When Shadows Rise
chapter 14
"You won't separate them for a while Greg. It took them 4000 years to come back to each other."
Gregor leaned against the wall across from the room his leader was in. "He didn't wake up at all when I moved him." His voice held something of fear and something of awe. "Her, I can understand. That amount of damage healed means a long nap but," he turned troubled eyes at the person he trusted most. "What happened?"
Hana sighed with her tiny smile. "If you had been in the kitchen you could have heard the twins explanation."
Gregor gave a more exasperated look.
"All right," she leaned next to him, her arms crossed behind her. "Jai, was never what you thought he was. He was touched by evil, it was true, but not like the rest of us. His soul was searching."
"For her?" Gregor pointed across the hall.
"Yup. You weren't there when Sutemi, Suteko's past incarnation told the story of the Crystal kingdom." She held a finger to his lips to silence him. "In short they were once a couple. He the heir to the crystal kingdom, she his wife , mother of his child. They were betrayed by their uncle and she died saving him. Their child was lost." She smiled at him. "He disappeared, never to be seen again."
"Yeah right.." Gregor looked skeptical.
"There is more. Their spirits have been reborn down the centuries but due to a mistake by a kind but misguided ambassador of the Moon Kingdom they never found each other. Each lifetime they lived, loved and died, missing a part of themselves." She looked back at the door across from them. "Suteko became a Star Knight when she felt a connection. The two Star Knights were descendants of the two guardsmen who fought with the original incarnation. They were reborn in the Summer court. Close but not who she was destined for. She had just lost most of her family and those two boys filled a void. They fought together, growing closer than most but it wasn't the right fit for destiny." She leaned a little closer to Gregor as she went on. "Then the Shadowmaster rose again. Using a boy from her past to finish what he had started all those centuries ago."
"So Jaeoh is the prince?" Gregor still sounded skeptical.
Hana nodded. "You know he was born to the streets. If not for the Shadows influence on her great grandfather, Suteko would have met him when they were children."
Gregor pounded his knuckles against the wall behind them. "So...we lose him?"
Hana smiled and shook her head, reaching up to tap his nose. "No, we gain a balance. It's time for the Kouhei to be more than dogs of war." She smiled and took his hand. "Come on," she pulled him down the hall with a promise of a new tea blend.
***********
Inside the bedroom Jai slowly awoke. It felt as if a great weight had finally slipped off his back but he didn't' know why. He lay with his eyes closed and listened. Slowly memories of the past week flooded his consciousness and he let out a soft cry, "Suteko!"
He sat up feeling a silken sheet slip down to his waist. He looked about frantically till his eyes were drawn to the form next to his. Lying on her belly, her hair splayed on the pillow, was Suteko. Her eyes were closed and her breathing was regular. He smiled as he studied her face, one hand lifting almost by itself to brush a strand of silky black away from her cheek. The damage from her torture looked to be healed. she was once more beautiful. No longer as pale as death, a soft blush of life made him gasp in wonder.
The sheet has moved partially off her, exposing a red satin top covering her back. Looking down he realized that it was a match to the bottoms he wore. Someone had dressed them both. He took a few calming breaths and slowly started to move off the bed. He didn't want her waking up with a near stranger but it was too late.
Before he moved more than an inch her eyes snapped open and she was kneeling across the bed from him. The red silk drifted down her curves, covering her to just above her knees. Automatically his eyes were drawn to the cleave revealed by the deep v neckline. Realizing he was staring he did something that would have shocked his Kouhei, he blushed. He moved up to his knees too, the sheet slipping off his legs.
The two were startled yet they didn't move. Suteko felt her own eyes pulled to the sleekly muscled chest and she too blushed. As one they reached out a hand. Their fingers touched with a soft glow. They locked eyes once more. Wonder slid across each face. "How did I..." Suteko started to ask.
Jaeoh rested a finger on her lips as he gently pulled her close by their clasped fingers. A force outside the two pulled them together and guided his free hand to cup her cheek. Their lips met, her free hand slipping into his hair and the soft glow covered them both. Power flowed into the room as destiny returned to its predetermined path.
After a long moment they moved back, green eyes gazing deep into dark, dark brown ones. Jai kept his hand on her cheek, lightly stroking her cheek with his thumb. Centuries separated them but at this moment they were not prince and princess but two young people who had bee alone too long. "You're safe now," he whispered.
The normally proud, self sufficient maiden closed her eyes and rested her head on his shoulder. "For now," she whispered. The tension that had been a constant in her lift for the past decade slipped from her shoulders. Even though she just awoke, her body was still demanding more rest.
Jai felt her body relax and carefully eased them back down. He knew he should get up, leave her alone but he couldn't seem to make his body move. She curled up at his side, her head on his shoulder and they both drifted back to sleep. The white glow settled about them both, shielding them from the world about. Slowly it sank into their skin, healing years of injuries to souls that could not be seen by those about them.
*******
While Suteko and Jaeoh slept and healed the Kouhei worked with the senshi to keep Tokyo's temples from being destroyed. The feints were not as massive as Aki's attack on the team but they were precise. The traitorous Kouhei were seen in widely different parts of the mega city but it took Mamaru and Ami working together to notice a pattern. The attacks started at one centralized point and spiraled out. The three days it took for the Star Knight to awaken fully had run the teams ragged. The evening of the third day found the Kouhei sitting around the kitchen table discussing just what to do.
"Ami has pinpointed what will probably be the next targets. The dojos have mostly managed to avoid the damages taken by the temples but they are starting to panic." Uhanzee pointed to the next one the list but then paused his eyes focused on the hall outside the kitchen. "But maybe you have a better idea Princess?"
Suteko stepped into the kitchen, wincing at the title. "Please don't Uhanzee-san. I am not royalty." Dressed in a red Chinese shirt with wide legged black pants, the Star Knight looked different. She for once had kept her hair down and it curled over her shoulders and down her back. Jaeoh came in behind her, standing at her shoulder. "I can tell you we have to stop them now." She reached out and tapped a spot in Nerima. It was within easy striking range of the current pattern. "That is what they seek."
The Kouhei leaned in to look. Samuel looked up puzzled. "There is no temple there Suteko-san. Why is that place so important?"
Suteko sighed softly, a sad expression settling on her face. "The Guardian...."
Jaeoh rested a hand on her lower back soothingly. "It is where we have to keep Kaneda from reaching at all costs." He looked his team in the eyes and nodded.
Leaning back a bit, she nodded. "This is a hidden temple beneath a certain dojo in Nerima. If Kaneda makes it there the final battle for Earth will have to be fought. No one would be safe."
"So that kid brother of your's is over here?" Gregor rumbled. He spoke to Suteko but his eyes were studying his leader and friend. Jaeoh seemed more, more relaxed yet more intense. Just more. The days locked in he same room with the Star Knight had changed his leader. He knew from reports from Hana, Shayla and the twins that most of the past three days they had been a deep healing sleep. Something about Jaeoh accepting his link to Suteko had opened his powers. Those new powers exhausting the untrained mind when they had been used to remove the shadow taint. It was confusing. If the leader of the Kouhei was changing did it mean they all had to?" "Not the hell likely." He said then shrugged like he meant it as eyes turned to him in surprised.
Suteko continued, "This is part of secrets that no one knows." She looked from face to face, measuring what she knew of these people. She closed her eyes and let out a slow breath. "Underneath Nerima is the hidden hills temple. Inside that temple is the Gate of Shadows."
The Kouhei looked at each other and then back as one they nodded. "The entrance to the underground temple is only known to a select few. IT needs to stay that way. We need to stop Kaneda here," she pointed at a shop on the map, her eyes unfocused for a long moment. "The woman running this shop is ancient but powerful. She would attract the shadows' attention. She doesn't know where the temple is but her great granddaughter and her spouse do. While powerful warriors, they recently had a child." She smiled briefly as she remembered the couple before they married. "We need to keep them out of harms way." She shook off the melancholy that was filling her at her memories and continued to point out place that would attract the attention of the shadows.
There were two other sites before the dojo that held the Guardian. Enough to be watched by paired teams. Cover stories were hashed out over one of Hana's many tea blends. The surveillance would start the next day. The meeting broke up with people leaving in pairs. Jaeoh handed Shayla and Uhanzee the keys to the dojo with a smile. The couple needed a place they could be alone. Samuel had headed out with Iriko and Gregor and Hana headed back to their flat.
Suteko stayed at the table, sipping her last cup slowly. She was unsure how to handle herself. A loner for most of her adult life she had suddenly acquired friends and more importantly Jaeoh. Her head was cautious, afraid of letting him in but intrigued by who he had been. Her heart, well her heart remembered how they had been in the past and how safe it felt to be held in his arms. Closing her eyes she held her breath. Just over a month ago she had lost Chris and Akuma. Heart friends who had held her and nursed her wounded mind back to health after Kaneda raped her. They were gone, lost to the madness of the past, her past. And before that seven years ago she found and then lost her family. She put the cup down and rubbed her temples. These new warriors were slipping under her guard, making her want to live and to love but how could she? How could she endanger these people, endanger him. Her heart swelled at the same time as it contracted in fear. Once long ago she lost him and now fate gave them a second chance, but only if she risked him, risked his friends to save everything. She opened her eyes to stare at her trembling hands. The loss of her uncle, her brother, her father, her mother and even Chris and Akuma paled next to this. She couldn't do it again, be left alone again but her honor made her decision for her.
Jaeoh stood leaning on the counter watching Suteko. For the first time he saw fear and something else in her eyes. He stayed back, somehow knowing that she had to work whatever it was out. When he heard a ragged breath he moved. He pulled her into his arms and kissed her deeply but gently. At first she stiffened, almost pulling away, then she returned the kiss, her hands sliding about his shoulders. He felt her tremors and kissed her till they stopped. Then kissed her more. By the time he broke the kiss they were both breathless. He smiled as he stroked her back. "Better?"
Suteko smiled, her eyes closed and whispered, "Yes." She took a long breath and whispered. "Be safe."
Jaeoh blinked in confusion, "what brought that on?"
Suteko lifted her eyes to his. "Bring me home, Jae, please?" She smiled softly. "We have spent too much time here."
He searched her face then slowly let go. "Okay, get your pack and I 'll get my bike." Still a bit confused, Jaeoh moved away with a soft caress to her cheek.
Suteko watched him walk out before heading back to the room they had shared. Her pack was next to the bed. She reached for it and lifted her brow. Persephone and Demeter, in cat form, were sitting on the bed expectantly. "What ladies?"
They looked at each other and then back to her. "Princess before the battles start you need to talk to your prince." Demeter's voice came from the cat on the left.
Suteko shook her head. "Stop calling me that Demeter. I am not a princess now, and yes I know." Her voice dropped to a whisper. "He needs to know that I am not safe to get involved with."
"NO!" Persephone reached up a paw and tapped her charge. "That is wrong. You are not why those things happened."
"And he has all ready chosen Princess. Destiny only led him to you again. Jaeoh needs to know your past, so he can heal your future." Demeter too placed a paw on Suteko. "He made his choice then and now. What happened in this life was the fault of the Shadows. If you let them isolate you they will win. Only together will you defeat the Shadowmaster."
Suteko looked at both cats. The matching worry in the green glowing eyes made her sigh and even chuckle. "All right ladies. I will talk to him as you wish." The cats purred and reached paw to her open pack. Suteko stopped them. "But I do it alone." She gave them stern looks. "This is a very private thing between he and I and..". she blushed and turned away, her hands swiftly braiding her hair back up. "We....need to be alone."
The twins looked a teach other and grinned. IT was more than her history that had Suteko not wanting an audience. The kisses they had shared brought back dim memories of more and she defiantly didn't need two cats commenting. The cats coiled about each other in a feline giggle. "How about we meet you at home in the morning?"
Suteko buckled up her pack and swung it behind her, nodding. "After dawn we should be ready to start run throughs." She walked out ignoring the cat laughter behind her.
Luckily her jacket had not been a part of the clothing destroyed by Seiya the week before. She slipped it on and stepped out into the cool evening air. Jaeoh had pulled up by the door and was waiting, looking like an ad for some hot motor sport. Slipping her arm through the straps of her pack she smiled shyly and took the helmet he held out. "So where are the twins? He asked softly.
"Staying here for the night." she answered firmly.
He turned forward and closed his visor, hiding a wide grin. This was a good thing. They needed to spend time learning each other. Without an audience. He shivered as her arms slid about him. Even through leather and silk to was like a caress.
Kicking the bike into gear, he headed out. He flicked a salute to the gate spirit as the drove past. They had a lot to learn about each other and themselves. He hoped that Suteko wouldn't panic. He knew more than she thought but not nearly enough to make her comfortable with him.
They slid right rgiyfg the lat evening traffic and past his dojo. He almost pulled into his accustomed spot but again with Shayla and Uhanzee using his small apartment it would be too crowded. Suteko's flat wasn't' that far away but it was enough to give them privacy. Hana had given him the address before she dragged Gregor outside. Something was brewing there and Jaeoh hoped it would work out. Little Hana needed someone to help her over her own painful past.
Jaeoh tucked his bike into the alley behind Suteko's apartment building, setting the special alarm he made. His bike was worth a good chuck of change with the custom paint job he had been doing, along wit the mods he had installed. It wouldn't due for it to be stolen. With a flick of the fob on his keys it was safe. He turned a followed Suteko inside.
The building was old but well cared for. Suteko's flat was on the top floor. The tenants ignored them as they went up the stairs but they were watched. The spirits who had taken to hanging about all peeked out behind doors, curtains and from the corners. They wanted to touch the Light bearer and feel safe but she was accompanied by a man. As they passed each would flick out and brush finger over his jacket or the helmet in his hand. Jaeoh hid his smile and calmly accepted the attention. He didn't want to frighten these harmless spirits.
Suteko hid her own smile. The house spirits seemed fine with her absence and the fact that she brought in a stranger.
Unlocking her door she led him inside. It wasn't a big place, just a futon, mat and table filled the room. Luckily it had a real closet. Suteko reached in and hung up her jacket, placing her pack on the closet floor. She handed Jaeoh a hanger shyly and moved out of the way so he could put his stuff inside. Looking about she was glad she was habitually neat. She had straightened up before leaving a week ago, only a book was out of place, resting on top of the table. When she spotted it she blushed and hid it in a drawer. When alone she liked to read cheesy romances. Jaeoh caught her blush and smiled.
He walked over to the two photos on the wall. He immediately saw the resemblance to the boy dressed much like Suteko was now. The young man held something about him that Jaeoh's instincts reacted to. If the rumors were true, this boy was the most powerful martial artist in Japan today. He could see it in the way he held himself but he could also see the clear fondness between brother and sister. He felt Suteko come to stand next to him and he slipped an arm about her.
Leaning in a bit, she stared at both photos for a moment before closing her eyes and sighing. "He doesn't remember me now. Another curse on him thank to Mother."
He pulled her closer, letting her rest against his side. "What happened, love?" His voice was soft, gentle.
Suteko started slowly as she moved away from his side. She knew it was important he know the whole sordid tale but she wasn't eager to tell him. Settling cross-legged on the futon, she smiled weakly. "Ten years ago my sensei passed and my mother changed." Over the next hour she covered her life in more detail than any one knew. Her travels had helped form her, changed from the bright and friendly girl into the warrior she was. Jaeoh's gently steered her story, pulling small things from her memory, gems that bought a smile to her sad eyes. By the time her mother cursed her to be forgotten with her dying breath, Jaeoh had moved to the futon, pulling her back to rest against his chest. He dropped light kisses on her throat to distract her from brooding as she told the tale of meeting the Star Knights, their battles and then the reemergence of Kaneda. She told him of what happened when Kaneda won, how he used her, hurt her and taken what innocence she had left.
Jaeoh held her closer, more gently as she explained hiding from her team mates exactly how badly hurt she was after till they had to nurse her back. He was glad she couldn't see the rage that erupted in his eyes. For her first experience to be rape was criminal. Inwardly he swore it would be his own hands that killed Kaneda.
As she wound down, he lightly caressing her forearms. "Did you tell me all this to drive me away Suteko-chan?" His voice was still soft, a bare breath that tickled the soft hairs along her hairline.
She shivered and dropped her head. "Not...entirely." Her innate honesty would not let her lie. "I wanted you to go in knowing everything." She whispered now, quivering. "My life has been odd, complicated and..."
Jaeoh stopped her mid sentence by turning her head and kissing her deeply. She once more stiffened but slowly relaxed and let herself rest back in his arms. Her hand slipped up around his shoulder and clung to him. When he felt her shiver and softly moan, he pulled back, breaking the kiss. Unlike Suteko, Jaeoh had some experience at human relations. It was slightly unfair but he knew how to distract the female of the species. "Both our lives are odd and complicated, love." He whispered against her lips. "It doesn't matter."
They spent the rest of the night getting to know each other. Destiny and ancient history gave them a soul connection, yet experience gave them more. The fell asleep wrapped tighter, no longer strangers.
******
Across the city in the flat shared by Hana and Gregor a discussion raged. "This is shit, Hana. We are in the middle of a war and people are pairing up like rabbits. Bad enough Uhanzee and Shayla can only focus on each other, now we got Sammy going off with the purple haired chick, who he barely knows. Now them!" He stomped about the kitchen, crashing his chair and slamming down the tin with the tea.
Hana stifled a giggle as the image of a polar bear in red flannel came to mind. Her partner was on a fine snit and he didn't understand why. Yes the team was pairing now. It was time. More than time. They weren't teenagers any more. What once made them easy to fool was now gone. She softly sighed as she watched the one man who she longed for struggle with this item. She understood mentally a part of him was still hung up on Seiya but she wished he saw her. Saw her as more than a child/woman to be cared for and protected. She was fully adult, even if she wasn't built like her friends.
"Greg....sit....drink," as always she fell back on her traditional self. No amount of longing looks or gentle touches would make him see her as a woman. She would continue to be at his side whenever she was needed, silently hoping.
Gregor turned about and caught the odd look on Hana's face. He paused in his rant realizing he had once more dumped his emotions on Hana. She was so dependable and understanding with him. He wanted to treat her as a sister but a part of him held back. Something down deep was yelling at him to pay attention but he shook it off. "I'm sorry mouse. I just don't understand. Oh hell lets forget them and go over tomorrow."
They had been assigned the Okonomiyaki shop. Which was good. Something different to eat should be a nice change. He had been relying on Hana to cook and felt a bit like he was taking advantage of her. This living together was comfortable. too comfortable. It brought to mind things that little Hana wasn't ready for. Or so he thought. sometimes he swore that she gave him looks like a woman gives a man. He shook his head, trying to shake out the image of them as a couple. He bought up Seiya as she used to be but his mind replaced that image with one of Hana's shy smiles. "You are a dog," he said to himself.
"Hmmm?" Hana asked distractedly from where she was reading. She looked up and smiled again. Her smiles only seemed to come out for him. "You know this menu seems quite diverse Greg. Lots of choices and by the pictures, large portions."
Shaking his head, Greg go up. "I better head to bed Mouse." He leaned over and surprised them both by kissing her cheek. He spun and was in his room as her fingers softly touched her cheek. Her eyes closed and she did something totally out of character. She got up and spun about, letting out a tiny, stifled giggle.
******
The next morning dawned brightly as they headed to the Okonomiyaki shop. Gregor had refused to climb into Hana's mini car, saying that the bike needed to be ridden and something about moping and puzzle boxes. Hana smiled fondly and watched him head off. Things were moving along so well now that Draco and Unicorn were together. She tilted her head up to check the position of the sun and then reached for her keys. Still bubbly about the simple kiss, she was distracted for the fist time since she was a tiny child. She tried to shriek as she felt arms wrap around her from behind but a hand covered her mouth. She struggled as best she could but her attacker was both larger and better positioned. Her eyes widened as Seiya stepped into view. The former Kouhei glowed with black energy. "Where is Gregor now, you little bitch? He can't save you if he doesn't know where you are." Seiya backhanded her temple, knocking Hana out cold.
Steve caught her as she went limp. He looked up at Seiya with a glare. "Did you have to hit her so hard? The Master just needs her out of the way to distract Gregor."
Seiya grimaced at what she had to work with. "Just follow orders little man. The Master gave me Hana as a toy." She pulled the limp, childlike woman away from him. "You can go let him know we have her now." Her voice cracked out like her favorite whip. Steve followed orders, just like he usually did. Together they disappeared in a swirl of black smoke.
*****
Across town Gregor pulled up his bike as a chill chased over his skin. Something was wrong. He scanned the streets, expecting to see Hana's mini parked nearby. No matter when she left, Hana always met him on time. Something was up. He swung off the bike, pulled out his cell. With a quick flip he punched in the two digit number and called her. Maybe her car broke down. Not likely but it happens. It went right to voicemail. Again it didn't feel right. Closing the phone he debated.
"You won't find her bro."
Gregor spun about, his hand about Steve's throats before the other man could react. "You better be wrong, dude." Gregor's voice dropped to the deep angry growl of a beast. "Where is she!"
Steve let out a gack as one hand went to his throat. His other pulled his dive knife, flooding it with his newly acquired darkness. Without thinking he drove the blade directly into Gregor's side.
His fingers clenched tighter for a moment and then he looked down. "Damn, Stevie, whatcha doing?" He staggered as Steve twisted his knife and pulled it out.
Stepping back Steve watched Gregor stagger and drop to one knee. "Never thought much of me did you, Bro?" Steve sneered. "The surfer boy was a joke, well who's laughing now, huh?" His tone was all taunting boy but his eyes told another story. Flickering back and forth between arrogant black and lost blue. A part of the horror of what he did took over just long enough. "Seiya has Hana, Greg. You better get your new friend to give up." He turned and walked back in the shadows, his voice floating back. "Get the Knight to surrender before Seiya does to little Hana what was done to the Knight."
Roaring, Gregor pushed backup to his feet and lunged but Steve was gone. In his place was something that could only be called a troll. Eight feet with arms like tree stumps and fingers that trailed past it's knees. The stench of death floated out behind the beast and if Greg had been looking he would have seen the remains of two street people tossed about the alley. But he was beyond seeing the world about him. He fell into his Rage, vision turning red as he swelled. The blood pouring down his side should have dropped him to the ground or at the very least slowed him down but it didn't.
Not bothering to pull his blade, he barreled ahead, hands grabbing the troll to rip it to shreds. The big monster was quick for its massive size. It's hands curled all the way around Gregor's biceps and lifted him of his feet. It pulled him close, massive jaws, dripping ichor as it tried to bite a hunk of flesh. But the true Rage buried inside Gregor had no balance in the here and now. He couldn't feel Hana's tiny hand and his control was gone. He and not the troll took a mouthful of flesh and blood. He bit and tore, black ichor flying as the beast howled and shook him like a doll.
******
Han awoke and tried to move, to leave and shook her head, dazed. Her link to time and space was being blocked. Slowly opening her eyes, she lifted her head. Once more she was in the shadow realm. The room was familiar but only in its basic uses. She pulled on her hands and gasped. She was chained!
"That's right bitch, you are not gonna get free this time." Hana looked up and her eyes grew round. Before her dressed in black PVC that hugged each perfect curve was Seiya but a much different one. Where once she was pretty, damaged but sane, now she was beautiful in the way of a viper. Shadow had given her waist length black hair with a single shock of pink running through it. At her belt she had her whip and her new favorite toy, the shadow flail.
She walked over to the side and pulled a lever that started the chains retracting into the ceiling. Hana felt her arms pulled apart as her feet left the floor. "Kaneda was so very sweet. He let me have this room for our very private girl time sweetie." Seiya's once sultry voice was a sibilant hiss now. "and I can do anything I want...as long as I get the answer he wants." She pulled her whip and cracked it, slicing Hana across her cheek. "And you will give me the answers sweetie." She walked over and wrenched Hana's face toward her with a hand on her chin. She leaned in and licked the cut with a long slow lap. "But we get to have fun first. Ain't it grand?"
Hana shuddered and shook her head. "No, it isn't Seya. We're friends."
"Friends? Friends!" Seiya walked back and forth before lashing out with her claws. "Friends don't steal friends men!" Seiya started beating her once room mate. Yelling and accusing her of crimes that the innocent, virginal girl could never do. She beat and clawed and questions were forgotten in her madness.
Steve appeared in his room and leaned against the wall shuddering. It wasn't manly or strong but he slid down the wall and sobbed. He had truly and finally blown it. He had given little Hana to a mad woman and then stabbed his once best friend, leaving him to fight and die alone. What had he done? This is when he wished he had the power to turn back time.
He turned and placed the black crystal on the table. He then lifted the heavy metal statue of the Shadowmaster and brought it down hard. The statue broke but the crystal didn't. He sat pulsing with a sluggish red glow, like blood on obsidian.