A/N: So maybe it wasn't a few weeks. But hey, this is my longest chapter yet.
The Elementals
Chapter 7
Seiji stepped backwards; his lips parted in shock as Touma gave one last hard jerk then finally emitted a dark blue aura. The energy sparked and churned like an angry animal; wild and uncontrolled. Seiji couldn't determine the source of it. The power felt like it was coming from everywhere; the air, the sky, but it hung around Touma like it centered from him. This puzzled him; he wasn't used to this. Before, the power came from their yoroi but this was different, so much more different.
He could feel it as any other human could feel this intense amount of energy. For eventually their inborn intuition would kick in and they would start to wonder about the changing space around them.
Touma sagged like he was overwhelmed but planted his bare feet firmly in the ground. He slowly raised his hand in one smooth motion with his palm facing his attacker. He assumed a defensive position as if readying himself for a heavy attack with his feet spread. The dark blue energy surrounding Touma pulsed and Seiji briefly wondered what was happening. But then the swirling energy snaked down his arm and gathered into a small sphere, starting Seiji.
The blank look on Touma's face made it impossible for even Seiji to determine what his motives were. He was thinking perhaps the stars still claimed Touma's mind and all what he was seeing was his body's instincts to protect him but that would not made sense. He knew his friend very well and Touma could not fight like that. He trained enough with Touma under the night sky to know, not even under the clearest sky, Touma was fighting him with body and mind.
Just as the man called on his sure kill Seiji finally realized his blue haired friend's motions as it suddenly brightened. The blue shield surrounded them securely and the dark energy swept by carrying with it the agonized scream of tortured souls. Seiji was astonished. What once could completely disarm them was now passing harmlessly over them.
Seiji already knew he found his opposite. The dark energy around them was thick with evil and making him loathe it like he did Anubis' chaotic powers. The darkness rushed by compelling him to join with it; become one of the screaming tortured souls enveloped by darkness. They called to him as if he entranced them. A human that stood for light and were eager to see him fall in darkness. Then in the end tantalizing him with it. Seiji quietly turned away, uninterested.
Seiji noticed Touma tense against the next onslaught of dark energy but the shield did not weaken nor flicker against the attack. Touma stood in complete concentration to keep his wild energy in check. While his enemy showed no signs of weakening or strain. But Seiji wasn't surprised. Though he knew very little of their enemy he knew they were much more powerful than the Samurai Troopers.
Seeing that his attack was having no effect, their or should he say Touma's foe, released his energy into the air. Touma sagged as the shield dissipated and Seiji knew it had greatly taxed his strength but he quickly shook it off and stood protectively in front of Seiji.
The moonlight suddenly reflected off something. Seiji's insides knotted in disgust when he saw the stained dagger. He never wanted to remember that night when he saw Ryo in the streets. He never wanted to see Ryo hanging so closely to death but that one dagger brought back all of it.
The man snarled angrily, dagger sheathed, and his fist ready for contact. He moved in one fluid, silent motion. He didn't disturb the earth beneath his feet or leave any tracks of his steps. However, he was definitely mad.
Touma seemed to have the same train of thought because his calm face hinted anger and was already preparing for the attack. The archer grabbed his foe's wrist and smashed it in the ground taking his enemy's moment of shock to his advantage and kicking him in the chest.
Touma's foe was quick in retaliating. He was on his feet in seconds to take back his lack of being on guard and lashed out at Touma who gracefully dodged the attack and planted a fist in the man's side.
They moved with such grace that Seiji had a difficult time following their movements. The two flowed into techniques swiftly without pause to where it was like watching a blur. Easily defending and expertly advancing on the other. Truthfully, he had never seen Touma move this way before. Maybe, if close at all, when Touma and Shin were sparring with each other. Neither had yoroi or weapons to slow them down but just their bare hands.
Suddenly the blonde felt himself become very small and helpless. He was nothing against them and the only thing between him and Ryo's attacker was Touma. Seiji could have sworn his friend's power swept around him almost as if it was offering an unnoticeable safeguard. In response his friend's opponent's thick dark energy was clashing angrily with the pure energy. It simply showed him the heavy fight between the two.
"You think you're so strong! You are the weakest of them all to defeat! Don't get such a big head." He lay sprawled on the ground from where Touma managed to get in a hit and he was absolutely furious.
Touma shifted in front of Seiji in his usual protective gesture not allowing any harm to come to his blonde friend. Which he has done very well at. Touma's foe wasn't stupid but Seiji was an easy target and they all know with one Trooper gone they will all fall. Seiji almost smiled. Touma was incredibly protective of him in battle. With Seiji being completely helpless and Touma having a butt load of power Seiji was certain this was going to his head.
He was up in seconds, snarling angrily, and charging after Touma. He brought his fist back and Touma stood ready.
Seiji didn't think the battle went on that long. At the most fifteen minutes. So when the man suddenly paused in the middle of an attack, body froze in action, he doubted it was exhaustion. He glanced at Touma to see his reaction, thinking maybe Touma did something he failed to catch like the rest of the fight, but the archer was equally surprised.
He stumbled backwards as if struck and raised a hand to his head. A look of pure terror shown on the foe's face and his face open to scream but he fell on the ground and vanished.
Seiji let out a breath he was holding and quickly turned his gaze to Touma. He was worried how the trooper was going to hold up. Ryo used to be out for days when he handled that kind of power and Seiji was wondering how Touma's body would take this. With that kind of energy at his disposal Seiji was afraid the hell of a backlash Touma was going to get would kill him in the process.
"Touma…"
But something else suddenly occupied his thoughts. Ryo stood at the doorway, his mouth parted in shock and his hand forgotten on the doorknob.
Though he couldn't see that well in the dark the light filtering through the door allowed him to catch Ryo's condition. He was equally pleased the fire and some Tylenol had done some good for Ryo. After he forced him on the couch and got a fire going Ryo was out in no time. He looked better more awake than his usual zombie appearance. He refused to sleep instead wanting to stay awake and watch over his friend's. This caused him to doze on and off just about anywhere in the house having one of them to wake him so he could resume whatever he was doing.
It was best to let Ryo run his "protective" moods because it was near impossible to stop him any other way. The only one able to handle him was Touma but he had a year's of experience.
Seiji already suspected their connections with the elements so he wasn't too surprised to find out Ryo was up and walking around after a long day's sleep. That was how he used to heal Ryo when he was unable to summon enough strength from Korin.
Ryo glanced at Touma and something was shared between them Seiji couldn't decipher. Like a silent message only the one destined for could hear.
Touma moaned, alerting them to a more urgent matter. His breaths were coming in heavy gasps and he found it hard to keep himself steady. The power disappeared leaving him empty and with no support. The edges of his vision was blurring and following behind that the promising blackness. Touma knew from experience his body's limits and the signs it would give when he was pushing it too far. When even his conditioned self was handling more than it could.
Then he heard them, the stars. They weren't compelling him to join them. Wrapping his mind in their embrace and sweeping it away to the galaxies. Protecting him and showing them their wonders. They were singing to him. Luring him to sleep like the fire did Ryo. They knew him and they knew he was pushing himself too far. They reached him and held them in their soft embrace.
He tried to protest telling them he had to stay awake. His friend's needed him to protect them. But they insisted with their singing replying that they were all right. There was no longer any danger to threaten his friends. He smiled softly as he gave in and their healing caress reached his soul that was so savagely ripped apart and rested there.
Ryo was first to react being the closest to Touma and caught him gently in his arms. With so many battles pushing their endurance it was no wonder they were such experts at it. He plopped down in the grass and shifted Touma in his arms to a more comfortable position.
Ryo didn't seem bothered by the dark blue, shimmering, light hovering above Touma's chest as it shaped into a circular glow. The small light pulsed in time with the energy still in the air almost like a heartbeat. Then appeared to solidify forming into a fragile crystal ball looking remarkably similar to a…
"Yoroi crystal." Seiji muttered in wonder. A silver chain started snaking its way around the blue haired archer's neck connecting it to the fragile crystal. While the chain looked just as delicate as the crystal Seiji knew it was just as unyielding as the yoroi crystal. It now settled on his chest and only emitted a faint usual glow like all their previous crystals.
Touma's Kanji suddenly flared into existence on his forehead. The dark blue light spread nearly all the way to the forest's edge. It mingled with the remaining energy in the air becoming one with the silver moonlight. Seiji thought he was almost mistaken when he caught a glimpse of Ryo's Kanji come to life in echoing response to Touma's. But with his jet-black bangs hanging in his face and his current position it was difficult to tell.
Seiji knew better to doubt anything that had to do with the yoroi and he learned long time ago to go with intuitions instead of second guesses. So he put that information away for future conversations with Ryo.
"So are you going to tell me what happen?" Ryo said, with a small smirk.
"You didn't watch?" Seiji asked, not deliberately changing the subject.
He could never imagine his friends standing by and watching. Not with Seiji so helpless and in the middle of a battle. No matter how weak or insane their attempt was they would always fall right into battle to help each other. Though at the same time they knew when something was pointless and there was no logic in trying. That maybe with all the dozens of reasons stacked up against them they knew the only one with the power to handle this was Touma.
Though, that bit of logic was usually forgotten.
"Nope, we just woke up." He shifted the archer in his arms again. Touma was quite light, unusually light in fact, but any pressure on either of his arms and still sore side was painful. His rest did make him feel better but he was still very sore. He rejected Seiji's offer to hold Touma. He was in full leader mode, which was rare, and he had no intentions of giving up the blue-haired teen any time soon.
"We only saw the very end of the fight. Anyway, it didn't look like he needed any help." He didn't need to hint the still lingering glow in the air.
Ryo wasn't sure why they slept through because looking around he could clearly tell a fight occurred. Even though the earth wasn't demolished and trees weren't scattered and torn from their roots it had a feeling of battle in the air. Youjakai never failed to harm and destroy the nature around them while the troopers energy usually passed freely through plants. Not buildings however, which were man made had resting on once green grass and animal life. They could be just as destructive in the city as any Youjakai demon.
"You slept through?" Seiji asked, a little surprised.
"Hai."
The blonde once again asked if he could carry Touma as they agreed to head inside. With a resigned sigh he gave in. There was no way, even if Touma was light, that he could lift his sore body up with Touma. The strain would make him come crashing backwards.
Ryo could feel Seiji's eyes on him as he walked up the few stairs leading to the front door. He was used to it so it didn't bother him as much as Seiji gaze locking on to his. The guys were waiting inside not really having any idea what happen. They had to be held back from running outside and declaring war right then.
The door knob turned and…
"What happen?"
"Where's Touma?"
"Is Seiji okay?"
"Is Touma okay?"
"Are they still out there?"
"The yard isn't totaled is it?"
"Oh man, what is Nasti going to say?"
"Are you okay?"
"So where's Seiji and Touma?"
Ryo haven't even fully opened the door till the barrage of questions never seemed to end. Seiji was hiding behind him. Uncertain of the rage starting to appear on Shin's face and perturbed at all the noise. If they didn't shut up Touma was going to wake up, well maybe not he looks pretty out of it, but he still didn't like the chance.
"Seiji is right here." Ryo said, gesturing to blonde in the doorway. "And we're fine." He said reassuringly.
"What about Touma?" Shin asked.
"I have him and I would appreciate if you would shut your mouths." He said calmly. That usually got them to shut up.
Shu had to nudge a bit to the left to see the two forms that were hidden behind their leader. Seiji looked perfectly fine, if not a little tired. He also noted, just like Touma would, Seiji had the look of analyzing recent events that had came to his interest. He didn't look like he was in a fight as he showed no injuries. But it was quite apparent who did participate in the battle.
It did surprise Shu as he could tell who did the fighting that Touma was not harmed. Now it was suicide trying to go up against one of those guys without yoroi. But as they have no yoroi anymore he didn't understand how Touma couldn't have even one bruise. Either he was super fast to where he dodged all the attacks or… maybe Touma found a new yoroi? Maybe something like Kikotei?
He didn't have to look out the window to clearly tell the fight was one huge hell of a battle. Shu knew from experience how strong their new enemy was and it just didn't make sense.
Touma had no yoroi. So how could he stand against such a powerful enemy? He did manage to catch of few glimpses of the ending battle and all what he saw was three human forms. (By human forms he meant they looked human. Mostly directed to whatever "thing" that man was. He didn't call it human just yet.)
None of them had donned any yoroi. Touma just simply stood there in the clothing he was wearing today, nothing special about it. As far as Shu knew there was no magical clothing that hid in the far reaches of a closet that had the vast power of the yoroi.
So it was just hard to believe Touma was still here.
He noticed the same thing was going on in Shin's head. Even though he wasn't looking at everyone like he was going to bite their heads off because one of them had done something careless. He was still curiously pondering away. While, with skills developed through battle, he was ready to chew someone's head off for getting Touma in his current state.
Just a few hours ago, when he last checked Touma was still letting off his snores that were almost hard to pick up as he was buried underneath the blanket. Which meant Touma was sleeping very deeply and would be hard to wake till he decided to grace the world with his presence. Ryo was shockingly actually sleeping on the couch and by the fire burning in the fireplace Shin knew he was in about the same state as Touma.
Shu knew this just merely because he was waiting for Shin at the foot of the stares, yawning and poking meaninglessly at a ladybug. How in heaven Ryo got on the sofa and asleep he has no idea. It couldn't have been willingly.
So, Shin being Shin, did not like to be woke up to Touma unconscious, Seiji in the middle of a fight, and Ryo the first when to be out the door. Shin just worries about them.
"What happen?" Shu asked.
Ryo shrugged, thinking Seiji was better to explain this since he didn't mysteriously sleep through it. But the blonde was already halfway up the stairs and heading towards his and Touma's room.
"Blondie didn't tell me."
"Keep calling me 'blondie' and we'll see how you like the new name 'courageous leader'." His voice was heard from down the hallway.
"Seiji didn't tell me."
"Well then?" Shu spoke up. Not having to hint that they're only source of information was locked in the bedroom and they were only left a few seconds of an ending battle.
"I'm headed to the sofa."
The two watched Ryo blankly as he rearranged himself on the sofa. Then threw the cover over him and turned the television on deciding to watch it till his mind got tired of thinking and wanted to sleep. Byakuen, they noted, was not there
"I guess we're not really going to figure out anything tonight."
"Nope."
After they scrambled down the stairs thinking gawd knows what their two buddies have got themselves into this time. Catching glimpses of flashing light dancing off the walls that flowed through the windows. Already passing Seiji and Touma's room and knowing that they were in the middle of whatever was happening out there. Worrying themselves senseless for the fear of the their two friend's life now that they were defenseless and vulnerable to anything.
Also, thinking why can't there ever be a normal day in the Koji mansion.
So with those thoughts they joined Ryo watching television. Right now, they didn't feel like sleeping. Right now, there was no use trying to sleep because they were just too curious at what happen. The entire idea of how Touma survived a run-in with their enemy was just so puzzling.
"Last to awaken, first to awaken huh, Touma?" He said softly, placing his lightweight best friend on his messy bed. That was after carefully avoiding any important papers that were sprawled all across the floor. Not much has been done to their bedroom. Even though it stays considerably messy, you can usually see parts of the floor.
Touma's new yoroi crystal was gently reflecting the moonlight that streamed through the window. His bed was meticulously placed to receive all moonlight most of the night. He stared at it as if waiting for it to present some answers but he didn't expect any. He could still see Touma's Kanji glowing in his mind, it giving him all the hope he needed that their battle was not over.
With a resigned sigh he started laying a few blankets over Touma not bothering to place them neatly. He tossed a few pillows over the trooper's head and stood back to admire his work. He just hoped he left space for air. He didn't think Touma was going to move at any point during the night and he didn't want to suffocate him.
Surprisingly, Touma (though hard to explain how) rolled over on his stomach. The low snores started, and Seiji was content Touma was comfortable.
"You see, I told you hanging around the stars too long is going to get you in trouble." Seiji yawned. He didn't care whether or not Touma was sleeping; he was going to voice his opinion.
But eventually he gave that up. Yawning and rubbing his eyes plopped on his bed. He checked the time. Thinking how much sleep he would get before his consciousness would inevitably be needed and he would be up walking around the house, munching on some junk food lying around, and taking his morning walk around the forest.
If Korin was still with him he would most likely practice some katas with his sword just to buy some time until his lazier friends wake up. Being complete harmony with his element, he wakes as the sun strips the land of the darkness and basks the Earth in its warm light starting a new day.
He didn't know what happen to his alarm clock but the recent power outage had it constantly blinking. It had the right time but the stupid thing would not stop blinking. So now it blinked '10:27'. Considering he usually wakes anywhere between six to eight in the morning… Yup, it's cool. He would have around eight hours of sleep. Which actually wasn't enough but was still good.
Probably the worse part of his day was when he was left in the dark to find some decent clothing to sleep in. This was also one of the times why he hated the dark so much. It seemed that he could see perfectly fine if he stared at the sun for hours (which he should note was completely useless). But in dark he was utterly blind.
At least it wasn't completely dark; there was some moonlight managing to shine through his side of the room. What he wouldn't give for his portable glowing crystal right about now.
Crack.
Seiji tentatively looked down, wondering what in the world he just stepped down that made such a define 'cracking' noise. He was horrified to find out it was a floppy disk.
"Oh shit. Oh shit. Oh shit." He frantically searched for a symbol that would acknowledge it as a story disk. An X with a dot on either side signified a story disk. Which meant his most recent stories in the making.
He regretfully found the mark on the disk. The small X with two dots on the top left corner. But now as Seiji had cracked it in half, then another mix of odd angles it really wasn't an X anymore.
So that's what was on his mind (accompanied by Touma's recent battle) as he wore his 'decent sort of clothing for sleeping'.
When Natsuti woke up the next day, after a good four hours of sleep, she walked downstairs.
She was accustomed to seeing Shin and Seiji watching television when it was still early and their friend's were sleeping. Sometimes Seiji was outside and would only return when he was called for breakfast. Or maybe Shin was making breakfast and the blonde was keeping him company. But with any arrangement they were almost always the first ones awake.
This was the case that morning. Both of them were laughing over a 'cheesy' anime that seemed as if was vainly trying to remake the Samurai Troopers on cartoons. Nasti picked up something about Saint Seiya.
"Who actually has pink yoroi and green hair?" Shin asked, grimacing.
Seiji shrugged.
But it was quite apparent that something occurred.
Ryo was sleeping through this; on the sofa with a blanket thrown around him. He appeared nowhere near ready to waken. The updated arrangements she noticed always included Ryo prowling the halls early in the morning or him up late to insure his friends went to bed safely. So for him to still be sleeping and quite restfully was very surprising.
But she shrugged it off because she was not complaining and joined the two former troopers to watch whatever anime was on.
Both of them suddenly got quiet as if startled she was there.
"Morning Nasti." Seiji was quick to recover.
"Hey Nasti." Shin also followed in his friend's footsteps.
Natsuti smiled brightly and asked them how they slept. By the look on their face a simple 'Fine' was not all.
This ability to sense a lie of kids was not a recently developed talent. Natsuti didn't acquire it from spending a year with them or any special sense. She was a woman, a mom, a parent, and she also had quite a good skill in misleading her parents.
But she went along with it, as any parent would, to allow their children to think they got by with it. Have them feel safe till she suddenly figures out just what happen.
It was a few minutes later that they began flipping through the channels to find something less painful to watch. Natsuti was quick to glimpse the weather for today. Cloudy, warm, but no chance of rain. She wanted to wait another hour or so before she began cooking merely just to find out a little hints on exactly what occurred between last night and this morning.
But she had to be very clever about it. The two are the empaths of the group and know when someone is trying to silently interrogate them. She yawned as she watched the reality television show they picked. Everything on TV was just so dramatic.
She found a wonderful question.
"How are the guys doing?" They knew of her deep concern for all of them and would understand why she asked.
"Well Ryo is actually sleeping." Shin replied, staring blankly at the screen. "Think Shu is arguing with himself whether or not he wants to get out of bed." He checked the stairway. "I think he will be up soon."
Natsuti was actually thinking Ryo had got himself in some sort of trouble but now it was hard to determine which of the names said was the guilty one.
"What about Touma?" She honestly knew both Shin and Touma were in good health with the healing of Kayura but still was actually concerned about them.
Seiji shrugged, not bothering to answer.
It was ten minutes later that Shu broke the silence with a 'where's the food' look and greeting them good morning.
Natsuti failed to notice the silent conversation that occurred between three former troopers.
Both Shin and Seiji looked at Shu questioningly and with a quick nod of his head was informed Touma was doing fine. Nothing that Shu could see was negatively effecting the trooper at the time. He was still buried beneath the blankets and pillows Seiji covered him with when Shu cautiously replaced them over the trooper. He was still snoring and unhindered by any movement in the house.
"He's okay?" Shin whispered, as Nasti left to fix breakfast. She was planning on Shu not getting up quite so early and was a little puzzled at his early rising.
"Hai, as far as I can tell."
Seiji did not have to see the looks that were turned his way to know they were expecting a full-length story on what happen. Maybe not at the moment but soon.
"What's for breakfast?" Nasti called.
"Eggs!"
"Sausage!"
"Bacon!
"Biscuits!"
It wasn't until a few minutes later Nasti received company from the four teenage boys. They followed in line, Ryo trudging behind them as he rubbed his eyes, and seated themselves around the table. From there a noisy conversation started.
Nasti noticed the topic was about the new girl at school. Whether or not they thought her dating material and what was with the clothes she wore around when not in school. Seiji found her punk attitude appealing and Shin thought she was just down right some form of she/he.
They discussed her purple highlighted hair. Her American looking jeans and tight t-shirts.
Nasti found some parts of the conversation not all that interesting. Though Ryo didn't add his opinion he raised his hand when they voted if she was in fact girlfriend material. He assumed his normal position at the table. Head resting on his arm while he slept before breakfast.
"Nasti?" Shu asked, breaking from the conversation.
"Nani?"
"How's it been in the hospital? Nothing unordinary?"
There was a brief pause in which all three boys were interested and looked at her expectantly.
She turned around and pushed herself up on the counter.
"Nothing that I have noticed. But you can't take that into consideration. Sometimes there are a large number of people coming into the emergency room for no apparent reason. No holidays, full moons, excessive heat, or anything that usually causes the usual number of people to increase. Just like a busy day at work but for the emergency room."
The three contemplated this.
"I have watched. But I can't be caught sneaking in on all the patients. Doctors have their own patients."
"I would tell you if there was." Once the questions were done Nasti resumed cooking breakfast and the guys returned to their list of girlfriend material.
The next in line was a girl with dark brown hair and eyes, tan skin. She either had her hair curly or straight and was half Panamanian. There were further details about her so Nasti assumed this girl was a close friend. Her mother was from Panama and her father was from England. She stayed in Tokyo as an exchange student. She knew a decent amount of Spanish due to taking it in America because her mother wanted her to. She of course spoke English.
The troopers learned once you had her started on English there was no longer any pauses for words, being exhausted from translating so much in her head, or incorrect pronunciations. It was good they were gifted with the understanding of any language.
Feeling Nasti was left out they told her every physical detail. Nasti truthfully wouldn't have minded if she was saved from size of her boobs or her 'very sexy Hispanic butt'. They informed her the girl wasn't the paper thin models you see everywhere. She guessed they didn't want her to think they were looking for the thinnest, blondest, girl out there.
The details went on and on and on.
Being from Hispanic background she had the shape of a Hispanic. She was short with nice hips, thighs, and of course the 'very sexy Hispanic butt'. After they drilled into her head she was not really skinny but normal sized. (By normal sized Nasuti defined it as having fat in the proper places like thighs, stomach, and butt a normal teenage girl should have. They just didn't want to insult her but being a woman Nasti understood what a girl should look like.)
This girl also had glasses and used to stutter when she was younger.
She finally tuned out the rest.
They were going to their next discussion about an old, grumpy, cruel janitor when the food was ready.
"Do you guys know when Touma will be up?"
They shrugged.
She sighed helplessly.
"How are you feeling?" she asked, studying each of them.
It between mouthfuls she received their response.
"Ahm Good." (That was Shu.)
Ryo was polite enough to swallow. "I'm okay."
Remarkably, and she meant remarkably, Ryo did look better. While he wasn't straining his eyes against the light to keep a migraine from flourishing he was still tentative with his side. Ryo also appeared a bit more energetic than his previous lethargic self. Nasti knew how bad the breaking of the bond hurt Ryo. Even though it pained the others just as much, being in the position Ryo is it hurt him to not have his friend's presence or the sense of the bond steadily flowing.
It was why Ryo showed no sign of his usual over hyperactive self.
Natsuti smiled.
"Great." Shin answered for Seiji and himself.
Breakfast was never quite and now wasn't any different. They started to exchange ideas on any new hot girls that would be coming to school once the vacation was over. They argued whether or not the city should turn to a barren wasteland like with Arago just so they wouldn't have to go to school.
They discussed whether or not that 'evil demon girl' had a crush on Shu. How adorable it was and what the children would be like. Shin thought they were a good couple and it would probably be good if Shu was tamed and had a nice little family.
Seiji refused to baby-sit his kids and told him never to let Ryo watch them because he was too irresponsible.
Ryo began arguing he was not irresponsible and could in fact baby-sit Shu's kids anytime.
Then Shin reminded Ryo he was agreeing to baby-sit a kid sired by an 'evil demon girl' and was making a complete idiot out of himself.
Ryo glared pure detest at Shin and was ready to flip a good portion of mushed eggs at his head before Seiji stopped him.
Nasti didn't see Seiji's gaze fall on her so she didn't know he was calculating her features as she's done numerous times to them. She forgot how protective they were over her and disliked her fussing over them. The only reason they allowed them to care for her was because she did save Ryo's life. If it wasn't for that they would have toughed everything out on their own.
She knew it not be in a selfish way; they've been relying on themselves long before the war with Arago. They felt bad for her helping them so she understood.
So of course it was due time for them to start ordering her around.
"Nasti?"
"Hm?" As childish as it was she was sitting on the counter again and doing bills that recently came in the mail. It never failed that water, electricity, and gas always increased when she was housing five teenagers. She refrained herself from the argument and busied herself with bills.
"You look tired."
Hearing this Shin lowered his knife that was against Ryo's throat and Shu stopped laughing.
"Yeah Nasti, didn't you come in around seven this morning?"
It was rare Nasti was ever given the look by both empaths. She could take care of herself and never needed to be reminded that she was human. They were always busy insuring their friends were not hurting themselves more than their enemies.
Like a child being punished, she muttered a low. "Hai."
"We'll clean up the mess. You can go chill out on the couch." Ryo offered.
She nodded that she agreed and bringing a big glass of orange juice finally was rewarded to watch her own television.
Shin scowled. "After all she's done we can't even be a little courteous to her."
Ryo's head fell. "She has the stupid night shift now."
"Nasti never gets sleep for a couple of weeks." Shin knew it was a difficult switch for your internal alarm clock.
"So?" Shu asked, wondering what they came up with.
"We should let her chill today. Everyone knows the nervous wreck she's been with us." Seiji had everyone's plate in the sink and table cleaned.
"I want to check on Touma." He knew each of his friends were concerned for their starry trooper. Though with the constant onslaught of fights they became accustomed to strange and surprising events. They were able to adapt to Touma's sudden amazing talent to participate in battle with their new enemy, without yoroi, deflect blows without yoroi, and numerous other things.
Seiji was quite sure once his friend woke up there would be an exchange of angry words, lectures on his stupidity, and just wanting to know what the hell was going on.
"Tell me how he's doing." Shin said.
Seiji stretched and yawned. "Why? You're not joining me?" That was quite a shock for Seiji. Mother-Shin never failed at fussing over everyone.
"Nah. I'm hitting my bed." He was full and sleepy.
"I'll see for myself how blue-brains is doing but later. I'm crashing."
Ryo was the only one to follow him to his room. So walking quietly through the television room he carried his big mug of coffee. Seiji was quick to remember what happen last night as he stepped carefully over the pile of papers with Ryo close behind.
Being Touma's roommate when he slept at Nasti's enabled him to automatically identify where it if good to step and where it's not. But now Ryo lived with Touma and was much more skilled at it.
Seiji observed Ryo was thoroughly studying Touma but yet at the same time acting as if he was merely following Seiji to his bed.
"You plan to drink all that coffee?" Ryo witnessed numerous times when Touma had drunk that huge amount of coffee with a huge amount of sugar to accompany it. There wasn't even a word to describe it. His nerves were strung to the point the littlest sound had him jumping and screaming.
Nothing, and he meant nothing, was able to keep Touma still for half a minute.
"Yup."
Ryo was horrified at the thought of an insane, strung on coffee, Seiji.
The air to his two friend's room was different. It felt strange to Ryo when he entered it. Most of the discomfort came from the left corner. This was where Touma was piled beneath layers of blankets and pillows. He could feel Touma's strength slowly returning as the power inside him coiled and turned like a ticking bomb. It surrounded him with a fierce, turbulent, aura and shifted into a calmer state once the two troopers entered the room.
Except for that nothing had changed. Half of the room was still a junk pile while the other half was only a few levels cleaner than the other side.
Both Seiji and him stood near the blonde's bed lost in their own thoughts.
Ryo was examining Touma to the best of his abilities. Just a night of rest after the battle last night didn't do much for Touma but at least he would make it through. Ryo never doubted Touma wouldn't.
"You can sense how he's doing can't you?"
Ryo looked at Seiji startled. There was no wise tone in his speech or a hint that Seiji knew Ryo was hiding something. But it was still odd of Seiji to ask that. He was genuinely curious and probably worried for Touma.
"Hai." Ryo confirmed.
"Is he okay?"
"He's okay to have almost died from that hell of a backlash last night."
Seiji thought for a moment and sit down on his bed. Ryo followed close behind but without concern for Seiji's bed and sprawled out on the bed once comfortable.
Seiji remembered Ryo's first time summoning Kikotei. It was probably the worse shape he seen Ryo in. The poor guy slept for a week straight and then was thrown into endless battles while not even being halfway healed. The frequent summoning of Kikotei was killing Ryo and they feared just one more would truly rip his soul apart.
With their yoroi they never handled more power than they could control. The yoroi acted as a buffer so the only thing that wore them down was the lack of rest and beatings they took. Maybe because of this they never knew just how much power they really wield. The energy was always held back to not harm them.
If this was true the power they received from their respected element was unbelievable but uncontrollable.
"What happen to the yoroi?" Seiji broke the silence.
Ryo closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and slung an arm over his eyes. Seiji chose not to disturb him.
Ryo replied softly. "They are still here."
Seiji wasn't sure what 'here' meant. Here as in the yoroi are still here? Inside them? Or someplace else?
"They were destroyed though." Seiji countered.
"Hai."
"How can they still be here then?"
Ryo face tensed as if the question was requiring more effort to answer than he wanted. Ryo wasn't big on being the all-wise type. He may know a good bit of information but did not like attention directed at him. It was conflicting with his leader status but Ryo's whole like was a big conflict.
"The yoroi were the buffer. They were mystical yoroi, yes. The yoroi are a tool that is used to draw power from the elements. Kaosu created them knowing the immense power the elements were. But he created a tool. Which is why Arago wanted us captured. Even though the yoroi were the tool we are the only ones able to use the yoroi. No matter how much he said our lives were useless he needed us to harness the elements power."
Seiji was absolutely shocked at the knowledge Ryo held. His mouth must have been hanging open but he didn't care because Ryo was not done. Seiji wasn't sure what was going on. It was a big change of atmosphere from talking about Touma's condition to… well… this.
"It was why we were so easy prey for the nether spirits. The yoroi entwined with our being. So if they controlled the tool they also controlled the user. A tool can be destroyed. The yoroi are no longer here but you are still Korin and Touma is still Tenku."
Like he said, Ryo was never the informative one of the group. He usually let them handle the thinking while he worried about everything else. Seiji's eyes narrowed. "How do you know this?"
Ryo didn't seem too interested in the information as he told Seiji. It seemed more like he was reciting something.
Ryo sit up and shrugged, "I had a dream."