This is a story about a group of people forced to come together to continue the fight that their fathers started. Along the way they have to over come obstacles such as ill health, past mistakes, prejudice, pride, etc to do it. I mean no offense especially when it may come to some of the exchanges between Rachel and Takeo-none of those beliefs are my own they just make for good drama in the story. I didn't set out to stereotype anyone certain characters just evolved the way they are (ie the character of Seamus was a drunkard long before he became Irish. That was not the reason I made him Irish-I just wanted the next generation kids to be from various places around the world and it was a very close call between Irish and American-in the end Celtic Woman came on PBS and Irish won out). Before that he was slated to be a good ole boy American redneck who was a cross between Larry the Cable Guy and the Duke Boys from Dukes of Hazzard. It was one of my little jokes because the general lee car in that show was orange and Seamus got the orange armor. My obsession with Celtic music after the special changed that-exactly why I'm not yet ready to reveal yet. So with all that said-I hope that no one will take offense from anything that I write.
With all the changes I've made to this story I had to add in a whole new chapter for my last installment. What I am posting now was originally a part of the last one but I felt it was too much material to post at once so I broke it up and combined it with parts of the original chapter that came after this one-it just makes so much more sense this way-no wonder my first version of this story stunk.
Minor editing to this chapter.
***Chapter 5***
June 9th 2029
Daisuke-Rachel-Luigi-Seamus-and Takeo stand with Black Blaze and White Blaze at the edge of Tokyo which now looks like an abandoned ghost town. Stragglers flea the city on foot as technology of any sort has long since ceased to operate under the heavy cloud bank.
Daisuke looks back one last time at Nasuti and Jun. He wishes they could come along but it is true that Nasuti isn't as young as she used to be and she is safer with Jun to watch over her in case the Empire gives them any trouble for their past interference. He takes out his armor crystal which seems to be glowing.
The others quickly follow suit.
Rachel glances at the others a bit warily. Only her crystal seems to bare the character of the armor's virtue. She doesn't think that is a good sign. She listens closely for any sign that their fathers noticed-or even for where they are so she can discreetly try to point it out.
"Any chance we could stop some where for a drink? Suddenly I feel the need for a little dose of liquid courage." Seamus glances at the others before looking up at the cloud bank.
Takeo takes a good look around. "Has anyone else noticed the lack of military forces?"
Luigi looks over at Takeo. "Either they are very smart or-"
"-they're inside on foot once they realized their weaponry was useless." Rachel shakes her head having no idea where that came from but feeling its true all the same.
"Not what I was going for but that works too." Luigi grips the green glowing crystal tightly in his hand. "Think they're in there waiting for us?"
"I wouldn't rule it out." Takeo looks around almost in awe of how not one piece of technology seems to be working under the cloud cover.
"If they are expecting us then we need to stick together." Daisuke turns to the others. "If they split us up and capture us we have no chance at all of stopping the Empire."
"If our fathers stopped this before then how does the Empire keep returning?" Seamus tears his mind away from the thoughts of a drink to focus on the matter at hand.
Daisuke has heard a lot about what happened from his father-Nasuti and Jun but that is something he never bothered to ask and therefore can't answer. He had never really thought it would come back because he assumed their father's sacrifice might have stopped it for good.
Shin speaks up so Rachel can hear. "The Empire feeds off the greed and wickedness of man in our realm."
Rachel glances briefly around at the others before she repeats what her father said. It would be helpful if the others could hear their dads too. "They feed off man's greed-"
"-and wicked ways..." Takeo glances over at Rachel. "...I remember hearing that from my father. Now I wish that I had payed more attention back then."
"I think we were all a little young to remember everything." Luigi looks over at Takeo it isn't much but it may offer some comfort to the guy who suddenly seems distressed by his last comment.
She has a good two to three years on each of these guys but she can't claim to remember much more than the rest of them. Instead she thinks maybe its time for the comment she never made back at Nasuti's. "If it helps I'm sure our fathers are all here watching over us in spirit."
The tigers both roar gently in agreement.
Daisuke finds her words both comforting and a bit frightening. He takes a deep breath as he holds out his armor crystal. "Lets do this."
One by one they all follow suit as Daisuke transforms into his sub-armor.
A solider stationed in an abandoned vehicle just outside the technology blocking cloud zone radios in a report. "I have a positive ID on the kids entering Tokyo. That is all five children Sanada Daisuke-Mouri Rachel-Date Luigi-Shu Seamus-Hashiba Takeo. They are not in armor but in what appears to be some sort of battle gear that I witnessed them-transform into. They arrived in the company of not one but two tigers. The white one seen before with Sanada Ryo in the city streets just before the trouble first began years ago and a Black one. I believe it to be Yagyu Nasuti and Yamano Jun that brought them to the city."
Nasuti and Jun linger a moment longer before getting inside the van.
"I feel bad about just leaving them here."
Jun looks over at Nasuti. "We can still go with them."
"No their fathers will watch over them."
"I feel that too." Jun looks back up at the kids. "And they have both White Blaze and Black Blaze with them."
"I don't believe there is anything that we can do to help this time Jun. If we try we might only be getting in their way."
"We've told Daisuke everything we could over the years just in case this day came. Its all up to the kids from now on."
*5*
Kent has already begun his search for the Jewel of Life in Jun's home. He stands watching as the soldiers tear the place apart. He looks around the room for any hiding place they might be missing. He knocks pictures from the wall in desperation until he finally comes to the hidden safe. "So that's where it is." Safe cracking seems to be more Drake's skill but he isn't going for stealth. No safe could keep out his armor's power. He draws one of his swords and uses the poison to melt through the safe. He grins when it turns out to be empty. "It would appear he has the Jewel with him." After the museum his appetite for confrontation has only grown. "Soldiers come. This Jun has the Jewel in his possession."
As Kent and the soldiers leave to seek out Jun-government forces surround the property. They move in when they see the flash of light as Kent and his soldiers disappear. The man in charge calls in the same sort of disturbance reported when the two armored men disappeared with the armors at the museum as others rush inside. All they find is the mess left behind by the soldiers.
The man in charge enters the home and looks around. "We have orders to move onto the home of Yagyu Nasuti. We must go quickly before they realize we are onto them if it is not already too late." He points to several of the men. "Stay here in case anyone comes back. You heard what happened at the museum-if anyone does return do not engage them until you receive backup."
*5*
After receiving new information the Japanese delegate quickly draws the meeting to order. "I have just been informed that the kids were spotted by our forces entering Tokyo. They were witnessed transforming into some sort of battle gear-but it was not the armor. We have no real time contact with our forces in Japan-much like the first time all technology is useless. Right now they have been advised to follow them and observe what they are up to." The Japanese delegate pauses listening to his aide. "There has been activity similar to the disappearance of the armored warriors who attacked the museum reported at the home of Yamano Jun. He was believed to have taken the children into the city."
The U. S. delegate stands up. "Then they must be stopped at once."
Arguments again spring up among the delegates as the U. K. delegate nods to the aide from the U. S. delegation.
The U. S. aide leaves the meeting and walks into the bathroom. He makes sure that he is alone before taking out his cell phone and making a call. "Things are not going well. Government forces follow the goddess and many member nations call for her capture.
-5-
The cult members stand gathered on the outskirts of Tokyo not far from where the kids entered only moments ago.
"Understood. We will proceed as planned." He pockets the cell phone and turns to the others. "The governments seeks to stop the goddess. We must stop them." He turns off his phone and then turns to the car in which the government forces relay officer is hiding. He motions for a few of the cult members to stop him from causing further interference. "If you see any soldiers you know what to do. It must be done to protect the goddess."
-5-
Arago addresses the remaining warlords. "Go now my warlords and engage the young samurai." He turns to Drake. "Wildfire is the best warrior among them-keep him busy while the others focus on Torrent. You may have your reunion with her at another time."
"I mean no disrespect Master Arago-but what of the others?"
He turns to Wayne. "Without their armors they are of no threat. The empire soldiers will keep them occupied while you force Torrent to summon her armor."
-5-
Daisuke-Rachel-Luigi-Seamus-and Takeo walk among the seemingly deserted streets of Japan.
It looks like a ghost town but Rachel can feel the prying eyes of the hidden military forces. She pauses looking into a darkened alley.
The solider hidden there swears the girl is looking right at him as he holds his breath.
Rachel looks back at the others before speaking softly. "Getoutbeforeyou'recaughtupinabattlewhereothersmorepowerfulthanyouhavediedtryingdefendthisworld.Thereisnothinganyofyoucandootherthangetyourselveskilled.Go-now-andwarnallyousee."
There is something about the tone of the girl's voice that panics the young man. That panic then turns to terror as he realizes she never spoke aloud. As she turns to walk away he rushes out of the alley and heads out of the city.
Rachel glances back at the solider wondering what in the hell has come over her. She watches as he speaks to several more hidden soldiers and his sheer terror seems to be catching as they all flea.
Daisuke looks back at Rachel who lags behind the rest of them. He starts to speak to her then notices the soldiers running away.
White Blaze looks up at Daisuke then turns to look at Rachel and the fleeing soldiers He nudges Black Blaze with his shoulder.
Black Blaze stops and turns toward Rachel-watching as the soldiers run away. He probably should try to keep her from doing that again but the soldiers are better off as far away from what's coming as possible. Instead he waits until she catches up to him.
Rachel stops and kneels down in front of Black Blaze. She glances at the others before she speaks quietly. "What's happening to me Kokuen?"
Daisuke stops and turns back to Rachel. "Are you okay Rachel?"
The others stop and turn back toward Rachel.
Suddenly she doesn't feel very well at all. She sits down heavily on the side walk and tries very hard not to throw up. For once she thought the nausea she has had for awhile now was finally going away. It just seems to have come later on this day.
When she doesn't answer Daisuke goes back toward her. "Rachel?"
"It's nothing I'm fine."
"It doesn't look like nothing lass. You're as white as a ghost." Seamus looks down at White Blaze who blocks them all from getting any closer to Rachel.
"It will pass just give me a moment." She jumps startled a bit as Black Blaze rests his forehead against her own. She moans as the feeling slowly begins to pass. She scratches Black Blaze behind the ear as he finally pulls away from her. "I don't know what you did mate, but thanks."
"You got sick last night too is something wrong?"
Rachel looks up at Daisuke. "Its just a stomach virus or something. No big deal."
Black Blaze isn't so sure its anything that simple at all. He growls low when something else catches his attention.
All the kids feel that sense of dread that can only signal trouble as both tigers roar menacingly.
"Masho..."
Daisuke glances back at Rachel-she speaks Japanese very well for someone who lived in Japan such a short time as a child. At this moment something about her seems very off to him. She's not just a teenage girl with odd colored red hair-she seems much older-wiser-almost menacing-and out of place in a world and time that is not her own.
"How perceptive you are young torrent."
They all look briefly at the warlord of darkness before their attention is drawn to the sizable force of soldiers which appear all around them.
Takeo speaks low. "This can't end well."
Luigi takes a good look at the warlord of demons. The man seems very familiar to him somehow.
"You should do yourselves a favor and hand over the armor to Master Arago."
Seamus turns to the warlord of demons. "Like I told your buddies last night-if you want the armor you will have to pry it from my dead body."
"That can be arranged young stone."
"Easy Seamus. We can't fall into any traps they may have set up." Daisuke looks around at the others as he holds Seamus back from charging the warlord of demons.
"We've wasted enough time my fellow warlords. If these children wish to die in order to protect the armor then lets grant them that."
Wayne looks over at Drake. "Agreed. Soldiers attack!"
The soldiers of doom rush forward quickly separating the young samurai from each other.
Drake goes after Wildfire as instructed. "Why would you make your friends suffer? Order them to give over their armors."
"I know why your master wants the armor and I cannot allow him to get his hands on it."
"So you think you know the master's plans young Samurai?"
"He will only use you and then toss you aside just like he did those who came before you."
"They were weak and did not deserve the power that they were given. I will not make the same mistakes they did."
Takeo dodges a strike from one of the soldier's staffs. "At this rate we're only going to get ourselves killed."
"Then what are we waiting for lets armor up and show these creeps who's boss." Seamus punches a solider in the face-then grabs its weapon and stabs another one. "Anyone know how to do that in English?"
White Blaze stops after pouncing on a solider and just stares at Seamus in disbelief. Of all things they should remember in any stories their father told them-he thinks calling on the armor surely must be at the top of that list.
"Busaro Kongo."
Seamus turns to Rachel. "That's English?"
"No that's the Japanese." Rachel turns away from the others barely moving away in time as the warlord of darkness slashes at her with his claw extension.
"You should worry about your own skin torrent."
This time Rachel looks around fearfully as the soldiers rush forward separating her from the others.
"Might as well give it a go." Seamus takes a deep breath. "Busaro Kongo!" He realizes instantly something is wrong as nothing happens. "Are you sure that's right lass?" He tries to look for Rachel but has to duck in order to avoid a punch from one of the soldiers
"She was right." Takeo takes a brief look around. He only sees Seamus, Luigi, and the white tiger.
"You try it then." Luigi manages by sheer luck to take down one solider only to be pummeled by another.
Takeo takes another look around he doesn't like this. "Busaro Tenku!" He waits a few seconds but nothing happens. "I think we're in trouble here."
Seamus glances over at Luigi. "Maybe the third time will be a charm-go for it man!"
Takeo turns to Luigi. "It's Korin in Japanese."
"Busaro Korin!" After a few moments he looks back at Takeo. "You're right. We're screwed."
Black Blaze who was separated farther than anyone tries to turn back and help the kids but an onslaught of soldiers close in on him. He summons his own armor to take them all on.
Daisuke tries to look around for the others when he hears them try to call on their armor.
"The others sound like they are in trouble Wildfire." He blocks Daisuke's path as he tries to get back to the others. "Its just you and me now wildfire. Why not armor up and give me a real challenge?"
He looks at the warlord trying to decide if this is some sort of trap. Finally he decides that the sooner he disposes of this guy-the sooner he can get to the others. He can do that much easier with the armor. "Busaro Rekka!"
"I believe you need to practice Wildfire."
Shu looks around at the struggling kids. "What's wrong? Why can't they call on the armor?"
"The evil spirits stopped us once when we were inside the gates." Touma looks around but there are no gates or nether spirits in sight.
Ryo looks around for Daisuke. "We need to find some way to help them."
Rachel-heavily bruised and battered after last night's boasting-finally draws away from the soldiers only to find herself alone in some deserted section of the city. She looks around warily-not seeing the warlords but sensing them all the same. She tries to run back to the others only to be grabbed from behind.
"You're not going anywhere torrent." Todd holds onto her struggling form as he holds the claws firmly against her throat. "If only the master would allow it-I would love to play with you." He looks up as Wayne appears. "What about you?"
Wayne walks over to Rachel running his fingers down her cheek. "Hell-it might be fun to have a go with the opposite sex.
Panicking Rachel struggles to free herself from the warlord of darkness' grasp. The memory of being raped slashes through her mind like a knife. She barely clears five feet and for once she thinks maybe that will work to her advantage as she wrenches her left arm free. She can only hope its going to work on this guy's armored form. With the warlord of demons so close to her-she uses the leverage of being held by the warlord of darkness to kick out at the one in front of her with both legs. at the same time as the momentum of her kick pushes the warlord of darkness back somewhat she brings her fist down behind her toward his crotch.
Normally the blow wouldn't have phased Todd but after getting a rise from the thought of what he wants to do to her-the blow to the armor does give him very uncomfortable pains.
Rachel is able to slip out of the warlord's grasp as he falls backward.
Todd struggles to keep his voice normal. "You're going to pay for that you little bitch!"
She doesn't dare look back at either of the warlords-she knows this may be her only chance to escape.
"Nice try torrent-." Wayne reaches out grabbing hold of one of the extensions at the feet of the sub-armor causing her to fall. "-but it will take much more than that to stop us."
"Enough play lets finish her and take the armor."
It all happens so fast Rachel doesn't have time to react as the warlord twirls her around in the air before letting her go. She only registers ending up on the sidewalk underneath the cracked wall of a building. Even in the sub-armor she is only winded by the force of the blow. She manages to stagger up before they can grab her again but she quickly collapses against the wall from the pain. The world seems to spin all around her threatening to drag her down into unconsciousness. Her voice comes out so low that not even the warlords can hear her. "Papa...please...help..." Even the act of speaking causes dark spots to dance in her field of vision.
Shin appears immediately having heard Rachel's call for help clearly. He looks from her to the warlords. "You have to call on the armor Rachel."
She tries to speak but is unable to make the words come out.
Even though he is only a spirit he reaches out touching Rachel's left shoulder as the warlords advance on her.
Wayne towers over Rachel. "The master seemed to think you have some great power. I must say I am very disappointed. I expected more of a challenge."
"You can do this little torrent." For one brief moment Shin could swear Rachel looks right at him. "Say it with me."
Rachel breathes in as deeply as she can for the pain and finally manages to choke out the words along with her father. "Busaro Suiko!"
The warlords step back in awe as the girl summons the armor of torrent. They both glance at each other having clearly heard a male voice speak along with her but they see no one.
White Blaze-Luigi-Seamus-and Takeo look up at the bright flash of light from the direction that they last saw Rachel in.
Only now as the soldiers stop their assault on the kids do the father's notice that Shin is missing.
Daisuke even sees the flash of light from where he is.
"It appears as if at least one of you knows what they're doing. If you will excuse me, my fellow warlords might benefit from my assistance." The message was only to distract wildfire from the true mission of drawing out torrent's armor as he takes his leave.
The warlord of illusion disappears before Daisuke can stop him. He rushes back toward the others to find out what happened.
Black Blaze looks up as he tramples a solider to the ground-sensing that Rachel has summoned the Torrent armor.
Even the advancing cult stop in awe as they realize that Rachel has summoned the Torrent armor.
Todd watches as the transformation ends leaving Rachel's armored form standing in front of them. It clearly appears to him that some unseen force is helping to support her injured body and draw up the spear into an attack position. He again hears a male voice speak with her.
"Chou Ryu Ha!" Its all Rachel can do to stay on her feet as the torrent armor power is unleashed. When its over there are no warlords in sight. She's left nearly unconscious as she collapses.
"Rachel?!" Shin doesn't even look up as Ryo, Touma, Shu, and Seiji appear. His only focus is on his daughter.
She struggles to move as the armor weighs her down. All she can think about is hiding before the other two warlords show up.
Now Shin can only look on helplessly as Rachel struggles to move despite her injuries. "Its all over now. Just rest until the others get here."
In panic without even realizing what she's doing Rachel sheds the sub-armor along with the torrent armor. She manages to get up briefly only to collapse.
Ryo glances up at the others who nod before he speaks. "White Blaze!"
White Blaze looks around as all the soldiers retreat. He roars in response when he hears Ryo's call.
Luigi watches the tiger break into a run. "Where is he going in such a hurry?"
Seamus turns around to look at the tiger run in the direction he last saw- "-Rachel!"
Luigi and Takeo follow as Seamus breaks into a run.
Daisuke sees the others now and rushes to catch up with them as they follow White Blaze toward the direction where the light came from.
"No...please not again..." Rachel panics when she hears others approaching but is unable to get up.
White Blaze rushes to Rachel. He looks up as the others follow. He roars to warn them off-she's panicked enough.
"Oh man-she's hurt!"
Takeo holds Seamus back. "I think the tiger wants us to stay away."
White Blaze has only spoken to Luigi with the help from powerful crystals-he only hopes some of that connection remains now.
"She's scared. He wants us to back off and give her some room. Trying to help her now might only do more harm than good." Luigi looks around as Daisuke rushes up to them. He never mentioned that the tiger has spoken to him before.
Seamus looks from White Blaze to Luigi. "He just told you that?"
"Yeah-somehow."
"In any case given her past behavior he is right." Takeo looks around at the others. "I had to have medic training in order to work up on the space station." He hangs back but does walk around Rachel looking for bleeding and any other sign of serious injury.
White Blaze places his paw on Rachel's back gently nudging her back down when she tries to get up. He purrs low in her ear trying to calm her before looking up frantically. There is no sign of Black Blaze. White Blaze roars loudly calling to him.
Black Blaze watches the advancing cult from high up on a building. They are killing all soldiers be they hiding or fleeing in their path. He looks away when he hears White Blaze's roar. It is a panicked call something is wrong. He starts leaping from roof to roof as he sends out his own call to gauge the location.
The others look up when they hear Black Blaze in the distance.
White Blaze roars again to signal where they are. He looks down at Rachel running his paw gently along her face to brush back some hair that has come loose from her long braid. He watches as she flexes her hand and the torrent armor crystal slips from her grasp. He looks up as Luigi speaks.
"What happened to her?"
Daisuke looks around at the damage done by the wave crusher power. "Those warlords separated her for a reason."
Seamus kicks a piece of rubble. "At least she managed to give them what for."
"Not without a price." Takeo inspects the wall with an obvious human shaped gash that matches Rachel's height."
White Blaze roars again more frantic this time.
Black Blaze finally reaches them-leaping down from the very building Rachel was thrown against. He sheds his own armor before laying down beside Rachel.
She moans as he again nudges her forehead with his own.
White Blaze leaves her-retrieving the torrent armor crystal by picking it up in his teeth and takes it to Takeo who is closest to him.
Takeo looks at the crystal noting a Japanese character there he never saw one in his. "Trust."
Seamus glances at Takeo. "Trust what?"
Takeo holds up the crystal. "Did anyone see their armor's virtues in the crystals?"
"Now that I think about it...no." Seamus looks at the other guys. "Anyone else see one?"
Daisuke nods his head as he turns to Luigi.
Luigi looks back at Rachel. "No...but why does hers show the virtue when no one else's does?"
"That doesn't make sense to me." Shu looks around at the others. "Why would the virtues be missing?"
"Remember what happened with Rachel last night?"
Ryo turns to Touma. "The character showed up on Rachel's forehead after she embraced the virtue and trusted the others."
"They may all have to find some way to embrace their virtues before they can use the armor." Seiji turns to watch Shin who is still focused on Rachel.
"When you put it that way it makes since after what happened with the armors trying to separate themselves from the virtues in Africa." Shu looks at White Blaze who is staring at Luigi.
Luigi looks down at White Blaze. He still hears him but the tigers thoughts are fainter than before. "He says we should get her to safety before she wakes up."
Rachel is only vaguely aware of what is going on as the guys try to move her. She moans in as much fear as pain when one of the guys tries to pick her up bridal style.
Seamus looks at Daisuke. "No offense but you are our best fighter. We may need you if the warlords come back."
Daisuke lays Rachel back down and stands up. "We did only see three of them." He looks around trying to get a sense of where they are. "There is a hotel not far from here."
Takeo and Luigi get Rachel up between them. They follow Daisuke who keeps a sharp eye out as he leads the way to the hotel. The tigers flank them as Seamus brings up the rear ready to pounce at the slightest hint of danger.
The tigers glance at each other. They can communicate with Rachel by virtue of her powers and White Blaze to a very low degree with Daisuke from being around him all his life. Any brief connection he had with Luigi is quickly fading. They have to form bonds with the others before they get in this too deep.
-5-
As she enters her home Nasuti can't help but wonder if their decision to leave the children was the right one. She flicks the light switch but nothing happens. "That's odd."
Jun follows her inside. "What is it Nasuti?"
"The power is out."
"Maybe its because of what's happening in the city."
"All the way out here? The empire's influence doesn't stretch this far out."
"For all we know it does. How long was it the first time before we ever came back here?
"After Ryo got the inferno armor."
Jun looks over at Nasuti He can tell her train of thought by the tone of her voice. "They'll be fine Nasuti"
Kent steps out of the shadows. "Too bad the same can't be said for the two of you."
"Warlord of Venom!" Jun jumps in front of Nasuti shielding her. "Nasuti get out of here."
"I'm going to have to insist she stays. Soldiers!"
Empire soldiers of doom surround Nasuti and Jun.
"I'm here for something." Kent focuses on Jun. "And I'm sure you know what that is."
"I checked on the jewel everyday for years. Then it suddenly disappeared a month ago."
Kent stares at Jun a few moments then looks at Nasuti "Is he telling the truth lady?"
"Jun wouldn't lie."
"I think he is smart enough to know better than lie to me." He paces back and forth a few times. "The jewel just disappeared huh? I think perhaps the two of you should explain just how something so important which was entrusted to your care can do that. If he buys your story you can rot in the dungeons with the other troublemakers."
Outside government forces converge on Nasuti's home. The man in charge looks at the van which matches the description of the one belonging to Jun. "They are here-move in!"
Kent looks up as the government agents burst in. "You blokes are a bit late to the party."
"Put down your weapons."
Kent turns to the man in charge and draws one of his six poison laden swords. "Listen up because I'm only going to say this once. Stay out of affairs that don't concern you. I don't care why you want these two-my Master has a few questions for them so they will be coming with me. Try to cross me and I will drop you all where you stand before you even know what hit you."
Before the government agent can respond they are gone in a flash of light. He looks up as one of the men brings the NASA EVA suit found in another room after a quick search. "They were here-and chances are they may well come back. Stake out the area." He pauses unsure what to make of what looked like a kidnapping of Nasuti and Jun.
-5-
They get Rachel into the hotel lobby and lay her down on the sofa as she starts to come around.
Takeo kneels close to Rachel. "Whatever differences we have are best put aside right now. Your injured and I have medic training."
Rachel tries to shy away from him but the pain keeps her still. "No...please..."
"You could have something seriously wrong-judging by that chink in the wall. Best let him take a look lass."
She looks up first at Seamus then around to the others one by one. There is no hiding it anymore given the situation. She's going to have to tell them what happened to her. "I'm sorry...I'm just scared."
"They're gone Rachel." Daisuke kneels beside her. "They can't hurt you."
Tears stream from Rachel's eyes. She's sure they must think she's just some frightening weakling that doesn't belong here. Finally she summons the nerve to blurt it out. "I was raped a month ago."
The guys look around at each other in shock. None of them really know how to respond to that bombshell.
Finally Luigi speaks up. "That's why you've been avoiding us."
"We would never hurt you lass. No wonder I scared you before. I'm sorry Rachel."
Rachel looks up at Seamus. "You didn't know mate."
"I hate to even suggest it now Rachel-but you're clearly hurt."
She looks over at Takeo. "Not right now please...I need some time. Just let me rest for now."
The others look at Takeo since he is the one with medic training.
He looks at Rachel. Even if she were to have some sort of internal injuries there isn't much he can do. He only has medic not surgical training. "Do you feel like you have any broken bones?"
"I don't know-everything hurts right now."
Daisuke gets up and motions the others away. Takeo might be able to find out more if they aren't all hovering around Rachel.
That answer doesn't help much as he watches the guys back off. He tries a different route to put her more at ease. "I'm sorry about my outburst the other night. My Grandmother was actually Aussie. Sometimes my Grandfather would drink too much and he never had anything nice to say about her or Aussie's in general. It kind of stuck with me growing up for some reason-even if I am 1/4 Aussie."
"Funny my Nana was the same way about a British ex when she drank."
Black Blaze and White Blaze look from Takeo to Rachel before looking at each other.
Ryo looks down at White Blaze. "You two think they're cousins?"
"How is that possible? Shin and Touma aren't related. Shu looks back at Shin and Touma. "Or are you?"
"Not as far as I know." Shin's attention still mostly remains focused on his daughter.
Seiji looks at Takeo and Rachel. "You've got to admit they do look like they're related."
"That might be possible." Touma looks back and forth between Takeo and Rachel. "I enrolled at the university Jenna was attending when I went off to England. Her roommate that year could have been her twin. And come to think of it they both looked like the girl we met in Australia that time."
Shin looks up now. "Jayden...she went to school in England for a while before she dropped out."
"You don't think they really could have been sisters do you?" Touma looks back at Takeo and Rachel.
Rachel manages to move into a more comfortable position. "Please just let me rest for now...but not too long-I can't lay still for very long."
"Why not?"
"I've been that way since the accident. The more I lay around the harder it is to get up and move."
"I can see how that might happen. The nervous system works by electrical signals in the body. Getting struck by lightning could affect those signals and lead to your problem." Takeo recalls the warning that White Blaze gave Luigi. To force her into something she isn't ready for now could do more harm than good. "Hopefully the sub-armor protected you from the worst. I guess it can wait a little while." He hands Rachel back her armor crystal. "Get some rest for now."
"Thank you."
Takeo goes back over to the others.
"No luck?"
Takeo turns to Daisuke. "I think those two warlords shook her up pretty bad. She just needs a little space right now. I'm not sure she'll be up to fighting anytime soon though."
"On the bright side of that we have time to figure out how to call on our armors."
The other guys nod in agreement of Luigi's comment.
"In the mean time-how about I teach you two some good old brawling tactics?"
Takeo and Luigi look at each other for a few moments.
Luigi shrugs. "Its got to be better than what we were doing out there with those soldiers."
"We don't know when they'll be back-better to know the basics that nothing at all." Takeo takes one last look back at Rachel before moving to the other side of the lobby so they don't disturb her.
Daisuke watches them walk away before settling down close enough to keep an eye Rachel. He makes a mental note to ask Rachel how she got her armor-it could help the rest of them. He soon finds White Blaze sitting there staring at him. Its a bit un-nerving. "Something on your mind? Jun always seemed to know what you were thinking...that's what you want isn't it?"
"Cousins." Black Blaze thinks as he walks over to the others. He stops looking up at Takeo who watches Seamus teach some moves to Luigi. Black Blaze thinks if Takeo and Rachel are really from the same bloodline then it shouldn't be too hard to reach him.
After a few moments Takeo looks down at the tiger and shrugs. "A telepathic black tiger that sometimes wears armor-why not? Are you sure this really isn't a coma?"
Black Blaze almost seems to laugh at Takeo.
Chapter 5 Playlist
Rachel: Bridge Over Troubled Water-Johnny Cash (Cover)
Daisuke: Spark-Tori Amos
Luigi: Can't Get a Read on You-Tinted Windows
Seamus: A Little Less Conversation-Elvis
Takeo: Too Much Young to Feel this Damn Old-Garth Brooks
White Blaze and Black Blaze: Eye of the Tiger-? (Cover)
Ryo, Touma, Seiji, Shin, Shu: You Were There When I Needed You? (Track 08 of the Jack Frost Soundtrack)
Nasté and Jun: Friends?-John Denver (rocky mountain collection disc 1 track 11)
TNG Warlords: Villians-The Verve Pipe
This soundtrack was either up or down-there really are no in between moments for this one. After reading the chapter I think you can understand why I picked this group of songs for the characters.
I am sure that there was no exact date given for when the original warlords received their armors. In the English Audio version (Ronin Warriors) I think there were two different time spans given for Shiten as to how long he had his armor-one of them being 400 years and another for 1000. I just watched the Japanese audio version and it was said that he was under Arago's control for over 1000 years-which would have been around the time Arago was first banished by Koas. There was a reason why I made this note but it has been so long since I started this chapter that it has slipped my mind. Its of relevance at some point or I wouldn't have mentioned it.