Gemini: I just want to take the time to be serious for a moment

Cancer: (Sweatdrops) That's a first

Gemini: (Hits Cancer at the back of the head) Be quiet this is serious!!

Cancer: Ok, Ok (whispers). This is getting creepy, Gemini? Serious? (Shudders)

Gemini: I HEARD that!! (Gives Cancer a warning glare)

Cancer: .........

Gemini: (Clears throat) I just want to solemnly thank all those readers out there who had been reading this fic and given us reviews in support. It meant a great deal to us and believe me, it could really motivate a person when he or she's down. Even if it were a bad review (with good reasons to back it up of course) we would read it and try to improve. Afterall, this is our first fic right? There's bound to be some mistakes one way or another. What's the point in writing when you can't evolve and improve to become better right? Honestly, we really enjoy writing this fic and we don't think we'll stop anytime soon (especially when Cancer and I have big plans with this fic) so don't worry (smiles sincerely at the reviewers and readers). Okay I'm done being serious now (rubs hands together) so Cancer, you have anything to say before I write the disclaimers?

Cancer: That's....

Gemini: Yes?

Cancer: That was soooooo beautiful (breaks down cries hysterically)

Gemini: umm...o...k.... I'll take that as a compliment I guess

Disclaimer: We, Twin Girls do NOT own Fushigi Yuugi and it's storyline. Yuu Watase and other large corporations in which we have no part of created it. We only own Kayla and other characters that did not belong to the original series.

Gemini: Oh yes.... P.S. Dear Mana Rosa and Yuki, we read your reviews and we are very flatter to be in your favourite list. To all you readers out there who had reviewed and supported our fic. We dedicated this chapter especially to you guys and we hope that you guys will enjoy it.

Cancer: (keeps crying harder)

Gemini: (sweatdrops)

Chapter 7: A Deathly Fall

The inside of the cave was a little chilly compared to the outside. The deeper they went into the cave, the darker it got especially when there was no fire to light their way. Kayla was having trouble seeing where she was going; in fact she couldn't even see Genrou who was leading the way. She could only follow by relying on the sounds of his footsteps ahead of her. But the fact of how Genrou knew where he was going without actually seeing in this dark boggled her mind.

Not being able to see was making Kayla feeling vulnerable and could only hoped that Genrou would lead them out soon. It wasn't that the cave that really scared her, but the fact she was more worried about what was actually inside the cave. Who knew what could be hidden away in the dark that could jump at you when you least expected it? Even worse, there must to be SPIDERS in here, Big, fat, hairy spiders with eight long ugly legs that hung on their webs ready to jump onto your head or....

Stop it!! Kayla silently screamed to herself. After so many years and I still can't get over my fear of spiders.... just stop thinking about it!!! I'm only scaring myself even more. Just follow Genrou's footsteps and don't touch anything and you'll be out in no time!!

After a few more minutes of walking in silence, Kayla was becoming increasingly anxious to get out. "Are you sure you know where you're going in this dark?" She asked impatiently.

Genrou stopped to answer. "Of course I'm su...." He didn't get to finish his sentence when Kayla accidentally bumped into him, since she couldn't see that he had stopped walking. The unexpected impact led her to fall to the ground almost causing Genrou to fall down with her as well. "Hey watch where you're going!" Genrou said obviously annoyed.

Kayla glared at him, yet it was pointless since he wouldn't see it. "Well you can't blame me, I can't see where I'm going since I can't even see my own two hands in front of me!" She shouted back as she scrambled back up and pushed past him fuming, walking ahead. She didn't really know nor cared where she was going at the moment; she just wanted to get as far away from him as possible.

Genrou sighed in frustration, he hadn't really meant to yell but it didn't help since he was in a shitty mood. He went to find Kayla, not really wanting the boy to get lost at a time like this especially in this dark. "Will you stop playing childish games?! We still have a plan to follow!" He cried frustratingly as he jogged blindly trying to find Kayla.

Kayla stopped walking in the dark when she heard his voice and turned around to face the direction of the sound. She was about to retort back, when Genrou practically crashed into her not knowing that she stopped. This time, the both of them fell to the ground with Genrou on top...

"Oof..." Kay felt the wind knocked out of her when she fell on the ground for the second time on her back. For a moment she was still thinking about the pain when suddenly she realized that GENROU WAS ON TOP OF HER!

His warm body trapping hers in such an awkward yet intimate position. Kayla felt her whole face flushed in horror. They were TOO close. He was bound to notice something if he stayed in this position for too long. However for the moment, she was still too stunned to do anything as she felt his breath on her neck causing her to tremble slightly. After a few more moments of awkward silence between the two, Kayla finally found her voice. "Get OFF of me you big HENTAI!!!" she yelled as she struggled to get him off her but to her horror, she only succeeded in making it worse as their arms and legs got tangled with each other.

"If you...oww.... stop.... oww... struggling... OWW.... I'll get off!" Genrou yelled as his arms and legs got more twisted from the struggling. Realizing she was getting nowhere, Kayla finally calmed down and laid still as Genrou shifted his limbs free and got off of her.

Kayla sighed in relief hoping he didn't notice anything out of the usual about her when he had been on top of her. She felt that her face was heavily flushed and for once she was thankful that it was too dark in the cave to see anything.

Another awkward silence rested between the two causing Kayla to become even more nervous. Then Genrou just grabbed her by her good arm and began leading them back towards their destination all the while mumbling curses and how they were wasting time. Kayla didn't complained and let him lead on.

While Kayla remained silent, Genrou's mind was in a turmoil of confusion, all caused by the long-haired boy behind him. When he accidentally fell on top of Kayla and felt his body against his own, there was nothing out of the unusual except.... something had felt.... different... yet he couldn't pinpoint exactly what that was. Also unintentionally, he noticed that up close, Kayla carried a scent. Not like those masculine scent that most men carried around but something else... something more floral, like the blossoms during the spring time... more... what was the word?... feminine?

Genrou shook his head to clear his mind since none of it made any sense to him. Kayla? Feminine? That was weird; he is anything BUT feminine he figured as he thought back to how Kayla constantly argued with him since they first met. All that endless determination he had shown despite his foolish and reckless behaviour. The boy had guts, he would only gave this boy that much. He pushed the thoughts to the back of his mind. Damn! No use to think about it now, it doesn't even make any fcking sense.... besides there's more important matters at hand.

Kouji was waiting for them on the other side of the cave. As it turned out, the cave had led them to one of the leader's private rooms inside the stronghold. Not many people knew about it, not even Eiken.

"It's about damn time you show up," said Kouji when he saw the two came out of a secret passage behind a wall.

"Is everything set?" Genrou asked while Kayla followed

Kouji nodded "I gave Eiken his dinner and he's taking his nap like he usually does around now, you should be able to steal the Tessan back without him knowing."

"Why is the Tessan so important?" asked Kayla, the question had been in the back of her mind since she had heard Genrou and Kouji spoken about it so many times.

"The Tessan is an iron fan. It's a powerful weapon with the ability to shoot flames with a special incantation. It was the prized weapon of the former leader and was supposed to be passed down to Genrou as the next leader. Unfortunately, Eiken stole it when Genrou was gone. Since the Tessan is very powerful, the rest of the bandits have no other choice but to follow that bastard." Kouji explained.

Kayla nodded in understanding. "So all we have to do is to steal the Tessan back, so that Genrou can reclaim his rightful position without hurting your fellow bandits and I could get my necklace back." She concluded.

"You've got it," Kouji replied with a grin.

"Enough talking and more action. Let's get the Tessan back and kick Eikan's ass!" cried Genrou, raising his fist for emphasis and his eyes gleamed with determination.

"Shh...." hissed Kouji as he quickly covered Genrou's mouth much to Genrou's annoyance. "Don't be so loud or someone will hear you."

Genrou finally calmed down and they all silently headed towards Eiken's room where he would be sleeping. It wasn't long till they reached the doors. It was the same room Kayla was in when Eiken beaten her. She couldn't help but find this to be a little unnerving or even a bad omen.

"Kayla and I would go in and Kouji, you keep watch outside," instructed Genrou. They all nodded in agreement, then Genrou and Kayla snuck in quietly while Kouji kept watch.

When they snuck in, they were both relieved to find Eiken on his bed snoring loudly. Fortunately, they spotted the Tessan quickly.... but unfortunately they found the Tessan held tightly within Eiken's grasp while he was sleeping.

Kayla looked at Genrou questioningly. "Leave it to the expert," he whispered, giving her his fanged-grin before quietly and swiftly making his way towards Eiken.

Kayla held her breath as Genrou tried to take the Tessan out of Eiken's grasp slowly without waking him up. He almost succeeded when suddenly Eiken's two hands shot out and grabbed Genrou around the shoulder and pinning him down against him in a tight grip!

Kayla's breath got caught in her throat. Dear God, he's going to wake! She thought in horror. Luckily, to their relief, Eiken did not wake up. However he still had Genrou along with the Tessan in a tight embrace while mumbling something about 'pretty women'. Genrou was stuck.

"Kuso! Bastard's having one of his perverted dreams!" Genrou hissed as he tried to get out of Eiken's grasp but failed.

Kayla sweatdropped at the scene before her, she would have found it funny, if the situation wasn't so risky. Now what? We can't stay like this forever she thought urgently as she tried to find some way to help Genrou.

Meanwhile Genrou was getting more frustrated by the minute, and he was really tempted to just punch the daylights out of Eiken and get the hell out of this mess. He looked disgustedly at Eiken.... and panicked. Kuso! Is he going to KISS ME?!?! He stared in horror as Eiken's dream took a different turn in which now kissing was becoming involved. Unfortunately in reality, he was slowly leaning towards Genrou for a full lip-locking KISS! Genrou was in trouble!! He looked around desperately and saw Kayla still standing there deep in thoughts.

"Don't just stand there! Get me out of this fcking mess!!" Genrou hissed at Kayla while at the same time trying to control his panic as Eiken's lips came closer.

Kayla snapped out of her thoughts when she too began to panick as Genrou was being pulled closer and closer towards Eiken. "I'm thinking, I'm thinking, don't rush me!" She hissed back searching her mind for any possible way to release Genrou without actually waking Eiken up.

"Well think FASTER!" Genrou was clearly in hysteria by now.

"Calm down! You're going to wake him!"

"How can I 'calm down' when I'm about to be kissed by a guy and it's EIKEN! KUSO!" Genrou felt like he was about to throw up.

"I've got it!" said Kayla trying not to raise her voice in triumph as an idea clicked in her head. Despite she was going to be thoroughly disgusted in what she was going to do next.

"Well hurry up! I don't think I can take this any longer!" Genrou said impatiently.

Kayla made her way towards them, and she leaned very close to Eiken's ear slowly.

Kayla was so close to them that Genrou could once again catch the spring blossom scent that was emanating from the boy. Why is he pausing like that and not doing anything! Genrou fumed silently as Kayla just seemed to pause with his lips very close to Eiken's ear. All of a sudden, Kayla let out an EXTREMELY FEMININE giggle!! What the hell is he doing?! Genrou thought as his eyes widened with shocked and surprise.

Kayla really hated this, but it was the only thing she could think of. This better work she thought as she clenched her fist. Then she did something she never thought she would do even though for the fact that she was actually a girl. She spoke in the most womanly manner she could think of, and lowering her voice into an almost seductive tone.

"Eiken, my sweet don't hold me so hard...." her words flowed into Eiken's ear like a lullaby

Genrou was sure his eyes were literally bulging out of their sockets and a huge sweatdrop was forming on the back of his head as he watched what Kayla was doing. He realized what Kayla's plan was, but he couldn't really believe that the boy would actually do it! What was more unbelievable was that Kayla was actually doing a good job at disguising his voice as a woman! His voice was convincingly feminine, seductive and most alluring, which Genrou couldn't help BUT be shocked. He didn't think that this tough little boy could pull off such a stunt. He found this was very disturbing. Kayla's seductive feminine voice was even more alluring than some of the voices from of the real women he heard before!

"Eiken my dear, why don't you let me go so I can perform my special strip dance for you?" Kayla continued. Genrou felt goosebumps as his imagination ran away with him after this comment and conjuring up unwanted images in his head. He felt very uncomfortable with it.

However, amazingly Eiken responded to Kayla's suggestion and began to loosen his grip on Genrou. After some more persuasion from Kayla, Genrou was finally out of his grasp. Both sighed in relief as they watched Eiken stopped mumbling and began snoring again. Both were silent as neither wanted to comment on what had happened just moments ago. Then they turned to each other and Genrou decided to speak first.

"If you ever so much as to breathe a damn word about this to anyone I swear...." he started threateningly. However Kayla waved her hand dismissing it. "Yeah, yeah I know, believe me; I don't want anyone to know either. I don't think anyone would be amused in what I had to do to get you out since my reputation as a boy is in stake," she replied emphasizing on the 'boy' part. Both nodded in silent agreement promising to never speak of the incident again.

"That was too close," sighed Kayla as she stepped back completely unaware of the flower vase behind her. To her horror, she accidentally knocked the vase down and it fell to the ground with a big 'Crash!!'

"You baka! What did you do that for!" yelled Genrou.

Kayla winced."It was an accident!" she defended.

Genrou didn't have a chance to say anymore when a loud cry was heard. It came from Eiken, who had woken up and had cried out for the other bandits.

Uh oh Kayla thought as a group of bandits stormed into the room including Kouji himself. Unfortunately the Tessan was still within Eiken's grasp. It looked hopeless. The only other way out other than the entrance was the balcony, which led to a death drop off a deadly cliff. It was definitely not a good option to take, so they were basically trapped.

"Kuso! Looks like we have to resort to Plan B" Kouji said as he looked around grimly.

"And what would that be?" muttered Kayla as she surveyed her surroundings and backing away from the other bandits.

"We take action and we kick some ass." He answered back.

"That's just fine with me" responded Genrou as he took a defensive stance, his eyes flashing dangerously.

"So Genrou, you've decided to come back huh... Good. It saves me the trouble of coming after you myself," Eiken sneered, waving the Tessan tauntingly.

Genrou glared at him with a promise of an undeniable pain to come. "Be careful of what you wish for you bastard, even if you have the Tessan, you're still no match for me!" He threatened.

"We'll see about that Genrou. Get them!" Eiken ordered. The bandits hesitated, not wanting to attack their own men.

"What are you guys waiting for?! Get them or you'll suffer the wrath of my Tessan!" shouted Eiken furiously. The bandits winced at the threat and they attacked Genrou, Kouji and Kayla altogether while Eiken started shooting massive flames with the Tessan.

Kuso! I hate this Genrou thought angrily as he swiftly dodged a sword that nearly pierced him and knocked his attacker unconscious. He quickly looked over at Kouji who was handling himself well fighting with his sword. Kayla was faring okay, defending himself in hand-to-hand combat. However he seemed to be outnumbered as two bandits attacked him at once. Nevertheless, Genrou still found his hands full to be able to help Kayla. He blocked another punch and swiftly gave a kick to his attacker's stomach sending him to the floor in pain. He had been so tied up that he almost didn't catch Kayla's voice among all the chaos.

"Genrou! Look out!" screamed Kayla, Genrou turned around too late as a burst of hot flames shot towards him. If it weren't for his quick agility and reflex, he would have been a dead man by now. Unfortunately, he had dodged a little too late and ended up with a slightly singed shoulder.

"Damn! Should have kept my eye on Eiken," Genrou cursed himself for being so careless. Eiken looked at him with an evil smirk as he prepared to launch another attack at Genrou while he was still distracted.

Kayla had just finished with the two bandits who attacked her by knocking them unconscious. Her eyes quickly scanned the room for Eiken. To her horror, she found him by the balcony and was about to launch a full fire attack with the Tessan at the distracted Genrou.

"Genrou! Watch out!" she cried. Genrou heard her warning and instantly dodged the flames, but had gotten slightly burned from it. She sighed in relief. Despite the fact that Genrou constantly irritated her, she would have never asked for him to be dead no matter how much she hated him and especially since he had saved her life after all. Her eyes quickly caught Eiken as he prepared to launch another attack on Genrou while he was still down. This time, she wasn't sure if Genrou would be able to dodge it.

I have to stop him! She thought alarmingly as Eiken raised his Tessan ready to speak the incantations that would insure the death of Genrou. Without thinking, she instantly charged at Eiken. Using the speed and momentum to her advantage, she was able to catch Eiken off guard. With her whole weight, she knocked Eiken's arm that was holding the Tessan causing its flames to shoot elsewhere and missing Genrou.

"Why you son of a btch!" shouted Eiken, furious that his chance was interfered by Kayla. He angrily punched Kayla on the face and pushed her aside forcefully causing her to fall back.

Kayla felt like her head was going to explode from Eiken's punch. She was forcefully pushed aside causing her to lose her balance. She was unaware of the balcony edge behind her and she found herself falling over the edge and into the darkness below. She didn't even have the time to scream.

"KAYLA!" cried Genrou as he watched in horror when Eiken knocked Kayla over the balcony edge. He quickly ran over to the balcony hoping that it wasn't too late. He searched over the edge frantically but he couldn't find Kayla. The boy had fallen over the cliff and Genrou wasn't able to save him this time.

Genrou clenched his fist in anger and despair. Kayla fell over the cliff because he was trying to stop Eiken to save him! He couldn't believe that the boy was actually gone. He didn't deserve this, no matter how annoying he had been. No, he didn't deserve this at ALL!!

Genrou's eyes flashed dangerously at Eiken who stood there ready for him. The bastard's going to pay! He thought angrily. He let out a battle cry and charged head on towards Eiken with a burst of amazing speed.

"Lekka Shinen!" yelled Eiken as he launched the flames towards Genrou. However, even though Eiken possessed the Tessan, Genrou had the speed and he was ready. He dodged the burning flames easily never slowing down his speed and with one quick movement he brought his fist up and sent a hard blow to the stunned Eiken causing him to drop the Tessan. With another swift kick, he knocked Eiken to the ground in a matter of seconds. Genrou then picked up the Tessan and pointed it threateningly at Eiken who lay frozen in pain and fear on the ground.

"Stop the fighting NOW!" Genrou commanded, stopping the battle around him. The bandits looked in shocked to find that their 'leader' was now on the floor defeated.

"I am now in possession of the Tessan. You lost Eiken, I should kill you right now for all you have done to our fellow bandits and to that boy whom you pushed down that balcony," threatened Genrou angrily.

"P....please have mercy Genrou-sama, you don't want to kill me. Please don't kill me," begged Eiken as he pleaded for his life.

Genrou looked at the man with undisguised contempt. "Hold him." He ordered. The bandits, who were relieved to be free of Eiken's orders, complied without complaint. Two men went over to Eiken, pulled him to his feet and held him in place so that he couldn't escape.

Genrou then turned back to the balcony and looked. No Kayla. Damn! It's my fault that he's gone Genrou thought angrily as his hand clenched onto the Tessan until his knuckles turned white. If he hadn't tried to help me, he'll still be standing here right now

He felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Kouji whose expression was grim and mournful as well. "We can still send some men down there, maybe he's still alive," suggested Kouji hopefully.

Genrou looked away and down at the darkness of the seemingly endless cliff over the edge. "No one can survive that fall... no one." He whispered grimly. He slammed his fist on the balcony edge bringing out his frustration. "Damn you Kayla!" he shouted into the darkness angrily and despairingly. "Why did you have to be so stupid?!" And brave he added silently as he closed his eyes in grief.

"Will you stop talking like I'm dead already?! I'm down here you know!!" shouted a familiar voice.

Genrou's eyes snapped open and looked at Kouji thinking that his mind must surely be playing tricks on him. But the look on his friend's face clearly stated that he had heard it too. Hoping against hope, they both searched the cliffs again, squinting against the darkness.

"There he is!" cried Kouji as he pointed towards the right. Genrou eyes squinted against the dark and then widened with shock and relief. Nearly hidden, but unmistakably, there was Kayla, still alive!!

Kayla gritted her teeth as she forced herself to hold on with both of her arms quickly getting numb. Her right arm still throbbed in pain from her earlier burns. When she fell over the balcony, she thought that she was a goner. But she had made an attempt to grab hold of anything to prevent her from her early death. Luckily, she was able to grab onto a hanging branch near the side and was holding onto it for what she was worth ever since.

"Kayla! Are you alright!" she heard Kouji's voice overhead.

Kayla rolled her eyes. "Hmmmm.... let me think, I fell over cliff and now hanging for dear life on a branch over a possible fall to my death. What do you THINK?! Of course I'm NOT alright!! Get me up right NOW!!" She hadn't meant to snap, but can they blame her if she wasn't exactly in the most comfortable situation right now?

"Hang on!" came the response. After a few moments, a rope was flung over the side reaching for Kayla. Using the last of her strength, she grabbed hold of the rope and began pulling herself up despite the protest of her injured arm. After for what seemed like an eternity, she finally reached the top. With the help from Genrou and Kouji, they hauled her back over the balcony and back on solid ground. She gasped heavily for breath as she felt like she was about to fall to the ground right then and there from utter exhaustion.

Genrou looked at Kayla in disbelief and amazement that he survived barely. He really IS tough he thought. Despite, Kayla's tiny appearance, he had endured the pain that would have broken most men. Here is this boy, standing looking almost half-dead from exhaustion covered with scratches but standing as if pride and determination was the only thing holding him up. Impressed, he gave Kayla a slap on the back in a friendly gesture. "You crazy baka... we really thought that you were a goner!"

Kayla almost stumbled from the hard slap, courtesy of Genrou. She glared at him, but there was no real threat behind it this time. "Takes more than that to get rid of me," she said giving a weak smile still too tired from everything that happened.

"Glad you're ok, we were really worried," Kouji said with a grin, relieved to see that the dark-haired boy was ok.... hurt... but alive at least.

"You mean you were worried, I wasn't" Genrou replied with a smirk and looked away. However one could tell that he was obviously lying.

Kouji winked at Kayla. He silently laughed at his friend's stubbornness. He's just too damn proud to openly admit that he actually cared when he thought Kayla was hurt or dead. He thought amusingly. "Whatever you say Genrou.... ummm... what do we do with him?" he asked openly pointing at Eiken who was still being held by their men.

They all turned to look at Eiken, and were surprised that they almost forgotten about him.

"Tie him and lock him up with some men standing guard until I deal with him later," commanded Genrou, his voice filled with authority without doubt. The bandits nodded and went out to carry their new and rightful leader's orders.

Genrou then remembered something important.

"Wait," he commanded just as the bandits were about to leave the room with Eiken. He walked up to Eiken and held out his hand. "Hand it over," he ordered.

"H....hand what over?" stammered Eiken cowardly.

"The necklace that you stole from him," answered Genrou indicating to Kayla.

Without protest, Eiken reached beneath the folds of his clothes and took out the necklace revealing it's stunning red stone pendent shining with the inner light. With shaky hands, he placed the necklace on Genrou's hand. Genrou nodded. "Go." He ordered and they left.

Genrou then turned back and walked up to Kayla. He took Kayla's hand and placed the necklace onto her palm. "Here, we had a deal." He said with almost a hint of sincerity.

Kayla's eyes widened with surprise and relief as she held dearly to her mother's necklace. Then she looked back up at Genrou. Her golden-brown eyes shone and glistened with unshed, happy tears. A genuine smile appeared on her face, one that lighted up her entire face. "Thank you," she whispered gratefully.

Author's Notes:

Gemini: Whew..... this chapter is finally done, and wow, it seems like this is one of our best chapters too! What do you think Cancer?

Cancer: (Closes her eyes and sit with her arms crossed) Che... Don't forget I'm the one who gave you all those WONDERFUL ideas Gemini... What do ya think, OF COURSE THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST CHAPTERS MAN!!!

Gemini: (Sweatdrops) Well, but this chapter won't turn out to be THIS GREAT without my FANTASTIC writings you know, and sheesh, since when did you become such an IGNORANT Cancer!?!

Cancer: (Stands up and walk towards Gemini until they're practically face-to-face) who are you calling an ignorant huh, you BAKA!!!

Gemini: (Steams coming from the top of her head) you, you STUPID!!!

Cancer: (Narrows her eyes) LOSER!!!

Gemini: FREAK!!!

Cancer: PIG!!!

(And the battle goes on and on...)

Dear readers, since our authors are having an constant endless argument right now, this should be the time to thank you guys for all of your supports, and please don't forget to REVIEW for this wonderfully written chapter too, LOL. And here is the next chapter's preview: What happens to Kayla and Genrou after their battle with Eiken? Will their relationship improve or will it only gets worse? Stay tune and find out what will happen in Chapter 8. See you guys for now.