untitled-first yaoi

"I'll start dinner right after I'm re-dressed," Cye commented as the five headed up the stairs. Kento grinned widely at the prospect of food, making the others laugh.

One by one they went into their assigned rooms. Rowen opened his door and peered at the next door down where Sage slipped into his own room gracefully. Something seemed to be nagging at the blonde and it was rather apparent - making the others worry. Sage was never one to let many of his emotions show - none of them really had that tendency except on occasion Ryo or Kento. Cye, of course, was the mother hen to everyone and his kindness and concern often showed through, but the harsher emotions were hardly known of by the wearer of Torrent.

He wanted to scream upon hearing the voice within his mind again. He nearly did, too! That would have been a great problem, for then he would have had to explain what was going on. "No," he muttered, "this is me… not them. They shouldn't get involved."

Weakly he pushed himself from the bed, where he had fallen upon entering his room, and moved to the dresser. Pulling out a breezy, button-up, green shirt, he slipped it on over his head. He put on light-colored pants for the companion to the shirt before looking himself over in the mirror.

This time he let out a rather large squeak of surprise before biting down hard on his lip. He collapsed to the ground, still unable to tear his gaze from the mirror. Wide, hollow spaces stared at him where eyes should have been. The skin was pulled taunt over the body, bones showing sickeningly through. The hair - supposed to be bright and gold - was a drab, dirty yellow - closer to brown.

His breath was quickening, he finally noticed, yet he could not quit his hyperventilating. Clutching at his shoulders and tearing his eyes away, he tried to close his eyes. But to no avail. Images threw themselves at him until he was screaming within his mind, so loud that even in physical form he no longer could speak.

~ The danger is flowing; evil is coming; hate will destroy; love will kill; happiness nevermore; nevermore; this is death; and darkness; and hate; so pale; death; death of love; nevermore; nevermore ~

His shaking form curled up on the carpeted floor into a tight ball. Tears were leaking from his face without him even knowing it, most of the wetness soaking into his hair.

"A… shower… wash up…" he muttered to himself. His eyes re-opened and he forced his sore muscles to allow him to stand. Working hard at keeping his balance, he made his way to the door and out into the hallway. If anyone saw him, he knew that there was nothing he could hide. But he would just have to take that chance, he hurt too much to turn back now.

Amazingly enough, he reached the bathroom without incident and locked it quickly before he collapsed again onto the floor. `Too much today. Thank the gods that school is out for a while. Maybe I'll finally be able to get rid of this…'

Soon the others were filing in. Mia exited a nearby door to her office and went to sit down on a chair across from Kento. Yulie had arrived home not much more than fifteen minutes ago and, so, was already at the table. Ryo, Rowen, and Sage appeared down the stairs before sitting.

The wearer of the Hardrock armor made a face and dug into his serving. Small talk came up rather easily as they ate, discussions of what to do over the summer break arising.

Mia offered, "Stay here, if you want, guys. Obviously there's enough place and you are already here during the school year. Yulie, do you think your parents are still okay with letting you stay for the summer?"

Everyone glanced at Sage, wondering if he'd be returning home for the summer. He had yet to add anything to the conversation at the dinner table that night.

He picked at his food lightly, seeming to be considering. "Not sure. I'll have to contact my onee-san before I can say anything. I'd rather stick around…" `I don't want to deal with questions at home.'

When Cye glanced over at Ryo, the leader of the team shrugged lightly, confusion also on his face. The tense silence was a bit unnerving and so it was a relief when Mia stood up. "Thank you, Cye. It was lovely as always. I'm sorry to leave dishes to you guys but I've still some work to finish."

Once everyone was all finished, White Blaze and Yulie went outside to play while the boys cleared off the table. "You're night for dishes, Ro! You too, Sage!" Kento told the two, walking from the kitchen.

"Seems interesting, I'm still working through it," Rowen responded, picking up a dishtowel and coming to stand beside the sink. Sage glanced sideways, raising an eyebrow to signal Rowen to elaborate. "It's A Separate Peace by John Knowles. Guess it's a popular, American high school book." He shrugged. "Rather interesting, though. It's taking place in World War II in the U.S. in…. New Hampshire, I believe. It's a first person narrative. I hear there's a lot of guilt in it, and I'm just starting to pick that out." He shrugged. "It's rather hard to explain. Interesting style of writing, which makes it good to read."

A soft cry of pain - or surprise? - emitted from Sage's lips. The plate he was holding smashed loudly onto the countertop, glass spraying in small explosions into the air. Rowen turned his back to the scene quickly to save himself from the shards.

"What the hell was that?" He turned back, confused. "Hey! You alright?" He rested a hand on Sage's softly shuddering shoulders while the blonde continued to squeeze his eyes shut tightly; his white-knuckled grip clinging to the counter for dear life. "S… Sage…? What happened?"

Rowen looked down at the tightened hands and was dismayed to find the red liquid forming a tiny pool beneath the grip. "C'mon, now. You're bleeding…" He was a bit unnerved by the reaction that Sage was releasing. Shivering and shaking was not at all something that anyone would see from Sage - he'd never allow them to.

It seemed that Sage came to about that same conclusion at that point. He straightened, quite suddenly, and began taking easy breaths until his looks returned to normal. He winced ever so slightly in disgust to find the glass pieces stuck within in palms. He backed away in surprise when a hand reached towards his face, causing Rowen a grunt of frustration.

"You're damn lucky you got that hair there," he remarked, bringing back his hand with a rather large shard of glass. "Your eye could have been taken out." He reached out again and ran his fingers through the golden bangs, his eyes flickering with a mixture of concern and annoyance.

Sage, on the other hand, was working hard at keeping his swirling, mixed-up emotions at bay. His hair was always something he rather liked to have played with; the tingling sensation he got from it quite pleasant. But at the moment, he really did not need to deal with it - and especially not from Rowen's touch. Soft fingertips lifted up the hair and then trailed along his face, checking for cuts. Enough was enough. Sage pulled back rather violently and turned away.

The clink of the pieces being set on the counter paused Rowen. "Well, not anymore, I guess." He scratched his head. "You still haven't spoken. What happened?"

Sighing in relief, Sage turned back and gave a wane smile. "Sure. … I'll probably be fine after resting." Silently he thanked Rowen for excepting his half-lie (he was most definitely getting a headache).

Titters of laughter echoed and bounced off the darkness, adding to the pulsating liquid beat of the blood. Other shapes and figures began to appear - in shadow form at least.

For some reason unknown to him he could detect his friends within the overwhelming sea of shadows. Their armors were outlined faintly in color, glowing just enough to fill him with the beginning of hope… and a bit of dread. Finally a shadow to the side moved and he twirled about to face it. The figure was indistinguishable with its shadowed features. But he could feel that this was the one.

The thrumming grew loud about him and his vision narrowed to only see the shadow standing before him. It moved forward, one shadow foot placed in front of the other. There was no breathing that he could detect - not even his own. The pulsing… the beat of the blood… it was all he could hear.

And suddenly hot, molten lips were pressed against his. And yet he didn't move away; he didn't want to move away. The blood pounded into his ears, embedded into his mind. Power surged through him with the deepening kiss and he felt himself needing to release the energy; it was much too overpowering!

His world spun, even with the incredible gain in power. He cried out in pain and confusion. Everything was spinning and what little color was around blurred and burned his eyes. He, himself, was spinning suddenly, his body moving fast about as power soaked into his skin and blood. There was a sharp pain, splitting straight through his heart and making him fall to the ground.

There was a familiar cry and he painfully raised his head up and looked through pain-filled eyes towards the shadowed form of his friends. There was another, other familiar, form before them now. And a friend had just been cut down. `N… o…' his lips formed the words but he could not speak.

The next fell, being choked to death without a warning. Then the next… and the last… each cry was buried in his mind. It hurt! He curled over into a fetal position, the pain soul splitting and terrorizing. The scene he had just witnessed played in his mind until he began to sob, shoulders shaking but no tears coming.

Wide-awake, Sage sat, at midnight, within the kitchen with only a cup of tea for company. He hadn't even tried to sleep yet; it would probably have not been a good idea. He continued to curse himself for earlier when he had been so careless as to drop the plate. What was wrong with him?

Getting the jitters just because some `ghost' thing was haunting him? When he actually spelled it out, it sounded laughably ridiculous. "Ghosts…" he muttered. What the hell was he thinking?

Then again, he grinned, he was a wearer of a ancient, mystic armor and he helped to fight against evil Dynasty creatures that popped up now and then. He sighed. Those things could be counted as ghosts. "So now what…" He was still trying to come up with a logical explanation for what was going on, but nothing was coming up.

Hearing footsteps coming downstairs, Sage looked inquisitively at the door. Surely whoever was up would peek into the kitchen to see what a dim light was doing on. A loud yawn broke the silence as a tousled form entered. Blue eyes slanted in the dim light to gaze at him.

The blue-haired boy dropped with a `plop' onto a chair opposite Sage. He scratched at his ruffled, loose hair for a bit and sighed. "Well… bad night for dreams. And here I need the rest… can't get it." He was mumbling a bit, but at least not so much that Sage wouldn't be able to understand him. "Ya answer, now."

"Hmm… y'know I don't believe that one for a second." Rowen seemed to be coming more awake. "And where's some coffee, I'll be dead to the world in two minutes if I don't get some caffeine." Sage chuckled lightly as he watched Rowen get up and rummage through the cupboards.

Rowen glared back at him, taking down a coffeepot and other necessities. "I gotta talk to you `fore I doze off. There's sumtin' off `ere." He yawned again. Frustrated with himself, he shook his head quickly. "Yeah, what I said: something's wrong. I want to know what."

A while later, after the coffee was done, Rowen drowsily sipped at his cup. He had nearly fallen asleep on his feet while waiting. "Where was I…?" he mumbled to himself. "Ah, yeah. Well?"

"With any of us?" A shake of head. "Um, okay. So… elaborate, will ya? I'm not some mind reader or empath or something… you gotta spell it out." One blue eyebrow quirked upwards, creating a rather cute effect.

"Jeez! You alright?" Sage hurried up and over to the other side of the table. Finding Rowen glaring up at him and rubbing his ruffled, blue hair, Sage slid down next to him - and received a bonk on the head. "Hey ~! What's that for?"

"Don't distract me like that! Whatcha do that for anyhow?" Rowen pouted, unknowingly again adding to his rather cute demeanor. Sage had to start chuckling again. "What?"

Getting a little fed-up with his friend, and deciding it was about pay-back time, Rowen shoved Sage over until the blonde was on his back. Startled, Sage looked up at him as Rowen bent over him on all fours. "And just what am I `screwing myself into', babe?"

Suddenly unsure of what was going on, not having control any longer, Sage began to slide out from under the other boy. Rowen stopped him by holding down on his wrists. "H-hey… Rowen… um…" Sage was more than flustered and actually turning a bit frightened. Unknown feelings shot through him, a mixture of pain and warmth. And there was something else.

Enjoying this game, Rowen leaned in closer. Hell, if they were playing around, why not take hold of this opportunity? Let's face it, just how often could someone get the beautiful, blond Sage Date trapped underneath them and helpless? He faltered suddenly when Sage's eyes went dead and weren't focusing on anything any longer. His breathing slowed until it was almost like there was nothing at all.

Rowen yelped in surprise and fell full-length down onto the blonde still below him. `What the hell? I was… pushed…?' But he knew there was no one else down there!

Without even knowing what was happening, the kitchen door swung open, and Ryo walked in. "Huh?" he wondered aloud, realizing he wasn't alone. "Whoa!" Eyes huge in surprise, he took a step back. "Uh… um… eh… heh… sorry guys!" He backed away quickly, still staring with startled eyes.

"Shit!" Sage, finally fully awake, pushed angrily at Rowen. "This… is not what you think…" he remarked darkly as he stood up, walking towards Ryo. "I am not…"

Sage pulled back, confused. "What the hell…? Whoa, whoa! What are you talking about? I am not some pervert!" He whirled around to face Rowen, who was just standing, and glared at him in bafflement. "I…!!" Letting out a frustrated cry, he stumbled from the room. Just seconds later the outside door sounded.

Rowen turned a bright red, contrasting with his blue hair. "Shut up! Please…" He sighed, confused and tortured. "Ryo, there was nothing that happened… just like… like he said…" His face contorted.

Ultimately confused, Ryo re-thought the very brief confrontation he'd had just moments before with Sage. He had been awakened by some odd dreams and had proceeded to come downstairs. When walking in, he had been quite startled to find a dazed Sage laying submissively under Rowen. But then there was the brief bit of conversation… `I am not some pervert!'

"Never mind, Ryo," he hissed between clenched teeth, "I didn't say anything and now I don't have to! Saves me some humiliation!" He marched to the door. "I'm going to bed!"

Sighing in a mixture of annoyance and concern, Rowen swung his feet over the side of his bed. That bizarre dream had come to him yet again, which was the cause of his awakening for the past week and a half. It was a rather lucky thing for him that Cye had ended up returning home for most of the summer, or he would have been scolded for not getting enough rest.

He slipped out the door and began to walk down the hall, but he paused when he noted the light coming from underneath and through a crack of the bathroom door. `Wonder who else is up…' he thought, with an odd feeling of foreboding. In all cases, he should have just passed the door by - after all it was a bathroom. Yet… the door was open, if just a crack, and there was an instinct pushing Rowen to move the door open. `What…?' he wondered carelessly as a hand extended and pushed the door open just a bit more.

The light stung his eyes, so he could see nothing, only able to hear a gasp of shock. When his eyes had adjusted, Rowen almost wished he was blinded again. He stood stock still, all muscles too tense to move.

There was a light pool of red liquid on the pale, up-turned wrist. Carelessly, a drop slid over the curve of the palm and traced down the index finger. Sage's eyes turned downcast and he turned back to stare at his wrist. Just to his side, a small razor blade lay on the ground. "I guess I should have been more careful with the door."

Letting all his emotions pour into one, raw, indefinable feeling, Rowen snapped off the door handle and threw it over his shoulder; somewhere on the first floor it landed with a loud crash.

"Shit! Why'd you have to do that! Wake everyone up?!" Sage stood and threw a punch into Rowen's face, blood flying off his wrist and stinging at Rowen's skin.

"Doushite, Seiji?" Rowen whispered, catching Sage's wounded arm just below the cut. Blood welled up from the pressure and streamed lightly over his fingertips. "Doushite…?"

Rowen's brows knitted together as he stared into Sage's pale eyes. Somewhere in the back of his mind he realized that no one was coming to see what the commotion was about - he wondered absently how that could be. The crash was loud enough as it was, and even Sage's first shout should have woken them.

"I… I was not…" Sage struggled for the words, finding it difficult with his forearm in Rowen's warm grasp; and his eyes captivated by the mystic blue of the other's. "Nottryingtoendmylife, okay?" He glanced away and pulled angrily out of Rowen's grip, holding his arm to his chest.

A grieved look made its appearance on his face while he stared at the blonde's back. In the long mirror of the countertop, their reflections followed their actions, only somehow slightly distorted. Neither boy, however, looked at it.

"Still… why…? What's going on…" Rowen fought with himself, not understanding as he racked with the feeling of guilt. "Why, Sage? Please, tell me why…" he whispered.

Suddenly both gazes turned to the mirror as something out of the ordinary flashed through it. Sage bit hard on his lip to keep from screaming while Rowen let out a startled yelp. The now-familiar reflection of Sage was staring out, making a mockery of the beautiful blonde; its bony physic showing slowly pulsing veins full of blood, a mirror image of the cut bleeding down the near-white skin.

Rowen was thrown into the mirror, smashing his head hard against the surface. As he began to slide down to the countertop, a smear of red trailed behind his blue hair.

"No! Don't add them into this!" the voice was foggy, yet clear, to Rowen as he tried to focus. "Leave him out of this! It is me, me - and I am here and willing!"

Sage reached out for Rowen, but dared not touch the boy. Within the mirror, Rowen's image had turned the ghostly white, the bones showing through just as on his reflection. Shaking his head violently, Sage pounded on the surface, his image's mouth open in silent cries - as if to mock him.

"No…" Sage whispered, strange crystal tears slipping from his eyes as he slid down to the floor where his blood stained a bit of the rug. He glared furiously at the cut. Why couldn't it be fresher, cleaner? Larger? He could do nothing… nothing at all, for some reason. He closed his eyes tightly. `Redo this… redo this please!'

Stretching cat-like, Ryo reached down, over his bed to scratch at White Blaze's head. He stood up and picked up a change of clothes, preparing to head for the bathroom for a shower. The white tiger trotted along after him until the wearer of Wildfire stopped before the bathroom door.

Eyebrows furrowed in confusion, he asked aloud, "What the hell happened here?" He bent over the peered closer at the door handle. Only a stub of where the rest of the handle had been was left. "Weird…" he muttered before entering and locking White Blaze out.

He started the shower and then proceeded to strip. Dropping his clothes within the hamper, he sighed noisily when he saw the mirror dirty again. Seems it was rusting or something - a very odd occurrence, but he gave not much thought to it. He picked up a nearby washcloth and ran it over the surface a few times before the stains were removed. Finally, he allowed himself to slip into the shower.

`Strange…' he suddenly noted, `smells a bit like blood in here.' He frowned and shrugged. He was probably wrong. It had been a while, after all, since he'd done any fighting. He knew blood smells in strong quantities, not tiny little bits like he was detecting now. `Just some stupid sense of smell, I guess…'

The black-haired teen shrugged, frowning slightly. "Don't know, Yulie. It's quite a bit strange - already three and he's still not up?" He looked over at the others who were sitting on the patio, chatting quietly amongst themselves.

He slid open the door to the house and moved up the stairs. He had been itching to go find out why Rowen hadn't gotten up yet, but had held off - not wishing to be criticized on his worries. Grinning to himself, Kento opened Rowen's door with a flourish and called, "Good afternoon, sleepy head! That beauty rest do you any good?"

The blue-haired boy cracked open an eye. "…Got the mother of all migraines… shit, that hurts…" He reached a hand to the side of his head and applied a bit of pressure.

"Hey, guys," Mia's soft voice broke the bit of conversation that the three Ronins were having. Off to the side, Yulie sat with White Blaze while both surveyed the going-ons. "Not to make you worry… but, Rowen didn't seem to just have a major headache; there was dried blood near the base of his hairline in back. Kind of strange, the blood couldn't have been too old but the wound was already a near-invisible scar by the time I brushed away the dried bits of blood."

"Blood…?" Ryo muttered, more to himself to the others. Trying to recall why that rang a bell, he burst out, "Wait a sec! Did anyone else notice a scent of blood in the bathroom?"

Standing up, Sage rubbed a knot from his neck before addressing the others. "I think I'm going to go up to my room to meditate. I'll… think on this a bit later…"

With no protests, he moved on up the stairs. Behind he overheard a comment about him wearing long-sleeves in the heat of summer. He shrugged mentally. Let them talk behind him. He already had fake answers for anything they asked.

Shaking his head violently, Sage stepped stubbornly into the room and shut the door. The figure in bed shifted a bit, blue hair moving against the pillows. "Oh… you're awake…" Sage noted.

"Don't do that!" the other protested, looking ready to tackle the blonde if he even attempted it. His plan worked, and Sage laughed - even if it was in the tiniest amounts. "Um… I had a question… I had this… dream…?"

Sighing, and knowing that he was pushing his luck, the blue-haired boy pressed on. "I dreamt I walked in on you cutting yourself. I'msorrydon'tbemadatme itwasonlyadream… ne?" He raised a shoulder in unconscious self-defense. But Sage hadn't even moved. Well, Rowen noted, he had stiffened just a tad. `Was… was it a dream…?' But then, wouldn't he be dead?

Rowen turned to let his feet fall over the side of the bed. "Sage…? Daijoubu desu ka? I'm… worried about this…" When there was still no reply, he stood and walked over on silent feet. Something truly must have been wrong for it seemed Sage did not even notice his approach. Even though this worried Rowen, he was thankful for it.

Since he had the element of surprise, Rowen snaked out a hand and pulled back Sage's forearm to peel back the long-sleeve shirt. Raised welts near the wrist rose to great him. "Shit!" He fell to the floor when Sage swung a subconscious blow his way.

"It's my own gods-damned body and flesh; it's also my life! Let me deal with it! I told you before, I'm not pulling the shit about ending my fucked-up life, okay?!"

Rowen's eyes widened and he pulled himself back, staring up from his position on the floor. "Sage…" But the blonde was already exiting via the window, jumping nimbly down to the ground and running off into the woods. `Sage…?'

Closing his eyes, Rowen replayed the scene in his mind. Sage had actually lost control… a great deal of it. And revealed new things to be looked-into. Very serious things. `Sage…? What's going on here?'

He pulled himself up from the floor and went to stare out the window. He only prayed that his friend would return that night - or even ever would be good enough. Looking up at the slowly falling evening, Rowen prayed softly, `Boku no Tenku, keep watch and protect him.' A star twinkled brilliantly at him before separating from its family and falling within the direction that Sage had taken.

He ran, legs pumping furiously and feet hitting hard against the ground. The forest floor was uneven, however, and he continually stumbled until he was no longer able to get up from his falls. Breathing hard, he cursed himself and his damned weaknesses.

How could he have allowed himself to burst apart like that back in the house? Now Rowen would go and tell the others and he would have nothing! His mask had already fallen down, no longer easy to keep in place. Hugging himself, Sage closed his eyes tightly. He had told Rowen that he wasn't trying for Death… but it was Death he wanted. He just didn't think he could get it, and knew that if there was truly an after-life he'd be full of guilt for doing that to his friends. He knew they cared, he just hated that sometimes... at times like this in particular.

`I don't understand,' he admitted. Sighing softly, Sage let his muscles loosen. He couldn't stay tensed up any longer. As he fell into Sleep's arms he had the strange sensation of silk running soothingly along his body.

The blond boy had fallen unconscious with a little coaxing, giving in quite easily. The last of the human's body went limp as he lay sprawled out on the ground. Gathering above the body, shadows swirled about, growing slowly larger until a sort of blanket formed. The body below twitched just a bit as the first corner fell to cover him.

The boy settled again, the rest of the cloak dropped down to cocoon the body up. Just as it was about to bind at the edges, a blue light glowed brilliantly, trying to keep it apart. Angry at having their plan denied, other shadows came to join in the power. It was definitely a hard-fought battle, but the resources for the shadows were infinite and soon the blue ki of Tenku was encased with the blonde boy. With hope, it sent out a distress signal to its bearer, just hoping he would arrive in time.

Rowen didn't reply, still dashing headlong for the door and holding an orb in hand. Surprised to see it, Kento was about to ask what he was doing. Blue light flickered, trying desperately to put its wearer in sub-armor, but it wasn't working.

Ryo and Kento chased after their friend with White Blaze following. Mia and Yulie ran to the door with them, just to watch as they disappeared into the woods.

Muttering about keeping things secretive, Ryo continued to follow. An instinct feeling was telling him something was very wrong. Where was Sage? `Does this have to do with him?' he wondered.

They stumbled quite suddenly into a clearing where a large… mass of black lay on the ground. Blue light was faintly shimmering at the edges, but its battle was already lost.

"Shit! Tenku!" Rowen shouted, wondering if he could help any. For some reason, it took a few moments for it to click that it was Sage's body that the blackness was fitting around. Eyes round in surprise, he shouted, "Sage! Damnit Sage, get up! Call Korin! Sage!"

Rowen moved forward but was immediately blown back with an unseen force. As soon as he hit a tree, he felt the long, shadowy hands reach out and start pulling him in. Screaming in surprise, he struggled. It only resulted in getting him sunk deeper into the shadows. Looking back to the encased Sage, he realized that the armors had no chance of protecting him. "Ryo, Kento! Call them back! Get them back before they're destroyed! Call them ba--!"

His mouth was melting into the shadows and he no longer could shout to them. He watched, however, with great relief when the armors were returned to their wielders. Without the other two fighting against the impending darkness, the shadows immediately enveloped the pale light that was slowly fading.

"What the hell!" Rowen disappeared into the shadows, just like butter slipping through a misplaced grasp. "What's going on?" Kento reached out for Sage, hoping to somehow at least save him. To his luck, though, the shadows formed a dark hole on the ground and pulled the encased Ronin under.

That was almost as surprising to hear from Kento as was the whole thing that had just taken place. "…" Ryo couldn't come up with a response quite yet. Fighting within himself, he felt miserable. Reluctantly he allowed Kento to help him up as they moved back to the house with the bad news.

The autumn air was rather warm during the fifth week of school; quite a pleasant surprise. The girls still happily wore their skirts without complaining about the weather, while in turn some of the boys protested the dress shirts and pants, rolling both up short until teachers yelled at them for breaking the rules.

As the bells rang, students flew inside the building to get to class in a hurry. Tardiness was never excused and was so easily put down in warm weather since students preferred staying outside. In the winter it was a different story.

Once their names were called, the classroom slowly filled with the buzz of talk while the students began talking to one another about their weekends and previous dates. In the far back corner on the right (near the windows) two unusual boys sat. One with bright, blue hair and deep blue eyes; the other had bright golden hair of sunlight and pale eyes - and both were Japanese!

The blue-haired boy in the back stood and moved up to the board with his work book in hand. Taking up a piece of chalk, he spelled out the foreign, English letters which formed words.

Hashiba Touma, the young genius for as long as anyone could remember. His father had always been persistent in training him so in the very early years of school he was far ahead of his class. It wasn't until high school that he could finally get advanced placement courses. Even so, in his senior year he could no longer easily attain his much-desired higher classes so he had to deal with being in the regular class.

His best friend, the blond Date Seiji, was a fairly close second to Touma's genius. That in itself was a huge honor and accomplishment. Then again, it did help that he had Touma as a study-buddy. Their group of friends was fairly wide-ranged since both of them attracted various kinds of people. There wasn't anybody in the school who didn't know of the famed two. Loved for their looks, charm, and wit, girls were flittering constantly with one or the other and other boys got jealous of all the attention they received. So, obviously, they hadn't all friends - there were, of course, enemies too.

Seiji smirked, the large lock of blond hair that always remained over his right eye shifted a bit, catching the sunlight just right to reflect off his face. Touma cast one more scowl at him before turning his attention to the teacher. When he was sure he knew what was going on, he took apart the ink-less pen and slid out the rolled up paper. (It was amazingly perfect to pass notes this way.)

Oh great. An admirer letter. Taking a quick glance at Seiji, Touma was directed to a girl a few seats in front of Seiji. Raising an eyebrow, Touma asked a silent question. Seiji simply shrugged in that cool way of his, signaling that he didn't know her.

I have heard much about you from many people already. It seems you are often times the subject of students' talk! I have rather admired what I've seen of you and find you quite attractive. I have heard that you have yet to go on an official date with anyone from this school. Perhaps I might have the honor of being the first? This is quite forthright, I know. Please allow me to talk to you later on so that I might learn even more about you - and you meet me, for I am sure you have not paid attention to a new, senior girl like myself.

`Hmm,' he thought, `at least she writes a decent letter.' Smiling without much thought. Touma looked up and waited for the girl to turn. She was obviously waiting for something - most likely him - for she easily `accidentally' dropped her pencil on the floor and leaned over to pick it up. She looked up at him through her bangs and he nodded with a slight beginning of a smile. She nodded back, then paid full attention to the teacher.

A few minutes later, while the teacher went to writing on the board, Touma was again disturbed by Seiji. This time the blonde raised a golden eyebrow in question to what was going on.

"Tell you later," Touma murmured, flinging back the empty pen. Seiji was much quicker to catch it, and not at all startled, since he was trained from an early age in all sorts of martial arts; because he would one day - fairly soon, actually - be inheriting a family dojo, he had to be trained in the arts.

A few more classes came and went before lunch hour began. When the bells chimed, students dashed from their classrooms with lunches in hands. Walking smoothly from the classroom, Seiji carried his lunch in one hand and Touma's reading book in another. Looking behind him as he walked, he called back, "Touma! You coming or what?"

Peeking his head from behind his locker door, the blue-haired boy growled, "Be patient. I'm working on it. Somebody put duct tape over the inside of my locker."

Seiji whistled, "They did it right this time?" Touma looked annoyed but didn't comment. The blonde turned to the book he was holding, bored of watching his friend clean out his locker. "American books again, Touma?" He raised an eyebrow and cast a glance towards his friend.

Shrugging, Touma finally emerged fully from his locker with his lunch in hand - along with some tape pieces stuck to him. "Yeah, some of those can be pretty interesting. Besides, makes it a bit more challenging to read."

Seiji rolled his eyes as they began to walk, handing over the book. "Only you would say something like that. Let me see the title again… I thought…" He blinked and paused a moment, forehead creased in concentration. "Haven't you read this before?"

Wondering what the fuss was about, Touma glanced at the title. "This thing? No. First time I'm trying this… John Knowles. Why did you think I'd read it?"

They both paused, stared at the book, and shook their heads. "This is pathetic," Seiji grumbled, "us fighting about if you read a book or not? Yare, yare. Let's get to lunch."

Surprised, Touma decided to follow along. They walked down the street rather quietly, letting the noise of others fill the space between them. Within a few blocks they had reached the streets of shops along with the mall. Seiji turned right from the mall and swerved down a few streets, glancing behind every once in a while to see that Touma was following.

Quite intrigued by this point, Touma put on an amused face. Seiji usually was not one to be acting this way, only at certain times. Just as he was about to question - his curiosity getting the better of him - he stopped. And stared in surprise at the back shop laid out before him.

"That's what I thought, come on." Seiji grabbed Touma's forearm and dragged him into the black-lighted shop. As they pushed through the door, chimes twinkled with announcement of their arrival. They stood just within the door for a few moments, getting used to the dark lighting.

When their visions cleared, Touma let out a soft breath of air in surprise. It was incredibly decorated, all sorts of intricate lamps and glow-in-the-dark objects all about. Seiji nudged his side and pointed up. Following his friend's gesture, Touma was dazzled by the display on the high ceiling. Somehow tiny lights had been planted to symbolize all of the stars of the universe. Looking over the whole ceiling, the sun, planets, and their satellites were also portrayed with other types of lights.

"Konnachi wa, is there something I could do for you?" Taking his gaze from the star-filled ceiling, Touma let his eyes fall on the young woman who had spoken. She seemed twenty five or so, not much older than that. Her hair was the basic black of most Japanese, though bright purple streaked through the glossy strands. Her lips were painted a deep purple to go with her hair as was her eye shadow. She wore flowing, silky robes seemingly from some ancient fantasy story and moved with the same grace.

Strolling about the room, Touma began looking more closely at all the sorts of lamps and lighting. He rather favored a beautifully sculpted angel who had its wings amazingly lighted.

"Have you seen this?" Seiji questioned, carefully bringing forward with both hands another statuette. This one had a figure, clothed in ancient armor of samurai, kneeling with his face upturned, as if looking to the sky. In his hands he held a sturdy bow with the string pulled taunt, a golden armor rested on it. The way the lighting had been done on this, only the bow and arrow lit up.

Shrugging, he answered, "Don't know, yet. There's a lot I like here." He looked fondly at the figure Seiji was holding. "But I like that a lot." He moved on, continuing to look about.

Time passed quickly without either realizing it. Touma reached the end of the main room when he noted a doorway with pulled back curtains, obviously still part of the shop. "Seiji? You know what this is?"

There was movement from the other side of the curtain of beads. A shadow moved within the dim light and finally moved to them. An old woman with still a lot of life and knowledge in her eyes stared at them. "Hmm. I doubt you knew what was back here. Still, come in, come in. I feel power within your auras. I hope you will allow me to do a reading."

Baffled, the boys exchanged glances before following her past the curtain beads to a traditional low table surrounded by silk cushions. In the middle of the table, five candles of the same size burned enchantingly with nearly the same flame. Finding that rather interesting, Seiji studied them as he kneeled on one side of the table. Touma took the other side and then the woman found the head of the table, where she sat.

Before her was laid out a piece of creamy silk. Small, wooden boxes had different colored dust contained in the boxes - intriguing Touma's interest even more.

She scowled at him and rapped his hand with her knuckles. "No, no boy. That is for those with hardly any strength of their own. I follow the original ways for I am lucky enough to have enough energy of my own to call upon." She noted the doubtful look on the blonde's face, "Shall I begin?"

The candles flickered as one and then returned the normal. The woman closed her eyes briefly in preparation and then set to work. Mumbling some sort of chant, she took a pinch of two of the colored ashes before her - one an emerald green and the other a deep sapphire blue. Tossing them onto the flames, the little lights hungrily ate at the ash and let off new smoke.

Surprisingly enough, the green smoke swirled about Seiji while the blue wrapped about Touma. "I feel as well as see your power now," she stated in a low, hypnotizing voice. "This power is not typical; it is a strength used for the good that its wielder believes in. What might you have this power for?"

"The flames favor you with their light. A bright light of your own burns right inside your soul…" Her eyes were widened, staring hard into Seiji's own pale blue orbs. "Yes… the light collects within you and your power is enhanced with it."

"You," she turned her gaze to Touma slowly. "Aa. I see why the heavens fascinate you so. The space welcomes you with open arms just as your power draws air in to intensify it. But both of your powers are dormant." The flames of two candles shrunk in size, dimming the light of the room.

She threw more colored ash to the flames and new figures began dancing about the room. In surprise, Seiji picked out the archer that he was showing Touma before. The armor was differed, however, seemingly modernized somehow. The basic bow and arrow had changed to a hankyu weapon. A kanji glowed behind it and carefully reading in the shifting smoke, Touma announced:

"There is a dormant power, that should be reawakened," the woman finally spoke again. "I seen destinies entwined, yet many paths that Fate may lead these destinies on. There is…" The flames were suddenly suffocated, plunging the room into complete darkness.

"Excuse me!" Hoshi apologized, shifting her flashlight. "Obaa-san!" she cried suddenly, nearly dropping the flashlight. Dropping down beside the old woman, Hoshi shook her shoulders. "Obaa-san?"

Within the light of the flashlight, they could see the old woman frown. She turned her eyes to Seiji and Touma. "There is a force - even more powerful than the two of yours combined - that obviously does not want you to see what you are. Nor what it is. I wish you luck, and implore you to be on your guard."

Nodding in reluctant agreement, the two boys stood and began to leave. Hoshi called out, "Date-san, the package is still sitting on the counter, Do you think you can still find it?"

They walked out and Touma waited as Seiji felt along the dark countertop until he found whatever he was looking for. "Let's go," he muttered. Stumbling at least one time, they made their way to the door and back out into the open air.

The sun was beginning to set early those days so it wasn't as bad as an adjustment as it could have been. Still, the light stung at Touma's eyes for a while. "What did you get anyhow?" he inquired as they headed on their way back.

Seiji made a face. "Has to be some hoax…" But he seemed unsure, himself. "What's she mean? Power? A gathering light in my soul…?" He looked a bit uncomfortable and averted his eyes. "I don't believe much in that type of thing."

"Are you sure? I thought everything was working a bit too strangely… and all the kanji that appeared along with the armors… something tickled in the back of my mind. Like I knew what it was but I don't actually know…"

Beside him a younger kid was nursing a scraped knee and looking over his skateboard to make sure it was okay. "I'm sorry, sir… I guess I wasn't looking where I was going."

Touma let out a sigh and shook his head. "No problem, kid." He stood up and winced at the pain in his lower back. "Need some help up?" The boy looked up; and blinked. Then suddenly cried out joyfully.

"That's your mom probably, right?" Touma patted the kid on the head. "Look where you're headed next time, okay kid?" He started walking off, Seiji following.

Noises of people passing by mixed with their own conversation. Thankfully the crowds began to thin out as they moved past the shopping area and into the more residential parts of the city. "The item I purchased from the store… it's supposed to be a birthday present." He glanced sidelong at Touma. "But perhaps I can give in and let you have it a week early."

Smiling a bit, Seiji handed over the black box decorated with dots of white and yellow. Slowly and carefully Touma opened it. After unwrapping the tissue paper, he gasped in surprise to find the small archer figure. "Hey - but…!"

"Don't get into any other words than `thank you Seiji, that was very nice', okay?" The blonde winked. Turning, he glanced up at the slowly dimming sky. "Let's move on home, alright? It seems that a storm might turn up."

The blonde smiled faintly, turning his head to look at his blue-haired friend. Touma still was holding the figurine in hand, studying it more carefully in the light. "Here, I'll wrap it back up so it won't be damaged." Seiji reached out and gently snatched back the figure and began to rewrap it in its tissue paper.

Seiji looked up quickly, surprised at the exclamation. The same kid from before fell flat on his back, skateboard flinging past him and into the air. Moving quickly, Seiji just about managed the blow but was thrown a bit off balance as it clipped him in the shoulder. "K'so!" he shouted as the figure flew from his hands.

Distressed, Touma moved quickly, dipping down to catch the figure - just a bit too late. Frustrated, he gathered up the broken pieces and stared at them. "Hey! You! What are you doing back here!"

Seiji stepped forward, glaring at him. "Listen, kid, I suggest that you work on your equilibrium of stop using that board in public." He turned back to Touma, looking over the pieces. He sighed in disappointment and let out a disgruntled groan. "And now your presents ruined… shimatta."

The blonde bowed his head, a fist gripping. Touma blinked, not used to the show of emotion. Finally the blonde relaxed again. "Daijoubu… I'm…" he sighed and cut himself off.

Seiji glared at him and then turned to whoever had just miss-called their names. He was surprised to see three boys about his and Touma's age come up behind the younger boy along with a slightly older girl. "Excuse me, were you speaking to either of us, and can we help you?"

The black-haired boy was staring at them in shock. Another heavier-built boy beside him was gaping openly. "Whoa, whoa! You guys got memory lapse or something! Sage! Rowen!"

Seiji rubbed his temples wearily. "Listen, I'm not in a very good mood anymore thanks to the kid running into us - twice. And second off, aren't you being quite rude?"

The brown-haired boy of the group hurried forward to hold Touma's arm back. Seiji's eyes flashed dangerously. "Excuse you," Touma commented darkly. He pulled his arm away and backed up. Glaring at him. "I don't believe you have any right to do that."

Seiji picked up what remained of the figure he had bought - now even more damaged by the one boy's steps forward - and put everything into the box. He stared hard one last time at the gathered group before turning and pushing Touma by the shoulder. "Come on, Touma. Satsuki is probably already home. You might not get in trouble but I will…"

The weekend came and went, and soon enough Seiji found himself sitting in a class after lunch with a guest speaker. If anything, it was at least better than listening to the teacher drone on about some battle or another.

"Students, our guest speaker today was one of the very few still around during the attack on Toyama a few years back. She would like to explain some of what happened. Please welcome Kouji Mia."

A young woman stepped into the room and made her way to the front desk with a brief case. She set it down before turning to the class and bowing. "Konnachi wa, minna. Watashi wa Kouji Mia desu." Her eyes swept the room and Seiji started when he knew that he recognized her. She obviously recognized him, too, for her eyes widened slightly in surprise.

She said nothing, however, and moved on to begin her lesson. "What I will say may sound impossible or perhaps made up, but I never thought that everyone will believe me. I have some proof to show you, and some that I cannot. I ask you just to listen with open minds and come to your own conclusions if I am right or not."

Touma's interest was perked. Raising an eyebrow, he glanced sideways at Seiji. The blonde shrugged, looking away from him. Frowning, Touma wondered what was wrong. His hearing picked up the beginning of the tale Mia was working on unwrapping.

Some of the students murmured a bit doubtfully about the mention of `mystical armors' and the `Netherworld'. But still they all listened, interested to see where she was going with all of this. When she did finish, everyone was staring at her a bit blankly.

"For what I can show you," she started, turning to her brief case and opening it, "I have a few things." She pulled out some Polaroid pictures that had been taken during various battles and let them be passed amongst the room.

Seiji looked over the pictures breezily, not too impressed. As he passed by a few, he found one that dragged his attention. Frowning, he realized that the picture had not been taken so well because the lighting was bad. All that was left was a silhouette. `The smoke figures…' Glancing at Touma, he passed the picture.

Tilting his head to the side, Touma looked it over. Then he nodded in reply, signaling he recognized it, too. One last picture also held Seiji's attention. Narrowing his eyes at the dark-armored figure, he wondered at the scar under the helmet on the man's face. Shrugging off the strange sensation flowing through him, he passed it along.

"There are also these…" Almost hesitantly, she held two small orbs within her hand and up into the air. "These are the two spheres of the two lost warriors. I'm afraid that the Halo and Strata armors are dormant for now." Her gaze flicked to the back of the room and she held her stare steady for a while. Seiji glared dangerously back at her and Touma took the whole events with a slightly baffled expression.

"Anyway," she cleared her throat a bit before going around and collecting the pictures. "Uh… I hope you enjoyed my presentation. Perhaps some of you will actually believe the truth, ne?" She smiled kindly. Bowing politely to the class and teacher she said `thank you' and walked out with her brief case in hand.

Giving a sigh of relief as he packed up his books, Touma glanced down the hallway a bit to where Seiji had his locker. A few other guys were about the blonde, discussing one thing or another and laughing every so often. Well, the others laughing while Seiji would at most smirk. It had taken years for Touma to get until that mask placed so well on the blonde's face and it was an honor to be able to see some of the emotions that passed.

"Right!" Touma waved over his shoulder and slung his backpack around. He headed down the crowded halls towards the administrative wing, where the halls began to empty. Absently he wondered about why he was being called by the headmaster. Whatever the reason, he was soon before the secretary's door. Walking in, he smiled at the middle-aged woman sitting at the desk. She directed him straight into the office.

A chair was motioned to and Touma moved forward to settle into it. Looking to his left, he was startled to find another boy occupying the other chair. `Somehow he seems vaguely familiar…'

The headmaster leaned on his desk from his seated position and gazed at Touma carefully. "Hashiba-san, we are accepting a mid-year student, as you might have guessed. I'd like to put him in your class and have you catch him up and be his guide. Will you accept? This will be quite a favor and I believe you can handle it."

"Alright then." The headmaster stood as did the two boys. This time his attention focused to the other boy beside Touma. "Sanada Ryo, this is Hashiba Touma and he will be your guide as we discussed.

They exited the building and found Seiji waiting just outside. The blonde stood from his leaning position upon seeing Touma and raised a hand in greeting as the two approached. His eyes followed Ryo as they flickered a bit. Ryo seemed a bit unnerved by the attention and averted his eyes.

Something suddenly clicked in Seiji's mind and his eyes sparked briefly. "That's it! You were there the other day - that woman too, that came to speak today." He studied Ryo a bit more. "This is odd."

They walked in mostly silence since Ryo seemed uncomfortable with them for the time being. After walking a few blocks, Ryo paused, announcing, "My ride will be just down this street. Uh… I guess I'll meet you tomorrow. At the gates?"

"Something about him, ne? I had that feeling too. Oh well, we'll be seeing him a lot more since I'm guiding him and - Seiji?" Touma stopped in his tracks and looked around. "Seiji?"

The music was haunting and enchanting, pure magic to his ears. His words trailed off and as he moved he could faintly make out a reply from his companion. But he could find that out later, right now he was too curious about this mystical sound.

"~ 'Darkness there and nothing more; Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there wondering, fearing; Doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before; But the silence was unbroken, and the stillness gave no token…'~"

Seiji tilted his head as he heard the English words. He fought, trying to pick out what was being said. He realize that it was very vaguely familiar and knew that he ought to recognize it…

"~ `"Prophet!" said I, "thing of evil! - prophet still, if bird or devil! - Whether Tempter sent, or whether tempest tossed thee here ashore; Desolate yet ail undaunted, on this desert land enchanted - ; On this home by Horror haunted - tell me truly, I implore - ; Is there - is there balm in Gilead? - tell me - tell me, I implore!"; Quoth the Raven "Nevermore." … `~"

"~ Seiji… Seiji… Seiji…~" The mantra continued, whirling about and wrapping Seiji up in its grasp, winding about him as the English poem floated on in the back of his mind.

He leaned into the enchanting feel of warmth about him and stared blindly at the shadowed wall. Dark hands reached out to him, caressing his face; brushing a thumb over his lips. His eyes continued to lock onto the darkness before him. His own hand reached up, moving to find where the other's face was.

"Seiji?" Touma was beginning to get worried. Very worried. This was extremely peculiar to have Seiji disappear like that. Glancing down side streets they had previously passed, it took a while before Touma ended right where he had started. "I don't like this," he muttered to himself, glancing again down nearby streets and alleyways. He paused outside a tiny little alley where two different clubs emptied off too. It was hard to see with the lengthening shadows, but he thought he saw movement.

He began walking down the alley slowly, until he could finally see what was going on. Eyes widened in surprise, he shouted. "Seiji!" He began to run, legs pumping to move him towards the blond form.

Touma stopped within two meters, forehead creased in confusion. It was the strangest sight he had ever beheld, he had to admit. The blonde was only slightly visible because of a three-dimensional shadow figure that was leaning out to him from the wall. Confused beyond belief, Touma shouted again

But there was no reply or reaction. Moving again, trying to get closer to his friend, Touma stopped in his tracks about three feet away. A struck look crossed his face and he mouth worked uselessly to try and find words. Damn, but Seiji was kissing the shadow.

From the flat shadows against the wall behind Touma, strands pulled out into the air and grabbed the blue-haired boy's ankles. Surprised, Touma couldn't fight back as he was lifted into the air and slammed into the back wall. Groaning, he slid weakly to the ground.

Through blurred eyes he watched the shadow come out more from its spot on the wall; long, lean legs appearing slowly. One shadow hand began moving down the blonde's body while the other continued holding the face in place. Touma wanted to scream, but his chest hurt too much. What was going on! The Shadow was leaning into Seiji and the boy was responding back. Their chests touched one another, now, and soon the Shadow was moving in closer. The whole time the two were lip-locked.

A battle cry suddenly rang out in the alley and Touma wearily turned his head up towards the figure that was jumping down from the fire escape of one of the buildings. The next thing he knew, he was seeing the red and white figure kick through the Shadow and push Seiji out of the way. Deciding that he'd leave the stranger with the Shadow, he moved to Seiji.

The blonde's eyes were empty, his lips bruised, and his hair was pushed back from his eyes. He seemed so distant - too distant for Touma's liking. "Seiji?"

The pale eyes flashed briefly and then the blonde's fisted hand shook. `What was that… what the hell was that? That… that… kiss…' He shuddered and hugged himself unconsciously. "Touma…" `I didn't know what I was doing. I… I can't explain it…'

Shaking his head slowly to clear the thoughts, he answered, "Aa… Daijoubu…" He blinked and looked about the alley. He frowned a bit when he noted the red and white figure muttering expletives to the shadowy wall.

Ryo rubbed a hand at the back of his neck. "Uh, yeah. Um… sorry for dropping in but it looked like you were in trouble." His face turned hard. "I don't like those shadow things being after you again."

But Seiji wasn't paying attention anymore. As soon as Ryo was gone the flickering memories came back. He reached up and touched his bruised lips, wondering why the hell all that had happened. He didn't remember trying to resist at all - more like he accepted the whole thing. That was what was scaring him the most, at that point. He bowed his head and hugged himself tighter.

Without any warning, Seiji walked on ahead quickly, lifting his head up quickly; too quickly. If Touma didn't know Date Seiji so well, he would have thought that he saw a few tears fling from the face.

Heavy footsteps trudged slowly along the sidewalk away from the dojo and to the usual meeting spot. A few blocks down, a blue-haired boy would be waiting; probably with the typical smile on his face. Seiji let out a soft sigh and focused ahead.

His mind was still plagued with the terrible dreams he'd had last night, and all he wanted to do was shake them off. Everything seemed too realistic for his liking. Unconsciously he shuddered.

`What am I becoming? What is this…? Why…' He sighed inaudibly and wondered why he even bothered asking. There was no one that could give him the answers. He would be left to wonder about what was going on-what all the shadowy figures that followed him were.

Touma tried to enforce his weary smile without much luck. He finally muttered a curse and glanced away. "Listen, I don't understand what's going on either. Maybe Sanada Ryo can tell us-"

Sarcastically, Seiji threw his hands up into the air, rolling his eyes. "Yes, yes, ask Sanada to tell us all that the scene was. Let him show us that he knows more about us than we do ourselves. Let him explain what those things were… what these things are!" He dodged away from another shadow.

Staring at his friend, Touma swallowed hard. He did not view the shadows as Seiji did so it unnerved him to see his friends swerving away from nothing at all. "Seiji…" he started, moving forward and trying to capture his friend's shoulder. "Maybe he does know about this. If he does, don't you want answers?"

Touma tore his gaze away, the other's eyes too intense. He breathed slowly, calming his racing heart. `…worse than the questions…' He glanced sidelong at the blonde, wondering what exact questions he had. Probably he had a point… but he, for one, wanted to know what the hell was going on.

Seiji banged his lunch tray down on a table far into a dusty corner where no one usually sat. Moodily he sat down, and flicked a mixed gaze over the rest of the room. He'd managed to dodge away from Touma for the morning-and most of the day before-but he didn't have too much faith that it would last all that much longer.

His fists gripped tight and he squeezed his eyes shut. Half the reason why he was avoiding Touma was because he didn't want to have to deal with explaining his unusual behavior. No one else dared to approach him on his varying mood swings of the past few weeks or so, but Touma had no problems with that.

It was a surprise when that `voice' had begun talking to him near normal. A different style of speech, yes, but no longer did it always talk in rhymes or quotes.

Seiji sighed and leaned his head on the table. He felt sick and didn't feel like eating anyhow. With his luck Touma would find him right about now and the new guys would be tagging along after him; one of them would finish his lunch off. A voice fell to his numb hearing and he sighed, yes, they were coming. He sat up very slowly and then began eating in small amounts, forcing the food down.

The first full day that Sanada Ryo had been in school was rather awkward. But still Touma led him about the classes. At lunch, Sanada had introduced his two friends who had also joined the school. From their first reactions, Seiji already did not like them. The reddish-brown hair tone of Mouri Cye was rather shaggy, pulled back with a near invisible hair tie. He seemed nice enough, but his questions were too seeking for someone new. The other had introduced himself as `Kento' but with no family name. There was already something about that rather built-up boy that nagged in Seiji's mind and he avoided all three.

The pain was, however, that Touma immediately was so intrigued with the various personalities that he decided to keep on helping the newbies. That left Seiji no time to ever be away from the people that were making him uncomfortable, nor did it allow him any time to speak with Touma. Now, even in the mornings, `they' all met up together. Seiji was beginning to get up much earlier this past week just to avoid them.

To top everything off, the `voice' was more dominant and talking with him constantly as if it were really there. It unnerved him, mostly, but was slowly becoming a comfort. A constant in his life that he could rely on. Shivers spread down his spine quickly when he thought of his dream the night before. All the shadows… the limbs and hands… and…

"Konnachi wa, minna-kun," Seiji stated crisply, still not averting his gaze from his lunch tray. There was hardly anything gone from it, he had been eating so little.

From the corner of his eye he saw where everyone sat. Ryo was across from him with Kento beside him. Cye was the closest to him, but still there was enough space for another person. He knew who would take that spot.

Seiji wasn't liking the implications of that sentence very much. His attention finally came back to the present as he caught up with the tail end of a conversation, however. "Touma, those were some pretty meaningful poems you wrote for class, right? What did you mean by them? I couldn't quite interpret them right, I believe."

Poems… Seiji wracked his mind to think of the poems that they had written for their language and writings class. He hadn't been paying much attention-busy having another argument with the other voice at that point. As Fate would have it, Touma recited his briefest poem aloud:

Touma gave a light shrug, but Seiji felt a short burst of a gaze rested on him before the blue haired boy spoke. "I had to hurry and finish the last of it because nothing fit but it was so short otherwise. I wanted to end as `veiling his true emotions' since that fits better, but… oh well. Seiji?"

Silence dropped over their table like a wet blanket. Seiji's grip tightened about his chop sticks in a white-knuckled grip until they snapped. He stood up gracefully. "Excuse me," he murmured, "I'm afraid I'm not very hungry today and am not feeling well. Good day." He turned and began to walk away.

The blonde moved quicker, not yet able to run. Once he slipped out of the cafeteria he let his feet pound against the floors, the sounds echoing off the walls. Unfortunately, his feet weren't the only ones sounding. `Damn. He runs fast when he wants.'

"That's why… why…" he couldn't finish his head, it was going to be a lie after all. Who was there to hear but Touma, himself, who was just steps behind him?

The strain of so many poor-sleep nights was gaining with him and Seiji's legs finally buckled, leaving him helplessly crumpled on the floor. Touma's footsteps slowed and finally were at walking pace as he approached Seiji.

Touma sighed and sat down in front of Seiji. Unknowingly, Seiji had run to the older end of the school where various classrooms were full of ancient student vandalizing. The old stairs, where they were, were considered dangerous so were not used anymore. `Ironic, I pick all the deserted places today.'

A firm hand clasped Seiji's shoulder and concerned eyes met hard, cool ones. "You know you're wearing a mask. You know it better than anyone. Why did you think I wrote the poem? I would have thought you were listening in class but you didn't acknowledge me at all so I had to reread it. Didn't you think about it?"

The blonde, surprised at the tone, turned back with a mostly blank expression to Touma. "There's too much, Touma… I… cannot tell you… there's never going to be enough time…" One of Touma's hands squeezed a shoulder than lightly moved up and down the upper arm to calm his slight shaking that he hadn't even noted before.

`Dreamdreamdreamdreamdreamdreamdream. Akumu… akumu… akumu…' his breathing was speeding up too quickly as he remembered it. The touches, the warmth, the feelings…

Seiji shook his head slowly and stood up, effectively moving out of Touma's reach. "I… can't tell you. There's too much. You can't deal with it. No, I don't get you in it." He shook his head furiously and began walking away.

His gaze lowered, Seiji paused. "Shadows, dreams…nightmares. Those are your clues. You keep those to yourself and draw your own conclusion." That said, Seiji moved on, disappearing down the hall.

Seiji set aside his staff and moved up the stairs of the dojo. He accepted the towel his younger sister offered him and quickly wiped off his face and neck. "Arigatou, Satsuki-chan."

She made a face as she passed over the phone. "I don't see how you can be sweaty out here, it's freezing! Come inside after this, please nii-chan?" She pouted cutely.

"Now go on." Satsuki waved over her shoulder as she headed back in. Finally turning his attention back to the phone, Seiji sat on the snow-covered steps. "Moshi, moshi?"

There was some hesitation on the other end. The blonde closed his eyes, preparing himself for what might come at him. When he opened his eyes again, he was staring up at the snow falling down, decorating his hair and eyelashes with sparkling jewels.

Seiji looked down at the snow about his feet. A shadow sat within the snow, leaning on his knee and staring up at him. `It might be time…' he thought. "Yes. I'll see you tomorrow, then. What time?"

Touma's room was in its usual semi-organized look. It was never fully clean, but things were still easy to put where they belonged. Seiji had arrived at the front door with snow melting through his coat and beginning to get at his skin. Touma ushered him in quickly, and set the coat away as Seiji slipped off his shoes and put on the guest slippers at the door.

Seiji moved towards the kotatsu beside Touma's bookshelf and set his school bag beside it. The blonde waited for Touma to come over before he sat down and slipped his legs beneath it. Touma followed suit and then pulled his own book bag close.

They began going through their homework due the next day, conversing normally. Strangely enough, Seiji felt comfortable for the first time in ages. He relaxed a bit, forgetting all of the present events.

Reality blurred with his sub-conscious as hands began gripping his ankles and arms. Other arms wrapped about him and even more hands stroked him everywhere. He squirmed, trying to move away from the living nightmare and trying to figure out where he was.

Free from all other hands but his friends, Seiji pushed himself against the strong chest and gripped at the cloth beneath his fingers. Shocked, Touma didn't really react, his hands still resting on the blonde's shoulders.

"Shadows, hands…" he mumbled, not able to form full sentences. "They… touch…" He moved even closer to Touma, his arms moving to encircle tightly about the blue-haired boy's waist. `Gods he's warm…'

The situation was turning a bit odd, making Touma unsure of what was happening. He was about to speak again when he felt Seiji cry out softly against his neck and shift about, as if in pain. "What hurts, Seiji, please answer!" He tried to pry his friend away, to look him over, but Seiji tightened his death grip about him. It was a surprise when Touma felt wetness on his skin. `Tears?' From Seiji? It was unthinkable. The stoic boy would never give into tears.

Seiji felt it again, the nightmare smashing into him during the day-at Touma's no less. It was painful and unheard of. He wasn't able to tell if it was reality or not… if what was in that `nightmare' had actually happened. Hell, even at the moment he couldn't figure out if he was with the shadows or in Touma's house.

Seiji shivered as he felt one, cold hand travel down his front; over his chest and stomach, resting at the junction of his legs. He bit a lip and tried to resist, but involuntarily he pressed against the hand. And smashed back to full reality.

Worried-and definitely confused after his friend's actions-Touma once again tried to pry Seiji away from him. This time he succeeded and the blonde sat on his own. His figure practically shimmered in gold, causing chills to snake through Touma's body. The cool eyes held an underlying fortune, the half-lidded gaze hiding what it meant.

"Touma… I have…" Seiji began to shift, his legs bent to one side and all his weight resting on one arm. His other hand played with the collar of his shirt. "I have a favor, to ask."

The blonde's head slowly rose up to allow his eyes to bore into Touma's. The blue-haired boy felt frozen as he watched Seiji move, ever so gracefully, towards him. The blonde pressed against him again, but this time with a reason-a force. Touma was pressed onto his back as Seiji brought his face down before him. There was a brief second of hesitation and then their lips were together and locked.

Touma was completely out of control of the whole thing. He could not move from under the body above him, nor could he break the kiss. His mind raced, trying to figure out what the hell was going on. Seiji could act weird, yes, but he was not one to do this. Or even be interested in it! A tear leaked out; he didn't want to do this. `Doushite, Seiji? I don't want this…'

Seiji, on the other hand, couldn't tell if he really was in control or not. All his knew was that he needed the contact… he needed to have the reality of all of it. But he wasn't getting any reaction; it was like kissing a sculpture. He pulled back a bit, furious and confused. Somewhere, in the back of his mind, a voice was crying out for him to think of Touma. But he didn't listen. He brought a hand up and slapped the face below him. "Damn it…" he hissed, a few tears sliding unconsciously down his face. "Damn it! Respond!" He gripped Touma's shirt in his fists and pulled him up roughly.

The face was pinched in disgust, anger, and hurt. His cheek was still red from where the slap had hit and a few tears were leaking over it. Seiji turned disgusted at himself. Gods he was messed… He turned his face away and let Touma back to the floor. Stumbling blindly, Seiji managed to stand and moved back to the kotatsu to sit. `I should just leave.' But in all truth, he didn't want to go. So he stayed.

Touma watched with hurt eyes as Seiji moved back to the table. It took him nearly five minutes, but he finally pushed himself to a sit and stared silently at his friend's back. In a voice thick with emotion, he asked, "What was that?"

Blinking, confused, Touma repeated, "Akumu…?" There was no more words passing through the blonde's lips so he fought with finding the meaning. `What he has already said; then this… `akumu'? Oh Kami-sama! Of course!' He moved frantically over to Seiji, trying to see the blonde's face.

He was pinned down on his back again, staring up at the hallow gaze of Seiji's eyes. "Just… shut up… I…" Seiji cut himself off and pressed his lips down, hard, hungry, searching. He pulled back an inch, empty eyes burying into Touma's mind. "Just hurt me," he whispered. "Do it, Touma. Stop them from their claim."

Shuddering with the meaning behind the words, Touma's eyes were locked with Seiji's. The blonde was refusing the budge, yet would not continue. `Hurt you? But…' He thought over the other part of the sentence. `From claiming him… then… oh gods, what hell is he going through?'

Another kiss could not be stopped as Seiji forced their lips together again. Something nudged in Touma's mind and he responded with a force involuntarily. There was no turning back.

Seiji reinforced his kiss, pressing his tongue forward to break through into Touma's mouth. His body was full over the blue-haired boy, his warmth blanketing the other.

His thoughts began spinning, memories mixing and feelings distorted. The weight above him suddenly was feeling and looking incredibly good. His mind moaned in pleasure; he wasn't sure exactly how all this was happening. `Gods, Sage, I didn't think you'd…nnn…'

The blonde felt a slight tingle just before Touma began responding-in a force even stronger than his own. Even though he was intimidated by it, he let Touma take the lead, the control. `Yes… please…' The blonde was soon rolled over, laying on his back and allowing the other lips to press against his in a bruising force. `Yes…' a tear rolled down his temple, unnoticed, `this is what I need.'

Touma's hands traveled down the body and Seiji pressed up against him, needing more. The other's hands began deftly undoing the buttons to his shirt. As the cloth fell away from his front, the chill air of the room snaked over his skin. Touma's lips parted from his and he moved, warm breath playing over the blonde's neck and down farther.

His hands tangled in Touma's blue hair, enchanted by the foreign feel of warm air playing across his chest. `Touma…' his heart was beating, just a bit more erratic than was normal. Somehow he was still keeping some of his cool. He moaned aloud as a wet mouth fell to his pectoral muscles. A soft cry escaped him. In his mind a voice cried that it all hurt, that this wasn't what he'd actually wanted… but Seiji shut the voice up, focusing on the hands that were wandering lower.

Neither really knew how it all happened, but fairly soon all clothes laid deserted off to the side. Seiji's pale leg tangled about Touma's above him while the other was bent up gracefully. Their mouths were locked again, a few groans passing every once in a while. Touma's hand began wandering again and Seiji arched up to press up against the other.

A bit heady, Seiji only vaguely noted that he was being lifted and moved over to the western style bed within Touma's room. The blonde opened his eyes a bit when he felt his back hit the sheets and the warmth leave him. He flicked his gaze to watch Touma looking down to his face.

Smirking slightly, Seiji pulled one, long leg up, leaving the other to dangle off the bed. He moved an arm to rest behind his head and then splayed his other hand in the center of his chest. He noted the extra interest in Touma's eyes and in his mind, smiled a bit wider. The other finally joined him, pressing against his mouth again, insistently.

He was pressed up against someone… and he was cold. `Nan de?' Seiji's eyes slowly opened to stare into the face of Touma. The other's eyes were shut, sleeping. It was an innocent expression-no one would guess what he had done just hours before.

Thinking of that made him hurt all over. He was sore from tensing too many muscles; his lips were terribly bruised-even a bit bloody from where he had bit to stop himself from crying out in pain. And his lower back hurt, stung. He'd bled, though he kept up an impervious mask to keep Touma from worrying. After all, it was what he had expected and-morbidly enough-wanted.

Now, however, he slipped from Touma's grasp and thanked the gods that his friend-lover?-was a sound sleeper. He couldn't help the tiny groan of pain that passed his lips. He winced as he stood, hurrying to find his clothes. He slipped them on, still cold inside and out. He found a piece of paper and pen. Jotting down a note, he left is beside Touma before gathering his bag together and walking downstairs to leave.

Ryo waited on the typical corner with Cye and Kento beside him. It was morning routine, now to meet up with Touma/Rowen. The Touma they were learning to know was simply what Rowen was without memories of their battles and the armor. It was still upsetting to not have their friend know of them for all of what they were, but he was beginning to be a bit more open.

Ryo looked uncertain. "I don't know, you guys. Rowen and Sage are a bit different now… Sage, in the least. I don't know what to think. I just don't understand how this could of happened!"

"It must be related the to the `shadows' that were covering Sage when you went to follow Rowen. We've settled that, right?" The other two nodded. "Okay," Cye continued, "then you say that Rowen and Sage both disappeared-through a `black hole.' Something similar with the shadows happened a few weeks back?"

Quickly the three shifted their moods a bit and greeted Touma cheerfully. "Ohayo, Touma-kun," Cye greeted, "we seemed to have an okay time. What about you?"

Everyone was confusing themselves even more. "Uh… let's get this straight, we're friends, ne? And for years you haven't addressed me with `-kun.'" Touma raised an eyebrow questioningly.

"Okay, okay, what's with this? Is it Fool Rowen Day or something? Or has Talpa brainwashed your minds and you don't remember a thing?" He was beginning to look disgruntled.

One blue eyebrow twitched. "If you don't quit doing that I am going to have to hit something… or someone." He let out a yelp as three bodies tackled him and added tons of questions in to add up to a lot of noise. "Oi, oi! Get off me!"

They parted and Touma-? Rowen? -dusted himself off. Glancing at his watch, he commented, "Let's head to school. So then, what's going on here?" He walked on and the others hurried to follow.

Cye placed a hand over Kento's mouth and nodded to Ryo to take over explaining. "Rowen-Rowen?-you were not remembering us for the past month. You went… `missing' after the incident in the forest. You and Sage disappeared…" He cast a questioning gaze, but Rowen seemed just as confused as he did. "Uh… okay, so you don't remember that. Then just short of two months ago we ran into you and Sage-Yulie did, rather, and quite literally. Sage was mad the second time because he broke something or other. I don't remember well. We transferred to a new school and then we find out that you two are there! But you didn't recognize any of us really or anything. There was a strange incident and I think Sage decided not to like me about that point."

"At school you guided me around, `met' Cye and Kento. So did Sage, but he's been completely avoiding us. Friday was such a weird day, too. We were wondering what happened with Sage and thought you might know. But now…"

Rowen made a face, "I don't get you guys. I remember the past months fine, though they're different from yours. I know I moved back to my home here; and Sage went back to the dojo. I remember you guys staying behind at Mia's. We didn't think you guys would be changing to a new school and so were surprised when you came. There's no memory loss. The past weeks we've been hanging out with you."

Rowen cast an exasperated look to Kento. "As I said, no one's had memory loss. Oh, and see, there he is up ahead." A small tugged at his lips as he remembered the day before. He'd awoken to find the note and was a bit disappointed but understood. "Just a second, I have to talk to him and then I'll be back…" He split from the group and moved on ahead.

Stricken, Seiji moved back. His eyes narrowed as his gaze moved beyond Rowen's shoulder and towards the group of three that were talking and watching them. "What did they do…?" his voice was low, dangerous.

"You're the one with a joke!" Seiji snapped. "Why the hell are you agreeing with them? At least you were willing to respect that I didn't like to hear mention of them yet now you decide to call me by the name they label me with? Shit, what's wrong with you?"

Seiji pulled back, lips in a tight white line. "You let them call you Rowen, don't you. Don't you!" Furious, the blonde stormed past Rowen and back to the group of three.

Seiji approached with heavy footsteps and stopped just before Ryo. His hands gripped the collar of the black-haired boy's shirt and shook him. "What the hell have you gotten into his mind!" His eyes were the color of a storm.

A resounding crack broke Ryo off and he winced at the pain in his jaw. `Okay, so I guess I'll shut up.' When he looked back to Seiji he was surprised to find a few tears falling from his eyes.

Kento moved in, trying to break Seiji's hold on Ryo's collar. "C'mon man, let Ryo go. Why not ask Rowen himself? We've not done a thing. He's just finally smart enough to remember."

"Shut up!" Seiji shouted, letting go of Ryo and instead heading for Kento. The slightly larger built boy dodged the punches and kicks Seiji was dealing out. "What the hell did you do! Touma's not like that! You changed him! What did you do! What did you do!" Three punches in a row made their mark.

The cry echoed in nearby ears. Rowen, who was hurrying over to find out what was happening, made it to Kento's side to see if he was alright. Two more tears overflowed from Seiji's eyes and he angrily prepared to slap Kento. This time Rowen stopped him. Spinning the blonde about, Rowen stared hard at him. "What's wrong with you? Why are you hitting Kento?"

Seiji pulled away, backing up. His eyes moved from one to the other. "What the hell is this? A conspiracy?" Rowen moved over to check Ryo's slowly bruising jaw.

Hysterical, Seiji burst out laughing, one arm clutching his stomach and another hand covering his mouth. "F-friends? Gods, they really have done something to you. You think I really give a shit?" His breathing came in short gasps but his laughing was down to a minimum. "Mark my words, Sanada, once I find out what happened. You pay. Yes, you pay." He put on a chill grin and turned away from the school. "Excuse me. Just tell sensei I'm sick."

Seiji heard and stopped. His face finally fell. His eyes empty, his head bowed forward. "Listen," his voice was low to mask the sadness that was beginning to seep in, "Sanada-san, Kento-san, pardon me. Perhaps it's the bastard's own fault. I still keep my promise, if it's you, you pay." He moved on again.

Grumbling, Rowen turned the Cye, "He had no right to do what he was doing. Did you see him? Hear him? Yes, he's definitely sick, something's wrong. He never acts like that."

Shivering, he sat just inside an alley about ten blocks from the school. His stamina at that point hadn't allowed him to move any farther-probably fault due to tears. Now he knew why he always thought tears and crying as weak. It made him weak.

Everything yesterday had seemed fine, perfect, all that he wanted. He rested his head on pulled up knees and cried a bit louder. No… not quite. That tingle… had it been something? Touma seemed Touma when he had first arrived. When had things become different? During the first few kisses, if he remembered correctly.

"My fault then…" he croaked. He pressed his forehead harder against his arms. `My fault… no wonder he goes to them, believes them. Because he can't believe he did that with me. He can't believe that I would cross the line and do that To him.' No matter which way he looked at it, the fault was his. Even if Touma had taken the lead, it was Seiji's doing and prodding. Perhaps he'd done it because he thought Seiji had wanted to be in control so he took that away and…

There were so many scenarios. And still, it led back to him. `I'm so sorry, Touma… what have I done?' An ache in his backside reminded him. At any other time he guessed he would be laughing but right now it made the tears fall just a bit faster.

His blood froze within his veins. His head slowly raised, not wanting to believe, and he stared across the narrow space to the dark form. It wore a cloak of shadows, masking itself perfectly to any normal looker. Of course, it wanted Seiji to see it, so it beckoned his eyes to find its profile.

"~ `Love and other moments are just chemical reactions in your brain; in your brain; and feelings of aggression are the absence of the love drug in you veins; in you veins…' ~"

Seiji found himself standing, staring into the thin slits of pine green that made up the eyes-and only color-of the shadow before him. The hands reached out.

Seiji's mind was suddenly full of dreams and wishes. He was guessing that this shadow was surfacing the thoughts, but they were all true. Obviously he knew first hand that they were. His own pale hand slowly moved to clasp onto the shadowed appendage before him.

A vertex spiraled behind the shadow form slowly, hypnotizing. Seiji looked to the dark green eyes, uncertain again. It smiled a bit and moved slowly backwards, beckoning.

Loud footsteps, running fast, distracted Seiji and he glanced to the side, wondering what was going on. "Move it!" He was knocked to the side, all the air leaving his lungs as he hit. An orange and white clothed figure helped him stand and he was surprised to see Kento. "Yo, man, this thing's no good."

Seiji managed a brief nod in affirmative before moving back towards the shadow. The body that dropped before him made him falter. Stunned, Seiji moved back a few paces and stared, mouth working silently. "T-Touma…?"

Seiji stared into the blue-haired boy's bottomless eyes, searching for any sign of Touma. Finding nothing, he bit back a sob and sprinted, pushing aside Rowen so that he could reach the shadow. As he tripped, he reached out a hand and he was caught at the arm by the shadowed form.

"Sage! Damn it!" Ryo threw himself forward with Kento following his lead. Both of them were partially through when the portal began to close. Quickly their sub-armor reacted and began to glow in their respective colors, keeping the closing portal at bay.

"~ `You have come here; in pursuit of your deepest urge; in pursuit of that wish which till now have been silent; silent; I have brought you; that our passions may fuse and merge; in your mind you've already succumbed to me; dropped all defenses; completely succumbed to me; now you are here with me; no second thoughts; you've decided, decided; past the point of no return; no backward glances: our games of make believe are at an end; past all thought of "if" or "when"; no use resisting abandoning thought and let the dream descend; what raging fire shall flood the soul?; what rich desire unlocks its door? What sweet seduction lies before us? Past the point of no return; the final threshold; what warm unspoken secret will we learn; beyond the point of no return?…' ~"

His eyelids fluttered open with his vision still clearing from sleep. When he glanced about him he was surprised to find himself lying flat on his back within knee-high grasses. Intrigued, if not baffled, Seiji slowly pushed himself to sit up. A few meters away he saw a familiar figure with his back turned to him.

Seiji stood, rather stricken. "But… you…" The realization sunk into his sleepy mind and he turned his gaze away. "Oh," he whispered, "you cannot be Touma."

The shadow spread its arms wide and slowly took its own human form. Starting at the feet and hands, pale skin appeared, covering the body with a female form. Bracelets dangled from wrists and ankles while a three-ringed necklace rested at the base of the neck. A buttoned sleeveless shirt clung to her torso while leggings gripped her legs. Reddish brown hair fell past her shoulders, bangs brushing above blue-green eyes.

The female smiled faintly and levitated herself to hover slightly in the air. "I am my otouto-chan's shadow. A dark shadow. He and his friends have fought the Maikai, Netherworld, Demon World… whatever you wish to call it. I, well… I simply watch and gather information." An amused smile played across her face. "My history is too long to explain so I shan't bother with it. He is my blood brother, in all rights, however."

She turned so that Seiji could see her profile. He noted the slightly stiffened look and waited for her to continue with her talk. "I," she began with a slightly forlorn expression, "am not the one within your mind. I don't have the power to talk to anyone, actually. My links have not been formed yet." She flicked her gaze to him. "I wish you no harm, honestly. I like you, I have to say."

Rionna vanished from her spot and then reappeared before him, surprising Seiji to stumble back. "Others in this world do not care for you and your light. They prefer your shadow."

"Yes. Have you not heard `the brightest one sheds the darkest shadow?'" The other shook his head. "Hmm… your armor has a powerful force of light-even without memories of your armor your soul still contains a pure light. That pure light casts a pure shadow. Your shadow has more power than most. Just like I am more powerful than my brother, your shadow is more powerful than you. The strength of your shadow could improve this world greatly and there would be many to use it to their advantage. Right now the only one with the power to get your shadow is Musou."

"One question, if you didn't think all this would be real, why did you accept Musou's invite to come here?" Seiji stayed quiet, not having an answer. "That's what I thought. Oh well. Come along, there's some things I ought to show you."

Seiji found himself lifted from the ground and floating behind Rionna as she sped through the tall grasses towards an odd building built mostly from glass. "What is this place?" he questioned as they passed through a door.

"It is my home. A strange place to you, I'm sure. Here Musou has kept the actual soul and body that you were duplicated from." She gave a weary smile, "You really weren't supposed to ever reawaken-Touma, Rowen, did because of… certain events." She grinned at him yet Seiji's face only fell as he looked away, ashamed. "Don't worry, however. It was not all your fault. Those other boys were not to find you-it was only a matter of time until Rowen's soul left his place here. Are you interested in meeting yourself?"

That was definitely a strange sounding question. Seiji looked at her with a raised eyebrow. Rionna motioned to him and he automatically followed her. They passed through a forest type area, making the place seem like a greenhouse. By the time the forest cleared away, another room appeared. One glass wall faced out while three solid sides encased the rest of it.

Rionna tilted her head as she looked at it, allowing Seiji to drop back to the floor. "Ingenious design, ne? This glass allows certain people to pass, like myself, and let's most things in there. But, unless informed, not much is allowed out of this." She reached a hand out and touched the glass. It rippled, like water, and she passed through.

Seiji watched with a strange interest as she walked all the way in and knelt down beside a sleeping form. She shook the shoulder and finally the figure rolled over. Seiji's eyes met the other's identical ones. They blinked in unison and Rionna had to laugh a little.

"I told you, Seiji-kun, `you' are a duplicate. Sage is the original soul and body." She stood and floated back outside the glass to stand beside Seiji. Within the room, the blonde stood up, eyes narrowing as he moved over.

Rionna answered promptly, "Rowen's awake, quite unfortunate. I'm afraid Seiji, here, had a hard time with it. Still is. After all, Touma was the only one in his same predicament."

"Oh my, perhaps I made a mistake?" Rionna rubbed a hand down her face. "Yare, yare, I've done it before. Just as long as I don't get in trouble I'll be fine. Let's see… what's so hard to understand? Release your shadow and we'll be happy enough here, then Sage can go back and things will be fine!"

Rionna tried to calm him, reaching a hand out and resting it on his shoulder. "Seiji-kun, Touma was gone not soon after your… second `attempt'. That was Rowen, later on." Seiji paled considerably and he dropped to his knees, eyes hallow. "Touma vanished within the body as Rowen took reclaim, as was his right. Something similar may happen with you-you may disappear and Sage will retake his place." She shrugged. "It all depends."

"I dunno," Rionna shrugged, "I just make sure you're here and comfortable and wait for your shadow. I saw the three with my otouto-chan pass through the portal after Musou, however, so I do believe we'll have a bit of a confrontation. I'm interested to see how that goes." She smirked and shimmered lightly with power. "In fact, I feel them now."

Black and white suddenly flowed across her body as she wore a sub-armor similar to the Ronins. "Do you think you will have a stronger will than Seiji? Can you actually claim back your body now?" She seemed a bit amused as she asked Sage this.

"Of course," Sage snapped. He'd been waiting for what seemed like years to get out of this bare room. He still had the strength, he was sure, and he could tell by seeing his `duplicate' that Seiji was not strong. He could overpower him and rejoin his friends.

Rionna moved before Seiji to face the Ronins. Her face was a hard mask, but her eyes continued to flicker a bit with various emotions. "I am afraid I cannot welcome you warmly, here. If you wait just some time things will be done and one-or perhaps both-of these two will return. The shadow is just needed."

"Ahem. I'd rather not get into a fight. My name is Mouri Rionna and I would rather not like to fight my caster and brother. I also warn you that I have enough strength to wipe clear all of you." She crossed her arms, "Well?"

Rionna sighed. "Okay, you guys are getting frustrating, I hope you realize that. I really suggest you leave this alone. I doubt Musou will like intrusions and the way you're acting I don't like you too much either!"

Sage held the orb between his finger. Vaguely he noted that Seiji was watching him in curiosity. `Time to get back into the action…' He threw the orb up and caught onto the end of its comet tail to change into his green sub-armor.

Seiji stared numbly at the figure that was… well, him. But now that form was in sub-armor as the others wore. `Wait a minute…' He gasped in shock to find himself in the same green and white. "Nani!"

Finally the light cleared and only one of the blondes was still standing. The armor of Halo cloaked the kneeling body. The form was shaking a bit, unsteady.

Sage's eyes narrowed, "I don't see why Korin would accept a duplicate." He smirked. "Now, don't we have something to settle?" Pain laced behind his eyes but he refused to allow it to show any further.

She stood, levitating into the air and eyeing Sage. "I like Seiji. I'm upset that he was not strong enough to survive." She sighed, "But perhaps that was better. He thought that Touma's destruction was his fault."

Rionna winced. "In all actuality, yes. In a way. Not completely. You guys royally screwed up what was to happen, you know. Musou would not have arisen to pester Seiji again had it not been for you appearing." She turned to Sage. "Why did you have to take control of him!" She dashed forward to knock him aside.

He recovered quickly and struck back at her with his sword. She cried out as the blade torn at her upper arm. She hissed as she covered the wound with one hand. "Damn it…" She turned her head away and hid her face.

Bowing away, Rionna reluctantly agreed. "Alright, then. Armor of Night!" A unique, dark-colored armor fell about the girl's body. Her eyes opened after the transformation was done and she moved towards the four Ronins. "I'm sorry, but if you interfere I'll have to stop you."

Rionna pulled out both tachi blades that were covered with scabbards on her back. She let one hit the ground lightly and a small explosion erupted, dark smoke rising with a soft hiss. "I will attack if you interfere. Need I be any clearer?"

"What if I tell you I don't believe a damn thing you say!" Sage charge, no-datchi out. He ran right through the shadow but it did no good. `Nani?' he wondered, eyes wide.

A soft chuckle escaped Musou. "~ My dear, that does nothing; nothing at all ~" He backhanded Sage hard, causing the helmet to go flying as the warrior fell back hard. "~ I've already told you. You are feeling guilt from love. ~" It leaned over and whispered, "~ That love is dead. ~"

An image of a school day suddenly flashed through Sage's mind's eye. Another clip from the last time Seiji had gone to Touma's-the day Rowen had been freed. Sage, of course, did not understand any of it.

A pain tore through the blonde's head. He crumpled over, clutching at his face. His voice rose as he shouted hoarsely, in pain, "Touma! Touma!" `I'm so sorry! Gomen nasai! Gomen nasai!'

The Ronins were startled by the sound of Sage's voice screaming out Touma's name. "Oi, what's going on?" Cye questioned. "I thought Sage didn't know about Touma."

The shadow shoulders moved up in a shrug. "~ Oh well. You don't trust me even in the littlest bit, then, ne? You cannot touch me, let alone throw me. ~" The voice turned colder and lower. "~ Don't make me get violent. Be a good little Korin and answer to me. ~"

This time the pain that laced through his body was different-so much more intense and direct. He couldn't keep back the screams that began to flow from his mouth, hurting his throat. Fire burned his skin, electricity tore through his veins; his heart began going wild, blood flowing faster than humanly possible. Another pain brought his attention to the shadow in front of him.

A dagger had been brought forth from who knows where and the dark blade slit vertically down three times on his lips. One by each corner of his mouth and one cut in the middle. The blood seeped into his mouth, making him gag. The blood began trailing down his chin and down his through. It hurt terribly to scream-however, he couldn't stop-since it vibrated his lips.

Tears began slipping down his face and he could hardly care less anymore. The pain was too great, consuming him. Musou tossed him to the side and rolled him onto his back.

Sage didn't care any longer that he was obeying orders of one he didn't even trust. The pain was too much to ignore and he was willing to try this. The pain did lessen, though not terribly. In his sub-armor the electricity jumped about, dancing along his front. His back arched in pain and he continued to squirm with the discomfort.

Again Musou brought the dark blade down, slowly cutting away the sub-armor above his stomach. The whole left chest plate was taken away by the time Musou was done. It looked down at the blonde and pressed the blade to the middle of the boy's chest. Carefully it moved the blade just a bit over to be above the heart.

This time it pressed the blade into to the skin, slowly going deeper until enough blood to form a shallow pool began to come out. "~ Just a bit more, ~" he commented. Pressing further, harder, he managed to hit the outer wall of the blonde's heart.

His voice was already gone when the next cutting began and he was unable to scream any louder than a whisper when he felt the blade break through some ribs to get to his heart. He tasted and felt the blood pulsing slowly from his lips. The slow, steady drip of blood from his chest was making his exposed skin feel sticky and himself dizzy.

Sage wasn't sure what the shadow was saying as it pulled the dagger away. All he knew was that Musou seemed to be chanting, drawing various symbols in the air with two fingers. His body began to tingle, overpowering the pain. It suddenly felt as if he was numb for he could not feel a thing.

In surprise he watched as two outlined figures appeared above his head. One floated to the side and was laid down, slowly solidifying to mark the appearance of Seiji. Sage was shocked to see that he was the one who claimed all wounds, the white shirt he wore stained dark with crimson as was his face. Sage looked down at himself, then, and found no marks on his body. Baffled, he looked to Musou.

It was standing next to the lightly outlined `shadow form' of the Halo armor. Musou turned to him. "~ You could have saved all the scars and pain; all I needed was this Korin shadow. Baka. ~" Musou blinked out of sight, and soon following the Korin shadow also vanished.

Sage's attention turned to the identical boy beside him. He was trying vainly to curl up but was having no success. He began to cough, a few speckles of blood leaving into the air with the exhale of air.

The other seemed to think so too, for Seiji managed to roll his eyes before trying for air again. Frowning, Sage wondered if he could call upon Korin for help. `I have to help him. He took my wounds.' Slowly a green light glowed about his being. Focusing it down to his hands, he channeled the healing power to the wound over Seiji's chest. Magical tendrils drifted inside, hurrying to repair the damage of the heart and bones. That finished, the power moved to the surface to replace the skin cut there.

Sage glanced up to the pained face. Then, slowly, hesitantly, reached out two fingers and placed them above the bloody lips until Korin's green glow healed the cuts. He noted that for some reason the three marks remained as scars. `That shouldn't happen. Why are they still there?'

He offered a hand to the other and it seemed that Seiji wasn't all too ready to face him yet. The blonde duplicate looked away for a time and then met his gaze. "You don't feel it."

"You can't feel that pain… he… he didn't want it… I understand now. I know why Rowen awoke." Seiji forced himself to stand on his own and moved a few feet before looking back at Sage. His eyes were red with tears cried even though now his eyes were dry. "Rowen does love you. Touma didn't want that. I should have stopped then."

He turned away and walked a few more feet before pausing once again. He couldn't help it as he dropped to his knees, dry-sobbing while pounding the floor. Sage watched on with wide eyes from a few feet away. "He…" Seiji choked out, "he couldn't deal with me doing that. He didn't want it. Rowen awakened because he did want it! He didn't mind. Demo… demo… Touma!" He clutched at his shoulders, his eyes haunted and wide.

Opening his mouth, wanting to say something in comfort, Sage decided to stay silent. He hung his head, gazing sidelong at Seiji. `I am sorry I cannot understand. But I can't. I can't help you.'

Rionna stopped her fighting suddenly and drew back. She bowed deeply. "Seiji has been returned, I am very happy with that. Good bye, perhaps one day we shall meet again."

With that, she blinked away with a thing line of magic to mark her passing. The four Ronins exchanged views and then ran quickly towards the ki of their friend.

Slowly Sage stood from his spot and faced the others. He looked worn and stressed. A brief smile did grace his features, however, as he looked them over. "Damn it's been a long time. Glad you guys are here."

With deep eyes clouded with emptiness, Seiji watched the group as they grinned and exchanged sentences. Hurt filled his heart and he reached a hand to touch the bloodstained shirt just above his heart. Tears managed to form again and they slipped from his face.

Silence suddenly filled the room as the others turned their attention to him again. A heavy atmosphere lurked within the air and it pressed in with a crushing force. Seiji squeezed his eyes shut tight and he gripped tighter at the dirty shirt. `I should have had my life taken in return for yours. I should be punished… punished for killing someone like you. What have I done?'

Unsure, Cye walked over towards Seiji and squatted down. "Anou… Seiji-kun, you know Touma is gone because it was time Rowen had to return to us, right?" The pale eyes would not turn to acknowledge him so he tried again. "Things were supposed to turn out this way. Sage and Rowen were missing for a long time. They are part of a team and need to be with us."

Finally, through a dry throat, Seiji managed to speak once again. "But I am here. I am duplicate to Sage. Yet I am here. I killed him. I killed Hashiba Touma. I killed him because I'm blind." His eyes stared ahead, blankly and his voice stayed monotone. "He didn't want it. And I pressed, I pressed on because I was so blindly desperate. I threw our bond away. He was killed because of me. He couldn't handle it. He didn't want it. But Rowen didn't mind. He wanted it; thought I was Sage. I understand it now. He wanted it. Touma was pressed aside and killed in the struggle to try and stop me." A hysterical laugh escaped him. "God, that's funny, why don't you laugh!" A hand covered his face while he laughed and cried. "Why don't you laugh…"

Ryo looked concerned at the blonde. He hadn't realized until now just how close Touma and Seiji's bond was; just how important the two were to be together. He wasn't sure exactly what Seiji seemed to be referring to, but it seemed Rowen knew. And he was also beginning to gather his own conclusions. Many of those conclusions he did not like at all.

AN: There is a lot of things I need to give credit for! "The Raven" by Edgar Allen Poe is used, Past the Point of No Return from Phantom of the Opera is used, a quote from Gunning Down Romance by Savage Garden... and there's more, I know. ;;U_U

Remember this is COMPLETLY unedited!! Pardon anything that is phrased wrong, I'm looking over this during the holidays to complete editting. Um... news on epilogue? I have about 5 or so pages done of it. About two or three more scenes and it will be complete! ;;U_U Of course... then there might be a sequel (don't cross your fingers). Ahem. The last thing to note is that new things may be added in... I'll post a note up if more scenes are added. A friend suggests more on Rionna and Musou since that's rather confusing. ;;^^ Gomen nasai, I hadn't really thought about it before.