trailed off in another stream of tears and sobs. The guys actually poked their heads out the door so see what in the world brought their Natsuti to tears. They were ready to claim revenge. Instead she waved them away.

Touma came out of the blankets a guilty expression on his face as he saw the disheveled Natsuti. Pain twisting his heart and he was sorry for ever acting this way. He never wanted to see or hear Nasti crying. He would do anything to make her stop. She's been amazing… "I'm sorry Nasti, please don't cry." Instantly the charade was gone.

"Good then go in the kitchen and eat. I fixed pancakes… again."

Touma's mouth hung open realizing he had just been tricked… by a woman. Wow…

"Four."

Touma instantly stumbled in the kitchen into his seat as soon as Nasti reached one. Ryo was laughing, as the rest of his so called "friends"

"Awww Nasti, please don't cry..." Shu mimicked Touma.

"Fuck you."

He was swatted in the head by a hand. "No foul language in this house."

"Gomen."