Chapter Eighteen
The Cleansing
A young girl ran through the forest. In her haste she didn't glimpse the silver fox lying in the grass. The fox perked its ears upon hearing her pass. A demon was following the girl and the silver fox felt compelled to help her. He jumped form the brush and ran for the pursuing demon. The girl screamed in terror at the site of the demon and tripped over a tree root. The silver fox bit down on the demon's leg. To his shock his teeth passed straight through the demon. With a laugh the demon swat at the fox, slamming him into a tree. The girl screamed to the fox for help but he could only listen as the demon cornered her.
Kurama's eyes snapped open. He was lying in a large room with the other boys. Yusuke and Kuwabara were sprawled on the floor and snoring heavily. Ty remained in the same position he had been in last night and made no sound save a light breathing. Hiei was nowhere to be seen. Kurama allowed himself time to think about his dream through before rising. Had it been a premonition or were his fears simply showing themselves through his dreams?
Soundlessly he rose, changed, and left the others alone. The sun was just showing itself in the sky and the surrounding clouds were a dazzling pink. He found some hot tea and breakfast on a tray near the front screen. Taking only the tea he left the guest house and sat down on the wet grass. Last night he had gotten barely any sleep and the sleep he had achieved was plagued with nightmares.
Is she still the girl I knew? She has changed lately. I don't know if she is the one I fell in love with. Can she ever be that person again? He thought as he sipped his tea. She is still afraid of Yoko. He is a part of me no matter how much I may fight it. Yet, before her memories were taken, she looked at us both equally. After that night, she was not afraid. That brings rise to the question, when I am who I used to be do I care for her just as much? I did protect her as Kurama and as Yoko. My two sides are one, if she remains afraid of Yoko she is afraid of me.
Kurama watched the life around him. For its tropical maritime climate the plant life was incredible. He thought he had seen Katani studying the foliage when they first arrived. Had it been curiosity at the land that had once been her home?
"Even for you this is abnormal, Kurama."
"Ah. Good morning, Hiei." Kurama glanced to his right, Hiei was settled in a branch almost out of sight.
"She still has not returned."
Kurama's pulse quickened. "Who?"
Hiei looked straight at him. "You know who."
Kurama set his cup down and headed to the center of the village. Even though their connection was severed Kurama could still sense her presence at will. He focused now on the specific beat of her heart and the certain way her blood flowed.
There!
She was in a small home hidden in the woods. Kurama ran without hesitation to the spot. The doors were locked but that couldn't keep him out. All his years as a thief taught him how to unlock any lock, or safe for that matter. Cautiously he entered. It was silent. There should be the sound of people moving about, or at least talking. He focused again on her pulse. It was quicker then normal and panicked. Something was wrong.
In moments he located a hidden panel that led to a basement. Quietly he descended the steps.
"I see what has been plaguing you, Mithril. He has been with you for a while now. The removal will be strenuous and painful, are you still willing to go through with it?" The old man bore his grey eyes into Katani.
"Yes, I have no choice. Proceed, Seer Cove."
He nodded and placed a wrinkled hand firmly on Katani's shoulder. After muttering a low apology he bore into her mind. The intrusion was such a contrast to the man's physically weak body. His entry rivaled Hiei's when he had trained her. However his intrusions were like needles. Thousands of tiny needles pierced her brain to try and find this Ark.
Rayson looked away from his cousin's pain. It tore at him to know there was nothing he could do for her. On their way over Ark had surfaced once again and taken full control of her body. He had been forced to knock Mithril unconscious for a brief period while talking with Cove.
Once he fully understood the situation Cove wasted no time in reviving her and beginning the cleansing. Now he felt the waves of energy from them both. Being the prince of his people he was more sensitive to suffering then any of them. Mithril radiated of confusion and suffering. He had to keep his gaze averted or else be dragged in by Cove's power.
Cove fought to find the Seer stealing this child's memories. As he explored the corners of her mind he found much had been erased. Yet he had a feeling even Ark, his youthful rival seer, had stolen the memories and kept them for himself. That was hopeful for if she could take down Ark she could restore her lost memories.
A net of red fibers covered the child's brain. These had been laid down by Ark so every thought she had could be intercepted. He was surprised to find that a corner of the girl's mind had been blocked off from Ark. In that tiny corner were her deepest secrets. Cove left them be as he continued searching. Finally he found him, at the very center of Mithril's thoughts. Ark saw his intruder but merely smiled.
Have you come to drive me away, old man?
Ark, leave this young girl at once! Cove barked.
My, my, so impolite. Come now teacher, you could at least greet your favorite student. I have gotten better, watch. Ark ensnared Cove in a net of hot fibers.
Cove struggled and fought back with his own blue ropes. They were three times as thick as Ark's for his bore the weight of experience. With his own ropes he cut every last fiber of influence Ark had over her.
The only thing that remained was the rival seer himself.
Kurama felt Katani's pain before seeing her. She was kneeling on the floor and biting her lip to keep from screaming. Gold blood trickled down from the force of her teeth on them.
A beautiful Gilian with gold wings stood in a corner of the room. It was him Kurama ran to first.
"What is going on here?" He demanded.
The Gilian rose his eyes to meet him. Kurama was startled at their resemblance to Katani's. "He is cleansing her. The seer is ridding Mithril's mind of Ark so no more of her memories will be taken. Who are you?"
"My name is Kurama. That is all you need to know. Tell me, who are you and what is your relation to Katani?"
"I am Rayson, the prince of the Hawks. Mithril is my cousin. It pains me to see her like this but there is no other way. Would you like it if the last of her memories of you are taken? That's what I thought. Do not look at me such, I have examined her blood. In it I found strong memories connected to everyone in your band, except you. Care to explain why you are so special that the Phoenixes see you as a threat in Mithril's mind?" The boy ignored him and went to kneel by Katani.
He placed a strong hand on her shoulder and whispered in her ear. "Katani, Katani, you can do this. I am here with you. Give me some of your pain."
Her eyes snapped open. Despite the battle raging within her she looked at him. "Kurama? What are you doing here?" She gasped and clenched her teeth to keep from crying out.
"My concern for you led me here. Give me some of your pain, as you once did." He took her hand and squeezed.
Katani didn't know exactly what he meant but she connected her mind to his and he felt the prick of needles rebound in his skull. Some of the stress eased of Katani and she felt as if she could breathe again.
Cove lashed at Ark. Leave this child and never return. Mithril, I cleanse thee! He threw one last gold tendril at Ark.
Despite the pressure Ark smirked. You win for now, teacher. I will leave Mithril but her memories remain mine. We will come for her. I will make her ours once more. Ahahahahaha! His laugh died off as his presence vanished.
Cove fell back and panted heavily. Katani fell forward and Kurama caught her. He carefully laid her in his lap so she could lean on him for support. The muscles in her arms and legs were twitching slightly and her forehead was slick with sweat. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water gasping for breath.
Rayson rushed to her side. "Dear cousin, did it work? Are you well? Mithril, speak to me." He wiped her face with a damp cloth.
Katani's eyes fluttered before fully opening. "Rayson, you idiot. Of course it worked." She smiled softly and her breathing steadied. "Did you miss me?"
"It has been years since you've called me something so disrespectful and I've never been more grateful to hear it. You are quite fortunate to have this gentleman on your team. He carried some of the load for you when I was too afraid."
Katani's eyes darted to Kurama's. His heart warmed to see her look so kindly upon him. "Rayson, you really are an idiot. You couldn't have helped me. You're too noble. You would have fallen ill. Don't blame yourself." To Kurama she said, "Thank you, Kurama. I owe you one."
"You owe me a lot more then one, Katani."
She thought for a moment. "I'm sorry but I can not recall…"
"That is because Ark has stolen your memory of him." Cove stood. "Believe me your highness, this man was imbedded heavily in your mind. I can tell you thought a great deal about him. Yet for some reason Ark and the Phoenixes were repelled by this and have stolen your memories of him. I believe if you slay Ark, you can regain your memories."
"I… what?" She didn't know why but her face flushed at the thought. With a sideways glance she looked at him again. There was something about him that made her blood quicken.
Rayson seemed to notice it as well. Especially now that the confusion was over he could see the way Kurama looked her over. He didn't like it.
"I need some air." She stood.
"I will inform the other members of your band of your whereabouts. You already know the situation. Would you like to be left alone while I inform your team? You will need much rest after last night and this cleansing."
"Please, I would be most grateful Rayson." Katani made the sign of thankfulness with her index and middle finger by bringing them to her lips.
"Then Kurama was it? Will you please come with me?"
Kurama looked as if he detested this idea, but wasn't about to fight with Katani's cousin or the prince for that matter.
Surprisingly, it was Katani who spoke out. "Um, actually Rayson, I would greatly appreciate it if Kurama could accompany me for today. If that's all right with all of you."
"I like that idea. If her highness is being looked after I'd feel a lot better. And besides, what better way to insult the enemy by keeping her close to the one they've been making her forget?" Cove said.
Rayson seemed skeptical but consented. "Practice your new skills today. And you," he looked at Kurama. "If I find any reason to doubt Mithril's condition I will hold you personally responsible. If I find so much as a splinter you will be mad to pay." Kurama held his ground. He was not at all intimidated. Rayson glanced at Katani. "Farewell, cousin. May the wind always be at your back."
"May the sun guide your way." Katani made the gesture for parting and watched as Rayson gracefully climbed up the steps, white wings behind. "What about you? Would you mind keeping me company?" She glanced at Kurama.
"It would be my pleasure." He held out his hand for her. She took it, pleasantly surprised by her own boldness. A light, airy feeling replaced the headaches she had when she had been with him before. Maybe being around him wouldn't be such a bad thing after all.
Cove handed her a canteen filled with a thick liquid she was to consume so her mind would not fall into coma after the damage that had been done to it.
"I'm not worried." Katani said as they left the house. "Hiei already says I have brain damage."
Kurama chuckled softly. "I see you remember your past on this island."
"How did you know?"
"When you said farewell to Rayson you made motions with your hands and spoke words of ritual. You had not done so upon meeting the two hawks last night."
Katani smiled. "You've always been this smart, haven't you?"
"I'm afraid so."
She laughed, maybe she had felt something for him. It was easy to see why, he was her kind of man. Now it was time to test him. Partially to answer some questions and also to have some fun. "Come on, I want to show you something." She tugged at his arms and pulled him into the woods. "When I got my memory back I remembered everything about this place. Back here is where I broke my leg when I was five and over here I fought my first duel. I can still see the look on Rayson's face when I held Kail to his throat. He never got over that loss." Katani guided him through a maze of maples, elms, and ash trees. Once they reached a small crest she stopped and quickly scanned her surroundings. After only a moments hesitation she gently tapped one of the rocks. It vibrated and to her left a large gap appeared. She waved Kurama through and once inside the cover slid back on. The route was dark and cold with the smell of earth. Deeper and deeper down they walked. Only memory kept Katani from getting lost.
At last she and Kurama reached a large door.
With a shove the it creaked open. A beam of sunlight shot through and they stood in the center of a deep valley. The valley was long since overgrown with thick grass that reached up to their ankles. Over to the right a large waterfall fell from above. The water sprayed of the rocks with such force that most of the water turned to a light mist.
"Welcome to my home." Katani ran forward and spread her arms wide. "This is where I was born. Away from all the politics of Hawks and Phoenixes my parents brought me here. My father trained my body while my mother enforced my mind. I remember everything now. Feer was born here as well, from my parents' Pegasi. Here I feel safe and can relax."
"I am honored that you brought me to such a personal place." Kurama copied the sign of thankfulness Katani had performed earlier.
"Your welcome." Katani chose a spot near the bank of the river created by the fall and just fell into the grass. Kurama sat down beside her.
"How are you feeling?" He asked.
"In all honesty, better then I have in a long time." She sighed. "I remember where I came from and who my parents were. You have no idea how long I searched for the answer to those questions. I got to see Tithe in my memories in a way I'd never seen him before. I got to watch Feer's birth and saw who I learned swordsmanship from. And, best of all, I don't feel as if I'm a stranger in my own mind."
"I'm glad to hear it."
"Hey, answer something for me. How come I can remember meeting Yusuke and the others, but whenever I search for you I see nothing. You have been cut from just about every corner of my mind. I can tell we've known each other, we're part of a team, but even now I don't remember seeing you on the flight over here. I know you're name but that's about it. It feels as if I meet you last night when we first landed on the Island. But it's the kind of meet like seeing an old friend for the first time in years. Tell me, why were you seen as a threat?"
Kurama looked straight at her. "Certain people saw our relationship and thought it improper. Beyond that I am not sure. I know now that the Phoenix has some other reason besides a simple breach of custom."
"Whoa, our relationship? The only way it would have been improper is if we were dating or something like that."
Kurama looked at the ground. "We weren't dating." Katani was silent. "The night you began to lose your memory I was about to tell you that… I love you. I know that you would have also said the same."
"WHAT?" She sat up. "H-hold on there, fox boy, I don't fall in love. That's not me. I haven't even had a crush on someone since middle school and even then it was a fleeting thing. You can't honestly say I was… in love with someone. And from outside the clan, that's practically treason! Tithe was killed because his mother was a fire blood."
"Well I'm not sure what to say to that…" Kurama looked at the sky. His eyes couldn't seem to stay still.
"Do you still… what I mean is that are you…"
At this Kurama slid over to her. "Yes, Katani. I'm still in love with you." He placed a hand on her cheek. "More so then ever."
Katani felt the blood rise to her cheeks. He was practically a stranger to her, but she did trust him enough to bring him here. "Whoa, too fast!" She jerked and pushed Kurama away from her. He fell backwards with a thud.
Against her will she placed a hand over the spot where he had touched her. As she saw him move up she quickly dropped her hand to her side.
"I'm sorry, I guess it was rude of me to-" she stopped herself after seeing the laughter in his eyes. "What's so funny?"
He smiled. "You really don't remember. The last two times I did that you… well lets just say pushing me off you was the opposite of your actions."
"WHAT?" She screamed at him and grabbed his collar. "Do you mean to say that I… and with you?"
"Think hard, do you think you would have?" He smirked. Even though it was a bit cruel, he was having fun messing with her. Really it was just to spend time with her. She had been so distant over the last couple of days that even this was a joy.
She let go off him, by now her face was a brilliant shade of gold. "I well…" Her voice changed to a low whisper. "He is pretty hot, but then he's not of gold blood… Whose to say that I… Wait I know for sure that hot or not I would not do THAT before marriage. Right so I've decided." Confident in her choice she turned to face him. "Well Kurama, I believe I never did that with you. I also doubt we ever had a relationship."
"Really?"
"Yes. If I was so in love with you then prove it. Do something here and now that I would have fallen in love with."
"Is that a challenge?"
"More of a dare really. If you were so important that Ark erased you from my memory then I need to see why. If I fell in love it was for a pretty darn good reason. I doubt I'd be able to resist you if you did the same thing. Bring it, Kurama." Arms crossed across her chest she smiled. This would prove they never had a relationship. He was probably messing with her just like Yusuke often did.
"Alright," Kurama stood and walked off.
"Hey! Where are you going?"
"Stay there." His voice was calm and firm. Katani sat back down and watched him grow smaller and smaller until he completely disappeared in the long grass.
To pass the time Katani began humming the song her mother had taught her whenever they were sick. As the clouds rolled away her stomach began to growl. How long had it been since she'd last eaten something? As much as she wanted to walk to the river, she held back knowing she wanted to settle this issue here and now."
Ten minutes later she saw Kurama return. In his right hand was a large basket. What was he doing? He placed the basket in front of Katani and pulled a small blanket from inside it. After the blanket was spread he set out dishes, two of everything. With a snap of his fingers a large red rose grew from the center of the basket. Katani watched in amazement.
"Sit, I made brunch. You're hungry aren't you?" He smiled and set some food on the plate before her.
"I… uh… yeah I am." She was speechless as he poured a glass of water for her. She accepted it with thanks and sipped. "Can I help with anything?" She suddenly offered.
"No, do not try and steal this from me." He brushed her hand away.
"Alright…" She plopped a small sushi roll in her mouth and almost melted. "This is incredible! How did you make this?"
"You taught me a while ago. These are all your favorite foods aren't they?"
A quick scan of her plate was all it took. He had left nothing out. How had he known? "I never tell anyone my recipes…"
Kurama came to sit beside her and before she could say anything he embraced her.
"I know it will take more then a meal to win your heart but let me hold you for a moment. I've missed you deeply, Katani. You may not remember it now but you love me. I'll help you remember. For you are my dearest." He repeated the phrase in the holy speech. "I love you."
Katani was left with nothing to say. After a long moment she hesitantly raised her arms and hugged him back.
"I will not let them take you from me."
Could she have really fallen in love with him? From birth she had been taught to keep the bloodline pure. Everything he had done suggested they had a former relationship but if he became her close friend she would have shared those things with him. If they had been great friends she would have taught him her language just so she could speak it with someone. But hugging him felt so nice. Time seemed to hang in that moment for neither wanted it to end.
Finally Katani started to feel uncomfortable, wasn't she already committed to Ty? It was all she could do to pull away from him. With a small smile she resumed eating. Kurama watched her, knowing she was doing the best she could. Had she been the kind of woman to fold so easily he never would have fallen in love with her to begin with.
"I still don't know what to make of all this but…" She twiddled her fingers. "I know that it means enough to me that I want to try and figure it out. Is that alright?"
"More then alright. I know it will all work out in the end."
"You sound so sure."
"I am." Kurama plucked a dumpling from his plate.
That cocky little… Katani ate her food in silence. The sun was straight above by the time they had finished. Despite Kurama's protests Katani assisted him in the cleanup.
"I don't think we should leave the others alone for too long. Let's get out of here." Katani brushed the crumbs from her shirt and stood.
"Do you wish to fly?"
"Neh, I feel like riding." She whistled loudly. The sound echoed within the canyon and without a doubt it reached him. A few moments later she heard the beat of his wings as he dove down the valley. She waved to Feer as he landed, running to keep his momentum going.
The gold stallion pranced on his toes to her. His head bobbed up and down as he greeted her with soft nickers. Katani threw his forelock behind his ears and scratched them.
"Admia fualra? Dostona noe?" She asked him. Feer nodded and glanced at Kurama. He had come over and was standing next to Katani. In the ancient tongue he greeted her stallion and politely asked for a ride.
Feer studied him with his hazel eyes. It seemed as if he was judging whether he was worthy. After a long moment he nodded.
Katani mounted and entangled her fingers in the stallion's mane. The strands of hair felt like strings of gold as she held tight. Her stallion seemed to remember this place as well. The muscles on his shoulders and back twitched in anticipation of the flight. Katani stroked his toned neck to ease some of his restlessness.
Kurama climbed on behind her and placed his hands on her hips. Her mouth opened to say something but, as if he had read her mind, he quickly removed them. Common sense surfaced in her mind.
"How will you hang on?"
"I'll use my legs." He said.
Katani shrugged and spurred Feer with her heel just below his wing joint. Feer bucked slightly form excitement and shot off. He ran down the valley at breakneck speed before leaping into the air and spreading his vast wings. A couple solid strokes and they were airborne. Katani's stomach lurched as it always did from flight. The adrenaline made her beam. There was no drug in the world more addictive then this.
She let a little laugh escape her lips from the joy of the flight. The scar on her back cooled as if anxious to fly. Katani looked over her shoulder at Kurama, he would be fine by himself. She whispered to Feer to fly over the water as high as he could. The stallion whinnied and turned so the ocean lay before them. The trees became like grass and the beach a blurred line. Katani untangled her fingers and swung her leg so both hung over the same side.
"What are you doing?"
"Sayonara!" Katani let herself slide from the back of her stallion. The wind tore at her clothes and hair. She held her arms in front as if in a dive and increased her speed. Nothing in her life had felt so terrifying yet amazing. As the blue water grew nearer and nearer she felt her body falling faster and faster. Feeling the time was about right she thought about her wings escaping from her back.
In one gliding motion the wings emerged from the scar. The joints aligned with her shoulder blade and the feathers shone in the sunlight. The wings had increased in size so each wing in itself spread ten feet. Her new wingspan of twenty feet overshadowed any other winged creature she'd meet. Looking back she remembered how fifteen feet was the longest span among their clan. Only those of royalty stretched that far. Rayson had pressed the standard with his eighteen foot wingspan but now Katani put him to shame. Power pulsed through every vein in her wings. She extended them to their fullest and caught the air. With a strong flap she was going up. She saw Feer above, a gold speck against the clouds. He was alone, without a rider. Where was Kurama?
Kurama? She tested what Rayson had taught her. Kurama would not be able to reply, but if he accepted her message she could locate him. As a fisherman pulls his rod when he feels a bit, Kurama pulled her message so she knew exactly where he was. A couple hundred feet below a silver fox demon was struggling against three gold fliers.
"Kail!" Katani called her sword and fell into a dive. The person below looked nothing like the Kurama she knew, she even feared him slightly. Yet she knew it was him and he was in danger. She called to Feer but he pushed her message away. This confused her but she had no choice but to continue. As she flew closer she could see one of Kurama's wings were torn, were they made from plants? She could see the fibers trying to come together but they were blocked by something. Red blood poured down his right arm as the other brandished a whip. He took one of the winged warriors down with this and caught the second on the backstroke. The third used this as an opportunity and sliced at his left arm.
Katani caught him from above and sliced off his sword hand. Before the silver fox could kill him Katani came behind the attacker and pressed Kail to his throat.
"Who are you? Tell me your name." Her tone grew icy. Inside her body trembled at what she had just seen. Two like her had been murdered. She prayed she would not have to do the same.
"I am Andrew, you'd do well to remember it, Mithril."
"Why did you attack my comrade?"
"We weren't looking for him, we were coming after you. Your death is the ultimate goal of the Swift One. I hope you haven't grown lazy just because your dried up old seer managed to temporarily beat Ark. We will return for you and yours. This is the message I bring from he whose wings guide us all. May you rebels burn in hell!" With that final message he took a small blade from his sleeve and sliced his throat. The messenger fell into the ocean below.
Both Katani and Kurama panted heavily. Kurama, because of his injuries, and Katani because she had seen three of her own kinsmen slain before her. Only days ago the sight of one of her own would have made her filled with joy and now she felt overwhelming sadness for her brethren.
"Are you all right, Katani?" A strong arm brushed her cheek.
She recoiled. "No, I'm not fine. Who, or what, exactly are you?"
"Yoko Kurama." He explained what she used to know about his past identity.
Images flashed through her mind. He had attacked Ty and grabbed her harshly by the wrist. The look of his cold gold eyes haunted her. Yet he continued to hold his gaze on her.
For a moment her face paled but she then remembered he was Kurama in a sense and she owed him. The fear in her mind was pushed aside as she stared back.
"You're hurt." Her eyes traveled over the wounds on his arms.
"Tis but a flesh wound." He smiled at her, white teeth flashing.
"Flesh wounds kill, now hold still." She struggled to remain still with her large wings. By barely moving them she had been able to fly and now moving them at all created motion.
Yoko saw her struggling. "Hold still, don't flap at all."
"Are you crazy? I'll fall."
"Calm down, this is anime. You could never flap and still fly. I haven't moved my wings since I started flying yet here I am."
She gave him a quizzical look but tried it. The tips of her wings were spread far and they seemed to have latched on to something. She remained still in the air.
Confused but content she took Kail to her palm and cut.
Kurama gave her a look. "Yes, cut yourself. That solves everything."
"Will you stop it? I'm trying to help you. Rayson taught me how to heal more efficiently with my blood. If it's too disgusting for you then bleed all the way back to the makai for all I care."
He chuckled at her exaggeration. "Did Rayson tell you if there were any side effects?"
"No. Why?"
"You've done this to me before. It creates a mental link between us. You do not remember but I've had your blood in me before. I was able to read your emotions and feel your pain. At times I was even able to gleam bits of your thought. Do you still wish to heal me?"
"I don't know… How much does it hurt?"
The corners of his mouth twitched. "Barely a scratch. But I'd never turn down an offer of gold blood, especially yours."
"Are you trying to get me to say no?"
"Now you've hurt my feelings."
"I think you'll recover. So you're still Kurama?"
He took a long breath. "If I need to tell you again-"
"Fine, just come here." She grabbed the top of his shirt and pulled him to her. His eyes were much finer then Kurama's. The look of depth and age was clear in them. From his account he was almost a four hundred years old. If she had fallen in love with him what was she thinking?
Katani looked straight into his eyes and tried to see Kurama in them. As if knowing her thoughts he intentionally softened them. The color was different but the look was there. That look of caring and kindness she had seen was the same.
"K-Kurama." She stammered. Though she saw him in those eyes bright as her blood those same eyes made her quiver inside. It took all her will power not to tremble. "It is…"
He pushed away from her. "Yes, I told you. Let's return. Your cousin will need to know of the events that have just occurred. From the message we heard I would not be surprised if another attack on your mind was attempted. You must defend yourself more then ever if your memories are precious to you."
"Wait!" Katani caught the back of his shirt. "I can't just turn away if you're hurt. We might fight again and as much as you may not like it your reaction time was slow. There were three of them but still…"
"There were three when you arrived. Originally there were seven."
Katani's mouth fell open. "I uh… Well good job then. But still, don't move." She placed her cut hand over his right arm and dragged it over the wound. The same she did with his other arm. She didn't notice how he shivered at her touch. The cut on her palm slid shut, it had fulfilled its purpose.
Katani flew behind him and healed the wing with a simple joining spell Rayson had taught her.
Yoko flexed his arms. "Even though it was not necessary, I thank you."
"You're welcome. I must fly ahead to warn Rayson. Please bring Feer."
"Yes. Go."
She turned but the image of a winged warrior falling to the water rose in her mind. A single tear fell from her eye for those lost. This was only the beginning of the bloodshed.