Fan Fiction ❯ New Dawn Of The Heart ❯ Love has the power To Echo In To Eternity for As Long As Eternity Lasts ( Chapter 14 )

DISCLAMER All game characters in this story are property of Namco/Sega.

DISCLAMER This story contains people being knocked around in weapon fights and bad language as well as * Shoujo-Ai /girl love*

WARNING DISCLAIMERThis chapter contains scenes of a slightly sexual nature, this being mild Yuri *

Love has the power To Echo In To Eternity for As Long As Eternity Lasts

Toki slowly looked up at the arena in front of him, Taki and Sophitia had killed the demon. It was hard to believe but they'd both done it. His gaze narrowed as he lowered his weapon, they had all made it out alive. It was so hard to take in, almost hard to really believe. He'd believed that they could get free from Suzuka and now here they were. His gaze moved slowly to the figures on the arena.

Sophitia lay still her body motionless on the arena, her long loose blonde hair flaying outwards, her ripped cloths moving with the slight wind which was coming from the now small hole that the silver dragon above was still repairing. Next to her lay Taki who was motionless her hand still griping hers despite the fact she had passed out her body giving in to exhaustion.

Silver blood was covering the arena most still leaking from the huge dead body of the demon, which was lying next to them. It's huge upper jaw lay still in the same place it had landed after being severed from the crested head. The rest of it's huge body was unmoving it's huge tail point was still jammed in to the floor while silver blood carried on trickling from it's wounds.

He breathed in sharply "Lower the bridge!" Aeon walked over to the balcony kicking the lever with his foot. He could see the worry in everyone's faces he was worried to both Taki and Sophitia were lying motionless on the arena's floor. No one was sure if they were seriously hurt, he had watched almost horrified as Sophitia had hit the ground, which had no doubt knocked her out.

Taki had crawled forward on her hands and knees just to get over to where she was lying so she could pass out next to her. He heard the grinding sound as the bridges came free from under the platform. They moved forward slowly coming to a grinding halt as they hit the arena's platform hard locking themselves in to place. He turned watching as Toki jumped on to he huge bridge he was followed closely by Yasashiku.

Aeon quickly turned following them he watched as the ninja's quickly started to come across the bridge, while the Jin Uni Ki followed while the others helped Kiyoshi pick up Keiko. Apparently the huge Jin Uni Ki female wasn't dead but in some sort of a comma where her soul had parted slightly from her body, he had watched in surprise as Kiyoshi had told him that she wasn't dead.

Even Kiyoshi had believed her to be dead, but it was not so, he had watched as the bad wounds on her body had started to heal, he had a terrible feeling that Keiko would not awaken for a long time yet. As her broken body needed time to heal, much like a human comma, he had noticed the surprise on Mina and Kilik's faces only to see them drop, as they knew what it meant.

He pushed his thoughts aside, his clawed foot hit the balcony his gaze widened as Toki moved quickly over to where Taki was lying. Toki slowly brought himself down on one knee so he next to Taki, he gently turned her on to her back then calmly moved his hand on to her neck feeling for a pulse. He found himself sighing aloud as he felt one his daughter wasn't dead she was all right.

He quickly moved to Sophitia watching as Rei and Yosho started to check Taki's body for broken bones, he could see Mina and Kilik who where leaning over trying to see it there friend was alright. He turned slightly seeing a large clawed foot come in to view he looked up slightly seeing Aeon's concerned face. The Lizard man slowly pulled up his clawed hand "Can I help you?"

He smiled slightly watching as the huge Lizard man came down on one knee "Of cause you can Aeon." He slowly felt Sophitia's neck, he eased his hand up slightly feeling himself breathing in deeply she was alive as well. He moved his hand feeling her neck bone, then eased his hand away it wasn't broken. He watched Aeon started to check for broken bones with his clawed hands.

Yosho looked up slightly "No broken bones, she just passed out from exhaustion by the looks of things." Rei pushed her hair back off her eyes "She's needs some bandages though and water to drink when she wakes up." Aeon watched as Hiroshi leaned down helping him, Aeon calmly stopped watching as Toki felt the muscles in Sophitia's shield arm the ninja master looked up slightly "Find any broken bones?"

Hiroshi shook his head he watched as Aeon did the same, Toki turned slightly "Sophitia's fine, she's going to need some bandages like Taki, as well as water." He pulled the young woman's head up slightly "I think she just took a blow to the head, there both going need their clothes repairing, as well something to eat." He paused "When was the last time these two did eat?"

Yasashiku slowly stepped forward folding his wings "They both eat in the demon garden, although Taki will need to eat again quite soon." Toki raised an eyebrow "Why not Sophitia?" Ryozo eased up his clawed hand "Oh she eat the black soup, the one that's alive and takes a lot longer for human's to digest, she's not going to be hungry when she wakes up."

Toki found himself staring in surprise "Your kidding me right?" Ryozo calmly put a hand on his chest "No I'm serious, she eat it and she's kept it down." He turned eyeing Ryoko and Nagmo "Unlike a lot of you, who brought it right back up." Toki found himself shaking his head "You know you really shouldn't have given her that, what if it makes her ill?"

Yasashiku shook his head slightly "Trust me if it had made her ill it would've happened not long after she'd eating it." He shook his mane "The young woman has a cast iron stomach, she must have one if she can keep something like that down." Mina turned in confusion "What is this black living soup anyway?" Ryoko found herself grimacing "You really don't want to know, it's really not something human beings are supposed to beable to handle."

Mina watched as Sophitia was turned on to her back "Wait so Sophitia eat this horrible stuff, is that what your saying?" Ryoko turned slightly "It would seem so." Kilik found himself laughing slightly "You know this doesn't surprise me much Sophitia has both an appetite and a stomach of iron." Mina raised an eyebrow "You have a point there, Sophitia will try anything food wise if she's hungry enough."

Toki rolled his eyes, his gaze turned to Jiro and Kiyoshi who where slowly looking over Keiko who still hadn't woken up. He turned to Yasashiku "Is Keiko going to be okay?" The Jin Uni Ki slowly shook his head "Who can say, it could be weeks before she reawakens, I only hope she pulls through." Toki slowly turned his gaze to the Elf shield, which was lying near by "Is there a chance she won't wake up?"

Yasashiku turned slightly "There's a chance yes, but believe me she'll pull through, she's strong always has been." Toki lowered his head "I didn't mean to shout at you Yasashiku, I know you where doing the best you could, I don't wish to shout at you of all Jin Uni Ki you came to our aid." Yasashiku turned slightly "It matters not you were afraid for your daughter, we all fear for the ones we love."

Toki calmly moved over to Taki, he calmly put an arm under his daughter slowly bringing her off the ground. He watched as Aeon picked Sophitia up in a gently motion his gaze slowly turned back to Yasashiku "Your right but I don't wish to shout anymore, I've spent so much time crippled by my insanity. It made me lash out at those I loved and those who are my friends."

He turned his head eyeing Taki who head was lying against his chest "I can't afford to be so foolish again, I'm meant to be a father to my children and an ally of your race. My clan protects the people in this town and many others, which haven't happened due to my insanity. I'm not even sure if I've made enemies with the Samurai clans because of my madness."

Yasashiku pulled up slightly "Fu-Ma is and always has been the clan who fights for the people, I believe the Samurai no this, plus Soul Edges power has had terrible effects on warriors." He slowly stroked his long beard "I'm sure people will see now that Fu-Ma is once again back together and strong again." He raised an eyebrow "People will see in time Toki you'll see."

Nagmo made a face "Well that makes me happy because I can't wait to kill those Seki clan bastards who've been wandering around here lately, they know the rules. This town and its mountains are Fu-Ma territory and going over our boarders is defying our laws." Ryoko turned slightly "Why Nagmo that's the most intelligent thing you've said all day I'm impressed." Nagmo turned sharply "Hey! That's not fair Ryoko!"

Toki turned slightly getting ready to say something when a noise hit his ear; he turned watching in horror as the Nacrinoth's dead body began to shake violently. He turned snarling in anger "What now!" Rei limped slightly back "You've gotta be kidding me that things dead!" Yasashiku took a slow step forward "It's dead I can assure you! Sophitia sword cut through its brain."

Toki looked down at the floor in surprise at the silver blood began to flash up with white light "What the hells is going on here?!" Yasashiku turned sharply watching as the silver blood turned in to a what looked like silver and gold mist as it left the floor vanishing from the arena "I have no idea, I've never seen this before." He watched as the silver mist began to float up around them making a beautiful almost starlight fog.

Toki turned sharply watching as the Nacrinoth's body's black skin began to disintegrate, white light blasted through as the skin began turned to dust he watched in surprise as this white light started to separate in to small light shafts as it came flying out of the Nacrinoth's body, which carried on disintegrating, it's huge muscles and internals turning to dust, leaving only bones which hit the floor as massive skeleton fell apart.

A huge white ball of light, which had dark light moving with in it slowly rose above him "Is that what I think it is?" Yasashiku turned his glowing purple gaze widening "It's the souls of all those who the Nacrinoth stole, there freeing themselves." Toki could only close his eyes as the ball started to blast brighter he could feel the force of it because of bones of the dead demon rattling on the arena's floor.

Rei closed her eyes as the huge white ball blasted apart sending waves of light flying across the whole arena she opened them again to see hundreds of glowing white lights with tails moving through the air. Some where black as night while one was blood red and trying to move away from all the white ones as who where darting in out of each other playing with there new found freedom.

Yasashiku turned as one speed past his ears "Human souls, hundred of trapped human souls." He watched a black one run downwards trying to get away from the white human souls as they played with each other "I see there are demon souls here as well, they'll all be leaving soon, they will want to return to the afterlife they where cheated from having."

He turned watching the red one fly across the room in a mad fashion he sighed aloud "Although I doubt Suzuka will be joining the other human souls." Toki looked up slightly watching the red light blast across the room madly as fourteen white ones chased it " That's Suzuka?" Yasashiku looked down slightly "I'm sorry Toki, that is the only remaining part of her, she has no body to go back to the Nacrinoth stole it from her."

Toki lowered his head "It's sad that I can't do anything to change this." Yasashiku calmly put a clawed hand on his shoulder "Your not to blame for what happened you couldn't have known, you did the best you could like any father does." Toki watched the red soul fly through the air as it kept on trying to get away from the other following it "I can't even say goodbye."

He watched the red soul dart past again "She'll never know, that I did love her. That demon was not her, not the real her it just used her." Yasashiku shook his head "Maybe she'll get another chance, and you'll get to see her again in another lifetime." He paused breathing in deeply watching the souls around them play "Death is never the end, it's just the start, there are always seconds chances."

Toki turned sharply as the floor around him darkened he pulled back in surprise "What's happening?" Yasashiku slowly took a step back "Those who've harmed and done bad deeds are returning to Emma-O." He pulled back his wings "Stay clear don't go near that blackness!" Ryoko slowly stepped back feeling the air get caught in her lungs as a huge moving rock face opened.

It's flames blasted up, as it's horrible toothed like sides moved, it was horrible black and nightmarish, she watched as the black souls flew in to it instantly. Yasashiku gritted his teeth in announce even dead demons seemed to like Emma-O's hell. He turned his gaze watching as the white souls fled up high getting away from his gapping mouth, which was moving even though it looked like stone.

Toki watched as the red soul shot up trying to join them only to be battered down by white ones. His gaze widened in horror and surprise as this huge mouth widened a long flaming tentacle flew free from it grabbing the red soul, it was tugged viciously in the flaming void, which to his horror closed up as soon as it entered the mouth, he watched as the fire turned to black smoke as it disappearing altogether.

He felt his heart hit his stomach "She's never going to be free is she is?" Yasashiku turned slightly "She might one day, hell can only temporary some just need to learn the errors of their ways." He turned his head "Don't give up hope Toki, she made a mistake one she couldn't change and one she's being punished for. Souls can find redemption though, ether in their rebirth or their afterlife."

Toki turned slightly "I hope she gets her second chance, and comes back a better person when ever that my be." Yasashiku shook his long mane "I only wish the same, don't be sad Toki she'll get another chance you'll see." Toki's gaze moved as the white lights above them began to lower themselves playing once again "Why aren't they leaving? I would've thought they'd gone where they needed to go by now."

Yasashiku raised an eyebrow "I have no idea, perhaps there still waiting for something." He watched as fourteen of them sudden came down lower moving in and out of each other as they came close to the arena's floor. One broke away as the others carried on playing behind it. Aeon took a step forward as the white light finally landed, he watched in wonderment as it started to change shape.

He stared as it slowly formed in to a small body, he could see it was a little girl who was about six years old with long hair, which flowed slightly along with the Greek robes. She was ghost like and see-through, although her face had a happy play full smile on it as she skipped forward coming close to his clawed feet. He looked down slightly watching as she pointed to Sophitia who was in his arms.

He slowly watched her jump up giggling as she carried on pointing he looked down "You want Sophitia?" He felt slightly confused he was talking to the soul of a dead child, he watched as she nodded. He looked around for a moment then slowly brought himself down on one knee lowering Sophitia gently to the ground. He had no idea what this child wanted. His only thoughts where that it wanted to see the person who killed the Nacrinoth by slicing of its head.

The child's soul laughed again slowly pulling out something Aeon pulled back in stunned surprise in the child's hand was Sophitia's blue hair ribbon, the one that had disappeared after she'd soul charged. The child slowly eased up her hand causing the ribbon to slowly twirl in swift motion as it moved through the blonde hair, which started to re plait itself.

Aeon watched in surprise as the ribbon tied it's self in to Sophitia's hair the newly tied blonde hair slowly fell to the ground. The little girl giggled then jumped forward pushing Sophitia's shoulder in a playful fashion. Rei watched in surprise as Aeon moved back as light swept through Sophitia body, lighting it for a spit second then dimming. What the hell was going on? What was this child's soul doing?

Aeon leaned forward gazing at Sophitia's finger, which had started to twitch the woman let out a painful groan her other hand coming up to her face as she moved her legs coming back in to consciousness. He quickly put and clawed hand on her shoulder "Easy now Sophitia, you took a fall." Sophitia slowly opened her eyes looking at Aeon it had been his voice she'd heard.

She groaned again wanting to turn over, her body didn't hurt much it just ached she rubbed her eyes trying to refocus them. She watched as Aeon clawed hand moved up in front of her helping her as she sat herself up groaning again "Is the Nacrinoth dead?" Aeon eased up looking at the mist around him "He's dead, you and Taki ended his horrible existence."

Sophitia wiped her eyes again "Dame it! I can't rid of the mist front of my eyes." Aeon flicked out his tongue "It's not your eyes, this is the doing of souls you and Taki helped free." He slowly eased up a clawed hand pointing at the little girl who was standing to opposite Sophitia "Although I think it's more that little girls doing, she wanted to wake you up. I think she wants to tell you something."

Sophitia turned slowly watching as a little girl came in to view, she felt her heart hit her stomach in one swift motion. It was her! That child, that little girl who she couldn't save! The one Suzuka had killed just before she'd burst in to the room. The girl she'd brought back to her mother on the day she'd lost her blood innocence. The child's scream that she just couldn't forget because it had haunted her dreams for so long.

She painfully pulled herself around so she was facing the young child who was looking at her wide-eyed she leaned over painfully grabbing her sword then pulled herself up on to one knee using the weapon to lean on. She lowered her head letting her hair fall in front of her face "It's you…I'm sorry, I'm so sorry my weakness caused your death. I wanted to save you from Suzuka."

The little girl looked up slightly "You did save as." Sophitia felt a straggled sob escaping her lips " No I failed you, I never saved you when I could have, if I'd have been quicker you could have been in your mothers arms." The little girl shook her head slightly "You and Taki you both saved me and all the other children." She leaned slightly "We are just happy to be free."

The child paused noticing Sophitia's shoulder were shaking "It wasn't your fault, you didn't know that it was a demon." Sophitia looked down slightly "If I could do it all again I wouldn't be late, I would save you from those horrible deaths." The girl skipped slightly then leaned over her "My death was not as horrible as being stuck in the belly of that beast, there are no words to describe how he hurt as."

She paused then smiled "All of as are free now, he won't do horrible things to as anymore, he won't be mean." Sophitia shook her head "I just wish…" The small girl looked up slightly "No need to wish, were safe now thanks to you and Taki." The small girl grinned skipping slightly around Sophitia "We just wanted to say thank you." She paused watching as another strangled sod came from the woman's lips "I just wanted to say thank you."

Sophitia watched as the girl ran her small-fingered hand over her own "You and Taki saved as." Sophitia watched as the child's hand pulled away, she tried to pull out her hand again but it was taking up to much of her strength, she groaned leaning on her sword watching as the beautiful white souls played behind the smiling little girl, who playfully jumped over near to them.

Sophitia looked up slightly "Please don't go." The little girl smiled than laughed a little she stopped turning around "I have to go, but we'll wake up the sleeping ones before I leave." Sophitia watched as two more souls came free of the thirteen moving around behind her the first white soul shot past around then flung itself forward it slowly touched Taki causing a white light to go through her girlfriends body.

Taki body jolted before the woman's brown eyes snapped open in confusion, she struggled for a moment before realizing that she was being held up by Toki. Sophitia turned in surprise watching as the soul moved back playing with the others, the other that had been moving near by flew with all the force flying across the arena coming to land close to Keiko who was still motionless.

It slowly moved forward touching the fur, which lit up with white light through out the body. Sophitia gazing seeing the surprise and shock on both Jiro and Kiyoshi face's as the Jin Uni Ki females eyes opened there purple glow returning. Keiko's body shot up as the females roar hit the air, her huge wings opening full stretch, before she hit the ground again looking around in confusion.

Taki turned her head painfully what the hell was going on? All she could see was lights moving above and around her. Was she still dreaming she wasn't all that sure? She looked down as she felt Toki's arms hold her tighter. She could see Sophitia leaning on her sword her girlfriend was down on one knee there was what looked like a little girl standing in front of her.

She groaned painfully, maybe she was imagining it, she turned back seeing the girl skip and play around the twirling lights. She tensed as one shot past her fathers shoulders returning to the others which carried on playing as those above started to slow down moving in a slow circle. Was this girl one of those children Sophitia hadn't been able to save?

She wasn't all that sure, but in her heart it seemed like the only reasonable explanation. She moved slightly her body ached her gaze turned her gaze back to Sophitia who was just staring at the young girl. Sophitia watched as the girl smiled as the soul returned to play with the others, the child grinned playfully "Your friends there all healed now, we have to go."

Sophitia looked up in stunned surprise as the floor around her started to light up white, a sudden blast of light spiralled up almost throwing her off her feet. She watched it spiral up getting bigger as it passed right through the roof. It was a beautiful shaft of white light heading upwards to the Japanese heavens, her gaze moved as the child moved back towards the other children's soul.

Sophitia tried to move forward but the aching in her system stopped her "Please don't leave…I only want to know one thing." The little girl skipped forward "What did you want to know." She looked up watching as the souls above moved in to the massive shaft of white light, moving up it towards the temple roof each slowly passing through the wood as they carried on upwards.

Sophitia slowly lowered her gaze meeting the child's wide-eyed gaze "I just…want to know your name." She paused looking at the little girl "Your mother never spoke to me again, so I never got told your name." The little girl looked up slightly "My names Elpida." Sophitia lowered her head slightly "That's a beautiful name." The little girl jumped up slightly "Thank you."

Sophitia looked up as the light became wider the souls behind the girl slowly began to move up it following the others. Sophitia watched as Elpida moved towards it the little girl turned meeting her gaze "I have to go now Sophitia." Sophitia looked up slightly at the light and then at the young girl "You go with your friends to the Elysian Fields, it's were you belong."

She watched the little girl giggle, as her body became light again, slowly growing a tail as it joined the other slow moving soul which where heading upwards in a slow circle. Sophitia watched them go in silence. Watching as the light shaft raised it's self from the floor taking the souls with it. She leaned over starting to feel tired again, she turned feeling Aeon put his clawed hand on her arm.

Aeon looked up watching as the light vanished from the room taking all the glowing lights with it, he put his other hand on Sophitia arm "Let me help you up your tried you need to rest." Sophitia watched as the souls vanished through the roof, the light disappearing altogether. She felt another strangled sob come from her mouth, she felt herself being picked up again by Aeon.

Aeon looked down slightly, Sophitia was tried so was Taki he could see it in there faces. His gaze turned to Keiko, who was being lifted up by Jiro and Keiko she looked tried as well, they all needed sleep. Toki turned sharply seeing Aeon concern he looked at Taki who was trying to stay awake "Follow me, bring Taki, Sophitia, and Keiko with you."

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Mitsurugi looked up watching in disbelief as a huge white light lit up all the Hoko Ji temples windows it carried on upwards towards to the clouds above. He watched as what looked like glowing white lights moved up it middle lighting the night's sky like stars. Hundreds of these things where moving upwards heading towards the heavens guarded by the dragons.

He raised an eyebrow from his sitting position, where the farmers had gathered around him watching the event unfold. He turned to the girl who was sitting by his side the Japanese woman pulled up her bamboo hat "How amazing, they look like stars." Mitsurugi smiled he'd been sitting with these farmers for more than a few hours and the things they'd seen had been truly astounding.

He gave the girl a smile " Your right Kaeda they do look like stars." The woman smiled "First the fireball, then the flash of pure white light." She grinned widely "Then there was red light and yellow lightning, now this what ever it is." Mitsurugi adjusted his sword "Well I have to say Fu-Ma have been busy today, I mean showing as this fascinating light show." He brushed his hair back "I must stop by."

The woman looked up slightly "It's forbidden for Samurai to cross the ninja territory, but we can send a message bird to them for you so you meet in the town." Mitsurugi shrugged his shoulder watching the lights fly higher in to the heavens "Don't worry I'm a patient man I can wait a few days for them to come in to town." He shook his head "I'm not here to start a fight."

He slowly put his pipe in his mouth smoking it "What wonders have gone on here this night." He watched as the light started to move upwards in to the heavens taking its lights with it. He narrowed his gaze as it vanished completely, lighting up the sky slightly before it disappeared altogether. He looked up slightly maybe this hadn't been such a wasted journey after all.

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Jiro turned slightly from his position on the floor he was inside the ninja's main room he shrugged slightly feeling the bandage on his wing. He had been here for what felt like hours it would soon be dawn. He sat up from his position looking at the blankets, which had been wrapped around him and the pillows which where under him. The ninja's had really taken care of him and his injuries.

His gaze turned again he could see Keiko sleeping near by, she was also covered in blankets and propped under pillows, her wounds had been dressed and Yasashiku had chanted Jin Uni Ki magic on her to help her heal faster. He'd had the same done to him he watched her snort in her sleep digging claws in to the ground for a moment then move her tail slightly before going still again.

He eased himself up noticing Sophitia and Taki on his other side, both where laid next to each other. Their wounds had been dressed, and they'd both been tightly wrapped in blankets. He shook his mane, Sophitia's cloths had been completely repaired by Yasashiku and where lying by her side, they'd dressed her in her simple Greek white tunic to keep her dignity.

Taki had been redressed in her a simple blue yukata, her cloths were no doubt still being repaired, He watched her pull the covers up further, turning over slightly. He slowly laid his head on his clawed hands this had been one hell of a night. He turned sharply watching the door creaked open Rei calmly walked through it she turned slightly stepping over Keiko's tail.

Her gaze turned to Sophitia as she gently laid a brown pack down next to Greek woman then slowly put down two green armoured shoulder guards and wrists guards with her cloths. Her gaze moved quickly to Taki as she laid down her fully repaired cloths complete with her armour. Jiro smiled slightly "Found all there belongings yet?" Rei turned slightly giving him a smile "Almost, I was just glad I found Sophitia's spare cloths."

Jiro grinned widely "I keep on hearing a lot of banging what going on down there?" Rei breathed in deeply watching as Yosho walked in to the room "It's hell out there, where trying to clean up the mess those bastards made. We've had to go through everyone of their bodies to find missing belongings, plus they raided some of the rooms." Jiro turned slightly "A clean up operation no doubt."

Rei sneered slightly "You have no idea, I've just spent ages cleaning up my room and getting rid of the blood stains all over Taki's." She shrugged "I even cleaned it up for her as well as removing the dead body from it." She shook her head "Not that I mind, it's just annoying work, we still need to move all those dead bodies somewhere, Nagmo says throwing them in to labyrinths abyss is a good idea."

Jiro raised an eyebrow " But you don't agree." Rei shook her head "No I'd rather burn them, then use the skulls in the forest to scare trespassers away." She breathed in deeply "The place smells like death at the moment, I'm just glad both your pack and Taki's friends are helping it's cutting the work load in half." Yosho slowly laid Taki's pack down next to her, he leaned over slightly "Ah seems these two are doing okay."

He turned hearing Sophitia mumble in her sleep then turn over he looked at her Greek tunic "Rei are you sure that white tunic thing's on right." Rei looked up slightly stepping back over Keiko's tails "Yes I'm sure it's on right, it's not a long tunic it only goes up to her knees and you wrap it around the middle with the loose leather belt." She turned pulling the leather sandals out of Sophitia's pack.

She found herself rolling her eyes "I'm not putting these on her, I have no idea where to start with them." She watching Taki turn over again she hadn't tired her sister's yukata but then it wasn't worth it the covers where giving a lot of warmth. She slowly put Sophitia sandals down only to hear a banging again followed by shouting, she turned looking at Yosho "We better see what's going on."

Yosho calmly nodded, he turned to Jiro "You'll be okay here?" He watched as the Jin Uni Ki nodded, he slowly stood up "I bet its Nagmo having a fit again over someone stealing his things." Rei slowly pushed her hair back "No it's probably Ryoko complaining about the fact someone put bloodstains all over her room and she can't find the dead bodies."

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Toki watched in silence as Yosho and Rei entered the hall, he turned seeing Mina, Kilik and Aeon behind him. His gaze turned back as Rei came closer "What is that annoying noise?" He turned hearing the noise again from the other corridor. Yosho looked down slightly "We don't know we came to ask you, we thought it was here." He pulled up his hand "We just came back from checking Taki and Sophitia."

Mina looked up slightly from her position on the floor she eased up her brush, which she'd been using to get rid of the remaining demon blood "How are they?" Yosho grinned widely "Oh there doing in fine, so are Keiko and Jiro." Kilik turned tossing another sword on the pile near by. "Knowing that makes me feel a lot better, I was worried about them."

Aeon put a clawed hand on the bridge pushing it slightly "You know Toki this is going to need new steel, at the edges it's really beaten up." Toki sighed aloud "I know, on top of that we need two new demon cages as well as better traps outside to make sure this doesn't happen again." Yosho turned folding his arms "Are you positive that tunic is on Sophitia right Rei?"

Rei turned putting her hand through her hair in annoyance "Yes I did! Will you stop asking me that, it's getting annoying." She turned moving her heel, which still ached "I'm not going to go back in there and redress her, it was difficult enough the first time." She snarled aloud "Plus I had to hit Nagmo so he'd stop looking around the door, the dame pervert."

She turned hearing the crash again " What the hell is going on down there?" Yosho turned his head slightly "Maybe they found someone alive." Rei raised an eyebrow "Some one alive, yeah right no one could survive this." Mina turned sharply seeing the door burst open she watched as two young men were dragged forward, Nagmo had one by the collar while Hiroshi had the other by the ear.

She stood up sharply Nagmo was holding Kentaro, the young man was struggling for his life trying to get free. She thought he had run away! She hadn't found him after the battle despite both hers and Kilik's searching. They weren't sure if he had died, or if someone else had killed him. She watched as Ryoko came around the corner grinning evilly while swinging her weapon.

Nagmo grabbed the man by the collar has he pulled his viciously across the bridge "Look what I found, he was hiding in my rooms closet!" He threw the man full force watching as he hit the ground in front of Toki "We should kill him, I'd be fun." Hiroshi flung the other man in front of his father " Well this bastard was hiding in the store room asshole was drinking our Sake!"

Toki raised an eyebrow watching as his children surrounded both men pulling out there weapons, he slowly eased his sword free from its scabbard, he leaned over both men one of them looked rather scared while the other didn't seem to care he raised his sword "You know the law of Fu-Ma don't you! No one ever leaves our borders alive, and those who trespass are walking in to death!"

He eased up his sword poking the annoyed man with it "Nether of you are going to leave here alive!" Kilik turned sharply pulling out his arm before Toki's sword was pulled back fully "You can't kill the man who Nagmo brought in!" Toki turned slightly "Why can't I kill him? He trespassed on my home, he drunk and eats my food. Our laws say men like that should die for such territory."

Mina jumped forward grabbing Kentaro's collar "He saved as!" She turned hearing Nagmo laugh behind her. The tall man walked around angrily to face Kentaro "He saved you, this little maggot who was hiding in my closet saved you?" He pulled up his weapon poking the man's stomach "Whimpering little dog! You don't look like you could save anybody, you just look afraid!"

Toki pulled up his hand sharply "Quite Nagmo!" Mina moved quickly "When Akuma tried to leave your temple this young man tried to stop him." She turned slightly pulling back the robe, which had bloodstains at the shoulder "He took Akuma's sword through his shoulder! He hated that man because he killed his wife he was trying to get revenge for his injustice."

Nagmo turned kicking the young man "So what he's still Suzuka's scum! Who says he's good could all just be an act." Kentaro pulled back painfully recoiling from the towering man's blow "My name is Kentaro!" Nagmo eased up his weapon watching it shine "Who cares what your name is boy! All that matters is that I'll get the pleasure of killing you and your drunk friend."

Toki turned slightly "Nagmo! Be silent!" He watched as his son pulled back in annoyance. He breathed in deeply bringing himself down on one knee "Tell me Kentaro did you try to stop Akuma?" Kentaro looked down slightly "I did, he killed my wife! Suzuka's army burnt my village to the ground! I wanted my revenge! I wanted to die for something worth while, or a least die with some strands of honour."

Kilik took a step forward " I swear he did this we saw him try to do it, we couldn't have finished Akuma off it weren't for him." Mina looked up slightly "Look I'm not sure that my words stands for much here, I know you are proud ninja's who believe in your laws, it's just this man did a brave thing he deserves another chance." Toki raised an eyebrow " I see."

He calmly pulled out his long dagger throwing it on the floor in front of the man he turned watching as Ryoko grabbed the other man's shoulders so he couldn't move. He slowly met the young man's gaze "This is my dagger, kill me with it." Nagmo pulled up slightly "Father what the hell are you doing? The man is scum kill him!" Toki eased up his hand "I said quite Nagmo!"

He turned back watching the young man "You have a weapon in front of you, you could just slit my throat. What are you waiting for?" Kentaro looked at the weapon then slowly pulled out a hand pushing it away "I don't deserve a weapon like this, I have no desirer to kill you. Your son's right I'm scum I should die. I trespassed on your land I'm an unworthy warrior who should be given a swift death for my crimes."

He pushed the weapon further forward "Please kill me, it would be better to die knowing that I at least tried to do good even if I did fail." He heard the man who Ryoko was holding start to curse nastily "I have nothing left that means anything, so please end my life." Toki turned seeing the surprise on his children's faces, he slowly picked up his dagger putting it back in its scabbard.

He calmly stood up "You should die young man, you really should." He slowly put his hand through his beard "Normally I'd kill you but today I'm thinking that maybe I can make an exception." He turned grabbing the young man's collar pulling him up on to his feet "If I let you live you must promise never to leave this place. You will be stripped of Suzuka's colours and instead you'll wear mine."

He paused seeing the young man's surprise "You'll be assigned to Hiroshi, he's going to train you in to a true Fu-Ma ninja! I know your going to ask me why, so here your answer I believe you did do what Kilik and Mina said you did. I believe you're a man forced down the wrong path. I also think that maybe I can make a real man out of you, and that you could be as good as any of my sons."

He paused smiling "You being Fu-Ma means you'll keep our secret." He paused leaning over slightly " But understand that if you betray me, I wont think twice about killing you. Do you understand?!" Kentaro looked up then quickly nodded he was pushed back lightly. Toki turned slightly "Hiroshi I want you to take him. He's your pupil from now on." Hiroshi nodded he turned pulling the young man out of the circle.

He turned slightly seeing the young man's fright as they walked away from the others "Well, first things first boy, lets change your cloths and get that wound redressed." Kentaro nodded slowly following him as they moved towards the double doors. Hiroshi smirked slightly "We are going to have so much fun you and I. I can't wait to turn you in to real Fu-Ma material."

Nagmo watched both Hiroshi and the young boy vanish behind the double doors "I can't believe you let him live! How could you do that are you crazy he'll betray as!" Toki turned sharply "My word is final Nagmo! I don't believe that young man will betray as." His gaze turned to the other man who was snarling up at him "You have anything worth saying?" The man turned spitting "Yeah I do you are a weak old man!"

Toki folded his arms "The other man did you know him? He watched the angry man spit again "Yeah I know him weak boy he is, hell I would've sliced you in half with that dagger old man!" Toki turned slightly "Kill him, and please make it a quick death." Nagmo looked up grinning "Oh I'll make it quick." He turned grabbing the big man by the collar.

He turned looking over at the abyss "Oh how much I love killing scum." He turned slicing the mans stomach with his sword then turned throwing him full force over the abyss's edge. He smiled listening to the scream as the man disappeared in the blackness bellow. Ryoko winced hearing the cracking of bones from far bellow "You could've just stabbed him."

Nagmo turned looking over the edge "What's the fun in that?" he shrugged his shoulders slightly " I mean stabbing the bastard is boring as hell." Ryoko turned looking over at the abyss "True, but that wasn't a nice way to go Nagmo." Nagmo pulled up slightly "Who cares he got to join his friends didn't he, the ones who got tossed down there earlier." His grin widened "The Revenant must be really stuffed by now."

Toki shook his head "Has any of you looked through the bones yet? Ryoko turned her head "No, I was planning to though, I want to put that skull back together then we can hang it above the your throne." She grinned, "It would look so great up there, a ninja clan trophy showing one of our greatest victories." Rei turned slightly "Fathers not interested in that, we can't find Rekki-Maru or Mekki-Maru."

Ryoko raised an eyebrow "We can't?" Rei shook her head "Ryozo has already flown up to the inner roof and he's checked the outside roof as well." She breathed I deeply "Where beginning to think that the souls took both swords with them. Since we checked the arena's floor and the rest of the temple." She turned her gaze to the skeleton behind them "Those bones are the last things to check."

Nagmo turned slightly looking the white bones with there yellow coloured horns and spikes "But there bones, I've passed by the things rib cage three times and I've not seen Rekki-Maru sticking out of it." He shrugged his shoulders " I saw Taki stab that thing, just like you did, but all I see in front of me is bone." Rei calmly put a hand on her chest "I beginning to think that the weapons where absorbed in to the bone."

Ryoko raised an eyebrow "You mean in side the hollow bone somewhere are both weapons?" Nagmo rolled his eyes "Taki is going to be furious if she doesn't get both her weapons back. I don't understand though why would the souls hide her weapons?" Rei breathed in deeply "The demon's body fell apart when they where freed, but what if the bone started to melt and covered them by mistake?"

Yosho put a hand on his chin "It would make sense I admit, Nagmo right though Taki will want her weapons back." Ryoko turned "Don't break its skull I want that." Nagmo slowly eased up both hand "Don't worry we wont break your precious skull, I don't know why you care for that thing I mean Sophitia broke it anyway." Ryoko snarled aloud "Look I want that skull intact, because I can put it back together!"

Toki shook his head "Now, now lets just all have a good long look, at the skeleton. We've returned Sophitia weapons now lets return Taki's if it weren't for and her girlfriend we wouldn't be standing here." Rei nodded then calmly pulled out two red scabbards " I've found these we just need Taki's weapon to put in them. We cannot touch Mekki-Maru if we find it ether, which is going to make this harder."

Ryoko turned her head "She's got to bind that weapon it could still be very dangerous." She slowly walked over to the skeleton "Rekki-Maru we might be able to re sheath though." Aeon slowly started to took down at the rib cage "Well they've got to be here." He turned his gaze quickly watching as the others started to look around the huge skeleton.

Rei turned her head "Well it'll be in the chest part if it's anywhere." Kilik leaned over giving Mina a light kiss "This is kinda fun I mean looking through this things bones." Mina looked up putting her head inside the rib cage "I agree you could lie in this, I mean the chest is big enough to fit two men inside." Ryoko turned slightly "Yeah well Mina you stand about as high as the tail."

She put a hand on her chin "You know we could put it all back together, then make a display out of it, like Yosho does with his skeleton animals." Nagmo slowly turned one of the huge tailbones "You know Ryoko now your just setting your sights to high." Ryoko pulled up sneering "No I'm not it would be a challenge, so long as you guys don't wreck the bones."

Aeon stopped turning slightly seeing dried bone strands in the chest central point he turned slightly pushing the rib cage up with his shoulder "Did the rib cage have notch at the front?" He turned slightly "I mean the demon didn't have a part that poked out?" Rei turned watching as Mina pulled her self out of the demon's rib cage "No it didn't why do you ask?"

Aeon grunted pushing his clawed feet in to the ground "Because there's this part that's sticking out of the upper rib cage it looks like a weird shaped bone plus there's loads of small bones pieces covering the ribs, my guess is these where Mekki-Maru's tentacles." Rei moved over slightly putting her hand on the bone, which was oddly shaped. Her gaze moved slightly "He's right this is an odd shape."

She turned pulling slightly watching as the bone pieces started to crumble, she turned giving another yank, hearing more bone crumble "You know I've got a gut feeling this is it, it's crumbling." She turned watching as Ryoko leaned over her "No I'm not going to break your prized skeleton Ryoko." Ryoko folded her arms "Just be careful okay, I want this as my project."

Yosho slowly leaned down helping Rei pull the strange bone free "No actually before that project your going to make Sophitia a trophy wall and put it next to Taki's." Ryoko narrowed her gaze "You know I doubt the woman cares for trophy walls." Yosho pulled harder " There's a Uni So An Ki skull lying behind the throne, she killed the thing so it's head is hers."

Ryoko sneered "Ah you know I really don't think she's the type who collects skulls, forgive me if I'm wrong but Sophitia seems quite feminine. You know the type who like flowers and ribbons" Yosho grunted pulling harder "I don't care, it was her kill it belongs on her wall, and since I get the impression she'll be staying here for some time she'll be needing a trophy wall."

Ryoko put a hand through her hair "This is nuts, she'll hate something like that, she'll probably slap me for putting up something so horrid." Yosho growled pulling the bone harder "Well when you've finished cleaning the skull you can put blue ribbons on the horns and paint it so it looks nice." Ryoko turned pulling up her hand "I can't believe this, you're asking me to paint a dame skull!"

Rei pulled hearing the cracking sound as the bone suddenly came free from the rib cage. She turned almost falling back as it came free, her gaze turned to Yosho who was looking at the think fat part under the sticking out piece "Well it's big enough to big two weapons stuck together." She calmly handed it to Yosho who turned it over looking at it.

Yosho let his gaze wander "If I'm right Rekki-Maru should be the sticking out part, if it is inside this bone confinement." Rei slowly grinned "It will be but I think we should just smash it, if it is then we should bring the whole thing to Taki I mean when she wakes up she can break out both her weapons and ensure that Mekki-Maru's bound." Yosho nodded calmly "I agree."

Aeons slowly stood up "I can break that open with my claws they'll make short work of it." Yosho calmly turned around smiling at him "Well just remember to break to part that's pointing up and nothing more." Aeon slowly met his gaze "Hey I won't break the rest." He turned taking the strangely formed bone piece his clawed hand slowly started to squeeze the top part.

He smiled as the splitting of bone hit his ears as his claws penetrated the thick bone. He watched as it crumbled away revealing a red sword hilt, he pressed harder watching as the bone grumbled away showing of a still glowing white blade. He slowly eased his hand away " I… think that's Rekki-Maru, I ought to give this back to you, so you can take it back to Taki."

Yosho slowly took the bone holding it up high "Yeah that's Rekki-Maru alright, no doubt Mekki-Maru is the part underneath. Rei was right the bone melted over it, that's amazing I never knew soul's had such power." Rei nudged him slightly "I'd just take that and put it by Taki's bedside, before you drop it." Toki raised an eyebrow " I agree you'd better take it to her."

Nagmo rolled his eyes again "You know it's going to be hours before Taki and Sophitia wake up, if they do wake up today." Ryoko found herself sighing, "We've still got so much work to do here, I think we all just need to carry on with it." Nagmo snorted as he picked up some of the swords from the pile "I just hope we can return all these Costal Defence Force swords."

Ryoko slowly picked up the big skull piece which Sophitia and cut clean off "Oh yes and the Samurai ones, does Taki have any Samurai friends?" Mina looked up "She does his name is Mitsurugi, he might take them to there back to there rightful Clans." Ryoko raised an eyebrow "Oh him, I know him he's a grumpy bastard. He used to come to Hoko Ji town just to have drinking matches with her."

She grinned, "He always lost, I didn't know that they'd stayed friends though." She moved away slightly "Still if he's around we'll get him to give them back." Nagmo sneered watching as Yosho and Rei left the room "I always hated that guy, still right now I hate the new boy more." He turned grinning at Toki "Are you sure I can't kill him father?" Toki pulled up slightly "Nagmo you have work to do, now get on with it."

Nagmo shrugged his shoulders "Well if he screws up can I kill him?" Toki turned his head sharply "We have a lot of work to do." Nagmo turned slightly "Can I burn all those bodies then? Because the pile outside the temple front is really mounting." Toki slowly put a hand through his beard "Yes now go! Before I change my mind!" Nagmo grinned slowly walking towards the door.

Toki turned slightly he calmly walked up Mina and Kilik who were looking at the bones Aeon had sat himself near by "We owe you our gratitude, you came to our aid when we had none and your bravery is admirable." Mina slowly turned meeting his gaze "Were sorry about the mess we made in your labyrinth and for any trouble we caused you Toki." The ninja master smiled.

He turned looking at Aeon "The labyrinth can always be fixed and you were not trouble. Your always welcome here if ever you need help or a places to sleep." He turned fully to meet Aeon's gaze "You are a brave warrior Aeon thank you for helping the Jin Uni Ki, you didn't have to help at all but you did." Aeon eased up his clawed hand "Glad to be of help."

Toki slowly put his hands behind his back noticing the lizard mans troubled gaze " Don't fret your as welcome here as they are, we don't care for your form at all." Aeon looked up slightly "Thank you, but I don't believe I'll be returning, the Ming Empire took me prisoner before I came here. I have return for my trail, the one that I should have because of all the things I did while I was the dark army general."

He looked down slightly "I knew when I came here that I wouldn't return again ever, I just hope Sophitia sees that I did a good thing." He looked at his clawed hands then up at Kilik "You can chain me up if you wish, but I'll come willingly I promise no trouble." He looked down putting a hand on his snout "I just want to say that it was a honour to be in yours and Mina's company."

Mina swung her head around in surprise she couldn't believe Aeon was saying this! She watched as Kilik put a hand on his chin before slowly stepping in front of Aeon who kept his hands up ready to be chained. Toki turned in surprise he eased up his sword hand "The Ming Empire can't be serious! I mean look at him! Look at what he's done he's a hero! I don't care that he's not a man he has honour!"

Kilik calmly tapped slamming his rod in to the ground "What he's say is true I'm one of the guards at the Royal Villa. My sister Xianghua is to, she caught him and Mina trying to get in to the place." He paused tapping the rod end "Its true this lizard man has caused suffering he burnt down villages! He Killed innocent people and is a wanted creature!" Mina turned grabbing his arms "Kilik you can't be serious! He saved both our lives!"

She breathed in deeply "He helped as out of the labyrinth, he stopped as from drowning and he put up with our cruelty." Kilik turned slightly watching as Aeon lowered his head in shame "Which is why he will be allowed to live." He watched as Aeon's head shot up in surprise "Your sparing me? You know I don't deserve that I'm a criminal who did horrible things to your country!"

Kilik slowly lowered himself down on one knee, he smiled seeing Mina surprise and happiness "Your right Aeon you did do all those things, but I do believe Sophitia said it's because you didn't remember who you where." He smiled taking Mina's hand "She said you had no soul, and that you were a mindless monster." He pulled up his rod "That in my view means that lizard man did all those things…not you."

He lowered his head " Lizard man is dead, your not him your Aeon Calcos one of the most honourable men I've ever met." His smile widened " I consider you a hero, and a good man. I also consider you a friend a good friend who saved my life and my Mina's." He pulled himself to his feet putting his arm around Mina "I release you of all the crimes you did, walk free and return to Greece Aeon."

Aeon pulled himself up "Your…your letting me go home?" Kilik turned smiling "I am yes, I want you to return to Greece and to Sophitia's family it's where you belong." Aeon turned slightly not quite knowing what to say. He felt Mina as she put her arms around him giving him a hug "I can't believe your doing this." Kilik turned patting his shoulder "Believe me I wouldn't have this any other way Aeon."

Toki turned smiling "Well, I do believe you will be visiting here Aeon." Mina turned as Aeon gave a her smile "I consider you my friend Aeon, Sophitia was right your no monster you're a good man. I'm sorry that I misjudged you, I never meant to I couldn't see past the form." Aeon leaned over "Well I wasn't nice to you, I called you names so I guess were even."

Toki calmly smiled "I know this may seem strange but would you all like to stay for lunch. Once my children are finished cleaning our home and Jin Uni Ki have finished helping as we all wanted to have our first good meal." He paused smiling "We would be honoured to have you as our guests, plus I'm sure Taki Sophitia Jiro and Keiko will be joining as soon enough."

He turned watching as they nodded "Then it's done." He grinned slightly "Your also welcome to stay the night, just until you've had some sleep you can leave when first light comes, I'll make sure one of my children personally escorts you to the docks." Kilik smiled giving Mina a light kiss on the lips "Thank you for your hospitality a bed sounds good."

********************************************************8

Taki slowly opened her eyes she blinked trying to focus them. She watched as the drinking room of the temple came in to view, the place where her family liked to drink and talk. It large pillows were all around she could see the drinking table, which was leaning against wall it's middle broken from having something large thrown at it. She groaned aloud she'd had that table given to her as a gift.

She put a hand on her face turning her body had been laid on pillows and she had sheets covering her, her gaze drifted around as she pulled herself up slightly. Her armour and cloths, which had been fully repaired where lying neatly next to her, she turned seeing that she was dressed in one of her old blue yukata. She had no idea how long she'd been out, it felt like a long time, she turned her head sharply where was Sophitia?

She felt her loose hair fall over her eyes Sophitia was laying next to her on another set of pillows her body covered with a sheet. She could clearly see the Greek tunic and long loose blonde hair. As well as her girlfriends cloths and armour, which had been laid down neatly next to her, it was clear her family had found all their armour. Taki slowly, eased herself next to her girlfriend she eased up the blonde hair letting it run through her fingers.

She eased her arm gently around the sleeping woman's waist pulling her closer. Everything seemed such a blur all she could remember was feeling so tried then being given something to drink she knew she had dozed off right after that. How long had she been out anyway? She had no idea, she let her gaze wander upwards maybe it was dawn already, not that she could tell this room didn't have a window.

She leaned forward nuzzling the blonde hair, that that it really mattered, they were alive that was the main thing. She ran her hand gently up Sophitia's side feeling the white fabric of the tunic before moving it down her girlfriend's slightly bandaged shoulder and arm. Sophitia still didn't wake up, the young woman just mumbled in her sleep. Taki leaned over looking at her face at least she was in good shape.

" Your awake Taki, you know you really had me worried there for a while."

Taki turned sharply she'd paid no attention to the fact that any one else could be in the room watching her. She turned slowly her gaze meeting Toki's her father was sitting on a chair near by. Toki smiled noting his daughters surprise "Sophitia will probably wake up soon, she just needs a little longer to sleep of the battle." Taki breathed in sitting herself up right.

She pushed her loose hair back "How long have you been sitting there?" Toki slowly turned his gaze to the strange broken bone which had both Rekki-Maru's sword and hilt sticking out of it "A couple of hours, I took over from Rei, your little sister needed a break." He breathed slightly " Keiko and Jiro have both healed up quite a bit so they left the room not long ago, they wanted to help the others."

He calmly ran his hand through his beard "You two on the other hand needed more time, you where both very worn down." He smiled slightly "Charging your soul apparently makes you very tried afterwards." Taki lowered her gaze "I felt like I had no strength what so ever." Toki smiled leaning back in the chair "I'm very proud of you Taki, you really didn't surrender to that horrible beast, you fought it till the end."

Taki looked at her hand "I couldn't have done it without Sophitia, I swear I would've lost if she hadn't been there." Toki raised an eyebrow " Ah yes Sophitia, you really love this woman don't you?" Taki sneered sitting herself up higher "Yes I do, why are you asking me this?" Toki smiled leaning back again " I'm asking because this is the first time I've ever seen you fight for someone with such love and fury."

He put hand through his hair "You've never done that before Taki, not for any of the other woman you brought home." He raised his eyebrow "I'm just thinking that maybe Sophitia is very special." Taki turned slightly "Sophitia is special." She narrowed her gaze " If this is about you not wanting her to blab about this temple then I can assure you she won't do that." Toki laughed slightly "Oh Taki this has nothing to do with that at all."

He leaned forward "I wanted to ask if you'd be staying here, now that your home. I just wanted to say also that Sophitia is welcome to stay as long as she wants." Taki pulled back slightly "Oh…sorry, I just thought." Toki eased up his hand " It's alright don't worry, I know you felt that I might not want ether of you to stay. Because of all that happened in the past."

Taki lowered her gaze "I keep telling myself it was the past." Toki sighed aloud "I know this is hard for you Taki, I don't expect this to be an easy road for ether of as." He breathed out heavily "All that matters is your home now, and that we can both work through this." Taki turned slightly "Does Mekki-Maru still whisper to you?" Toki turned his head slightly "No and I haven't heard at all since I refused to take it from Suzuka's hand when she offered it me."

He turned slowly picking the bone mass up then calmly placed got up "We found Rekki-Maru in cased in bone, we believe Mekki-Maru is under it." He slowly put the bone down next to Taki "I know how dangerous Mekki-Maru is which is why I'd rather you break it free and seal it." He calmly stood up "Mekki-Maru is your sword, it should only be your sword since you can control it."

He eased himself back down in to the chair "Such dangerous and powerful dark magic shouldn't be placed in my hands. I refused to put you through all that suffering all over again." Taki stared at the strange bone, which had Rekki-Maru's glowing hilt sticking out "I'm beginning to think that even I shouldn't have it ether, it's very dangerous in the wrong hands."

Toki smiled slightly "No I disagree you should have it Taki, you can truly control it, you understand it better than anyone." He leaned back again "I believe that, that weapon should only be bound to your hand and no other." He eased up his hand "I know from my own experience and seeing the Nacrinoth's lust for power due to wanting it that it should only be in your hands, as it doesn't affect you."

Taki eased up the bone looking at it "Strange how both swords ended up this way." Toki's grin widened "Your brother Yosho wants to find out, why that happened its fascinating him. He claims that he had no idea souls could melt bone this way." He folded his arms "Ryoko on the other hand has just finished putting up Sophitia's new trophy wall, and the Nacrinoth's complete skeleton."

Taki looked up in slight bemusement "Why would she want to put up that thing?" Toki laughed slightly "Oh she see it as a great victory therefore the skeleton should be rebuilt and shown of." Taki rolled her eyes "She's nuts, I mean where did she put it, it's huge?" Toki brushed his hair back " Yosho's potion room, originally she wanted it in the main hall but I had a feeling Sophitia might not like it."

He paused "The Nacrinoth to her is about bad memories, ones I don't believe she'd want to look at day in day out. So with a lot of help from Keiko and Jiro we put it up there out of sight." Taki shook her head "How did you know that?" Toki put a hand on his chin "I saw her talking to you how all those children died, in the labyrinth. I don't wish to see her suffer those memories again."

He eased up his hand "Besides no one goes in to Yosho's lab much apart from him, and he'll want to study the thing anyway." Taki pushed her hair back "Thank you, you didn't have to do that." Toki slowly stood up "Your welcome it was no trouble at all, it looks rather good in there anyway." He breathed in deeply "Ah just before I go, so you can get dressed, I wanted to tell you that we have a new member."

Taki raised her eyebrow "Who?" Toki grinned, "He's a young boy by the name of Kentaro, I spared his life." Taki slowly picked up the bone again looking at it "Why?" Toki shrugged his shoulder "The boy helped Kilik and Mina and despite being one of Suzuka's men I believe he can be taught and made in to something great." He leaned forward "Please do try not to not to kill him if you see him."

Taki turned her head slightly "As you wish, I amuse he did a very good thing if you've spared him." Toki folded his arms "I would say so, his under Hiroshi's supervision for now." Taki raised an eyebrow "Why not Nagmo's I thought you always give new people to him to be supervised?" Toki shook his head "Nagmo wants to kill him quite badly, I didn't think it'd be wise."

He leaned slightly "When Sophitia wakes up you should both come to the dinning room, were having a feast. That is all the Jin Uni Ki and your friends." He smiled "As soon as you've sorted out Mekki-Maru I would love you for and Sophitia to sit by my side during this feast." Taki looked up slightly "We'll be there I promise, just as soon as Sophitia wakes up." Toki smiled as he opened the double doors "I hope to see you there."

***************************************8

Sophitia slowly opened her eyes she'd heard a voice that had almost murmured sweet things to her, which had made her want to wake up. Her eyes travelled upwards slowly meeting Taki's the woman was fully clothed, her armour gleaming in the light of the room. She could see that her girlfriends cloths had been fully repaired, both empty scabbards where in their rightful place.

Taki leaned down slightly letting her ponytail fall forward " Hello sleepy head." Sophitia turned slightly feeling material against her body, she lowered her gaze slightly seeing that she was dressed in her spare Greek tunic. Taki leaned forward she gently eased up the blonde hair letting it run through her fingers "Don't worry your fully dressed Rei my little sister took care of you."

Sophitia eased herself up slightly pulling the sheet back "How long was I asleep?" Taki turned her smile widening "Quite a while, but it doesn't matter you didn't miss the sun." Sophitia raised an eyebrow "So I've been out for a long time then." Taki slowly eased out her hand running it down her girlfriends chest "Yes but it doesn't matter there's still lots of sun left."

Sophitia breathed in sharply as Taki moved her hand slightly lower "Where are my clothes?" Taki turned her slightly to the pile near by "There all next to you, my family found all your armour." Sophitia slowly reached over touching her blue shirt "Isn't this the second time the Jin Uni Ki have had to repair my cloths?" Take leaned forward moving her shoulder guard so it's steel teeth didn't touch Sophitia's skin "It is but I doubt they mind."

She slowly grasped the younger woman's arm bringing her slightly closer, she watched the loose blonde hair sway slightly "I mean it's not like most people would mind doing something for a beautiful woman like you." Sophitia could feel herself blushing she could see the light as it caught her girlfriends brown eyes; she didn't close her eyes she didn't want to.

Taki calmly brought her hand up to her girlfriend's face, all she wanted was to kiss her. To feel her lips to feel that blissful feeling that she was knew she had become addicted to. She eased up the blonde hair again letting it run through her fingers "You are so beautiful." She felt Sophitia's body move slightly as she gripped the white sheet. She slowly leaned closer.

"Ah now isn't that sweet, you know I hate to spoil your fun Taki but you really need to sort out Mekki-Maru then join as at the feast."

Taki found herself snarling aloud, why did people do that? Why did they always interrupt her? What was Ryo-Wo having a laugh or something? She turned meeting Ryoko's gaze "How long where you standing there?!" Ryoko smirked leaning against the door "Oh a while, Mina's right you're a big romantic softy." Taki felt her fist as it slammed in to the floorboards "Shut up Ryoko!"

Ryoko raised an eyebrow "Aw, look at your face it's all embarrassed, it so sweet to see you all embarrassed over Sophitia." Taki snarled aloud "If you don't shut up I'm going to hit you." Ryoko laughed slightly "It's so good that to see despite the fact that you're a romantic, that you've still got that bitchy temper that makes you Taki." She leaned on the door "You should let Sophitia get dressed while you sort out that lovely cursed weapon of yours."

She grinned widely "Then you and Sophitia can join as at the feast." She turned opening the door wider " Oh and Taki, please don't keep as waiting, there a lot of alcohol which we can't open, Toki says that we can only open it when you arrive." Taki watched her leave she turned smiling at Sophitia who looked confused, she looked down slightly realizing she'd been talking in Japanese.

She was really going to have to stop doing that it wasn't very fair on Sophitia who couldn't understand what was being said. She put a hand on her face groaning she was seriously going to have to get her family to use Greek for a while, until she'd taught Sophitia at least enough Japanese so that she could make conversation. She eased out her hand taking Sophitia's.

She looked down slightly "My fathers having a feast." She eased up her hand running it down Sophitia's neck "He wants as both to join him." Sophitia turned slightly "So I have to get dressed then?" Taki found herself sighing aloud "Yeah I guess you do." She put both hands gently around the younger woman's waist lifting her up from under the sheets.

Sophitia felt the floor as her bare feet met it she looked down slightly "You know with out my boots it's kinda cold." Taki looked down slightly " True but it gives me a nice view of your legs." Sophitia looked down playing with the short tunic slightly " You like them?" Taki eased her hand down running it gently down Sophitia thigh " Oh yes there very sexy."

She turned stopping herself from going any further, "I'll should let you get dressed." Sophitia smiled slightly "You know I won't be long." Taki smiled as Sophitia picked up her clothes "I know you won't, I'm looking forward to seeing you back in your armour." Sophitia grinned as she walked behind the white blind, which was near by. She calmly pulled it across.

Taki slowly eased herself down in the chair turning her attention to the strange bone she smiled turning her head away from it for a spit second watching as Sophitia's shadows came in to view behind the blind. She watched as the white tunic fell. She could hear Sophitia softy humming to herself, she had no idea what she humming it was probably some Greek song.

Not that it really mattered much she was to busy watching the shadow as it moved picked up what looked like the blue shirt. She suddenly snapped back in to being turning back to the bone, she really needed to get this over and done with. It would take seconds to seal Mekki-Maru if that. Plus even if it was alive which she doubted very much it would be weak.

She pulled up the bone while taking hold, of Rekki-Maru's hilt she brought it down hard on the ground hearing the spiting sound as the bone underneath cracked length ways. She grinned easing it up pulling Rekki-Maru free. She slowly put the weapon in its rightful scabbard then slammed fist down watching as the bone spilt again, she used her fingers pulling some of it away so she could see the weapon.

She found herself staring in confusion she eased up the bone looking in side the hole again. That was not possible! She pulled Rekki-Maru out lightly looking at its still glowing blade for a second then pushed it back in. She raised an eyebrow then brought her fist up slamming it in to the bone watching as it fell away revealing the Mekki-Maru's hilt. She slowly put her hand around the red material hilt pulling the blade out in one swift motion.

She watched as the gleaming silver blade burst in to flames for a spilt second then became still. How on earth had it been rebound? She hadn't done it! It was almost like someone or something had put it completely back to sleep. She could even feel the binding spell on it, which was far stronger than the one she used. Maybe this was Rekki-Maru's doing since it now had its full power back.

She twirled Mekki-Maru in her hand looking at it maybe this was all the doing of those child like soul's who had gone up to meet the heavenly dragons. Ether way it was odd and made no sense to her, she pulled up the weapon she couldn't even hear it whispering anymore it was like someone had neutralized it completely. Even when it had been in her hands before she'd heard it whisper on occasion.

She slowly looked at it's blade, she had a gut feeling that it's evil was still there, but now it can been more powerfully suppressed. She found herself sighing as she ran her finger up the shining blade she was going to have to find out what this spell was that had been used on it since it seemed to be far more powerful than her previous one. She breathed deeply then slowly easing the blade in to its scabbard.

She looked at the shattered bone she calmly placed the half broken bone on the table near by, then picked up the pieces placing them with it. No doubt Yosho would want them for study. She turned slightly hearing the sound of foot steps behind her she turned meeting Sophitia's gaze the young woman calmly pushed the Omega sword in to it's scabbard which was hanging of her skirt.

Taki looked up slightly "How long have you been standing there?" Sophitia moved her armoured shoulder slightly getting used to feeling of her steel against her shoulders "I watched you pull Mekki-Maru out of the bone, you seemed very deep in thought I didn't want to interrupt you." Taki sighed aloud she eased Mekki-Maru out quickly watching it catch fire for a second then go still once more.

She put a hand on her chin "I can't explain this, I don't know how it's been rebound, it makes on sense what so ever." Sophitia slowly took a step forward "Maybe the children did it when they were freed." Taki looked at the weapon "I thought about it being that, the thought that Rekki-Maru did it, also crossed my mind." She sighed aloud putting the weapon back in to the scabbard.

Sophitia turned slightly "As long as it can't harm people, then I guess it's for the best." Taki sat up slightly "I agree with you, I just want to know how." Sophitia put her hand on her chest "You know you shouldn't trouble yourself with it, I mean the answers are bound to come in time." Taki turned meeting her light green gaze "You know your right I shouldn't trouble myself with it, the cursed weapon's asleep that's all that matters."

Taki turned looking at Sophitia again "You know I've never told you how beautiful you look in that outfit have I?" Sophitia found herself smiling "No I don't believe you have." Taki leaned forward watching as Sophitia's moved her head causing her plaited blonde hair to sway gently "I think you look most beautiful and magnificent in that outfit. I love how it bring out your curves."

"Taki has anyone ever told you that you're holding up a feast, because of your infatuation with Sophitia?"

Taki stopped short turning her head, noticing that Hiroshi was standing in the doorway looking at them both. She found herself sighing aloud this just wasn't fair! No it was worse than unfair it was turning in to a joke were every five minutes someone would interrupt her. She just wanted some time with Sophitia was that so much to ask? She turning looking at her brother "Alright were coming!"

Hiroshi smiled watching as Sophitia came towards him "Have you sorted out Mekki-Maru?" Taki stood herself up walking towards him "It's been dealt with." Hiroshi smiled widely "Good because were all waiting." Taki watched as her brother open the double doors wide "Come with me then, I don't want keep the other waiting any longer." Taki calmly put her hand around Sophitia's.

Hiroshi turned as they followed him "Oh and Taki you do know about the new boy, right?" Taki rolled her eyes slightly "Yea I know about the new boy Kentaro, don't worry I won't shove my blade in to his stomach." Sophitia turned slightly, since both ninja had been talking in Greek she could understand them "Who's Kentaro?" Taki smiled putting an arm around her "Long story I'll explain on the way."

*******************************************************8

Toki calmly pulled up his mug looking at it "I'm sure they'll be here in a moment." Ryoko breathed out looking at the food in front of her, the table was full of piping hot food, Rei had managed to put everything on the table from rice cakes to smocking fish. There where loads of meat dishes lined up each being sizzling hot a fresh from cooking. She looked her empty bowl she was hungry!

She watched as Rei and Yosho brought in another two bowls filled with food placing them next to her, she watched as Aeon leaned over flicking out his forked tongue, she raised her eyebrow obviously hungry. She could see Mina leaning on the table tapping her chop sticks with what looked like a sense of urgency. Kilik was leaning back just looking at the food.

Ryoko rolled her eyes "Remind me again why I can't eat any off this?" Toki folded his arms "Because where waiting for Taki and Sophitia." Nagmo groaned his gaze focusing on the Sake bottle "Oh please you know Taki's probably having sex with her right now, you know humping her senseless!" Rei eased her self down on to her knees "Please could you not say things like that."

Nagmo looked up slightly "I'm hungry! I don't like the thought that her having her girlfriend is keeping me from eating my food!" Yosho turned breathing in deeply as he seated himself "Nagmo give Taki a break because of her and Sophitia your still alive." Nagmo slammed his fist down turning his gaze to Kentaro "It's bad enough that I have to sit next to new boy, but now you worsen it by making me wait."

He snarled aloud "Plus we all know Taki's lazy at times especially when there a girl involved." He breathed in deeply "Don't tell me you've all forgot about the time she didn't appear on the demon hunt because making out with her girlfriend delayed her." Kilik rolled his eyes "Oh man I can see this is going to be a long and involved story, which I'm going to get very detail told to me."

Mina laughed slightly "I never knew Taki was lazy in that respect." Nagmo smirked "Oh there's so much about Taki you don't know." Rei turned slightly watching as the doors behind them opened. She smiled as Taki, Sophitia made their way in, she turned to Nagmo realizing that he hadn't noticed. Nagmo leaned over slightly "You know there's so many stories I could tell you about Taki and girls."

He looked up slightly noticing that everyone had gone quite "Hey come on there really good stories!" Rei leaned forward slightly "Which you really don't want to talk about right now…while Taki's standing right behind you." Nagmo pulled up slightly he turned meeting Taki's angered gaze "Your absolutely right Rei we shouldn't talk about those stories."

Taki leaned forward "No you shouldn't!" Nagmo eased up his hand he could hear Jiro and Ryozo laughing behind him" No I shouldn't…you might hit me very hard." Taki leaned closer "The only reason I'm not going to hit you is because my minds on food right now." Nagmo tried to smile "I'm going to shut up now before you hit me really hard anyway."

Toki laughed slightly he watched as Taki sat down on his right side while Hiroshi sat on his other. Sophitia sat herself down next to Taki picking up the chopsticks near by. He watched as Keiko and the other Jin Uni Ki took there seat all pulling there wings back so as not to hit anyone. Toki turned bringing up his Sake bottle "Well now that all of as are here let as celebrate our victory!"

Yasashiku grinned easing up his clawed hand "To our victory over the dark one." He watched as Kiyoshi and Keiko nodded. Ryozo grinned nudging his brother "Yeah we beat the ugly bastard." Aeon eased up his hand "Here's to that." Toki smiled widely "I didn't think we'd get through this but we did." Keiko leaned over picking up on of the good fish in her clawed hand "Well I'm just glad I made it out of that sleep."

Kiyoshi watched as everyone began to tuck in to the food "I'm glad you made it through I was worried about you Keiko." Nagmo rolled his eye grabbing the Sake bottle "Oh great just what I need another romance blooming." He turned hearing Jiro growl behind next to him "Okay maybe not but I was just pointing it out." Ryoko grabbed one of the bottles pouring some Sake in to her steel cup.

She turned grabbing one of the bottle passing it to Taki "You favourite, I saved it for you it's the sweeter kind." She watched her younger sister take the bottle "Don't worry no ones been drinking from it, that was kept in a secret stash under the floor boards." She leaned on her elbow "Actuary all this food is from the private stash in the hidden room we have. Suzuka's men completely consumed the other stash.

Taki looked at the bottle a wide grin spreading across her face, somehow she was thankful for this as much as she was thankful that her family were speaking in Greek, which Sophitia could understand. She watched as Ryoko leaned behind her grabbing something "Oh and this is for Sophitia." Sophitia watched as a huge demon skull was set on the table it had been painted with red and blue patterns.

It's horns had been covered in blue ribbons Sophitia just looked at it for a second, why on earth had she been given this? Taki turned slightly noting Sophitia's confusion "This is a ninja gift it's the Uni So An Ki skull the one you killed." She put her hand on the huge horn trying to ignore Nagmo, Kilik's and Mina's laughter as they gazed at the colourful skull.

She breathed in deeply watching Sophitia take a drink "Toki wants you to stay so he had a ninja trophy wall built for you, and this being your first demon kill that it should go up on your wall." Sophitia looked up slightly turning to Ryoko "Thank you." Ryoko found herself breathing in deeply "I'm glad you like it, I just hope your going to stay, you know become family."

Taki leaned over looking at the painted skull "Who's idea was it to paint it?" Ryoko looked up grinning widely "Oh Yosho's." Taki looked at the skull she watched a Sophitia pulled it over next to her. Aeon laughed slightly "It looks kinda nice when painted up don't you think Sophitia?" Sophitia looked at the coloured skull finding herself smiling "I think it's very beautiful."

Toki leaned forward watching as more food was moved about as everyone swapped bowls his gaze turned to Sophitia "I would love you to stay, because of what you've done for as. I know your home is far away but it'd nice for you to stay with as one of the family for a while." He eased out his hand "Would you stay, I mean even if it's just for a little while?"

Sophitia looked down at her food then back to him "I would love to stay." Her gaze turned to Taki who was pouring a drink from the bottle Ryoko had given her "I have no intention of leaving, I want to be with Taki." She pulled up her chopsticks "I never thought I'd end up here, and now that I am I want to take the journey and if it means staying here then I couldn't think of anything better."

Toki smiled he eased up a bowl passing it to her so she could fill her take some food from it "I'm honoured that you want to stay, thank you." Sophitia smiled passing the bowl along to Rei who just grinned at her while Hiroshi carried on eating "Your welcome." He watched as Taki put an arm around her girlfriend "Of cause she's staying, there's no way I'm letting her leave."

Toki leaned back smiling he watched as everyone chattered oh this was going to be such a wonderful day. It hadn't really begun, but it was about to Taki and Sophitia would be staying which made him smile. All of his children who had left all those years ago had returned, Fu-Ma finally had all it's strength back. He smiled hearing Sophitia laugher as Taki told her a joke.

They had won this fight, a fight they thought they'd loose he knew there would be many more, there would also be proper demon hunts and that it was all for the better, he couldn't ask anymore that that. Mekki-Maru had no effect on him anymore the blade in Taki's scabbard, which even he could see, had no power over him he had no want or need for it, it was just another blade.

He had finally proven his worth, his children who had once thought him weak and insane now saw him as strong again. He would never let his clan sink that far in to darkness again he would not see despair and hurt separate them. He had built this clan from the ashes, they needed him and he needed them. They where his children and he was their father, and they where family, which was the way it should be.

*************************************************************** 8

Taki turned pushing the temple door open with one hand, while her other remained around Sophitia. She looked at half emptied Sake bottle in her free hand, she wasn't drunk but somehow she didn't want to be right at this moment. She walked down the stones steps hearing on of the silver dragon's tail as it shut the door behind them. She felt Sophitia hold her waist tighter.

They'd left the feast early, it had seemed like the right thing to do since she had a feeling that Sophitia wanted to spend time alone with her. Personally she was glad to get away from her feast because it was starting to turn somewhat crazy because everyone was starting to get drunk. She watched as one of the dragon's head turned to look at her.

She eased up her hand to it "No other my enter the ninja garden!" She watched as the huge silver statue turned moving slightly, its red jewelled eyes gleaming in evening sky. She watched the other dragon as it turned looking at her then turned back seeing that it had not been commanded. Still that dragon had repaired the roof there was no need for it to do anymore.

Sophitia looked around slowly not understand Taki's Japanese "What did you say to it?" Taki smiled slightly she leaned over nuzzling the blonde hair "Oh I just told the dragon, to stop anyone from entering the our garden." She paused kissing Sophitia's lips very lightly "It's just so we can spend some time together with no interruption." She ran her hand gently down Sophitia's side.

Sophitia turned her head to one side smiling "Where in your garden? I remember you mentioning it in the demon garden." Taki turned taking her hand " It's not as beautiful as the demon garden but it's still wonderful. Just follow me it's not very much of a walk." Sophitia calmly followed Taki as her girlfriend led her past the dragon statues and slowly around the temples side.

She could see the huge forest behind her, which seemed so beautiful now, when she'd been here before she'd never really taken the time to see how beautiful it was. She turned her head watching as wall came in to view. Taki smiled slightly putting her hand up seeing the stone dragon's head, she pressed down on it lightly. Her gaze moved as the wall slowly came apart.

She watched as an opening was formed, she calmly walked thought it taking Sophitia with her. Her gaze narrowed slightly as it closed behind them. She turned noticing that there where a couples of steel hooks with short ropes lying on the ground near by, no doubt that was the way Aeon, Mina and Kilik had managed to get in earlier. Sophitia turned slightly watching the garden came in to view.

It was a stunningly beautiful sight huge blossoming trees stood tall all around her, the garden itself was just down bellow her it's steams running freely as each met the beautiful lake which was in the centre. There was a wooden walkway, which led in to this massive garden, which smelt of wonderful, because of the beautiful flowers covering it.

A stone dragon statue could be seen near by, there where other statues of Japanese gods but these where in different places round the garden. There where white stones in places it was only made more beautiful by one of the wooden bridges that went over the massive lake who's streams looked like a water fall as they all met up pouring in to it.

Taki breathed in deeply "Welcome to the my families garden." She took Sophitia's hand watching as the huge silver dragon statue moved around the temple then calmly moved down on to the other side of the wall close to the way out. It moved back just slightly so as not to block the exit while half wrapping it's self around the temple before going still again.

She grinned inwardly Nagmo would so get it if he tried to spy on them. The dame pervert! He'd done that before and ruined everything for her. She was not going to let that happen again. She wanted Sophitia to enjoy herself and not have to worry about being spied on or being made to feel like some kind of object that could be watched for sexual kicks.

She was not an object, and if Nagmo ever referred to her as that she'd break everyone of his teeth! She'd make sure that Sophitia was treated with respect while she was living under the Hoko Ji temples roof. She turned slightly watching as Sophitia made her way down the wooden steps towards the huge wooden shrine, which led in to the garden, she breathed in slowly putting the Sake bottle down then calmly following her.

Sophitia slowly walked under the huge wooden carving which was sloped upward on ether side, it wooden legs coming down behind her. She turned looking around her in wonderment. This was truly amazing, it reminded her a little of the China's Royal Villa garden with it's training arena in the centre. The difference was this place seemed magical.

It was so cut of from the world, secretly hidden from all eyes unlike the Royal Villa, which was filled with guards. She kneeled down putting her hand through one of the steams watching as its water swept through her fingers. This place just echoed with beauty it was obvious that the ninja's had put their heart and soul in to building this garden.

How do you sum up such beauty? There where no words that could describe it as she felt this wonderful place fill her with tranquillity and peace. It was little wonder that these ninja needed a place like this. Because after blood was spilt and rage had been felt in the pit of the stomach, all you want is peace and quite to calm the storm. It was the reason she spent so much time in the Greek gardens back home.

She found herself breathing in slowly and deeply feeling Taki's hand as it moved across her back in a gentle motion. She calmly stood up meeting the woman's dark brown gaze "It's… beautiful." Taki took a slow step forward taking Sophitia's hand "No… you're the most beautiful thing here." She slowly pulled up her hand running it through the long blonde hair "I'd do anything for you."

She took a step closer putting both hands on Sophitia's arms "I'd walk through Emma-O's hell just to lie in your arms." She leaned forward meeting Sophitia shocked green sapphire gaze "I never thought you'd be my girlfriend, I never though you'd walk by my side." She turned slightly " I always thought you'd reject me because of what am and what I do."

Sophitia slowly met her gaze "I don't judge people for what they are or what they do, I judge them for who they are as people." She slowly brought up her hand running it through the soft black hair "You're the most charming, romantic and beautiful person I've ever met, if my god sent me to you so I could have happiness then I am truly grateful."

She looked up noticing that Taki's eyes hadn't left hers "I was unhappy before I came here, I thought no one would ever care for me or love me like you do." Taki eased up Sophitia's hand "I know that feeling were you wake up and all you feel is lonely, and you think that no bodies going to come. You're forced to think that you'll be alone forever.

Sophitia felt Taki hand as it moved slowly through her hair she closed her eyes letting the warm feeling wash through her "I'm so glad you came when you did." Taki raised an eyebrow "I think that Ryo-Wo was being kind to me, I believe that maybe this was his doing." She leaned over kissing Sophitia's lips softly "I don't really care ether way if this was a gods doing or fate."

She put her hand around Sophitia's tail she felt the ribbon as it came loose she could only watch in as blonde hair came loose spilling around Sophitia's shoulders like a water fall "I just want to be with you I love you so much." Sophitia felt the breath get caught in her throat as Taki started to kiss her neck "I love you…" Her words where cut off as Taki's hands began to wander up her shirt.

Taki didn't really care that she had just moved Sophitia slightly back so she closer to the grass near the lake. She couldn't help herself, she couldn't really stop herself ether as she lowered the gently took hold of her girlfriend's waist easing her down on to the soft grass. She could only gaze up slightly at the blonde hair, which was splayed out, in a beautiful fashion.

Sophitia could feel her heartbeat starting to beat faster as Taki started to gentle nibble her ear, she feel the woman's hands running down her sides, it was like lightning running through her, lightning she couldn't stop. She was loosing control and she knew it, she had no idea how to do this! She had no idea even if she going to do this right, she felt herself tenses suddenly in panic.

Taki pulled away from Sophitia's ear she looked down noticing the expression on Sophitia's face, which looked full of anxiety and panic. She'd felt Sophitia suddenly tense up under her almost in fear. She could see the woman's breathing had become faster, she found herself feeling annoyed perhaps Sophitia wasn't ready for this. Maybe she was forcing this on her.

She mentally slapped herself, feeling Sophitia's ribbon drop from her hand she eased herself gently forward meeting Sophitia's gaze "I'm sorry I shouldn't force this on you when you're not ready." Sophitia looked up slightly "It's not that…" She paused looking up knowing how stupid what she was going to say next sounded "I've never done this before."

Taki leaned closer she was touching almost touch Sophitia's face "I thought you'd made love before." Sophitia looked up feeling the embracement "I have, I just…don't know how to make love to woman." Taki could see the turmoil her girlfriends face only made worse by the embarrassment of feeling inapt. She knew that feeling when you're afraid and scared because you can't do something.

In the back of her mind she'd thought that perhaps Sophitia had done this before because of the girls she'd seen walking hand in hand in Greece when she'd been there. She shook her head so this was Sophitia's first time with a woman she was no doubt scared of messing up. She leaned gently kissed the younger woman's lips "Hey that's nothing to be ashamed of."

She found herself grinning as her hands found Sophitia's leather clips, which held her armoured shoulder guards "I'll be gently, and since this is your first time I'll lead." She gentle eased the first armoured guard free then calmly unclipped the other "Don't be afraid, you'll come to like it." She slowly eased her hand running it gently across Sophitia's chest line.

Sophitia looked up slightly, feeling both her armoured shoulder guards fall free she slowly put her hand through long Taki's fringe "You don't mind that I've never done this before?" Taki's gaze met hers "No I don't mind, I was scared the first time I ever did this, it was all new to me." Sophitia turned away "I just thought that you might be disappointed not having someone who's more inept."

Taki raised an eyebrow in surprise "Of cause not." She leaned forward putting both arms around Sophitia's waist "I don't want someone who more inept, I want you." She paused finding herself meeting Sophitia's gaze head on "I want you Sophitia, your beautiful and special, I don't care that you've never done this before." She gently kissed the younger woman's lips "I just want to make you happy."

She slowly leaned down pulling both the younger woman's wrist guards free "Like I said before I want to take to heaven's and back." She felt her shoulder guards come loose as Sophitia eased them free from her shoulders placing both the steel toothed heads near by. Taki smiled as her wrist guards where loosened "You know I have to say this is the first time you've stripped me of my armour."

Sophitia slowly leaned up meeting Taki's lips she pulled away slightly "I've always wanted to see what's under it." Taki found herself grinning naughtily as Sophitia unclamped the steel guard under her chest "Oh I see now you just want to see my battle scars." She watched Sophitia tossed it aside "That and the fact that I always wanted to know how your body suit opens." Taki calmly leaned forward pulling Sophitia belt free tossing it to one side.

Taki stopped still as Sophitia unclamped the steel clawed pin at the front watching as the brown leather which had been taught became slightly loose she could now see that it was in two parts the leather and metal area's being the top half, she didn't even feel Taki loosen her boots pulling them free with her hands her eyes where just fixed on the ponytail.

She eased up her hand easing the purple band free of the hair, she could only watch as surprise and almost stunned shock as the black hair fell around Taki's shoulders. It was like some dream only better. Taki's appearance was just one of beauty which she had never seen in all the time she'd known her, she looked so beautiful with her hair down.

She'd see painting of Japanese woman with their hair down but this really was something else, which she couldn't explain, and even if she could she couldn't find the right words. She eased up her hand slowly running it through the silky black hair, as Taki's hand moved slightly untying her shirts leather string. Taki leaned forward she was starting to get lost in Sophitia eyes.

They were just moving looking at her stunning her with such focus that she didn't want to break away from them. If Sophitia had any fears they had been blown away with the winds, like sand running through your fingers on a warm day. She found herself kicking her boots free, as Sophitia undid her knee guards which fell to the floor with a clang not one that she heard.

She unclipped the leather straps then slowly eased her hands around the blue shirt pulling it gently free of Sophitia's body, she could only catch her breath as the soft skin came in to view, soft white skin and beautiful breast with muscle lines running down the waist. Her body was so beautiful she knew she had seen it before but now it seemed so elegant.

She felt Sophitia throw both her weapons free causing them to land next the Omega sword which still on Sophitia's belt. She could only ease her hands down in a gentle motion pulling the white skirt free, she watched as Sophitia brought up her hands she watched her hesitate slightly. Taki looked down as she started to plant kisses on the younger woman's neck "It's okay just pull it free."

Sophitia slowly slightly it was getting harder and harder to control the urge and despite need that was flowing her system she pulled the leather outfit free with out giving it a second thought. She was met with a beautiful sight, the woman had smooth skin and breasts, she could even see scars along the stomach, old claw mark from battles adding to the beauty and stunning marvel.

She eased up her finger running it across one of the scars in a gently motion, she hardly noticed Taki pulling her body sits bottom half free of her body all she could do was work both her hands in a gently a slow motion around the contours and muscles that lay before her. Taki leaned forward gently bringing herself on top of Sophitia she didn't really think as she gently pushed her knee between Sophitia's legs.

She began to ran her hand gently over the woman's breast, she leaned down kissing her gently nibbling at her neck, she could feel Sophitia's body as it started to tense a little due to the sensation of her movement. She watched the blonde hair move in swift motion, out of the corner of her eye. She found herself tensing she couldn't stand it any longer!

She was getting so lost but she wanted more, she pulled her hand down lower easing her leg free, she slowly eased the woman's underwear free. She leaned forward meeting Sophitia's lips, which this time she didn't break away from hers. She could only bite and tease while moving her hands along the counters that where driving her mad to the point of lusting.

Sophitia found herself breathing in sharply watching Taki's underwear come free, there where more scars she pulled both hands around upper Taki's back feeling a few scars under her hands she ran her hand across them gently they where marks of pride and battle. All she felt was a sudden cold as Taki's hand found it's way between her legs caused her jolt in surprise.

In her mind she knew this was different feeling altogether to anything she'd experienced before. All her thoughts where suddenly pushed to one side as a very different sensation took over as Taki's hand began to move. She closed her eyes feeling herself getting lost completely, she was starting to feel hot all over she felt Taki's lips meet her again.

Taki eased up feeling Sophitia start to breath far more deeply, she grinned as she lowered herself kissing the woman's breasts, she couldn't help but enjoy the moan that came Sophitia's lips what a wonderful sound. She watched, as one of the woman's hands on the grass, which was starting to curl it was such a beautiful sight one that just made smile.

She felt the younger woman suddenly arch her back grabbing her, those moans where still coming just with more furiously as Sophitia started to loose herself in her grip. What a wonderful noise she made she breathed in feeling the woman's hand come free as it started to move over one of her breasts. Okay now Sophitia's fright had defiantly worn of and she was become adventurous.

She closed breathed in enjoying the feeling that Sophitia was giving her, the woman really picked up quick. Why had she been so scared of this in the first place? She was good at it she found her breath getting caught as Sophitia's hand moved down her thigh. She closer eyes in enjoyment, she hadn't felt this good in such a long time.

Sophitia breathed in feeling herself moaning aloud, all she could feel was waves of lightning, which just hit her body over and over, she could only claw Taki's back as she started to feel heat lower down where Taki's hand was. It felt like someone was lighting a fire near the pit of her stomach but it was nice as it went through her like tiny waves making her breath faster.

She knew she was on the brink between falling and drifting; she could only moan louder as the sensation became hotter causing her to jolt lightly at first. She grabbed Taki's hair with out really thinking as a stronger wave hit her. She didn't care anymore she didn't want to stop! She couldn't stop even if she'd have wanted to this was such a wonderful sensation.

She couldn't help the movements of her hands over Taki's breasts as it moved over the nipple then down the woman's stomach. She tensed feeling another wave, which was small but was really good. She breathed out heavily she was so on the edge here she knew it she'd had the same feeling with past lovers. This was so different and new she found herself grinding her teeth together.

Taki smiled listening to those sound, such wonderful sounds that came from Sophitia's lips, sounds of pleasure and enjoyment, she winced feeling Sophitia's fingernails dig in to the back, the woman was close to edge she could sense it, the younger woman's body's movements where becoming very tense. Taki hadn't stopped kissing her or moving her hands through all this.

Sophitia closed her eyes that heat was starting to boil now, she didn't get a chance to think as she felt the heat go through her whole body like a wave crashing rocks on the shore, she knew she was clawing Taki's back trying desperately to ride this wave of intense pleasure as it burned through her stomach and lower half causing her to tense up and cry out loudly.

It felt hot she found herself struggling as it finally passed through her, as her body turned cold again she feel her own heart beat drumming in her chest, but at the same time she could feel Taki's which was slow as the woman brought her down on to the soft grass. She tried to slow her breathing trying to calm herself, she was sweating and she hadn't realized it.

Taki eased her hand free from Sophitia's legs; she could only stare, was this real? Had this dream that she had fantasized about on her lonely night final come to pass? She hit her self-mentality it had she had watched and listened as Sophitia had cried out so beautiful in her arms. She was so lost for words all she could do was stare, in to those green sapphire eyes and hope that she wasn't going to wake up.

She felt Sophitia's hand as the woman ran it up slowly up her chest it took her a second to snap out of her thoughts. She leaned forward looking in to Sophitia's eyes "See now that wasn't so bad was it?" Sophitia didn't reply the woman's lips just met hers in a kiss that to her was unlike any Sophitia had ever given. It was grateful so thankful so intense and crazy at the same time.

Taki felt herself breath in deeply as Sophitia finally released her, she felt the woman wrap her arms around her waist while one hand traced the scars on her stomach. Taki leaned down as she turned found herself being hugged. It was like Sophitia didn't want to let her go, like she to just wanted to stay here forever. She leaned down wrapping her arms around her.

She could see black hair which entwining slightly with blonde it was so strange almost unreal she leaned over kissing Sophitia very gently. Sophitia didn't want to say anything, she couldn't really even if she'd wanted there where no words for how she felt right now. She felt like she was on top of the world, and no one could throw her of, only made better by being in this beautiful garden.

She eased herself deeper in to Taki's arms, she didn't want her girlfriend…no her lover to leave her, she just wanted to stay like this for as long as possible. Taki leaned down gently she watched as Sophitia eyes closed, there was no need for Sophitia to say anything, just to have her in her arms was enough. She nuzzled the blonde hair lightly feeling Sophitia slouch.

The woman was just tired not that it mattered they where both tired it didn't matter through, she smiled pulling Sophitia closer running her hand gently past the Soul Edge scar. She looked up at the sky seeing that the stars where know dancing in Japanese heavens. Tomorrow would be a new dawn a good dawn better then any she could've hoped for or wanted.

She gently kissed Sophitia again, before feeling her eyes close, she knew it would a while before she could get over listening to Sophitia's cries of pleasure which had echoed through the garden this night. In her mind she never wanted them to end, just knowing she could please her girlfriend filled her with so much joy. She felt her thought drift to one side as sleep finally came.

******************************************************8

Mina turned smiling as Kilik pulled her in to his arms, he grinned slightly leaning against the temples outside steps "You know my Xianghua's going to be really shocked about all this." Mina gave him a half drunk smile "Oh I'm looking forward to this, I mean it's going to be so much fun." She laughed " All the adventures we'll have, just think of it it'll be so much fun!"

Kilik grabbed her kissing her strongly he finally stopped as he pushed her against her the side of the temple's steps "It'll be all the more fun with you." He grinned widely "You know I love you." Mina smirked "Yeah I know I love you to." She pulled back laughing only to hear Kilik join her she suddenly stopped looking up "Wasn't there a dragon on this side of the temple?"

Kilik laughed again grabbing her around the waist "Yeah there was, but you know there's a dragon between my legs that's better." Mina found herself bursting in to a fit of laugher "Okay Kilik now I know you're drunk…but hey so am I, so it doesn't matter." They both started laughing again, Mina looked up brushing her hand through his hair "So what do you think happened to the other dragon?"

Kilik pulled up his bottle taking a drink "He got board and took a walk." Mina turned laughing, her laughter was suddenly stopped as Nagmo ran past them full speed in what looked like fear. Kilik raised his eyebrow "Okay so what's the pervert's problem?" He stopped still as a silver dragon statue pulled its head around the temple's side basting its white flames close to Nagmo's feet.

They watched as ninja jumped up grabbing the side of the wall trying to climb up and out of site. The dragon statue snorted then disappeared back behind the temples side, Mina turned in confusion "Okay…now that was weird, what was that all about anyway?" Kilik smirked pulling her in to his arms "Who cares." Mina gently kissing him "Your right who cares."

Kilik leaned down "Would you like to get more food?" Mina looked at her half empty bottle "No but Sake sounds good, so long as Rei isn't still finishing all of it of." Kilik smiled watching as the left dragon pulled the door open for them. They both walked through grinning and laughing, there was still a lot's of alcohol and food left, only made more by the fact Sophitia and Taki had left early.

Mina turned her head where had those to gone anyway? It's like they'd vanished all together. She breathed hugging Kilik tighter oh who cares were they'd gone they were not doubt enjoying themselves what ever. She watched as Aeon ran up to them the lizard man leaned forward grinning "Come on you two! You're missing all the fun!" Mina heard the door slam behind her " Hey where coming we wouldn't miss this for the world."

End of Part 14

By Silvermoonlight (Gabrielle Jackson)

Copyright 2004-09-03