Chen pumped air into his lungs, forcing the wind back into him. Thank the gods for this armor, and for Irontown's metalworkers. He leaned up, head swimming, and the first thing he saw was Saryuu, standing at the edge of the pit, looking down. He watched her for a moment, and he had a short time to wonder how she felt, killing her own father.

Then she turned away. Moving elegantly despite the screams and fire, Saryuu sheathed her blade and reached out, and he took her hand, letting himself be pulled to his feet. "Why does it seem like I'm always pulling you up?" Her eyes were alight, and her lips were curved in a satisfied smile.

He couldn't help the grin that spread in return, keeping a tight hold on her hand. "It's hardly my fault, you know, I can't help falling whenever you're around."

She laughed at that, a small chuckle, a slight release of emotion. With her one hand, she reached up and shoved his helmet upwards, jerking at his chinstrap.

"Hey, what–"

She kissed him, and he stopped talking.

It lasted hardly a moment, but it had a far greater impact than the strike he'd taken to the chestplate bare seconds before. She tasted of iron.

She released him, and Chen opened his eyes –so very close to hers– and smiled, and then quickly had to draw another deep breath to keep from blacking out; he really hadn't quite gotten his breath back yet before she'd made him lose it again.

She laughed again, straightening his helmet. "We're not out of here yet, samurai. Stay with me." Saryuu pulled him towards the larger group, and Chen, trying to get himself back together, got a good look at the blood-swabbed battlefield.

That did the trick quickly enough. Kiba and Tsume were pacing along the entrances to the rest of the underground complex, jaws red and teeth bared, growls shaking the ground as they dared the samurai to emerge from their stone dens to face them again. Chen's men –several of which sharply averted their gaze when his eyes found them– were returning to formation around the young people, while some were covering some of the other passages, watching for signs of further offensives. On the upper levels, there were still faint clashes heard, but Toki's squad of riflewomen were still intact, watching and waiting for instruction.

Despite the relative stillness around them, the air was rent with the cries of violent death and desperate, struggling life coming from the bottom of the pit. Many had survived the fall, and were fighting against the hateful demon at its bottom. Judging by the screams and sounds of tearing flesh and breaking blades, it wasn't going so well.

And there was Kaya, Ashitaka, and San. They stood in a bunch at the back-center of the party, surrounded by defenses. Ashitaka held the wounded girl in his arms, a look of blank shock on his face, while San growled at anything that got too close, a manic defensiveness in her eyes. He could have cried if he weren't so exhausted. They were alive, all of them.

He wanted to go to them, hold them in his arms, but he had other duties for now. Kaya lifted her head, that terrible hole in her face looking back at him, and he could see the glint in her remaining eye as she recognized him. Chen smiled back at her, then turned away to face the conversation that was occurring. He would have time enough to speak to her later, but it was harder to hold himself back than he'd expected.

But now was not a time for rushed action. Despite their victory, they were still in the belly of the beast.

Saryuu was speaking to the Prince. "-desire to remain with us?"

The young man replied with as much confidence as he could muster, almost yelling to be heard over the sounds coming from the pit. "I have no choice. Even now that the Shogun has been… dealt with," he glanced at the pacing wolf gods and visibly swallowed, "there is enough leadership loyal to him to carry out his plot, and my father's advisors will be quick to grab power for themselves."

Saryuu nodded gravely. "I suppose it was too much to hope that we could wrest control during the chaos." Her eyes moved around the circle, judging, analyzing.

"I think getting Kaya, Ashitaka, and San out is our first priority," Chen said. "Then we can focus on our own escape."

"There is one other issue I need to address," Eboshi said. "But that can wait for last." She looked to him. "Chen, can you ask something of Hitori?"

Oh yes, she'd joined the assault as they had approached, but he hadn't seen hide nor hair of her since. Where was she, anyway? Hitori! To Eboshi, "What is it?"

"I have a plan to get–"

"No need to yell, I'm right here." The young wolf emerged from the shadows, causing the Kazekata to brandish their weapons and shield Aiko from the unexpected appearance.

The wolf god was unbothered. "Calm down, humans," she said, then yawned, showing her expanse of blooded teeth. "I'm not going to eat you; besides, these didn't taste like I expected. Maybe because they're bad ones."

"Hitori," Eboshi began, her only hint of discomfort being the gap between the name and her next words. "Could you ask San's brothers to take Kaya, Ashitaka, and San away via the river? The enemy wouldn't expect it, and in the dimness, they could reach the safe point on the river undetected."

"It was a good idea to ask me, gunlady, because my brothers don't want to talk to you. But yes, I can do that." Her golden eyes moved to Chen. Glad you're alive, brother.

You too, kid. He managed a smile. She'd been panicking earlier, but it seemed that the chance to kill the source of stress had helped her immensely. Chen could relate.

Don't think we aren't going to talk later. She bumped against him as she went to talk to her wolf cousins. I could have felt what you two were doing miles away.

Sudden embarrassment gripped him. I wasn't sending that, was I?

A mental laugh. No, but your expression tells me everything. Took you both long enough, I can smell her on you. Don't get too distracted, still got people counting on you.

You're right, thanks, Hitori.

Then she was talking to her brothers, the larger wolves stopping their pacing to watch her, jaws stained red and eyes glowing in the dimness.

Chen turned his attention back to where Eboshi was talking. "We'll leave once they're clear of the docks. Prince Aiko, if you still wish to remain with us–"

"I do."

"Then, Chen, get him ready. I need to speak with your guards."

Aiko looked taken aback. "What? Why?"

Chen stepped in front of him, forcing his attention from where Eboshi had begun speaking urgently to one of the Kazekata. The other watched Chen with particular intensity. "All right, my lord, several things first off. You'd best be ready to run. Get that ornamental robe off; it will only slow you down, and nobody's going to carry you, we've got wounded to bring with us."

The young man's eyes were wide, but he nodded slowly. "That does make sense. I'll… take it off." He moved to do so, then realized his short blade was still in his hand.

Chen reached out silently, and Aiko handed it to him, then started removing his expansive outer robe with as much speed as he could manage, which didn't amount to much. Probably had servants to do it for him, Chen thought, smiling.

"Who are you, master samurai?" the Prince asked, struggling. "You are mighty, to defeat the Shogun."

Chen reached over and cut through the offending strip of silk, grinning at Aiko's wince. "Give the credit to Eboshi, I was a sword she held. I was a captain in your military, Prince Yamasaki. I hope you don't take offense in me saying that I've since found a greater calling."

Aiko stepped out of the robe, managing to hold back any aggrieved comments when the expensive material touched the bloody stones. Chen handed him back his tanto, and Aiko took it, sheathing it and looking over to where San and Ashitaka were placing Kaya on the back of one of San's brothers. His expression sobered, and he spoke softly. "No. There is no offense."

"Do you know how to use a katana or polearm?"

The young man wrenched his eyes away from San, who was mounting the other wolf god. "Um, yes. Basically."

Chen reached down and took a katana from the hands of one of the Empire's dead warriors. Wiping the blood from the blade in one smooth motion, he presented it to the Prince. "You may have to fight as well. Be ready." He then handed him the weapon's sheath and belt.

He took it and belted it to his waist with some familiarity. "Yes." The young man met Chen's eyes, his gaze intent and steady, despite the stress that he was obviously under. "I never got your name, warrior in service of the princess."

"Yeah, that title's kind of long." Chen bowed. "Chen Adrei, your majesty, and captain will do. Now, prepare yourself, I think we're just about to make a break for it."

He nodded, and Chen neared Eboshi. "He's as ready as he can be."

She turned to him. "Good. Chen, I need to tell you something."

"Anything." Part of him wanted to resist, to tell her they didn't have lots of time, but her eyes drew him in.

"Toki and I will be staying in the Capitol."

His heart plummeted. "What?" He shook his head. "Why, Saryuu?"

She laid her hand on his shoulder. "I have connections among the Kazekata, and I intend to call in some favors."

"You… you what?" Chen's mind began to spin again. Was he truly this exhausted, or was it just her?

"Besides, their young charge is coming with us anyway, it shouldn't be too hard to convince Wind Commander Kaede to follow us."

Pieces began to fit themselves together in his mind. "Your– your swordmaster. The one who trained you to fight. He was a Kazekata." It made sense, her knowledge of stances, stances, her formal training, her undeniable skill…

Eboshi smiled. "While you are a good man that I now know well, Chen, you were not the first." Her hand moved across his breastplate and touched his face. "I will tell you more when I return. Do not wait for me." She fully met his gaze, and he saw something wholehearted, something sincere, in them. "Someone needs to lead my people alongside Ituse. Can you do that?"

Fear, uncertainty, both took turns flashing through him. Leaving her here, in this den of enemies, seemed unthinkable at first. Then, unbidden, came a rush of warmth through him, spreading to every fatigued muscle, every strained filament, as he recognized what he saw in her. She loved him. She trusted him.

He could do the same.

Chen took her hand and kissed it. "Yes, my lady."

Saryuu let out a breath and shook off his hand to reach behind his helmet. And then her mouth was on his again, and this time, he could give her something back. He allowed himself to savor her passion, letting his anxiety, his fear, fade from him like memories of the past. But no matter how long it was, it was still too short. He felt her breath on his face, but he didn't let her go quite yet. Chen held her tightly, clenching his eyes shut. "Return quickly, please?"

"As fast as I am able."

Chen nodded, then let her go. Her smile remained in his mind even as they turned from each other, and her voice, shouting orders, echoed deep within him.

He surveyed the scene, walking past the nonplussed gazes of his soldiers, not allowing a second of pause. "All right! Let's get out of here, before that demon decides it wants a second meal!" The wolves, bearing Kaya, San, and Ashitaka, had already left, which was good. He wished he'd gotten a chance to say farewell, but they would be all right, he would see them soon.

"Aji, vanguard blades take point, rifles in back with Fubatsu's rearguard! Prioritize speed and protecting the Prince! Move out!" Shouts of assent rang in the bloodstained chamber, and Eboshi's soldiers fell in line beside Chen's. The remaining Kazekata –the other must have left with Eboshi– took up a position beside the nervous prince, who clutched his sheathed sword with white knuckles. Everything was in place. Chen Adrei drew his blades and charged into the darkness, allowing a hope to flare within him. These lives were in his hands, and he wouldn't lose any more.

They'd been entrusted to him.

...
Author's Note- Hey guys, thanks for sticking with me for so long, I appreciate everything ya'll have done, the reviews, the follows, it gives me so much joy. I am pleased to announce that the final chapter of Part 2 is coming out this Sunday! Again, ya'll are incredible, and I hope you have good luck with finals and holidays and everything else!