New Blood
by Saber Alexander McConnell
Rated PG13

CHAPTER 35: Reunited

Over the next two days, Kale threw several tests at the Ronin, both to exhaust them as much as possible before they reached the palace, and to observe them. He sent Dynasty soldiers at them twice more, increasing their numbers each time. He triggered a rockslide that they only barely managed to avoid, and brought from the mortal realm a pack of ordinary wolves, maddened by evil energy and set on the Ronin while they slept. Recognizing the wolves as only beasts, Wildfire insisted they try not to harm the animals, defending themselves only and escaping the beasts by climbing the rocks. Kale chuckled and decided to keep the wolves; he had always had an affinity for the creatures.

He watched them struggle and recover. He watched them trek on, obviously knowing exactly where they were going. He watched them discover a stream that Wildfire didn't get anywhere near; one of the others brought over a pan of water and a bar of soap for him. Wildfire cautiously stripped down and began to bathe while the other two boys stripped down and dove into the stream to wash up. The two girls kept watch, their backs on the nude boys. When they were finished, the girls bathed while the boys kept watch. Kale was amused that none of them even tried to take a peek at the girls, but supposed that they were too honorable. Having no great desire himself to watch any of them bathing, Kale spent the time thinking of his next test.

Remembering Moral's information about Wildfire, Kale considered ensuring that the boy found his way into the stream, but the stream was shallow, and though it would likely startle him, it wouldn't be any great trauma. It would be far more effective to spring it on him at the palace. The Ronin were only three days from the palace as it was, and Kale finally decided to return and report, and see if Talpa wanted him to continue.

---

To Kale's surprise, when he gained audience with Talpa, Sekhmet, Dais, and Jin Tanaka were there also. He shot them a curious glance, but only for a moment; it was never a good idea to put one's attention elsewhere when standing before Master Talpa.

At Talpa's nod, Kale gave him his report, and received brief acknowledgement for his information. Then he looked to the others in turn, and Kale realized Talpa wanted to know what they'd found out from their prisoners.

"My venoms have done well on Hardrock," said Sekhmet with a pleased grin. "I've found information on the Ronin' families and where they are from. I also know what he knows about his own armor. If it has abilities beyond those Kongou no Shuu knew, this Demetrius has not yet discovered it."

"Well done," Talpa murmured, and looked then to Jin Tanaka.

Jin's expression was as cold as ever as she saluted, her fist held rigidly across her chest, but in her eyes was a gleam that told Kale she was pleased with herself, also. "The child does not know much more than we already knew, Master," she said. "He thinks there might be a second power to his armor, but doesn't know what it is. However...it took me a great deal of time, but managed to extract the name of the man who crafted the new armor. He is a man called Yasuo Toshitada. From the research I have done, he is a descendant of one of yours, he who betrayed your ranks: Onii Masho Shuten."

Kale felt his own eyes widen as he looked to Talpa to catch his reaction. The demon's eyes glowed brightly for several moments before he nodded, one hand clenching into a fist. "Good," he murmured. "Very good, Jin Tanaka. I cannot deal with him just yet. But I will in time. Dais."

Dais stepped forward and saluted. "My Lord, what I have found from Torrent is not much, but possibly useful. He does not know for certain where the first Ronin armors were hidden before they found their way to this new group, but he did know how he and the others got their armor. He and Hardrock found theirs in the sea and the earth, respectively. It is possible they had been hidden there, protected from detection by their very elements. Strata found his within the engine of a flying machine, and my guess is that the plane encountered it in the atmosphere, bringing it down when the armor orb caused it to malfunction. Wildfire's was mailed to him from Japan, likely from Sanada Ryo's own family. Halo's was given to her as a birthday gift, though from whom, she doesn't know. That one is a mystery."

"I see," rumbled Talpa thoughtfully. "Minor, but useful. How did you interrogate him, Dais?"

Dais smiled. "Oh, I didn't harm him, Master, beyond the initial injury I dealt him. Much like Cye of Torrent, Killian cannot bear to see others hurt. I simply forced him to watch the others being questioned. It was far more effective to have them punished for his lack of cooperation. A pity he didn't know more."

Talpa chuckled, then nodded his head. "I see. This is it, then? There was nothing else to be gained from these Ronin?"

"I don't believe there is, Master," said Jin Tanaka, and the others voiced their agreement. "They knew nothing of this Kikoutei armor I have been told of. I do not believe any of them know of it."

Talpa nodded. "Sekhmet. I believe you have concoctions that can heal injuries? The same as those you used on Tai Shuang and yourself after your failures in fighting the Ronin?"

Sekhmet's sallow skin tinged dark at the reminder before he bowed briefly and said that he did have healing potions. "Painful, but effective," he added.

"You will use them on the Ronin, then," said Talpa. "We will see that their physical injuries are mended, and allow them to gain some of their strength back."

Kale stared at Talpa in astonishment, unable to help himself. "But Master...why?" he dared to ask.

Talpa did not become angry, instead he chuckled again, obviously pleased with whatever plans he had. "I intend to have my Nether Spirits possess them, Kale. I want them in fighting condition by the time the time their companions arrive here. When they get here, our prisoners will quite unwillingly be fighting by your side."

Sekhmet broke into gleeful laughter, and a moment later, Kale had joined him, after getting over his surprise. He couldn't wait to see the looks on those miserable brats' faces on seeing their beloved friends fighting alongside Talpa's warlords. Dais grinned maliciously. "It is as I told Torrent. Our armors are from one...how strong will the possession be, My Lord, in only two or three days?"

"I do not intent to brainwash them, Sekhmet," said Talpa. "It will not be possible in so short a time, as it was with Kayura. My spirits will need to remain within the Ronin' spirits the entire time. So long as they are able to keep their hold, the Ronin will do as I tell them. The others will not know they are being controlled."

"It's a shame that rekka cannot be corrupted," murmured Kale. "If we could corrupt them all, we would be unstoppable."

"Do not think I haven't thought this before, many times, Kale," said Talpa in mild reprimand. "However I have not given up hope of managing this sometimes in the future. For now I will settle for having the armor under my control. Sekhmet, see to dealing with my prisoners' injuries. Kale, tomorrow you will take a group of the lower warlords to fight the Ronin, wherever they might be. Dais, you may go if you wish, as well. I do not want the rest of their trip to be as easy as it has been thus far."

"Hai," replied Kale, bowing formally before backing towards the door, seeing Sekhmet do the same. "It will be done."

Once the others had been dismissed and they were away from Talpa's chambers, Kale allowed himself a grin. Sekhmet was grinning already, looking inordinately pleased with himself. "I can't see how we can fail this time."

"Don't get too confident," warned Dais. "That's gotten us into trouble before, as you know."

Sekhmet shrugged, not arguing, but the grin did not leave his face.

"Jin," said Kale. "You've done well."

The woman turned to him, bowing briefly, and allowing herself a small smile. "Thank you, Kale-san," she said. "I have done my best. The boy is stubborn, but he is only a child. Children do not hold up well to torture."

"No," said Kale. "I don't suppose they do. I will go speak to the others about our fight tomorrow. Jin, you may accompany us if you wish."

"I would like to do so, Kale-san," she said, smiling once again.

Kale knew she enjoyed battle as much as he did, and she fought well. "Very well. Rest up then for tonight, and we leave in the morning."

The woman nodded and veered off towards the living quarters, and Kale exchanged a grin with his two oldest friends. It had been long since things had gone so well for their master, and for them. I look forward to the Ronin Warriors' arrival, said Dais through their mind link.

It will certainly be interesting, agreed Kale. To come this far to rescue their comrades, only to see them fighting with us? I will enjoy seeing that!

I will see you all later, said Sekhmet. I must perform my task. Good luck to you, Kale.

The two men grasped one another's arms briefly before parting; Dais joined Kale outside, and Sekhmet stopped for a few seconds to summon his full armor. They he headed down to the dungeons to deal with the three prisoners.

---

Killian sat in his cell, clad in his riot gear, curled up in the far corner. Except for some general roughing-up and the webs that had half-crushed his ribs, Killian had not been hurt, but he almost wished he had. For the last three days, Dais had dragged Killian to the others parts of the vile dungeons, restrained him, and forced him to watch the other warlords torturing his friends. He could never stand to see things hurt or suffering, and to watch his closest friends enduring the pain the sadistic bloody bastards were putting them through inevitably reduced him to tears. And there was no way he was able to keep mind contact with them; he couldn't concentrate enough or calm himself enough to be able to help them. He couldn't even reach Demetrius, period, and suspected the dark energy of the poison was blocking him. If only he could make physical contact with Demetrius! He could get rid of the vile poison!

Killian shivered as he tried to banish the image of Tarun shrieking in pain as Jin Tanaka draw a sharp blade across his face, or Demetrius slumping exhaustedly in his bonds, at the end of his endurance after hours of being subjected to Sekhmet's poisons. Killian had found himself telling Dais more than he wanted to tell, just so they'd give his friends a reprieve.

The boy leaned tiredly against the wall, having gotten little sleep and no food the entire time. He'd been given water, though very little, and his waking hours were spent either worrying about his friends or trying to comfort Tarun mentally, and wishing desperately for something to drink.

A slight noise outside the door to the outer hallway made Killian look up in alarm. 'No,' he thought, clenching his fists as the outside door opened. 'No, not again...' But to his surprise, it was Sekhmet, not Dais who walked in. Killian felt an odd combination of confusion and rage as he looked at the man who'd spent the last three days tormenting Demetrius. He got to his feet, keeping to the back of the cell. "What do you want?"

Sekhmet paused outside the cell, regarding him coolly for a moment. "You have two choices, Killian of Torrent," he finally said. "You can do as I tell you, or you can refuse. Refuse, and I will retrieve my most painful poisons and unleash them on your friends. Cooperate and I will not."

A cold chill went over Killian as he stared at him, afraid of what he might want Killian to do, and even more afraid to refuse. He knew full well these people did not bluff. "Fine," he said through clenched teeth. "What do you want me to do?"

"Remove your sub-armor."

Killian blinked, taken by surprise, and paused for a moment. But the image of what Sekhmet could do, and had already done to Demetrius was enough that he didn't pause for long. Trembling a little, Killian closed his eyes and concentrating on banishing then riot gear, grasping the orb in his hand and stowing it hastily in his pocket. The last thing he wanted was for Sekhmet to have his armor orb. He knew that the one thing he could never allow was for Talpa to have all the armors together.

But Sekhmet didn't seem interested in the armor at all. He simply entered the cell and approached. Despite himself, Killian backed up until he felt the cool wall behind him. "Just hold still, wretch," Sekhmet hissed. "I am under orders to heal your injuries. It will hurt, but you'll endure it, or I'll make certain you endure far worse."

Again, Killian was surprised for a moment out of his wariness. Heal? Painful? It didn't make sense to him that the two would go together, but he didn't think Sekhmet was capable of doing anything without causing pain. The sadistic cur was cruel to the core of his spirit. Killian nodded the slightest bit, biting his lip and trying not to look as scared as he felt.

Sekhmet closed his eyes for a moment and summoned his snake-armor, then placed his gauntleted hands on each of Killian's sore sides. He winced slightly, but did not move away, clenched his hands against the stone wall to keep them from trying to hurt Sekhmet as badly as they could. No matter how much Killian wished he could, it would be a grave mistake.

For a moment, nothing happened. Then a deep, burning pain began to seep into his skin, and he groaned, closing his eyes and fighting to keep still. Sekhmet's gauntlets were oozing a clear, thick liquid that Killian assumed was one of his venoms, but he could tell this one was healing Killian's injuries, even while it burned his skin and made his ribs ache horribly. At the height of the "healing" session, Killian couldn't stop from screaming, feeling like his sides were being torn apart, and it took every bit of resolve he had not to fight. Mercifully, it did not last long, and finally, Sekhmet removed his hands from Killian and stepped back. Panting, Killian looked at him, wishing he could smash his smug face.

"Your self-restraint surprises me," said Sekhmet, nodding slightly. Killian was taken aback by the almost-compliment. "You will follow me."

Sekhmet did not repeat his earlier threat; he did not need to. Killian didn't answer, but when Sekhmet left the cell, Killian shakily followed, putting a hand gingerly on his side, and marveled that there was no pain--only the lingering ache from Sekhmet's "cure". Insane. This warlord was insane—that was the only explanation. Only a madman could create a poison that healed broken bones, and yet caused so much pain in the process. If only he fought on the side of good, he'd be the world's greatest healer!

Killian barely looked at the corridors he was being led down, not really caring about enjoying the scenery. He brushed his dirty, tangled hair from his eyes, and followed Sekhmet through a set of double doors. At first he thought he'd been brought back to the chamber where the Nether Spirits had preyed on him and the others, but only for a moment. It was soon clear this was not the same place. It was an underground cavern but the malevolent, floating forms of the spirits were not present. Sekhmet grabbed Killian's arm, startling him, and shoved him unceremoniously into the chamber. Killian was shocked to feel cool liquid splashing against his bare legs, covering his feet.

Water! Clear water! Untainted water—at least an untainted as anything could be in the miserable place.

Ignoring Sekhmet, indeed forgetting he was even there, Killian knelt, and then submerged himself, drinking until he felt dizzy. He felt some of the dreadful weariness slip away, and the prickly ache in his dry throat was eased. He didn't know why he'd been healed and brought here, but he wasn't about to argue. He grabbed the armor sphere in his pocket and armored completely up, feeling the surge of energy as it began to recharge itself—and him.

When Killian finally emerged from the water, Sekhmet was gone, and the doors were closed tightly. Killian went over to try them, though he didn't expect they'd be open. He was right. Shrugging, he looked around the chamber, now having the leisure to take in the details.

The chamber was not nearly as large as the spirit chamber had been. The water did not cover the entire area, either; raised rock sat in the back of the chamber, rising out of the water like a strange beach. The chamber was lit by candles set high into the wall, burning a brilliant blue color, casting eerie shadows. The ceiling was high enough that it disappeared into darkness, and Killian's splashing and the distorted, underwater clank of his boots on the stone beneath echoed. Still, for all its gloom, it was vastly better than the tiny cell he'd spent the last three days in.

Feeling almost content, Killian lay down in the water and closed his eyes, but he didn't get to rest for long. The double doors opened again, spilling feeble light into the chamber, and Sekhmet walked in again, this time grasping Demetrius by one arm. Killian scrambled to his feet, his eyes widening, as Sekhmet let Demetrius go and retreated once more. Demetrius fell to his knees, shaking.

Killian ran to his friend, immediately worried. Demetrius's face was shock white, and he looked as if he were barely conscious. Killian didn't try to move him, only knelt and put an arm around his bowed shoulders. Demetrius did not raise his head, in fact didn't seem like he was able to. Killian frowned, remembering that he could clean water, and was able to drink things most people would take sick from. He wondered if he could cleanse human bodies the same way.

As soon as he wondered that, he knew it was true, and he closed his eyes, wondering how he could tell how badly Demetrius was affected. He concentrated, trying to capture the feeling he got when cleaning water, and was startled by a sudden intuition, an understanding about how much poison Demetrius had taken in the past three days. He was appalled at the amount, wondering why Demetrius wasn't dead.

'Bastard'd make sure they weren't lethal,' Killian thought furiously. He shifted his position so that he was facing Demetrius, placing his hands on his shoulders, and trying not to think of how it was quite similar to what Sekhmet had done to heal Killian's ribs. He recaptured the feeling he got when cleansing water, willing the toxins raging in Demetrius's system to be purged.

Slowly, it began to work. Demetrius's deathly pallor faded a little, and he sat back on his heels, raising his head to look at Killian. Their mind link suddenly connected then, weak at first, but strengthening as the poison left Demetrius's bloodstream. Killian smiled for the first time in days as he felt the last of the awful venom leave, and caught the gratitude in Demetrius's pale eyes. Killian hugged the other boy, glad they were back together—it had been horribly lonely and miserable alone, and Killian hoped that they would bring Tarun in, too.

"There's a dry spot over there," said Killian, standing a little unsteadily and helping Demetrius to his feet. He supported the Russian boy as they walked to the rear of the chamber, helping to ease him down onto the rock, chuckling slightly and the sudden look of relief on Demetrius's face. Demetrius closed his eyes and splayed out on the rock, taking in its energy, his skin regaining what little color it normally had.

Killian stepped back into the water, freezing at a sudden, horrible jolt of fear and pain in his mind—Tarun's familiar mental signature. 'Oh God,' Killian thought. 'They're not torturing him again!' But a moment later he realized what was happening; Sekhmet was healing Tarun the way he'd healed Killian. Killian felt hot tears prickle his chilly skin, but he didn't try to send comfort over the link. His emotions were in too much turmoil, and he was certain he'd be seeing Tarun when Sekhmet was finished. He'd be able to help far better then.

Sure enough, a few moments after Tarun's mental voice had quieted, the doors opened a third time, and Tarun was flung into the waters. Killian ran to the boy, who shrieked his name, and knelt down to gather Tarun into his arms. Tarun burst into tears and huddled against Killian's armor; it was easy, then, to ease the lingering pain from Tarun's mind, and to begin to calm him. Killian couldn't count how many times in the past days he'd wished he could do this, and could feel nothing but gratitude that his friends were again with him.

"C'mon, little mate," he said softly, gently urging him to his feet. "There's some dry land over there. Let's get you out of the water—it's chilly."

Hiccuping, Tarun nodded, and let Killian lead him to where Demetrius sat, looking concernedly at them. Will he be all right? he asked, worry thrumming through his mental voice, putting a large hand on Tarun's back.

"He will be," said Killian softly, not letting go of Tarun. He banished his armor, thinking it must be awfully uncomfortable to lean against, and began smoothing back Tarun's hair. "You're gonna be all right, Tarun."

Tarun had begun to quiet, and only nodded, but he did not let go his grip on Killian's wet clothing. That was all right with Killian; the last thing he wanted to do just then was to leave the child's side.

For at least a half hour, the three Ronin sat close together, comforted by the presence of the others, and letting themselves begin to recover from what they'd been put through. Killian held Tarun in his lap, and in turn Demetrius kept his strong arm around Killian's shoulders. Tarun admitted miserably that he'd told the enemy at least some of what they wanted to know, and Killian said that it was all right. So had he. Demetrius said that he, also, had talked. The threesome spent several minutes verbally abusing their captors, and surprisingly Killian felt a lot better after having done so.

Tarun yawned, and Killian felt a surge of sympathy; surely Tarun had gotten little sleep. He looked down at the boy's hands, which seemed to be all right—he knew they'd both been broken at some point or another, and closed his eyes, forcing the image away. "Armor up, kiddo," suggested Killian. The boy was shivering slightly, chilled by the air in the chamber. "You'll be warmer, and you can start getting your energy back. You can recharge during the day, even if you can't see the sun, can't you?"

Tarun nodded, pulling away from Killian only long enough to do as was suggested. "I-it's just not as strong in the dark."

"Understandable," said Killian. "Hell, I don't even know if it is day."

Tarun shook his head. "No. It's night. My armor knows."

Well, it will be daylight again, said Demetrius, lying down on the stone. For now, perhaps we sleep.

No one argued. All three of them were completely exhausted, and Killian suddenly felt as if he hadn't slept for weeks. He slipped down into the water, glad when Tarun and Demetrius moved so that they were close by, and curled up right at the waterline. He didn't know what was going to happen to them, but for now he was just happy to be with the others, and fairly safe.