Chapter 10

A strange sound coming from a few yards away brought Arashi slowly back to consciousness. Weakly turning her head to the direction of the sound she was startled to see a very blurry figure standing before another very blurry figure.

Squeezing her eyes shut in hopes of clearing her vision, she opened them again to see that one of the figures was Sorata, his strong broad shoulders gleaming silver in the moonlight, while the other figure was still a bit indistinguishable. It actually looked like something of a monster and for a moment Arashi feared that Sorata may be in danger. But as she listened closer, the strange noise she heard was actually Sorata himself, chanting something she couldn't understand. The beast before him nodded as though it understood him and before she even had a chance to blink, the creature sprouted wings and shot into the sky with incredible speed and was soon gone from sight. Sorata continued to watch the sky long after the creature had left, not realizing that she was awake.

Not quite believing her eyes, Arashi tried to call Sorata to her. But as she tried to speak, to her surprise, she found it nearly impossible. Her throat was so dry and parched that it burned just to attempt it. She ended up coughing harshly instead which immediately caught Sorata's attention, causing him to whirl around and sprint to her side.

"Nee-chan! You're awake!!! How are you feeling!?! Are you alright!?!" He said in a rush as he knelt down beside her.

Arashi swallowed, trying to wet her throat, but as she opened her mouth once again to speak, all that came out was a raspy sound that made both of them wince. Sorata reached out to stroke a few strands of hair next to her cheek and quickly apologized.

"That was so foolish of me Arashi, forgive me, you must be dying of thirst." But he immediately blanched at his poor choice of words. Idiot! He instantly cursed himself.

"What I meant is that it must be painful to speak. Don't worry, I'll be right back….May…May I borrow this?" he asked hesitantly as he gestured to the red scarf tied around her neck.

Confused, Arashi nodded weakly and watched him untie her scarf with great care. Slipping it gently from her neck, he left her side and quickly became lost from view. No longer able to see him from her position lying on the ground, Arashi carefully tried to sit up.

Pain, sharp and severe shot up her torso and caused her to gasp in shock. She started to lie back down when anger started to course through her. Don't be weak! She fumed to herself. Gritting her teeth, she forced herself to sit up the rest of the way. The pain was blistering hot throughout her chest and neck, causing her to shut her eyes and moan as she just sat there. Afraid to lean forward and afraid to lean back, she stayed motionless and just focused on each breath.

"Arashi!?!" Sorata nearly shouted in surprise as he once more returned to her side. She opened her eyes at the sound of his voice and he swiftly sat down behind her, sliding in close until she could feel his chest just behind her back. Realizing what he was doing, she slowly relaxed her body and leaned back into him. This made it so that she didn't have to work to stay sitting up and it also made it MUCH easier for her to breathe.

"You should have waited for me Arashi, you could have hurt yourself." He chided almost angrily.

Arashi's throat constricted painfully at his words, shocked that he'd raise his voice to her. She hadn't really thought that it was possible to hurt herself any worse than she already was, but it dawned on her that he worried about it all the same. Emotionally exhausted and too tired to defend herself, she whispered an apology.

Sorata instantaneously regretted the tone he'd used with her as he heard her whisper a hoarse "Sorry." He didn't mean to get all upset, but the thought of her injuring herself any further caused him to shudder in fear. He doubted she could take much more than what she'd already endured…and truthfully, neither could he.

"Don't apologize Nee-chan. I shouldn't have spoken to you like that. I just didn't want you hurt yourself any further. Will you please forgive me!?" He pleaded quietly.

"Yes." She whispered back as she relaxed her head against his shoulder, too tired to even lift it.

"I found fresh water Ara-chan. Do you think you can drink it?"

Bringing his hands around in front of her, she saw that her red scarf was dripping wet with moisture and her mouth immediately began to water at the sight. Her thirst suddenly became unbearable but… how would she drink it? As though he were reading her thoughts, Sorata leaned slowly forward, causing her to lean forward as well. Carefully bringing his hands toward her, he gently squeezed the water from the scarf in his left hand into his smoothly cupped right hand.

Arashi couldn't stop the blush that burned in her cheeks as she suddenly understood what she had to do. Weakly, she brought one of her hands up to guide his cupped one to her parched lips. Sorata's pulse quickened as her beautiful and soft lips brushed his hand as she slowly drank the water he offered her from it. He couldn't help but hold his breath at the delicate intimacy of the moment, fearing that, should he make a sound it would shatter in an instant.

The water was like a gift from heaven as the cool liquid quenched the awful burning in her mouth and throat. Nothing had ever tasted so good as she finished what was in his hand and patiently waited for him to wring more moisture from the scarf for her a second time. Once again he brought his hand up to her lips. The shear compassion of the beautiful gesture he was making in her behalf caused her eyes to well up with tears and before she could stop them, two large tears streaked quickly down her dusty cheeks.

Sorata saw the tears fall, but said nothing, knowing that they were not meant for him to see. Instead, he inclined his head forward and placed a feather light kiss on the crown of her head and continued to let her drink until she'd had her fill.

It didn't take long before Arashi's sensitive stomach refused anymore and she leaned back into Sorata, allowing her head to dip into his collarbone. He put the scarf down and simply held her as they both sat there quietly and listened to the sounds of the night surrounding them. She could feel the strong and steady beat of his heart beneath her ear and, though it caused her lungs to burn, she breathed in the scent of him deeply.

She shuddered suddenly as a cold breeze started to stir and she felt his arms instinctively tighten around her, trying to keep her warm. She leaned into him in return, instantly remembering that he'd sacrificed both his shirt and jacket to her, leaving his entire upper body completely exposed to the elements. He must be freezing! She thought with worry. It's so cold out here!

"Do you feel any better Nee-chan? Are you cold?" He whispered quietly as he stroked her hair.

Clearing her throat, Arashi was finally able to speak, though her voice was faint and soft.

"No Sorata, Im not cold." She lied, trying not to worry him. "But you… You must be freezing!"

She could feel Sorata shake his head, as he continued to softly stroke her hair. The gentle motions calmed her and she closed her eyes, enjoying the feel of it.

"Where are we?" she whispered aloud.

Sorata was quiet a few moments before finally answering her.

"We're in an old forgotten cemetery on the outskirts of the city." He admitted as though it shamed him.

Arashi stayed silent, somewhat shocked as she finally looked around to survey their surroundings. Sure enough, not too far from them she saw large headstones, well overgrown with weeds and shrubs. A very sad, and lonely place. A place where death would gladly welcome them. She shuddered at the thought and closed her eyes, afraid to think too much about it.

"Don't worry Nee-chan. We won't be here long, Kamui and the others will find us in no time. I'm sure of it." He said as he felt her shudder.

"How? How will they find us?" She wondered weakly. They were in the middle of nowhere, far from anyone who could help them.

"I sent a gohodoji to find the dragons of heaven. They must be searching for us by now. They've probably been looking ever since you put up your kekkai."

"Gohodoji. That's what that creature was that you were chanting to earlier?"

Sorata nodded and explained that, if he sent the Gohodoji to find the dragons of heaven, then they wouldn't have to risk exposing their location to the dragons of earth by putting up a kekkai. And with Arashi in no condition to move and Sorata, absolutely refusing to leave her side to find help, they would just have to wait until help arrived….unless….the dragons of earth found them first.

Sorata just prayed that help would come soon. Arashi was strong….but there was something terribly wrong with her. Not only because her injuries, but the fact that she wasn't healing like she should. Each of the dragons of heaven had special gifts, and one of those gifts was the power to heal themselves rather quickly.

When he first met Kamui, the boy had sustained awful injuries in a fight with Daisuke. But in a matter of hours Kamui's body had already started to heal itself of those injuries. Even his own injuries that he'd received from his fight with Yuto and the Shikigami were beginning to fade and heal. But it had been a few hours since their fight with the dragons of earth, and Arashi appeared to be no better. None of her wounds were healing, not even her scratches. In fact, though he was loath to admit it, she seemed to be getting worse.

It was almost as if he could feel her very life force slipping away and he had no idea how to stop it! There was something very wrong…but what could it be!?! Could the powers of Ise that were supposed to be sustaining her as a dragon of heaven be failing? And if that were true then was there something wrong at Ise? But the bigger question still was, what could be done to help her!?!

So many questions! And no legitimate answers to be found! Sorata shook his head trying to think it all through, trying to put the pieces of a messed up puzzle together. What can I do!?! She'll die without help, and I WONT let that happen!

Sorata was suddenly startled out of his train of thought by a cold hand on his cheek. Turning to look down at Arashi, the shrine maiden had reached up a trembling hand to touch his face.

Arashi had seen Sorata's face cloud over in deep thought, his eyes telling her that he was a million miles away in concentration…and worry. Worry for her, she was certain of that. But as she took the time to study his face she noticed a deep scratch on his cheek, and tell tale signs of a fierce struggle around his neck. Both were already healing fast, the angry red marks already fading pink. Soon they would be gone, and yet, the thought that he had been hurt caused her to reach out and touch him, touch his wounds…wishing she could take the pain of them away.

Sorata could only look at her in wide eyed surprise as she very gently touched the fading scar on his cheek. Her mere touch sent a powerful jolt of a thousand different emotions racing through him.

"You were hurt?" she whispered sadly "Are YOU alright Sorata?" Her hand slipping weakly from his cheek to touch the faint scars just around his neck.

Sorata drew in a harsh breath at her question and his eyes immediately brimmed with unshed tears. How can you ask me that Nee-chan when you may very well be dying in my arms!?! His heart cried. You wouldn't be lying here if you hadn't have saved me when you did! This is ALL MY FAULT!!!

He shut his eyes to banish the tears he would not allow her to see and grabbed her hand to gently pull it away from his neck. He squeezed it softly and when he was sure the tears were gone he opened his eyes to look into her beautiful violet ones.

"I'm going to be just fine, and so are you Nee-chan." He said, his voice thick with emotion.

He watched her face change from one full of worry to one full of grief. Sorata's heart skipped a beat as Arashi slowly shook her head.

"I'm so…sorry…Sorata." She whimpered as her own eyes brimmed with tears.

"Don't cry Nee-chan! What could you ever possibly be sorry for!?!" he asked distraught by the tears that shimmered in her eyes.

Arashi swallowed the lump in her throat and took a deep breath. He had to know.

"I'm sorry…. that…. I wasn't… her." She fought to say.

Sorata looked confused. "I don't understand Arashi. What are you talking about?"

Arashi closed her eyes, fighting to get this out. She could feel herself dying, she knew she wasn't going to last much longer. He had to know that she was sorry, sorry because what she had to say would cause him pain. But he had to know that she was NOT the one.

"I'm… not going… to make it… Sorata… And I'm… sorry…you thought…that I was... the one…you would…die for." She struggled to say, her breathing becoming an impossible battle to conquer.

Sorata's jaw dropped in shock. The pain he felt in his heart at the dark meaning behind her words was nothing like any pain he had ever felt before. It completely knocked the wind out of his lungs and it was suddenly too painful to breath. She thinks that I'm mistaken. She truly believes that I've chosen the wrong woman to love! How could she ever possibly think that!?!

A sudden fierce anger flooded through him and he drew her closer to him, his soul piercing eyes catching hers and holding them bound until they were lost in the depths of each other, refusing to let go until she heard what he had to say.

"You listen to me Kishuu Arashi, destiny may tell me that I will die protecting the woman I love…but it will NOT determine WHO that woman will be! Only MY HEART can make that choice….and MY heart has chosen you! YOU Arashi and NO ONE ELSE! I LOVE YOU…and not even DEATH will take that from me! Do you understand!?"

Arashi could only stare in wonder at Sorata's powerful declaration. Did he really mean that!?! But the bigger question was….could she really believe that? The odds were not in their favor… but his point was valid…no one could escape their destiny. And…if she really were his chosen one…that would mean that…somehow…she would be saved and they would live to fight another battle where he'd meet his fate…or….he would die protecting her here…just before she died…..

Suddenly the air to seemed vanish, and Arashi couldn't breathe. Sorata's hard stare immediately became one of panic as Arashi started to gasp for air.

"Arashi!!! ARASHI!?! WHAT IS IT!?! WHAT'S WRONG!?!" He cried as she started to struggle.

"Can't…..breathe!" she gasped in terror.

Sorata swiftly sat her up and leaned her against the tree that sheltered them. Coming around in front of her, he started to unbutton the first few buttons of the collar of her blouse, trying anything he could think of to help her breathe. As he got past her second button he drew his hands back in shock as he saw a glowing necklace hanging around her neck. The pendant was glowing, pulsing an angry shade of crimson; the symbol was that of a pentagram.

A shikigami curse!!! His mind screamed. In an instant, everything made complete sense! Arashi's strange behavior, her nightmares, her dizzy spells, her lack of energy, and her inability to heal. It was ALL caused by THAT THING around her neck!

"Arashi!!! WHERE did you get THIS!?!?" Sorata cried in alarm.

Arashi shook her head, still trying to catch a breath. Sorata ignored the pendant then and refocused on her breathing. Putting both hands on her shoulders he ordered her to look into his eyes; to focus on him.

Trying not to panic, she followed his orders, looking deep into his eyes.

"Now. Try to stay calm and breath with me ok! Just stay with me!"

Arashi nodded and obeyed. When Sorata took in a deep breath, so did she. When he breathed out slowly, so did she. They continued this pattern until Arashi no longer struggled for each breath. Her breathing was still shallow and terribly raspy, as though she had a terrible cold and Sorata feared that the puncture to her lungs was far worse than he had originally thought.

"You." Arashi finally answered shakily.

"What?" He asked in confusion.

"I thought… the necklace…. was a present…. from YOU!" she panted heavily.

Sorata shook his head in confusion and dismay and looked down at the glowing specter.

"That is a cursed shikigami Arashi! It's that THING that's behind ALL of this! It's KILLING YOU!" He spat out in anger. How could he have let this happen!?! How could he have not known!?!

Arashi's eyes widened in absolute horror. A shikigami curse!?! How could she have not seen it!?! No wonder she had felt weak all the time! It was draining her life force without her even knowing!!! And she had been wearing it for days!!! Fury drove her to bring her hands up to pull at the necklace, trying to get it off.

Seeing her actions, Sorata immediately reached out to help her pull it off as well, but the moment he physically touched it, he felt a powerful shock shoot throughout his whole body sending him flying several feet away before crashing into an aging headstone.

"SORATA!" Arashi cried as she also crashed to the ground, feeling her body starting to shut down.

Sorata sat up with a loud groan and rubbed his back as he a brought himself up into a kneeling position. The cold breeze that had started to stir earlier suddenly picked up in intensity. As if by magic the sky was suddenly littered with tiny glowing blossoms….cherry blossoms.

Oh no… was all Sorata could think as his blood ran cold, shooting like ice water through his veins. Oh please no!

Arashi, sprawled out helpless on the ground, lifted her head to see the swirling blossoms as well.

A loud, ominous laughter rang throughout the night air and Arashi looked at Sorata who was scanning the night sky, both hands already wielding powerfully charged orbs of electricity.

Her heart beating wildly, she tried to push herself up to her hands and knees but was unable to find the strength necessary to do it. This is it... Her mind panicked… This is the end… Destiny has finally found us….

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A small part of me is saying, "Just end it here." Is that what I should do? Or should I keep going? Give me a review and help me decide! ;) -Miko