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Chapter 4: Hidden Lies and Death

The arrow went through his barrier, setting the fuda on fire and nicking him across his cheek. Blood welled up in the cut and trickled down his cheek as he dropped the burning slips of paper. Tsuzuki stood frozen as the girl smiled evilly at him as she notched another arrow. They tried to move but found they could not. Looking down in horror, their feet were encased in cement. Tsuzuki reached for another fuda but felt his arms go limp. Realizing that there was no escape, they waited for the end to come. She aimed her arrow at Tsuzuki's heart. "Time to say good night boys." She released her arrow.

Just then, Kazutaka leaped in the way of the approaching arrow. With arms outstretched and eyes closed, he stood his ground protecting the man he loved and waited for the cold touch of death to embrace him.

"NOOOOOOOO!" screamed Alicia in horror. "Cygnus! Intercept!"

The swan opened his mouth and sent an ice spear toward the arrow. Inches from making contact, the ice spear strikes the arrow and exploded.

All five men exhaled in relief. "Are you all right, Asato?" asked Muraki turning his head slightly.

"Yes, we're fine," said the purple eye guardian. "Kai . . ."

"She is the reason why I did not want to tell you where I was when I disappeared from Tokyo." Muraki lowered his head sighing. "As you can see, Alicia is very protective. She usually acts without thinking first. I will take care of her."

Muraki walked over to his younger sister and before he could say anything Alicia spoke. "You idiot! You could have been killed!" she ranted at him. "What the hell is . . ." Before she could say anymore, he took her into his arms and held her tight.

Letting the bow slip from her hand, she embraced her brother while resting her forehead against his chest. "Oh Kai, I was afraid I would not make it here in time."

"Shh, everything is okay," he said soothingly. Pulling her away, he cupped her cheeks and frowned. "You're very hot. Are you sick?"

She slapped his hand away in anger. "Of course I'm sick. I was scared sick that you were going to sit here and let them kill you."

Suddenly Oriya and Ukyou joined them. Ukyou threw her arms around Muraki's neck. "I was so worried. When you came by and canceled our wedding, I didn't know what to think."

"I'm sorry if I worried you but I'm fine," said Muraki glaring at his friend. "As for you, I thought I told you not to tell Alicia where I was going."

Oriya snorted while raking his fingers through his long hair. "Are you kidding? She threatened to burn down my business or expose to the newspapers what sort of business I run along with giving them a list of my clients."

"You know she wouldn't have done it."

"When I told her where you were she destroyed my fountain killing all the koi fishes. You know how expensive those things are?"

"Alicia will replace them," he said staring into the defiant gaze of his sister. "But first, little one, put out the fires."

"Don't call me that!" She snapped angrily and crossed her arms across her chest. She glanced at Muraki from the corner of her eyes and sighed at the patient look on his face. "Fine. Cygnus! Extinguish the flames and then you may go," she commanded. The swan squawked stretching his mighty wings. As the swan rose upwards, he attacked the flames with a freezing ice mist putting the fires out. Once the blaze was snuffed out, the celestial ice swan disappeared.

"Now, the fire is out. Let's go," said Alicia pulling on his arm.

"No, I'm not going."

"But why not?" She dug her nails into the flesh of his arm.

"Alicia, I have done some terrible things and it is time that I answered for them." He pried her fingers from his arm holding her hand.

"You didn't tell them, did you?" Alicia stared at him in shock.

"Tell who, what?" asked Ukyou not understanding what was going on. "Kazu, what is she talking about?"

He said nothing.

"She is right," said Oriya. "You didn't tell them. Dammit Kazu, why would you sentence yourself like that?"

"Think about it, if what you claim is true, do you honestly think they will take responsibility for such a foul up." He smiled sadly at Alicia. "Like all bureaucrats, they will simply cover up their mistake and I will still be damned."

"But, it's not right. This place is suppose to give out justice but they are just using you as a scapegoat because of their own incompetence." Tears of anger fell from her silver eyes. "If you have to suffer than they should suffer as well."

"Alicia, we both knew this day would come." Muraki raised a hand wiping the tears from her eyes.

"No! I'm not letting them take you away from me." She turned a scathing glare at Tsuzuki. "I can hide you where they will never be able to find you." She grabbed his arm and pulled him. She turned to see seven figures dressed in heavily embroidered kimonos and each was wearing an animal mask. The figure in the middle had his long black hair done up in a topknot and sitting on top of the knot was a silver flame.

"You." Alicia snarled.

"Who is that?" asked Ukyou frightened.

"I have no idea but whoever he is his powers are extraordinary," said Oriya shivering in fear.

"That is the king of hades, Lord Enma," said Muraki. Ukyou and Oriya gasped in shock while Alicia continued to growl at the man.

"You bastards have a lot of gall trying to judge my brother," spat Alicia. "If there is anyone who should be punished it should be you. It is because of your incompetence my brother had to suffer like this."

The figures said nothing.

"What's wrong? Aren't you going to say anything? Aren't you going to deny it?" asked Oriya. "You've known all along and did nothing to rectify the situation. You're no better than that psycho Saki."

"Oriya. Alicia, don't," said Muraki sadly. "It's better this way."

"No, it's not," said Alicia. She grabbed her staff and lunged toward the dark figure that was Lord Enma. Raising her staff over her head, she brought it down against a barrier. She was repelled backwards. "Son of a bitch!" She charged again striking out again and again but each time the barrier prevented her from making contact. "You stand here with your holier than thou attitude judging my brother for something that is your fault! Coward! Hypocrite! I hate you! I hate you! I HATE YOU!" Just as she brought her staff down, Lord Enma raised his hand and grabbed the metal ring.

"Your brother's sentence has already been decided," said Lord Enma gently.

Alicia felt all her rage and hurt drain out of her as she stared at the ominous figure with tears falling from her eyes. "Why?" she asked letting her arms go limp. "You know it wasn't his fault. Tell me why?"

"You should spend what little time is left with your brother."

With head lowered, she turned around and slowly trudged back to where her brother was standing dragging the staff behind her. When she stood before him, she raised her watery eyes up to him. She felt her heart break as he smiled down to her and pulled her into his arms.

"It's all right, little one," said Muraki placing a kiss on the top of her head.

"I thought . . . I told you . . . ," She said sobbing, "not to call me . . . me that."

He buried his wet face in her thick silver tresses. "I'm sorry I won't be here for you any more." He whispered in her ear and let the hot tears fall from his eyes.

xxxxx

To say he was shock was an understatement. Tsuzuki could not believe the power of this young girl. Not only did her, (well until he can come up with a better name to call the swan, shikigami is all he can think to call the spiritual bird), shiki turn Suzaku into a block of ice. Her arrow broke through his barrier without any difficulty, burning his fuda and cutting him across the cheek. Although the wound was not deep and it healed almost immediately, the fact that she was able to touch him at all was a wonder in and of itself. 'Who is this child? And where on Earth did Kazutaka find her?'

He watched as she notched another arrow. Tsuzuki was about to reach for another spell, maybe he could deflect it but suddenly, his arms went limp. He tried to move it, but there was nothing he could do. He was helpless.

"Tsuzuki what's wrong?" asked Hisoka frantically as he watched the girl pull back on the bow string.

"I can't move my arms," said Tsuzuki.

"Maybe, I can," said Tatsumi struggling but to his horror he could not move as well. "I can't move either."

"Than that means . . ." The teenage guardian said shocked.

"Yes, we are completely helpless," said Tatsumi looking at the beautiful young woman that looked like an avenging angel.

With eyes wide, Tsuzuki watched as the arrow came directly at him. He could see his life and afterlife pass before his eyes when something stepped in front of him. His eyes were filled with horror as he stared up at his lover standing in between him and the approaching arrow with arms stretched out shielding him.

"What are you doing?" Tsuzuki yelled. "Move!"

Muraki said nothing. He just stood his ground. At the last minute the girl ordered the swan to stop the arrow. Shooting out a long spear of ice, it hit the arrow and it exploded within inches of hitting him. All five men released a deep sigh of relief.

Once the dust cleared, Muraki asked if they were all right. Letting him know that they were not too badly hurt, Muraki told them that it was because of his sistser's temper that he did not let them know where he had disappeared to after the fire in Kyoto.

Tsuzuki understood why he wanted to keep this girl a secret. If it had not been for Muraki stepping in at the last minute. He knew that he would be dead right now. Then Muraki walked over to her and they began to talk. Unfortunately for the three guardians, they were still encased in the cement.

Tsuzuki took out a fuda and threw it down at his feet shattering the cement. He turned to see Tatsumi had already freed himself and was freeing Hisoka.

"Are you guys all right?" asked Watari running over to join them.

"Yes, amazingly we are," said Tatsumi pushing his glasses back up the bridge of his nose. "It seems that great power runs in the family."

"I don't know about that," said Watari looking at the group. "Before the attack started I had went to the library to look over Muraki's record. I had read a passage about a sister but it said she was adopted from the United States."

"Really," said Hisoka shocked as he stared at the girl. "But they look so alike."

"You think maybe his father had an affair with her mother?"

"Can't be. I saw a picture of the family. Neither of his parents has platinum blonde hair."

"You think maybe he was adopted also," said Tatsumi. "Maybe they both were born in the states and the Murakis adopted him."

"Your theory is sound but incorrect, records shows that Kazutaka Muraki was born to his parents," said Watari stroking his chin. "This truly is a mystery."

Suddenly they heard a commotion and turned to see seven masked figures standing before the small group. "Who are they?" asked Hisoka. "They look familiar."

"They should," said Tsuzuki. "That is the council and the figure in the middle is Lord Enma himself."

Suddenly they gasped in shock as the girl actually attacked Lord Enma although her attacks were being stopped by the lord's barrier. They began to wonder why she keeps insisting that it is the ministry's fault Muraki turned out the way he did. The girl shrieked and raged at Enma as she called him a coward and a hypocrite. They watched as Alicia swung her staff but this time Lord Enma caught it in mid strike. Tsuzuki watched as the girl's shoulders slumped and turned with lowered head to go back to her brother. He watched them embrace. Suddenly his heart skipped a beat when Muraki collapsed into his sister's arms. Seeing his lover fall, Tsuzuki quickly runs to him.

xxxxx

With the help of Oriya, she laid her brother on the ground and held his head in her arms. When she saw the shinigamis running toward her, she became angry. She glared at Tsuzuki as he knelt down beside Muraki. He reached out a hand to brush back the hair that fell into his face.

"Don't you touch him," she snarled at him as she clutched Muraki close to her breast. "You got what you wanted, my brother's death. I hope you're happy now! This is your fault. If you had stayed away from him, he would still be alive and I would not be alone again. I hate you and I will never ever forgive you!"

Tsuzuki felt tears form in his eyes and run down his face. 'No, you're wrong. This was not what I wanted and neither am I happy.'

"Alicia," Muraki gasped out. Raising a shaking hand, he wiped her tears away. "Do not blame Asato. It is not his fault. This is my decision. Please don't let hate and fear consume your heart as it did mine. I want you to be happy. I want you to live and have a family of your own. And hopefully when your heart doesn't hurt anymore, you will tell them about their uncle."

"Of course I will. Even though my heart has shattered into a million pieces that can never be mended. I will never forget you, my brother." She stared down at him as her tears fell like rain into his pale face. "Oriya. Ukyou, let's go home."

"Wait, please bring Asato."

Alicia stared into her brother's sad eyes and nodded her head. "Whatever you want."

Before everyone's eyes, Oriya, Ukyou, Alicia, and Kazutaka along with Tsuzuki disappeared.

xxxxx

They reappeared underneath a cherry tree in full bloom. Tsuzuki looked around in shock at the falling pink blossoms. He saw rows of blossoming cherry trees in a rose garden. He knew that it was winter in the mortal world and he frowned as he gazed up at the trees.

"Why are these trees in full bloom?" asked Tsuzuki. "Its still winter."

"Kai placed a spell on this garden to keep it blooming year round," said Alicia. With the help of Oriya, they had propped Muraki up against one of the trees. Then she sat down between his legs and wrapped his arms around her neck. Tsuzuki knelt on one side while Ukyou and Oriya knelt on the other.

"I can die in peace because I am now surrounded by the people I love most in this world," said Muraki sadly. "Ukyou, I'm sorry I could not love you the way you wanted me to."

"It's okay, Kazu," Ukyou said wiping tears from her eyes. "Seeing the look of happiness in your eyes now, is all I ever wanted. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I always knew we were not meant to be but I am glad for the years we had together."

He smiled at her and then turned to Oriya. "Well Oriya, I guess this time I really won't be bothering you again."

"You were never a bother. You are my friend, my best friend," said Oriya choking back the tears. "Besides, you know I could never stay angry with you. I hope you have the peace you so rightfully deserve."

"Thank you." Muraki smiled at this friend. "One more thing, please take care of my little Alicia. I know she may rub you the wrong way at times and she may say she can take care of herself. But I would rest easier knowing that you will keep an eye on her."

Oriya cleared his throat swallowing a dry lump. "You have my word. I shall make sure your little troublemaker stays out of trouble." He could no longer fight back the tears as they trickled down his face.

"Alicia, my little champion, don't be angry with me because I chose to not fight the charges."

"I could never be angry with you, brother," she said sadly.

"You need not be afraid because you are not alone anymore. You have Oriya and Ukyou and all the other friends you made at the monastery. And if you let him, you have Asato as well." He tightened his arms slightly and yanked on a string of hair that dangled on the side of her face. "Don't hate him. You will see in time that my beautiful guardian of death is a wonderfully caring man."

"For you, I will try," she said wiping tears from her eyes.

"Good. Take care of yourself, little one," he said smiling.

"I-I thought I told you not to call me that." Tears flowed heavily down her face as she snuggled deeper into Muraki's embrace.

"Asato." Tsuzuki sat beside him and rested his head against that of his lover's head.

"My dear sweet Asato. I shall miss you. I want you to know that I have been in love with you every since I first laid eyes upon you in that hospital bed. Your beautiful eyes were filled with sadness, loneliness, regret, and pain. I knew how you felt. You had the same look I often had at times." Muraki smiled to himself. "These pass few weeks with you have made me the happiest man in the world, and I shall cherish those memories close to my heart. I love you, Asato."

"And I shall forever love you, Kazutaka." Tsuzuki gently pressed his lips against those of his lovers and tasted the saltiness of their tears as they mingled together.

Muraki sighed as he leaned his head back against the tree. He could feel his heart slowing and his vision was getting dim. It was time. He removed his glasses and wiped the tears from his eyes. "Tell me Alicia, is it getting dark. Have the stars come out?"

Everyone there felt a hand clutch their heart when he spoke those chilling words. Alicia wiped her eyes and tried to smile through her tears. "Yes, it is getting dark and the stars are out. There are so many of them and they are so bright. They look like diamonds twinkling in the sky. The moon is slowly rising over the horizon. It is a beautiful, silver blue orb. You should see it. It is so big and so very bright that it is lighting up the night sky. And it is so close, you could almost reach up and touch it."

"Yes, that is a beautiful picture you have described." He sighed. "Farewell my friends, maybe one day when I am forgiven, we all will be able to meet again in another life." As the beating of his heart comes to a stop, he slowly closes his eyes for the final time.

Tsuzuki stares in shock as the roses in the garden began to wither and die. The trees that were heavy with the beautiful pink blossoms were now bare and ugly. He stared at his lover wiping tears from his eyes. 'Good bye my love.' He pressed his lips against those of his lover's for the last time.

As Muraki's arms loosen around Alicia's neck, she sat up and turned to face him in a panic. "Kai . . . Kai!" She pressed her ear against his chest. Nothing. She raised her head and stared at the peaceful expression on his face. Ukyou was sobbing uncontrollably as she buried her wet face against Oriya's chest. Alicia brushed the long sliver bang from out of his face, and placed a kiss on his forehead. "Good bye, my brother. We'll meet again, one day." She snuggled close to Kazutaka resting her head against his chest and placed his arms around her. "I will love you always." She closed her eyes and without her willing it, she falls into a deep fevered sleep.