A/N: I know, I took forever to post this. I don't have a laptop of my own, and getting a hold of a computer at home or school that I can use to type on is a massive pain. :( Thank you, drawn by vomit for your kind review, I really appreciate it! ^.^
Disclaimer: Once again, I do not own- please no lawsuits. ^.^
2nd Day
When I awoke from my own nightmare laden sleep, it was already morning and the sun was shining through the three large windows behind the couch. I pushed myself upward from my position on my stomach and stretched the stiffness sleep from my limbs. I directed my attention to the door to Saiyuki's room as it creaked open, revealing my friend looking exhausted. Her hair was mussed slightly, and the weariness evident in the smile she gave me. "Good morning," her voice sounded husky and unused as she spoke. "You look tired," I commented as I positioned myself more comfortably on the couch. She gave a nod. "Yeah."
"Were you having nightmares?" I questioned as she shuffled past me to the bathroom. Her eyes caught mine and she nodded again. "Uh-huh," I offered a sympathetic smile and I realized that she could see the expression. I hurriedly reached for my mask, but hesitated when she spoke. "I miss seeing your face without the mask," she told me. "I prefer it that way." I chuckled lowly.
"I see," I murmured as she shut the bathroom door. I sat there, simply listening to my surroundings, and soon enough I could hear water running and slapping against a hard surface—she was most likely taking a shower. I could smell the soft scent of shampoo and soap, clean smells that somehow mixed well with her body chemistry. When she stepped out of the bathroom, steam rushed ahead of her. She was dressed for the day in simple clothes with a towel wrapped around her hair. "Come sit by me," I offered.
Saiyuki made her way over to me and sat down. She tipped her head forward, removed the towel, and shook her hair from her face. I observed with a slight smile as she ran her fingers through her wet, shiny hair to comb out the tangles and smooth it out. "What were you dreaming about last night?" I questioned. Her now awake ruby gaze met mine with a bitter smile. "Trust me, you don't want to know," she replied.
"Yes I do," I replied firmly. "You were obviously terrified, and I wanted to know why." That same bitter smile traced her lips. "Give me your hands," she instructed. I did as she asked, confused. Her hands felt small in mine, much warmer than my skin must have been. "Close your eyes," she asked. I did so, and I felt her mental defenses dissolve. "I'm going to show you what it was that caused the nightmares," she explained. "My sister and I had been held captive by a cruel and greedy human. He wanted our tear gems for their value, to increase his own wealth." Anger flared within me as I saw the image of a young Ice Maiden crying while Saiyuki wrapped her arms around her, soothing her as a grotesquely ugly human laughed coldly.
"He did anything he could to make us cry; he enjoyed it. He even encouraged his men to help." Her voice reflected obvious anger as she let me see the same memory I had caught yesterday. After the other man grabbed her wrists, the first one ran his hands along her body. I felt her hostility as she fought to break his grip. She managed to succeed but the human in front of her wrestled her to the ground and pinned her wrists away from her body, leaving her vulnerable. The second knelt down on her other side, his hand cupping her cheek in a parody of a loving caress.
"I imagine you can picture the rest," she murmured. I reached over, wiping away the tears that clung to her cheeks. She picked up the beautiful ebony and crimson gems that lay in her lap. "I was right," I commented more to myself as I studied her. "That wasn't the first time," she added. "It started when I was fourteen and stopped not that long ago. They tried going after my sister once and I fought them off." Fierce anger was in her expression now.
"I refused to let them lay their hands on her!" I nodded as she clenched her fists. "After I met Toguro, he took me in and offered to train me. I threw myself into my training; I didn't give myself the chance to work through it."
"That is completely understandable," I told her quietly. "You shouldn't have had to go through that, I'm sorry that you did." She nodded, dismissing my apology.
"I know," she replied. She offered a sad, weary smile. "Thank you for listening," she thanked me shyly. I gave a slight smile. "Of course," I responded. As soon as I finished speaking, the main door to her room opened, revealing Toguro. "Are you almost ready?" his baritone voice questioned.
"Almost," Saiyuki replied, springing up from the couch to her room. My eyes followed her with a smile.
"I take it you're an old friend of hers?" Toguro inquired as she disappeared behind the door. My eyes flickered to him and I nodded silently. "I see," he murmured almost thoughtfully. "Take care of her."
While we were waiting in the darkened room that led to the arena, I allowed myself to ponder his words. I wonder if he knew what I did. It is a possibility. On the way down to the stadium, she filled me in on how it was that she was acquainted with Toguro. From what I knew, after her sister had been rescued by her brother and his friends, Toguro had taken her in and began training her in preparation for the tournament.
The doors swung open, snapping me from my musings as the room was flooded with blinding sunlight and the deafening roar of the crowd. This was our cue to entr the arena. We took our places a t ringside, opposite of our opponents. Saiyuki stood to Toguro's right, while I positioned myself to her right, and following me was Bui. "All right, ladies and gentlemen!" The fox demon emcee—I believe her name was Koto—addressed the stadium. "It's time for the first round to begin! It's Team Toguro versus Team Ikatsu! Will the first two fighters come up?"
"I'll g first," Saiyuki finally spoke after a long period of silence. I observed as she hefted her weapon, a non-lethal looking staff. She took her place in the center of the arena, barely three feet from on of the men from the other team. I could see his eyes studying her, wondering just how much of a threat this tiny girl would prove to be. After babbling on about the obviousl differences between the two, and wondering how much the tournament's youngest female would fare, Koto finally got to the point. "Are both fighters ready? Begin!"
**********
Back at the hotel room, I was sprawled on the couch while Saiyuki sat balanced in one of the window sills. I glanced over at her from the back of the couch; she was staring out into the deep forest of the island. "What's on your mind?" I questioned aloud. The young fighter's eyes met mine. "Are you worried that you didn't kill him?" She shook her head.
"I couldn't bring myself to do it," she replied softly. "Besides, why should I? There was no point in it anyway." I nodded, remembering how confident she appeared as she and her opponent fought. Somehow, even though combat didn't seem to suit he, she looked even more beautiful wielding that staff. As for me, when I fight, I use my powers to conjure bombs. My touch can kill in an instant. Her technique is far more refined, while mine is crude—I suppose this is the best way to describe it.
"You helped him out of the arena," I commented, coming out of my musings. Her gaze narrowed defensively. "I wanted to, and I felt I at least owed him that." Saiyuki responded. "I held no hostility toward him and I felt bad for causing those injuries."
"I see. What was that change in you I felt when you did?"
"I can heal," she replied.
"When did you acquire that ability?" I asked, astonished.
"My sister and I studied together. I still need a lot of work, but I'm becoming stronger each time I do." I smirked, the expression hidden by my mask. "You're full of surprises," I murmured. My eyes flickered to the nearly darkened sky. "Would you like to go for a walk?" she invited. She hopped down from the window sill and walked over to where I was. I got up from my lazy position on the couch to stand by her. "All right," I responded.
Out in the forest, we found ourselves on the banks of a strong-flowing stream. I observed as Saiyuki sat cross-legged, staring into the clear, rushing water. By the feel of her aura, I could tell that she was at peace. I silently sat beside her, enjoying her company. "Your mother must have been beautiful," she commented as she had so many times before. I offered only a silent nod as I visualized my mother's slender hand holding the knife, prepared to strike. I'm sorry," she had whispered. "You must make amends for what you've done… Now, go! Be with those whose lives you stole!" I remembered stumbling into the corner of my room, crying hysterically as my mother approached me, blocking my only escape. I closed my eyes tightly as my uncontrollable energy surged through me, reminding me of when I had unintentionally taken the lives of those children. "No!" I cried out as one bomb after another went offr, taking yet another precious life.
"I swear, I didn't mean it!" I screamed as I sank to my knees, cradling my mother's broken empty shell of a body. "Mother!"
"Karasu," I was snapped from my memories by Saiyuki's voice. I turned to meet her eyes, and I could see concern written in her features. "I didn't mean to bring back those memories," she told me softly. "I'm sorry."
"It's all right," I responded, my voice sounding dull. I inhaled deeply, trying to slow my rapidly racing heart. I felt her soft touch on my arm. "Are you okay?" A faint half smile traced my lips as I studied the clear, tranquil stream. "Yes, I'm fine." I answered her. When I glanced over in her direction, I could see that she was staring upward. My gaze followed hers, to meet the vast ocean of stars that swam overhead. "It's so beautiful," she breathed in awe. "I can't seem to get enough of this; every chance I get; I'm out staring at the stars."
"Being held captive so long, I don't blame you." My eyes sought hers and I could see a serene smile on her face. "What about you?" Saiyuki questioned, studying me. "I am also fond of nights like these." I replied. I lay back against the soft grass, and she lay beside me. While I was beside her, I could feel the peace of her mood strongly. Somehow, it reached its way into my senses and settled itself into my soul. Breathing deeply, a smile of contentment crossed my features. I sat up and untied my mask, removing it. I set it beside me in the grass and relished the feel f the cool nigh air softly kissing my heated face.
How was it possible for one girl to affect me so much?
While I was laying in the darkened hotel room on my back, I stared up at the ceiling. The pale light of the full moon washed over me—I could still feel that calm that had taken root in me earlier. In the next room, Saiyuki was asleep. Feeling drowsy, I closed my eyes, drifting off with the final thought, 'I hope she sleeps well…'