Fan Fiction ❯ Six Years ❯ Chapter 5

Ura awoke to the muffled sound of rain. He glanced up to see Kana's wings spread fully, his wingspan acting like a shield against the elements. A droplet of water hit him and Ura glanced at the rips in Kana's wings. He wondered if, because of the tears, Kana was incapable of flight.

"My wings were getting tired," Kana commented as Ura stood up.

"Sir...?" Ura asked and Kana glanced at him.

"What is it?"

"Well I've got a question..."

"I can't use them like they were meant to be."

"I'm sorry sir."

"Flaming arrows are what caused it. It was during a small clan war some thirty years ago. I had my wings spread in preparation when ten flaming spears pierced the delicate skin that covers them. I was immediately taken from the front to the medic tent when they subdued all they could do."

"It must feel terrible. Not being able to fly, I mean."

"Simply because I'm flightless, does not mean I'm grounded. Now let's see how Lee and Asuka are doing."

"I should check the horses," Ura said and Kana nodded his head. He turned away and sniffed the air for Lee's scent. Males were easier to pick out than females for some reason. He supposed it was because males were preferred but he didn't know the true reason.

"How is your mother, Lee?" Kana asked and Lee looked at him.

"She's upset over Father's death," Lee replied and looked away.

"How are you taking it?"

Lee said nothing as he folded a blanket and placed it in his saddlebag. Kana watched him and sighed. He had seen this reaction before in his men. Lee slightly resented his father's death. Kana sighed as he laid a hand on the young demon's shoulders.

"Some people just aren't strong," Kana said and Lee looked at him.

"He abandoned us," Lee replied and pushed Kana away.

"I do disagree with how he handled his emotions, but don't hate him for it."

"What's Mother supposed to do? He left her. She loved him too and he ignored that."

"Lee, it was an extremely disturbing sight. If someone had been there with him then I'm sure he wouldn't have done what he did."

"Lee, don't be so critical of Lendas," Asuka said as she walked up to them. "I know how much he cared for Niezon and I am upset that he died but there isn't anything I can do about it. We can't bring the dead back to life. The rain is letting up, Kana. It would be for the best if you left to inform Caedin of her loss now."

"Here's your horse, sir," Ura said and Kana took the reigns from his hands.

"Thank you. Don't forget, Lee. You're not the only one that lost someone in the invasion. Ryo is suffering as well," Kana said and mounted his steed.

*************************************

"I hope we never have to go back," Ryo said and Caedin stared at him.

"What are you saying Ryoshan?" she asked in horror and Ryo looked at her.

"Well if we go back, I'll have to spend all my time with Karu. As long as we stay out here, I don't have to go to school!"

Caedin sighed as she watched Ryo change his shirt. No matter how much Karu tried to suppress it," Ryo was still just a child.

"Mom...?" Ryo asked as Caedin combed his hair.

"What is it, little one?" she asked and Ryo frowned.

"I'm not little."

She smiled at his indignation and stroked his golden wings. He sighed in annoyance and Caedin drew away.

"What did you want to ask me, Ryoshan?" Caedin asked and Ryo sighed.

"Why is Lee always the one sent to get me?" he asked.

"Because his father and your father are very close. Also he will be your future advisor."

"Why?"

"Because his family has always been your family's advisor."

Ryo folded his arms and sat on the ground.

"He's odd and the others make fun of him. Why is he like the way he is? He plays in the greenhouse and he acts like a girl."

"You're exaggerating, Ryoshan. He goes hunting with your father a lot."

"I should be the one going with him."

"Caedin, may I speak with you?" Kana asked as he and Ura rode up to the campsite.

"Why is Ura with you? Where are majors Izo and Yandel?" Caedin asked as Ryo ran up to Ura.

"What's going on back there? Where's my dad?" he asked and Ura glanced away. Ryo pulled on a wing tip and Ura shut his eyes in pain. "Tell me what happened."

"I don't exactly know what happened," Ura replied.

"What did you see?"

Caedin cried out slightly and Ryo looked at her for a moment then turned his attention back to Ura.

"Tell me what you saw," he repeated and Ura sighed.

"Your father was killed, Ryoshan."

"We couldn't do anything to protect him," Kana said as he walked up to him.

"What do you mean you couldn't protect him? Isn't that what you're supposed to do? Isn't that your job?" Ryo asked.

"They both are taking it really hard," Ura commented and Kana sighed.

"We cannot expect youth to understand the law of death. Especially not if this is the first time death has struck. They see death daily but this is the first time it has really connected with them. They are only dealing with reality as they know how."

"Don't lecture me! I'm so sick of that!" Ryo cried and a small clump of grass burst into flame.

"Ryoshan!" Caedin scolded and Ura put the fire out.

"Setting the grass on fire isn't going to change anything," Ura said and Ryo lowered his head.

"Well what am I supposed to do?" he asked as Caedin fell to the ground.

"What's wrong with her?" Ura asked as Kana knelt beside her.

"She has a high fever," Kana replied then looked at Ryo.

"Did you eat anything out here?"

"Only what the cooks packed for us," Ryo replied as Kana pulled up her dress. "Hey! Just what are you doing to her?! I don't want you as a father!"

"Quiet, Ryoshan. What do you make of this, Ura?" Kana asked and Ura knelt beside him.

"That's a viper bite," Ura replied.

"Here's a field test. What kind?"

"Kailden."

"Damn."

"Am I wrong, sir?" Ura inquired and Kana sighed.

"I wish you were wrong. Listen to me, Ryoshan. Your mother was bitten by a deadly snake. The poison takes awhile to take affect but once it does..." Kana said and Ryo glared at him.

"So you're telling me I'm all alone?! Why do these things happen to me? How am I supposed to go on when I'm all alone? This is not fair!"

"Life isn't fair, Ryoshan," Kana replied and Ryo bit his lip.

"You've never felt like this, have you?" he demanded and Kana shut his eyes.

"Your father did not teach you to become blinded by emotions. If you must know, my family was killed by humans. I watched them die when I was six years old. They then sold me into slavery where I was badly abused. Now I could have whined and sulked like you are doing now, but I didn't. I chose to do something about it and I became stronger. I've been through a lot in fifty years. I've never seen things that are just too terrible to retell. You have your entire life ahead of you, Ryoshan. Don't give up now," Kana said and Ryo took his hand.

"Will you and Ura help me?" he asked and Ura nodded his head.

"Of course. First, let's find a good resting spot for your mother, all right?" Ura asked and Ryo nodded his head.

"Is there anything of your mothers that you wish to keep?" Kana asked and Ryo thought for a moment.

"I want the ring Dad gave her," he replied. "It's on her left hand."

Kana pulled the ring off and handed it to Ryo. Ryo held it close to his heart and shut his eyes.

"I'll make him pay for killing so many people," Ryo said softly and Kana watched him. He saw a burst of flame fall onto Caedin's dress as Ryo drew away.

"Let's go."

"Where should we go?" Ura asked as Ryo walked over to his horse.

"I don't care. I just want to leave this place," Ryo replied and Kana narrowed his eyes.

"Then let us travel to the east. I do not think the immediate area surrounding the castle is safe," Kana said.

"What lies in the east?" Ura asked as Kana brought Vengeance to a swift trot.

"A safe area. There we will be able to train the young prince in the art of combat."

"Kana your hair is straight," Ryo said and Kana glanced at him.

"Did you just now notice that?" he asked and Ryo nodded his head.

"Yeah. I've always seen it in braids so I didn't really think about it until now. Your hair looks really nice that way."

"Is it as soft as the rumors?" Ura asked and Kana glanced at him.

"Why are you so interested in my hair?" he asked.

"I was merely curious, that's all."

"What's that smell?" Ryo asked and Kana slowed his horse. He sat still in the saddle, his ears twitching as he listened for strange noises. Ryo looked around in curiosity and Ura took out his weapon.

Out of the shadows came a large, wolf-like creature. Ryo cried in shock as Kana was thrown from his horse. Kana landed on his feet and drew his sword as the creature made its way towards easy prey...Ryo. Ura threw his weapon and the creature glanced at him angrily.

"Damn," Ura swore. "Why didn't I grab my stiletto instead?"

"Ura!" Kana cried as Ryo scrambled to safety. The creature lunged for Ura's neck just as Kana swung his sword. The beast's large body fell lifeless onto Ura and Ryo watched in amazement as Kana pushed the beast's large carcass off of his fallen companion. He then stared at Ura's wound and tightly shut his eyes.

"This is...why I...don't get too close to my men," Kana whispered as he took Ura's hand. "I can't save you."

"I know," Ura whispered. "It was my fault that I'm like this. "Take care of the prince...please."

"I will."

He crossed Ura's wrists and stepped away. Even though he had seen many deaths, it always hurt a little to see others die. Especially the ones with a future like Ura. He had trained extremely hard ever since he was a child in hopes of getting into the army. Kana had first thought that it was merely dedication, but there had been something more. Ura had loved him ever since he was old enough to know what love was. Kana had not been aware of the attraction until Ura had been promoted to captain and he had seen over time just how deep Ura's convictions ran. But, as he had told the captain, he could no longer feel for anyone the way he had once felt. He could never move past the image of his lover's death and he would never allow himself to be vulnerable again. Besides, Ura had dedicated his time to serving his people and for him to be killed in a wild animal attack.... Well, Kana decided as he turned away from the dead captain. Reality just wasn't fair sometimes.