New Blood
by Saber Alexander McConnell
Rated PG13

CHAPTER 36: Fight and Flight

Nohano was glad they had found the stream, even if he didn't get anywhere near it. With the help of the water purifiers and a small fire he had made in some deadwood, they were able to boil and sanitize the water for drinking. He used some of his jerky supply to boil up some soup, which they all ate from the pot, using the spoons they had brought from the shelter.

They did not refill their water bottles just yet, as the stream led for several miles in the direction they needed to go. Nohano was not completely at ease, however. He and his group had come across far too many problems thus far for him to feel even a little secure. That last bunch of Dynasty soldiers had been fierce, and Rashida had to tend Suisei and Amaya afterwards.

Still, the day had been quiet thus far, and Nohano hoped it would stay that way.

Nohano got his wish, though the next day more than made up for it. The group had only just finished their breakfast rations and put their things away when they were surprise-attacked by Kale, leading a group of warlords. Nohano only barely woke in time duck a fierce thrust from a Roman-looking spear wielded by the Italian jerk in cougar armor. Rashida cursed in Urdu, and Demetrius let a cry of alarm even as they got to their feet and armored up.

Nohano ducked a double-spear attack from the Italian one, and leapt up to a nearby crag of rock, calling his armor. He took only a moment to look over his adversaries. Seven of them. Kale was there, and the Chinaman, Shuang. The Japanese and black women were there, and the Italian guy, and some white guy Nohano only vaguely remembered from the meeting in San Francisco. 'I do not feel like fighting,' he thought, feeling suddenly very tired. He liked battle, but this was ridiculous! One could have too much of anything, and it had now, officially, become too much!

Fed up with the miserable warlords, Nohano leapt down from his perch, landing lightly on the ground in front of Kale. "Guess you want a rematch, loser?" Nohano challenged, drawing his katana.

Kale's dark eyes narrowed behind his mask, but he did not answer in words. He lunged for Nohano, sword thrust in front of him. Nohano parried, the clang of steel going right through his head. It was a frightening sound, that, one that set all of his nerves on edge and spiked adrenaline through his blood. Nohano ducked away from another vicious strike, crying out, "Flare up now!", and directing the firestorm at Kale's torso.

Kale cursed and sprang back, stumbling as he hit, caught only a grazing blow from Nohano's powerful attack. He raised his sword to retaliate, but Rashida bulldozed him from behind, knocking him asprawl in the dirt. Nohano laughed and gave a "thanks" feeling through the mind link, before spinning around to avoid Dais's vicious attack.

'Mental note," thought Nohano distractedly, 'Embarrass one, and the others come after you.'

Furious, Dais cried out something in Japanese that Amaya hastily translated through the link as meaning "Web of Deception", and Nohano was once again ducking the strange scythe weapons from Dais's fan. But he didn't seem to be aiming at Nohano, and he saw why a moment later. Sticky web strands shot from the scythes at him, and he gave a shout of alarm, swiping at the strands with one of his katana. He snarled as a second string of the web shot out and curled around his waist, pulling him roughly to the ground, pinning him tight. His katana flew from his hands and skittered across the stone as Nohano watched, horrified.

Dais grinned ghoulishly, then cried out in pain with one of Suisei's well-shot arrows sticking from his armor. He turned to shoot his scythes at Suisei, who leapt up into the air, higher than Nohano ever had.

The disconcerting thing was—he didn't come back down. Nohano was distracted for the moment from his helplessness, wondering what the hell had happened, what an elated cry came over the mind link. A feeling of soaring, a swooping feeling in his gut. It was impossible, Nohano couldn't believe it, but Suisei was flying. Flying under his own power!

Holy shit, Suisei! called Xander even as he fought two of the newer warlords. His shields flashed on and off, fending off attacks from one, even as he fought the other with his energy weapons. He had learned to make swords, spears, and other, weirder things with his shield energy—once he'd learned to form them into shapes, deciding which shape was easy.

A shadow fell over Nohano and he looked up in alarm at Kale's sword, lifted high above the warlord's head, plunging at Nohano's torso. Nohano yelled and threw his arms up in front of him, unable to move more than that, screaming as the vicious plunge deflected off the spikes on his forearms and sank the blade through his left side, piercing the lighter white-colored armor and scraping against the ground beneath. Nohano screamed again as Kale lifted the blade out for another strike, but was taken down by a furious Shockwave attack from Suisei.

Xander ran over then, sliding to his knees beside Nohano and throwing up a shield as Shuang hurled his weighted chain at Nohano's head. Nohano gritted his teeth, fighting against the webs that bound him, but they were too tight to be pulled loose. It was only when Amaya kicked one of Nohano's katana within his reach that he was able to slice through the webs and roll over.

He struggled up to his knees, and then his feet, ignoring Rashida's mental admonition to stay put. Nohano could barely think. The pain was bad, the fear was strong, but his fury burned through all of that to the front of his mind. He clenched one hand around his katana, sprinting for the other one, and went after Kale with all he had.

Nohano was weakened but furious, not able to drive Kale back or gain the advantage, but not being beaten down, either. Arrows rained down from the sky, and Nohano's friends were very slowly gaining the advantage. Kale shouted an order in Japanese that Nohano recognized as a retreat, and the warlords broke off their attacks and slipped suddenly away, disappearing into the shadows. Kale leapt up onto a tall rock, grinning down at Nohano before disappearing in a flash of dark lightning.

"Asshole!" Xan snarled after him.

Nohano's energy drained suddenly, and he staggered, dropping his katana and banishing his too-heavy armor. He looked down in panic at the blood that stained his clothing from the top of his thigh to his armpit. He felt dizzy just looking at it.

Then the others were there, and Rashida grabbed his arm. Lie down, she urged, and Nohano let her assist him onto the ground, clenching his teeth against a scream of pain. He'd never been hurt like this before in his life, not even when he'd fought Kale and Dais in the tundra! You will be okay, said Rashida, her voice calm as she knelt by his side.

The girl put her hands on the wound in Nohano's flesh, and a brilliant green glow surrounded her hands and the area. Nohano groaned as he literally felt the injuries beginning to seal up; it hurt, but it wasn't the pain that bothered him. It was the horrible, awful, unnatural feel of his skin sealing together, like a zipper being closed.

And then the sensation was gone, and the pain with it. Nohano looked down, astonished, and gingerly touched his side with his hand. His clothing was still wet with blood and his skin was cold, but the injury wasn't there. "Even after seeing you do it with others," said Nohano shakily, "I still can't believe it. I owe you."

Rashida laughed a little tiredly. Remember what Xan said? No "owing" among us!

Nohano laughed, sitting up and grimacing at a wave of dizziness as he did.

Easy," said Rashida. You have still lost blood. You'll need to take it easy for a while.

Nohano sighed unhappily, biting his lip and nodding his head. He felt a sudden wave of inadequacy; seemed he was always being saved by someone! Why the hell was he the leader, again? He wasn't even sure he should be a Ronin! Maybe Amaya had been right that day at the Renaissance Faire. Maybe her ancestor would be ashamed to know Nohano had his armor.

Seemingly not noticing Nohano's sudden downturn of mood, Rashida checked the others over to make sure they had not been injured. Amaya had a nasty gash on her head and Xander was bruised up, but declined treatment. "Forget it, it's not bad," he said. "You'll probably need as much energy as you can save."

Nohano noticed suddenly that Suisei was not yet among them, but was startled a moment later by a cry of jubilation. Suisei landed nearby, clumsily enough that he staggered and fell on his backside, but he was laughing all the same. "Amazing! It's—I—there aren't words for it! What I've dreamed of my whole life!" His dark eyes were wide, sparkling in the dim light of the pale sun, as he got up to his feet. "It's this armor! Air—Strata! It lets me fly! I just jumped and—I didn't land!"

Nohano finally had to laugh, pleased at the sheer delight on Suisei's face. "Hey, now you can really be a comet, eh?"

Suisei laughed. "Definitely! I'd better practice with that. Can you imagine how much better it'll be to be able to shoot from where I can't be reached by those miserable jerks?"

"A great advantage," Amaya agreed with a smile. "But you'll want to be cautious. If your armor run out of energy while you fly..."

Suisei winced, sobering a little at the idea. "Yeah, that could get kinda messy. Okay, I won't overdo it—jeez, Nohano! Are you all right?"

He had obviously just seen the blood that soaked Nohano's shirt. "I'm okay," he said. "Rashida took care of it. It just looks bad." He slowly pulled off his shirt, wincing as the bloody cloth passed over his head, and looked at it. He was startled to see just how much he had bled. "Guess it looks pretty bad," he said dejectedly.

"Don't worry about it," said Xan with a casual shrug. "It's not like those assholes play fair. If you hadn't blocked it, Kale woulda killed you while you were pinned."

"They have no concept of honor," said Amaya in disgust, sitting next to Nohano.

Or their honor is so twisted, it can no longer be called honor, said Rashida, and Nohano thought she might be closer to the mark.

"What a lousy way to begin the day," grouched Nohano with a scowl. "I'm already wiped out."

You should sleep, said Rashida, pulling out Nohano's bedroll and spreading it on the ground.

"Okay," said Nohano weakly. After a moment, he looked down at his bloody pants and asked the others to look away for a moment. He shed his clothing and grabbed his backpack, using a bit of water from his bottle to clean his skin. Then he rummaged for the change of clothing he'd brought and managed to get himself dressed. Then he crawled onto his blanket and closed his eyes, wishing he had a nice, hot fire to lie down in. He barely felt someone covering him with another blanket before he was deeply asleep.

---

The next day, the Ronin enjoyed peace and quiet. The stream they had been following veered off to the left, but they had plenty and enough water containers to get them to Talpa's palace, and so none of them were very worried.

Nohano felt weak and tired, though he was better than he had been the night before. They set a somewhat slower pace, which grated on Nohano, but he knew it was either that or be left behind. Leaving him behind wasn't an option, as the other four quite firmly let him know when he suggested it. He insisted on carrying his own pack, however, and Amaya compromised by insisting she take turns with him since she'd lost hers and therefore was without a burden. They'd all been taking turns, anyway, so Nohano agreed.

"You mentioned another armor," said Nohano, as the group trekked through the rocklands. "Kick-a-something?"

Amaya giggled softly, amused by his mangling of the name. "Kikoutei. Sun armor, or Inferno. Yes."

"And you get it by combining all the armor?"

Amaya frowned a little, shaking her head. "Not quite. Yes, in a way. You do not have to have all armors for Kikoutei. Somehow, we can all put our power together, and use rekka—your armor—to make into Kikoutei. The legend says that the first Ronin discovered how he can make this armor and wore it as his own. I do not know if another armor can take in Kikoutei. Sanada Ryo always used rekka."

Nohano was quiet, then, wondering how many people had worn the armor he now bore. How many had fought with it, bled within in, felt its fire comforting them? It was not an uncomfortable feeling. He almost felt he could connect with all who had borne the noble armor. It wasn't just a protective suit; Nohano had known that the first time he'd felt the full armor entwining with his very spirit. It was an extension of his own spirit, his soul, that made him who he was. 'I would have liked to meet you, Sanada Ryo,' he thought fondly. And just for a moment, he thought he caught an image, an image of a boy his age, with dark skin, long black hair, and blue eyes. Just a glimpse, enough to see the good-natured grin on his face, and it was gone.

Nohano paused. "Amaya?" he asked. "Your blue eyes. Sanada...he had them, too?"

Amaya smiled, nodding her head. "Yes. I have told you this before?"

Not quite ready to share a vision that might not have even been real, Nohano nodded. "Must have," he murmured, but he thought about that boy...and how he must have felt realizing for the first time that he was a Ronin. Nohano felt sudden, complete sympathy for him!

---

Throughout the day, Suisei began hovering above the group as they walked, testing and trying the new ability he had discovered. Nohano was glad Suisei had found it; he knew how dearly he had wished he could fly, and how he had been learning to pilot an airplane. But flying on one's own had to be ten times better than piloting a plane!

When the group stopped for the night, Nohano was delighted to spy a mass of deadwood not too far away from their campsite. Summoning his riot gear, he walked over to it and set it ablaze, smiling as he nestled into the flaming tinder. He caught echoes of amusement through the mind link as he closed his eyes, feeling content for the first time in days.

You're mad and a half, accused Xan.

Nohano had to laugh. I never denied that! I am completely bug-nuts.

A sputter of laughter came from Rashida, who was apparently tickled by the term. I will remember that one, she said. It does look very strange, though. Anyone who did not know our secret would be convinced you had lost your mind.

Hey, said Nohano. I think we've already established that! He sighed in relief as the flames washed over him, and he closed his eyes.

He hadn't meant to fall asleep, but the next thing he knew, Rashida was shaking him awake, asking him if he wanted breakfast. Breakfast? He opened his eyes and sat up, slightly startled when the charred wood beneath him crumbled, dumping him onto the ground. Rashida laughed, offering a hand up, and Nohano took it, looking down at himself. His riot gear was not even singed, but it was covered in soot and ash, and he smelled like a wood fire. He felt completely invigorated, the soreness and weariness from their travels gone with the flames. "You didn't wake me for a watch," he said in mild rebuke.

Amaya said we should let you sleep, Rashida explained as they walked back towards the main group, who had broken out the rations and were having a light breakfast. I agreed. You have recovered a great deal, I think.

"Say that in English," Nohano challenged with a grin, and was rewarded with a blink, and a mock-glare. Rashida finally rolled her eyes and did as she was bade, struggling through the whole thing with very few mistakes. "Great!" said Nohano, pleased, as he sat down. "Your English's getting better and better."

With you demanding I use it so often, it is no wonder, she retorted, and before Nohano could say it, repeated it aloud in English. Nohano laughed, nodding his head and giving her the thumbs-up.

"English lesson, eh?" said Xander, looking amused.

"Definitely," said Nohano. "She's getting too good. I gotta find more difficult things to spring on her."

"Please," said Rashida, chuckling and holding up a hand. "Let us wait for difficult when we are out of this place."

Nohano certainly couldn't argue. Especially when he discovered just how close they were getting to their destination. The circle of mountains loomed like their fate, stark and malevolent against the dark sky. "Tomorrow," he murmured. "We're gonna get there tomorrow, aren't we?"

"I think we will," said Amaya, sighing a little. "It's horrible. It is a horrible place."

"I know," said Nohano, thinking that his best friend was in there already, and had been for nearly a week. He had managed not to think of it for the most part, because it brought him close to panic every time he did, but the closer they got the more it entered his mind. He looked over to Suisei and Rashida, who seemed to be thinking the same things. It was strange, how people had sort of grouped up. Nohano and Killian had become friends quickly, and best friends soon thereafter. Xander had managed to open up enough to join their close friendship. Rashida and Demetrius were very close, and of course Suisei and Tarun were as father and son. Amaya was the only one who hadn't really bonded with any one person. Her loyalty and caring was equal with everyone.

But even with the individual groupings among them all, every one of them would give his or her life for any one else, no matter which Ronin it was. They were close, a true family.

Nohano had never really understood the concept of family before, having none himself. He'd not thought he needed a family, having never experienced it and having done just fine on his own. But now he truly knew what a family was, and couldn't imagine being without it. It would leave a huge hole in his spirit if he were to lose any one member of it.

Nohano smiled suddenly and slung an arm around Xander, who sat beside him. Xan gave him a curious glance, but Nohano only grinned at him before getting into his breakfast supplies. 'We'll get you out of there, guys,' he thought. 'We've come too far to fail now.'

---

The mountains were there sooner than Nohano had expected, and he almost swore they'd jumped out to land at his feet. By twilight, they had reached the first of the stark peaks, after traversing several miles worth of cliff-like terrain. A largish plateau rose a short distance away, and Nohano suggested they camp there before trying to tackle the maze within that would lead them to Talpa's valley and his palace. The others agreed, and they spent nearly an hour getting there. They could have camped among the crags and cliffs, but Nohano had not forgotten the rockslide they'd escaped from, and didn't want to repeat the experience.

The next morning, after a rather meager breakfast, the Ronin Warriors stood before the entrance to the maze, a small, cracked opening in the rock. The horror of Nohano's nightmare returned in force, and he began to shake, taking a big breath and forcing himself to calm down. 'All right. Your best friend's in there. You're going in.' Turning to the others, he sort of shrugged as if to say, "well, here it is."

It's going to be very dark in there, grumbled Rashida.

"That's okay," said Xan. "We've got flashlights."

"You know," said Nohano suddenly, "Those flashlights are not going to work here."

Everyone was silent for a moment, realizing that Nohano was right; nothing electronic seemed to work in this miserable place, and that would include the lights! Xander took his out to test it, but tossed it away in disgust when it refused to light.

"Torches," said Amaya. "We'll make torches. We have enough fabric and tinder that we can make some."

I can light the way if we need, said Rashida.

"I know," said Nohano. "Your armor is an uber flashlight." Rashida chuckled. "But it will take far less energy for me to light a torch that will keep burning than for you to continuously emit light. And it's a lot easier for me to recharge than you. There's not a whole lot of light in this miserable place for you."

I know, said Rashida sourly. Nohano imagined she didn't care much for this place. It really was lousy for gaining energy!

"We'll definitely need all the power we can get," said Suisei. His expression was set into a grim, determined glare, and Nohano almost felt sorry for Talpa. Talpa had Suisei's son, and a pissed off father is one of the most dangerous things in the world.

The group spent a half-hour gathering materials for and making the torches; they had enough for three of them, which was plenty and enough to light their way. At least it would prevent them falling into a precipice (he hoped), and would help in making sure they didn't get lost. Finally they stood before the entrance once more, and Nohano shrugged, taking one of the torches and lighting it. They used that torch to light the others, and Nohano peered into the cavern. "Well," he said. "Let's go."

Suisei, having discovered his ability to fly, and raining arrows on the enemy. (I am quite proud of this picture!)

http/