Ronin Warriors Fan Fiction / Gundam Wing Fan Fiction ❯ Warrior Children ❯ Sweet Suiko ( Chapter 9 )
[ Y - Young Adult: Not suitable for readers under 16 ]
By: Cousin D 
Shin is shot.
Anime/Manga: Ronin Warriors Fan Fiction / Gundam Wing Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Supernatural / Romance / Fantasy / Drama / Angst / Adventure / Action | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 02.03.2003 | Updated On: 01.23.2006 | Pages: 4 | Words: 6.3K | Visits: 529 | Status: Work In Progress
Shin is shot.
Anime/Manga: Ronin Warriors Fan Fiction / Gundam Wing Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Supernatural / Romance / Fantasy / Drama / Angst / Adventure / Action | Type: Crossover | Uploaded On: 02.03.2003 | Updated On: 01.23.2006 | Pages: 4 | Words: 6.3K | Visits: 529 | Status: Work In Progress
Chapter 9: Sweet Suiko
The circus (several weeks ago)-
Ringmaster-
Everyone was busy packing, but Ringmaster wasn’t happy about it. He’d had to break several contracts when he’d given in to Catherine’s ultimatum and that gave him a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. The circus lived and died by his reputation and now there would be a great many people who wouldn’t believe his word.
The source of the ringmaster’s troubles was currently packing, like everyone else. The tent the three of them shared was already down and rolled into a small, compact bundle and all that was left was packing their few belongings into backpacks that they would carry to Earth.
"Well, I hope you're all satisfied." Ringmaster grumbled at the three younger people as they packed. "We're giving up a very profitable tour just so you can go swimming!"
He was sorry the minute he said it. Shin didn’t reply, but his shoulders drooped and a feeling of utter depression seemed to settle over him. Ringmaster shouldn’t have said anything, but it wasn’t the first time his big mouth had gotten him in trouble. He knew Shin was sick. If Catherine was afraid for Shin, then she very likely had good reason. It was just the timing that upset the ringmaster.
Timing and feeling the loss of control over his own people. Catherine was not a liar and if she said she'd leave, taking Shin and Trowa with her, then Ringmaster had to believe her. He simply couldn't afford to lose the star attractions of his circus - Shin and Trowa.
Shin looked away guiltily as he packed his few belongings. "I'm sorry about this." He muttered, but Catherine put a hand on his shoulder.
"It's not your fault, Shin." She told him reassuringly before turning her glare on the Ringmaster. "Leave him alone."
Ringmaster sighed and threw up his hands in defeat. He just couldn't argue logic with a protective big sister. It wasn't just Catherine, though, or even Trowa, but the whole Circus was behind Shin. Everyone loved him and would do anything for him, so it would be a rebellion if he didn't get Shin to Earth and at least try to get his mind away from the nightmares. If nothing else, Shin was falling apart during the show, leaving it to Trowa to do all the fancy, high flying moves. Seeing as how they were still billed as the Twin Clowns, one just wasn't good enough in the eyes of the audience, so they were starting to complain.
But, in his heart, even Ringmaster knew he should lay off Shin for a while. The boy was pale and worn looking from lack of sleep with blood-shot eyes. Shin was sick, Ringmaster was sure of that now, and if nothing else, they would have to go to Earth to get a decent doctor to heal him. Ringmaster was very proud of the fact that he took care of his people, no one here ever had to worry about an injury or sickness, not if Ringmaster could afford the best. He turned and walked back to the big top to supervise the dismantling of the circus tent. They would be leaving today and arrive on Earth probably in two weeks.
Ringmaster never saw the man watching this scene from behind the moving crates and if anyone had seen him, they wouldn’t have thought anything of him. There were plenty of people who liked to hang around the circus when they were packing or unpacking. This man in particular, though, wasn’t interested in the high-wire walkers or the horses. His eyes were glued onto Trowa, holding a clown's half-mask, with a star over the eye and a large red mouth.
In a tavern-
Mayers-
Mayers was drinking heavily - not an unusual state for him - when one of his men ran into the tavern. "I found him, boss! I've seen Trowa." The man nearly shouted. It really didn't matter if anyone heard. This was not the most law-abiding place in the universe.
Mayers put his tankard down hard, sloshing the ale everywhere. "What!" He demanded roughly. "Where the Hell is that kid?!" He had been searching for Trowa for weeks now, the embarrassment of having a child beat him was too much for him reputation to bear. Not to mention that other kid who'd been with Trowa at the time. Mayers knew he had to find Trowa and show him what happened when you left his mercenaries.
"In the circus, if you'd believe it. He's one of those Twin Clowns that everyone's talking about these days. I saw him put on the mask, a half-mask with a star over one eye. I heard them talking and they're going to Earth, soon."
Mayers sat back and smiled at the news. Revenge wouldn't be difficult, then.
Earth-
Shin-
Shin was much happier since he’d been reunited with Xiu and now had met all Xiu’s new friends, including the serious cousin and sour Touma. Earth was just like he’d remembered it. All that was left was to visit the sea and that was made even easier because of the party Xiu had planned for Wufei at the beach. Much to Touma’s displeasure, Xiu had quickly invited Shin.
On the following Saturday, Shin, Catherine, and Trowa had tagged along for Wufei’s bachelor party, though the three of them had another goal in mind. The others were too involved in their party for Wufei that they didn't notice Shin, Catherine, and Trowa, quietly leaving almost as soon as they‘d reached the beach.
Shin stood at the seaside with Trowa and Catherine slightly behind him, gazing out at the gray and blue surf. Trowa's ever silent presence was reassuring when Shin looked at the rolling waves and the biting wind whipped at him. Dawn was just breaking, coloring the sky with a rainbow of orange, red, yell, and purple. The sea glimmered in the light, looking so inviting, yet Shin was afraid. The sea would kill him, surely sending the murderous yoroi after him. But, Shin bend down and put a hand in the sloshing waves as they rolled up on the beach, the water felt so RIGHT. How could it be evil and mean to hurt him?
"Go on, Shin. We'll be right here."
Shin looked over his shoulder at Catherine who gave him a worried smile. She had such faith that this would work. After pulling off his shoes and most of his clothes, Shin stepped into the water. It was cold on his ankles, almost numbing.
Trowa had argued against this. It was the middle of December, he'd protested. The freezing water would kill Shin. Shin argued back that if he didn't get his head straightened out, he'd end up killing himself, so Trowa gave in, reluctantly.
Shin took another look over his shoulder, but Trowa and Catherine hadn't moved. He had to do this on his own. Well, if this could cure the nightmares, then Shin would do it! He just couldn't take it anymore.
Taking a deep breath, Shin started walking into the water, enjoying the feeling of the cold waves as they hit against his knees, then his thighs, and finally his chest. It felt so good, but it wasn't enough. Shin took a deep breath and submerged, letting the water completely surround him.
Like a mother welcoming her child home, the sea pulled him into her strong, secure embrace.
Shin dove deeper, letting himself be drawn out into the deeper part of the sea. The water became darker, but he could still see curious fish as well as other things swim passed him. As he swam, Shin realized something familiar about this part of the sea, but he couldn't quite place it. Something told Shin that he had to go deeper, toward the bottom. He did as the feel told him to and quickly saw the rocky ocean floor. It was then that Shin realized why this place felt familiar.
It was the place of his nightmares. Shin almost panicked, but no seaweed shot out of nowhere to attack him and no evil yoroi was waiting for him at the bottom. Only several fish, rocks, sand, and...
Shin saw a glint of something among the rocks. Sea glass, maybe? He went deeper, ignoring the burning of his lungs, to investigate. It looked like a marble, a small clear glass ball with something in the middle of it, but Shin couldn't quite see with all the silt in the water. Shin hesitated only a moment before reached out and touched it, opening his mind shockingly fast. He gasped, sucking in water, at the feel. He knew the thing was his. He had to have it.
Unfortunately, as he'd just inhaled water, Shin also started choking and had to start fighting his way back to the surface. He was almost to the surface when his vision started blurring and going dark. No! He couldn't pass out. Catherine and Trowa were waiting for him. He was almost safe and, he was sure, the nightmares would end. Shin’s arms were heavy, like lead weights, and it was getting hard to move. The sea warmed suddenly, and Shin saw, right in front of him, a shape forming out of the murky water.
The yoroi! The blue yoroi holding the yari (trident), standing motionless in the water, just floating in front of him, and this time, Shin did panic. It had come for him, just like in the dream!
Shin pushed himself to the surface, desperate to get away from the yoroi that had started to move, reaching out for him. He managed to get his head out of the water and take a deep breath of air, before something hard and cold grabbed him by the ankle and then by the hip, dragging him back under.
'I'm going to die!' Shin screamed as he went under again. 'Oh, please, I don't want to die!' Shin lashed out with his foot, kicking the armor chest as it pulled him down further, but he only managed to hurt his foot.
The world started to turn dark again and his head felt light. 'No. No.' Shin's struggling slowed, he couldn't move and even holding his breath was nearly impossible. The yoroi took him by the shoulders, pulling Shin into an oddly intimate embrace, and Shin had no strength to pull away. It brought his face in close to its faceplate, which was terrifying because there was no face in there, just emptiness. Very distinctly, in his mind, Shin heard the yoroi say,
DO YOU FEAR YOURSELF, SUIKO? WE ARE ONE.
What?
Shin clutched desperately to the marble thing, unwilling to let it go, even now in the clutches of the nightmare yoroi. Shin stopped struggling, his mouth fell open, letting the last of his air escape in bubbles as he sagged in the arms of the thing. So long as he had the orb, everything would be all right. Even death was not a problem, just so long as he had the orb.
Someone was coming toward him, but Shin didn't know who it was. No one should be in the water now and he hoped it wasn't Trowa or Catherine, it was just dangerous to go swimming in this cold. The irony was almost enough to make Shin laugh, if he'd had the strength.
Someone grabbed his hand and Shin felt his mind expand with the feel of a gentle, powerful mind. A person with a strong personality, who was absolutely rooted in the belief he had to do the right thing, no matter how hard. Shin forced his eyes open and saw Xiu, his cheeks puffed out trying to hold his breath, and he knew everything about Xiu.
Xiu's happy life, helping to support his family and living as best as he was able to. He was also in love with Shin and it was all Shin could do not to die of happiness on the spot.
Touma, Xiu's other friend, the sour tempered one, was with them and Shin saw passed all the barriers Touma had worked to put up in front of him. He saw a scared, hurt boy who just wanted a friend or two, but didn't know how to go about it. He saw Touma's tragic past and how it haunted Touma.
Where was the yoroi? Shin didn't have to look around, but he knew it was gone.
Shin suddenly knew that they were drowning, right along with him. Now, it may not matter whether he lives or not, but these other two must NOT! They are to precious to lose and shin knew he had to do something. Shin thrashed violently, waking up his body up to try and save these others. Shin took them both, one under each of his arms and tried to just kick to the surface, but he wasn't strong enough. The two boys were dead weights, only barely alive, and just Shin realized he would have to leave one behind, if he were going to save the other.
Shin kicked harder as if he could will himself to the surface. 'No, I won't let them die. Not even one of them!' Shin kicked and thrashed, but he was losing what little remaining strength he'd had. 'Please, someone, help me!'
The desperate thought was all Shin could do. His eyes were starting to close and his mind seemed to be going foggy. The touch of the minds that were now with him, though, didn't fade at all. In fact, if Shin could just concentrate a moment, he was sure that he could hear what they were trying to tell him.
There was a great force under him and suddenly Shin and the others were being forced up, toward the pale light of the sun. A thought touched his mind. 'Sweet Suiko.' Shin knew the loving thought came from whatever was saving them and it had used the same name for him that the yoroi had used. Suiko.
Shin woke with pain, a deep burning in his chest, and someone's mouth on his. Someone pressed hard on his chest, then the mouth was on his again, forcing air into his lungs. Suddenly he was coughing up water and sucking air in, and it tasted so good to have clean fresh air in his mouth. Shin became aware that he was laying on the sand, the sun was hurting his eyes, and Cathy was crying.
"Shin!" Something heavy landed on Shin, hugging him tightly. "I was so worried!" He blinked, getting the last of the salt water out of his eyes to look at his sister, still hugging him, and Trowa kneeling next to him. Shin had no doubt that it was Trowa who'd given him mouth-to-mouth.
Pity.
He'd rather hoped that it was Xiu who'd done it.
That made Shin think of the other two, but when he looked, he saw Wufei and Quatre sitting next to their friends and trying to wake them up. Both were laying on the beach, completely out of it. Wufei resorted to gently slapping Xiu's face to wake him, but even that didn't work. Quatre was nearly in tears at the state Touma was in, but, somehow, Shin knew they would both be all right.
"What happened?" Shin asked groggily, focusing back on Catherine and Trowa.
"Xiu and Touma went into save you, you fool!" Catherine snapped with tears still in her eyes. "You ended up dragging them to shore and then passed out. You were down there so long we got worried, but we didn't know where you where you were. Thank God, they saw you floundering around! Why did you go so deep, Shin? You said you only wanted to go wading.”
Shin looked at the two guys who'd come to rescue him. They were hurt because they'd gone into the water after him. "I had to get something down there." He opened his hand, revealing his treasure to both of them. At least he knew that part was real. Trowa looked at it curiously, and Catherine asked,
"What is it? It can't be a pearl."
Wufei snarled, glancing over his shoulder at Shin. "I certainly hope your treasure was worth risking their lives!"
Shin flinched at the tone, but closed his hand around the orb again, like the precious something it was. "It's my heart." He smiled happily at Catherine. "I've found myself."
"That's all well and good," Trowa spoke for the first time. "But do you think your nightmares are cured?"
With the tiny weight of the orb, Shin was very confident in saying, "Yes. The nightmares are gone. This is what I needed." Then he looked at Trowa with a wide smile. "Trowa, you take the night off tonight. I'll do the act alone!"
"Are you sure?" Catherine asked. "Do you feel well enough? I mean, you almost drown just now and you haven't slept for days."
Shin jumped up and did an easy back flip in the sand, twisting his body in the air. "I feel great!" And it was true. Shin hadn't feel this good in ages, he felt rested and relaxed, like everything was right in the world. Except that his rescuers were still not awake. Shin looked at them and took a few steps closer to Xiu and Touma. "How are they?" He asked. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Wufei gave him an acid look. "Thank you, but no." Shin could tell that this boy really didn't like him very much. "I see no reason for Xiu to hang around people who can't even take care of themselves and do stupid things like jumping into the sea in the middle of winter. You call yourself his friend, but you almost got him killed!" Wufei somehow managed to pick up Xiu. "Come on, Quatre. I want Xiu and Touma to get home and warmed up. We may have to take them to the hospital." Then he glared at Shin. "You, stay away from my cousin and my friends. You'll get them both killed at this rate."
Shin watched them all go sadly, but didn't try to change Wufei or Quatre's mind. He knew how Xiu and Touma felt, and that was all that mattered. When they were well again, then he could go see them.
"Wufei was right, Shin. That was a really stupid thing to do. And you shouldn't be performing at all." Catherine looked at Shin with disapproval. "You're going to catch hypothermia or pneumonia from being in the water all this time!"
Shin smiled with wide eyes. "I'm not the least bit cold."
She took him by the arm anyway saying that she wanted to get him home and warmed up. They were walking away when Shin glanced over his shoulder and saw the black fin of an orca poking out of the water and a spray of water. 'Goodbye, sweet Suiko.'
'Goodbye, my friend. Thanks for saving us.' Shin replied happily. He had no idea how he could now talk to a whale, but it felt like a right thing to do.
'For sweet Suiko, anything. Good hunting to you, sweet Suiko, and to your mates, Kongo and Tenku.'
Shin frowned a bit at this, not understanding, but let himself be taken away.
That night-
Mayers-
A little investigation was all that was needed to tell Mayers that Trowa would be doing all the stunts of the Twin Clowns act. The other clown was sick and couldn’t preform. All the better for Mayers. There wouldn’t be any mix-up.
The first night the circus opened on Earth, he found himself a dark little spot in the back of the audience with his rifle. The place was crowded, but not so full that Mayers had to worry about being seen. Everyone’s eyes were on the center ring where a half-masked clown came dancing out from behind stage.
Mayers took aim at the clown. At this distance, Mayers couldn't quite make out the half face of the clown that showed. But, watching the clown flip high in the air and land on the huge rubber ball easily, Mayers had no doubt that only Trowa could possibly do things like that. Mayers carefully aimed at the clown, taking time to center the cross hairs on the clown's chest.
BANG!
The clown jerked violently and fell hard, landing on his back.
The audience screamed, like Mayers knew they would and started to run wildly. It was perfect cover for him. Slipping the gun back into his coat, Mayers headed out, screaming as madly as the rest of them. It was simple enough to get out.
Trowa-
Trowa watched Shin perform in the center ring doing better than ever. The visit to the sea had done wonders for him, bringing back his self-confidence and, hopefully, letting him finally sleep free of nightmares for the first time in weeks. Shin flipped easily on the large rubber ball landing deftly on one foot. It was a simple trick, one that Shin could do in his sleep, he would get on to the more impressive tricks in a few minutes.
BANG!
Trowa's mouth fell open as Shin fell. It seemed to happen very slowly. Shin jerked, his head flying backwards, then there was a cry of pain and shock before Shin landed hard on the sawdust floor. Catherine actually managed to dash out ahead of Trowa and reach Shin's side first.
The crowd as panicking and Trowa had to tune out the noise they were making to concentrate on Shin as both he and Catherine knelt next to him. Shin had been shot just under the heart, thank God, and he was still alive, if only just.
Catherine was feeling for a pulse and relived when she found on. "He's still alive!" She cried and pressed her hands over the bleeding hole in Shin's chest. "Trowa, go find a doctor!" She ordered, he voice harsh from fear.
"The ambulance is on its way." Ringmaster told them, squatting beside Shin. "What happened?”
"One shot fired from the audience, caught him approximately two inches below his heart and appears to have punctured his left lung." Trowa reported. He looked up at the audience, as he knew there was nothing more he could do for Shin. There was no one who would ever want to kill Shin, he was simply to good of a person. However, there were many people who would be thankful for Trowa's death. His eyes narrowed, searching the now thinning crowd. Nothing. Not one person he could recognize. The bullet must have been meant for him and with the costumes he and Shin wore, it wouldn't be difficult to make such a mistake.
This was his fault, Trowa knew. His fault that Shin might die. The blood was gathering around Shin, escaping Catherine's hands and there was little they could do until the ambulance arrived. Trowa took off his shirt and folded into a neat square, telling Catherine to use it instead of her hands. After she'd replaced it, Trowa put his hands over hers, adding his weight to the pressure on Shin's wound. That might be all that kept him alive.
Outside, they heard the cry of the ambulance sirens.
Date Dojo-
Seiji-
At their house, Seiji was eating dinner with his sister and Zechs, who'd been invited over more than once since Seiji had started to settle into his new life, when he clutched his chest suddenly and gasped with unexpected pain.
"Seiji?!" Luc was next to him instantly with her hand on his back. "What's wrong?"
He didn't answer and simply sat hunched over and breathing hard. It felt as if he'd just been shot. Seiji took his hand away from his chest and looked, but there wasn't a drop of blood or even a wound.
Zechs put a hand to Seiji's throat, checking his pulse. "Is it your heart?" Zechs asked with a professional manner. "Your pulse seems normal."
Seiji allowed Zech's touch, but only because Luc trusted him. He allowed them to feel his forehead and ask questions which he didn’t answer. His mind was on something else. One of the others was hurt. Seiji felt the touch of water washing over his face and he felt the pain. "I have to go." He stood abruptly and started out of the house.
"What?" Luc demanded, confused. "Sei-Chan? What's going on? Where do you have to go? You should be going to the hospital!"
"I have to go." Seiji repeated himself. Seiji started walking down the street and quickly changed to running as quickly as he could, even as Luc and Zech's stared after him. He could find the person if he followed the feeling, he just knew it. He had to find the person.
Fan Family Restaurant-
Xiu-
Xiu woke feeling exhausted and found himself in his own bed. The other bed that Wufei used was neatly made, as always, but empty. The moon was shining through the window and the house was eerily quiet. Xiu listened as hard as he could, but it was completely, absolutely quiet. He'd never heard it so quiet in his whole life!
Wufei stepped into their room and brought with him a tray of soup and hot tea. "You need some peace to rest." Wufei set the tray next to Xiu's bed and sat with him. "How are you feeling? I was afraid I would have to take you to the hospital. Auntie‘s not very happy with you at the moment."
"I didn‘t think she would be. I’m fine, I just feel a bit weird, that's all." Xiu answered. He could still feel Shin in the back of his mind, like a phantom touch, just lingering there. But, it was definitely there. Touma, also, was there, so close that Xiu almost felt as if he could touch them both. "How's Shin?"
Wufei scowled at the mention of Shin. "I don't know, nor do I care."
"What?" It was very unlike Wufei to act like this, especially toward someone he barely knew. “You didn’t call and check up on him? How long have I been out?”
"More than a day. Why should I care what happens to him? He almost killed you and Touma with his stupid behavior. He is not the kind of person I think you should be with. You are to good for that."
Xiu sat bolt upright. "Now wait a minute! Where do you get off..." Xiu suddenly cried out and lay back onto his bed in agony. "Oh, shit! Crap!" He cried. Xiu felt Wufei's hands on him.
"What happened? Are you all right?"
"My chest!" The pain was worse than anything Xiu had ever felt before and it was digging right into him. Xiu was trying not to scream, but it was so hard.
Wufei managed to make Xiu lay still. "Move you hands, I have to see." Xiu reluctantly moved his hands away and let Wufei check his chest. "There's nothing here, Xiu." Wufei sounded confused, but continued checking such things as Xiu's eyes and pulse. "Maybe I should take you to the hospital, after all. It must have something to do with your little swim."
Slowly, the pain dulled and Xiu was able to breathe easier and he felt the pain that the other was feeling.
Xiu tried to pull away from Wufei. "Look, it's not me that's hurt, it's him."
Wufei narrowed his eyes. "Him who? Shin again?"
"Yeah, I think so. He just got hurt and real bad, too. I have to go help him." When he was met with only the uncomprehending stares, Xiu grew frantic. "Don't you understand? I have to find him, Shin needs me!" Xiu pushed passed Wufei, running out the door and down the stairs.
Wufei followed him out all the way down through the restaurant and to the alley out back. Behind the restaurant, Wufei found Xiu strapping on a helmet and getting on Wufei's motorcycle. "You are in no condition to ride." Wufei said firmly, trying not to feel insulted that Xiu was touching his bike without asking.
"I'm fine. I told you, it's Shin who's hurt."
"I don't know what you're talking about, but I won't let you endanger yourself when you're sick." Wufei strode up to Xiu and took his arm.
Xiu gave him a very serious look. "Don't be dumb. You know you can't fight me hand to hand. I'm way too strong for you, so back off before I have to do something I'll regret in the morning."
Wufei stood there a moment, debating with himself. It would do no good to let Xiu beat him into a pulp and Xiu could do that easily. Wufei let go and stepped away. "Where are you going?"
Xiu, without asking permission, straddled Wufei's motorcycle and shrugged. "I don't know, but I know I can find him if I just look for him. He needs me." Xiu took off into the night, leaving Wufei alone on the sidewalk and very confused.
Wufei didn’t waste a moment before he ran to the street where he just saw a taxi pulling up to the sidewalk to let someone out. He quickly jumped in and told the cab driver. "Follow that motorcycle!"
"Is speed an issue?" The driver asked.
"I'll give you a two hundred yen tip if you stay at least two cars behind him. If you lose him, I'll break both of your legs."
The driver, understanding that Wufei was serious, took off after Xiu.
Quatre’s mansion-
Touma-
Touma was star gazing when the pain hit him. Unfortunately, he was laying down on the roof of Quatre's house at the time. The pain was so sudden and intense that Touma jerked and starting rolling off the roof.
"Oh, no." Touma whimpered, clutching desperately at the shingles of the roof. What an embarrassing way to die! Falling off the roof of your own home! Especially after Quatre had been nagging Touma for years about sitting on the roof, and how he would fall someday. If Touma survived, Quatre would never let him live it down!
Touma felt the pounding ache in his chest dim just as his feet slipped off the edge of the roof and he was left dangling by only his fingertips. "Oh, please, don't let me die this way! It's just to pitiful!"
Touma hung there for a moment, trying to think of a way to save himself, when he felt the singles start to give way under his weight. Little by little, Touma was slipping until, very suddenly, Touma just fell. Though he didn’t remember screaming, Rashid told him later that he did. Rashid should know. Touma landed on him.
"Touma, what were you doing up there?" Touma’s large adoptive father asked when he helped Touma to his feet.
"Falling." Touma answered dryly. Rashid knew that Touma was into the stars, so he shouldn't be all that surprised Touma was up there in the first place.
"Why were you falling? You've never had any trouble with heights before."
There was no time. Touma had to go! "I'll explain later, sir." Touma took off running into the night.
Youja Kai-
Ryou-
Everyone was sitting in the family room, waiting for Naaza to finish cooking dinner when it happened. A burning pain, deep inside Ryou, and he gave a short cry of pain. Everyone instantly looked at him, startled.
"What's wrong?" Anubisu asked, looking up from polishing his sword.
"I...my chest hurts. Like someone just shot me with an arrow." Ryou rubbed the sore spot, but there was nothing there. "I think someone got hurt." Ryou could feel fear from someone, but he didn't think it was Seiji. Ryou hadn't told his oniisan's about that yet, or the orb the old man had given him, though he knew he should. For some reason, Ryou was afraid that it would make them angry.
Ryou’s oniisans gave each other strange looks and Naaza came in, his face serious. Ryou knew they could speak to each other without talking, but he hadn’t understood it until he’d met Seiji.
"You can feel their pain?" Mama Sh'ten asked Ryou, his face deadly serious.
"Um, yes. Why?" Ryou was getting nervous at their reaction and the way they were looking at him. “Did I do something wrong?”
“No. Nothing…wrong.” Rajura covered his face with his hands for a minute before looking at mama Sh'ten. "It has to be now. We've put it off for too long."
Mama Sh'ten seemed reluctant, but nodded. "Yes. If he's starting to contact the others, then it is most definitely time."
Anubisu set his sword carefully back into the scabbard on his back and stood up. "Come with us, Ryou. There is something you need to see."
Duo, for some reason, had been oddly silent through the whole conversation, but he stood as Ryou did. Even though he didn't know what was going on any better than Ryou did, he wanted to go, too. They always went everywhere together.
Before Duo could even take one step, however, Rajura was behind Duo and grabbed him, holding a hand over Duo's eyes and he whispered softly. "Sleep."
Duo was instantly asleep and fell limply into Rajura's arms, who then lowered Duo gently to the floor. "He'll wake up soon, but he can't come this time." Rajura told Ryou while he pulled a blanket over Duo.
Ryou was becoming afraid, "Why can't Duo come? What’s going on?"
Naaza said, but he pointed to Ryou’s chest. "We‘re worried about your pain. You are one of us, Ryou. You are destined to become a great warrior at our side. For some reason, you are starting to become connected to the other side of the war, the enemy. You can, it seems, feel their pain and one of them has been hurt. If we don't stop this now, you may be drawn to their side and want to fight against us. Do you want that?"
"Of course not!" How could Ryou want to fight his own brothers? He’d never join the enemy, whoever they were!
Rajura smiled. "Good. Then come with us, Ryou. It's time for you to meet our master, Emperor Arago."
The circus (several weeks ago)-
Ringmaster-
Everyone was busy packing, but Ringmaster wasn’t happy about it. He’d had to break several contracts when he’d given in to Catherine’s ultimatum and that gave him a sick feeling in the pit of his stomach. The circus lived and died by his reputation and now there would be a great many people who wouldn’t believe his word.
The source of the ringmaster’s troubles was currently packing, like everyone else. The tent the three of them shared was already down and rolled into a small, compact bundle and all that was left was packing their few belongings into backpacks that they would carry to Earth.
"Well, I hope you're all satisfied." Ringmaster grumbled at the three younger people as they packed. "We're giving up a very profitable tour just so you can go swimming!"
He was sorry the minute he said it. Shin didn’t reply, but his shoulders drooped and a feeling of utter depression seemed to settle over him. Ringmaster shouldn’t have said anything, but it wasn’t the first time his big mouth had gotten him in trouble. He knew Shin was sick. If Catherine was afraid for Shin, then she very likely had good reason. It was just the timing that upset the ringmaster.
Timing and feeling the loss of control over his own people. Catherine was not a liar and if she said she'd leave, taking Shin and Trowa with her, then Ringmaster had to believe her. He simply couldn't afford to lose the star attractions of his circus - Shin and Trowa.
Shin looked away guiltily as he packed his few belongings. "I'm sorry about this." He muttered, but Catherine put a hand on his shoulder.
"It's not your fault, Shin." She told him reassuringly before turning her glare on the Ringmaster. "Leave him alone."
Ringmaster sighed and threw up his hands in defeat. He just couldn't argue logic with a protective big sister. It wasn't just Catherine, though, or even Trowa, but the whole Circus was behind Shin. Everyone loved him and would do anything for him, so it would be a rebellion if he didn't get Shin to Earth and at least try to get his mind away from the nightmares. If nothing else, Shin was falling apart during the show, leaving it to Trowa to do all the fancy, high flying moves. Seeing as how they were still billed as the Twin Clowns, one just wasn't good enough in the eyes of the audience, so they were starting to complain.
But, in his heart, even Ringmaster knew he should lay off Shin for a while. The boy was pale and worn looking from lack of sleep with blood-shot eyes. Shin was sick, Ringmaster was sure of that now, and if nothing else, they would have to go to Earth to get a decent doctor to heal him. Ringmaster was very proud of the fact that he took care of his people, no one here ever had to worry about an injury or sickness, not if Ringmaster could afford the best. He turned and walked back to the big top to supervise the dismantling of the circus tent. They would be leaving today and arrive on Earth probably in two weeks.
Ringmaster never saw the man watching this scene from behind the moving crates and if anyone had seen him, they wouldn’t have thought anything of him. There were plenty of people who liked to hang around the circus when they were packing or unpacking. This man in particular, though, wasn’t interested in the high-wire walkers or the horses. His eyes were glued onto Trowa, holding a clown's half-mask, with a star over the eye and a large red mouth.
In a tavern-
Mayers-
Mayers was drinking heavily - not an unusual state for him - when one of his men ran into the tavern. "I found him, boss! I've seen Trowa." The man nearly shouted. It really didn't matter if anyone heard. This was not the most law-abiding place in the universe.
Mayers put his tankard down hard, sloshing the ale everywhere. "What!" He demanded roughly. "Where the Hell is that kid?!" He had been searching for Trowa for weeks now, the embarrassment of having a child beat him was too much for him reputation to bear. Not to mention that other kid who'd been with Trowa at the time. Mayers knew he had to find Trowa and show him what happened when you left his mercenaries.
"In the circus, if you'd believe it. He's one of those Twin Clowns that everyone's talking about these days. I saw him put on the mask, a half-mask with a star over one eye. I heard them talking and they're going to Earth, soon."
Mayers sat back and smiled at the news. Revenge wouldn't be difficult, then.
Earth-
Shin-
Shin was much happier since he’d been reunited with Xiu and now had met all Xiu’s new friends, including the serious cousin and sour Touma. Earth was just like he’d remembered it. All that was left was to visit the sea and that was made even easier because of the party Xiu had planned for Wufei at the beach. Much to Touma’s displeasure, Xiu had quickly invited Shin.
On the following Saturday, Shin, Catherine, and Trowa had tagged along for Wufei’s bachelor party, though the three of them had another goal in mind. The others were too involved in their party for Wufei that they didn't notice Shin, Catherine, and Trowa, quietly leaving almost as soon as they‘d reached the beach.
Shin stood at the seaside with Trowa and Catherine slightly behind him, gazing out at the gray and blue surf. Trowa's ever silent presence was reassuring when Shin looked at the rolling waves and the biting wind whipped at him. Dawn was just breaking, coloring the sky with a rainbow of orange, red, yell, and purple. The sea glimmered in the light, looking so inviting, yet Shin was afraid. The sea would kill him, surely sending the murderous yoroi after him. But, Shin bend down and put a hand in the sloshing waves as they rolled up on the beach, the water felt so RIGHT. How could it be evil and mean to hurt him?
"Go on, Shin. We'll be right here."
Shin looked over his shoulder at Catherine who gave him a worried smile. She had such faith that this would work. After pulling off his shoes and most of his clothes, Shin stepped into the water. It was cold on his ankles, almost numbing.
Trowa had argued against this. It was the middle of December, he'd protested. The freezing water would kill Shin. Shin argued back that if he didn't get his head straightened out, he'd end up killing himself, so Trowa gave in, reluctantly.
Shin took another look over his shoulder, but Trowa and Catherine hadn't moved. He had to do this on his own. Well, if this could cure the nightmares, then Shin would do it! He just couldn't take it anymore.
Taking a deep breath, Shin started walking into the water, enjoying the feeling of the cold waves as they hit against his knees, then his thighs, and finally his chest. It felt so good, but it wasn't enough. Shin took a deep breath and submerged, letting the water completely surround him.
Like a mother welcoming her child home, the sea pulled him into her strong, secure embrace.
Shin dove deeper, letting himself be drawn out into the deeper part of the sea. The water became darker, but he could still see curious fish as well as other things swim passed him. As he swam, Shin realized something familiar about this part of the sea, but he couldn't quite place it. Something told Shin that he had to go deeper, toward the bottom. He did as the feel told him to and quickly saw the rocky ocean floor. It was then that Shin realized why this place felt familiar.
It was the place of his nightmares. Shin almost panicked, but no seaweed shot out of nowhere to attack him and no evil yoroi was waiting for him at the bottom. Only several fish, rocks, sand, and...
Shin saw a glint of something among the rocks. Sea glass, maybe? He went deeper, ignoring the burning of his lungs, to investigate. It looked like a marble, a small clear glass ball with something in the middle of it, but Shin couldn't quite see with all the silt in the water. Shin hesitated only a moment before reached out and touched it, opening his mind shockingly fast. He gasped, sucking in water, at the feel. He knew the thing was his. He had to have it.
Unfortunately, as he'd just inhaled water, Shin also started choking and had to start fighting his way back to the surface. He was almost to the surface when his vision started blurring and going dark. No! He couldn't pass out. Catherine and Trowa were waiting for him. He was almost safe and, he was sure, the nightmares would end. Shin’s arms were heavy, like lead weights, and it was getting hard to move. The sea warmed suddenly, and Shin saw, right in front of him, a shape forming out of the murky water.
The yoroi! The blue yoroi holding the yari (trident), standing motionless in the water, just floating in front of him, and this time, Shin did panic. It had come for him, just like in the dream!
Shin pushed himself to the surface, desperate to get away from the yoroi that had started to move, reaching out for him. He managed to get his head out of the water and take a deep breath of air, before something hard and cold grabbed him by the ankle and then by the hip, dragging him back under.
'I'm going to die!' Shin screamed as he went under again. 'Oh, please, I don't want to die!' Shin lashed out with his foot, kicking the armor chest as it pulled him down further, but he only managed to hurt his foot.
The world started to turn dark again and his head felt light. 'No. No.' Shin's struggling slowed, he couldn't move and even holding his breath was nearly impossible. The yoroi took him by the shoulders, pulling Shin into an oddly intimate embrace, and Shin had no strength to pull away. It brought his face in close to its faceplate, which was terrifying because there was no face in there, just emptiness. Very distinctly, in his mind, Shin heard the yoroi say,
DO YOU FEAR YOURSELF, SUIKO? WE ARE ONE.
What?
Shin clutched desperately to the marble thing, unwilling to let it go, even now in the clutches of the nightmare yoroi. Shin stopped struggling, his mouth fell open, letting the last of his air escape in bubbles as he sagged in the arms of the thing. So long as he had the orb, everything would be all right. Even death was not a problem, just so long as he had the orb.
Someone was coming toward him, but Shin didn't know who it was. No one should be in the water now and he hoped it wasn't Trowa or Catherine, it was just dangerous to go swimming in this cold. The irony was almost enough to make Shin laugh, if he'd had the strength.
Someone grabbed his hand and Shin felt his mind expand with the feel of a gentle, powerful mind. A person with a strong personality, who was absolutely rooted in the belief he had to do the right thing, no matter how hard. Shin forced his eyes open and saw Xiu, his cheeks puffed out trying to hold his breath, and he knew everything about Xiu.
Xiu's happy life, helping to support his family and living as best as he was able to. He was also in love with Shin and it was all Shin could do not to die of happiness on the spot.
Touma, Xiu's other friend, the sour tempered one, was with them and Shin saw passed all the barriers Touma had worked to put up in front of him. He saw a scared, hurt boy who just wanted a friend or two, but didn't know how to go about it. He saw Touma's tragic past and how it haunted Touma.
Where was the yoroi? Shin didn't have to look around, but he knew it was gone.
Shin suddenly knew that they were drowning, right along with him. Now, it may not matter whether he lives or not, but these other two must NOT! They are to precious to lose and shin knew he had to do something. Shin thrashed violently, waking up his body up to try and save these others. Shin took them both, one under each of his arms and tried to just kick to the surface, but he wasn't strong enough. The two boys were dead weights, only barely alive, and just Shin realized he would have to leave one behind, if he were going to save the other.
Shin kicked harder as if he could will himself to the surface. 'No, I won't let them die. Not even one of them!' Shin kicked and thrashed, but he was losing what little remaining strength he'd had. 'Please, someone, help me!'
The desperate thought was all Shin could do. His eyes were starting to close and his mind seemed to be going foggy. The touch of the minds that were now with him, though, didn't fade at all. In fact, if Shin could just concentrate a moment, he was sure that he could hear what they were trying to tell him.
There was a great force under him and suddenly Shin and the others were being forced up, toward the pale light of the sun. A thought touched his mind. 'Sweet Suiko.' Shin knew the loving thought came from whatever was saving them and it had used the same name for him that the yoroi had used. Suiko.
Shin woke with pain, a deep burning in his chest, and someone's mouth on his. Someone pressed hard on his chest, then the mouth was on his again, forcing air into his lungs. Suddenly he was coughing up water and sucking air in, and it tasted so good to have clean fresh air in his mouth. Shin became aware that he was laying on the sand, the sun was hurting his eyes, and Cathy was crying.
"Shin!" Something heavy landed on Shin, hugging him tightly. "I was so worried!" He blinked, getting the last of the salt water out of his eyes to look at his sister, still hugging him, and Trowa kneeling next to him. Shin had no doubt that it was Trowa who'd given him mouth-to-mouth.
Pity.
He'd rather hoped that it was Xiu who'd done it.
That made Shin think of the other two, but when he looked, he saw Wufei and Quatre sitting next to their friends and trying to wake them up. Both were laying on the beach, completely out of it. Wufei resorted to gently slapping Xiu's face to wake him, but even that didn't work. Quatre was nearly in tears at the state Touma was in, but, somehow, Shin knew they would both be all right.
"What happened?" Shin asked groggily, focusing back on Catherine and Trowa.
"Xiu and Touma went into save you, you fool!" Catherine snapped with tears still in her eyes. "You ended up dragging them to shore and then passed out. You were down there so long we got worried, but we didn't know where you where you were. Thank God, they saw you floundering around! Why did you go so deep, Shin? You said you only wanted to go wading.”
Shin looked at the two guys who'd come to rescue him. They were hurt because they'd gone into the water after him. "I had to get something down there." He opened his hand, revealing his treasure to both of them. At least he knew that part was real. Trowa looked at it curiously, and Catherine asked,
"What is it? It can't be a pearl."
Wufei snarled, glancing over his shoulder at Shin. "I certainly hope your treasure was worth risking their lives!"
Shin flinched at the tone, but closed his hand around the orb again, like the precious something it was. "It's my heart." He smiled happily at Catherine. "I've found myself."
"That's all well and good," Trowa spoke for the first time. "But do you think your nightmares are cured?"
With the tiny weight of the orb, Shin was very confident in saying, "Yes. The nightmares are gone. This is what I needed." Then he looked at Trowa with a wide smile. "Trowa, you take the night off tonight. I'll do the act alone!"
"Are you sure?" Catherine asked. "Do you feel well enough? I mean, you almost drown just now and you haven't slept for days."
Shin jumped up and did an easy back flip in the sand, twisting his body in the air. "I feel great!" And it was true. Shin hadn't feel this good in ages, he felt rested and relaxed, like everything was right in the world. Except that his rescuers were still not awake. Shin looked at them and took a few steps closer to Xiu and Touma. "How are they?" He asked. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Wufei gave him an acid look. "Thank you, but no." Shin could tell that this boy really didn't like him very much. "I see no reason for Xiu to hang around people who can't even take care of themselves and do stupid things like jumping into the sea in the middle of winter. You call yourself his friend, but you almost got him killed!" Wufei somehow managed to pick up Xiu. "Come on, Quatre. I want Xiu and Touma to get home and warmed up. We may have to take them to the hospital." Then he glared at Shin. "You, stay away from my cousin and my friends. You'll get them both killed at this rate."
Shin watched them all go sadly, but didn't try to change Wufei or Quatre's mind. He knew how Xiu and Touma felt, and that was all that mattered. When they were well again, then he could go see them.
"Wufei was right, Shin. That was a really stupid thing to do. And you shouldn't be performing at all." Catherine looked at Shin with disapproval. "You're going to catch hypothermia or pneumonia from being in the water all this time!"
Shin smiled with wide eyes. "I'm not the least bit cold."
She took him by the arm anyway saying that she wanted to get him home and warmed up. They were walking away when Shin glanced over his shoulder and saw the black fin of an orca poking out of the water and a spray of water. 'Goodbye, sweet Suiko.'
'Goodbye, my friend. Thanks for saving us.' Shin replied happily. He had no idea how he could now talk to a whale, but it felt like a right thing to do.
'For sweet Suiko, anything. Good hunting to you, sweet Suiko, and to your mates, Kongo and Tenku.'
Shin frowned a bit at this, not understanding, but let himself be taken away.
That night-
Mayers-
A little investigation was all that was needed to tell Mayers that Trowa would be doing all the stunts of the Twin Clowns act. The other clown was sick and couldn’t preform. All the better for Mayers. There wouldn’t be any mix-up.
The first night the circus opened on Earth, he found himself a dark little spot in the back of the audience with his rifle. The place was crowded, but not so full that Mayers had to worry about being seen. Everyone’s eyes were on the center ring where a half-masked clown came dancing out from behind stage.
Mayers took aim at the clown. At this distance, Mayers couldn't quite make out the half face of the clown that showed. But, watching the clown flip high in the air and land on the huge rubber ball easily, Mayers had no doubt that only Trowa could possibly do things like that. Mayers carefully aimed at the clown, taking time to center the cross hairs on the clown's chest.
BANG!
The clown jerked violently and fell hard, landing on his back.
The audience screamed, like Mayers knew they would and started to run wildly. It was perfect cover for him. Slipping the gun back into his coat, Mayers headed out, screaming as madly as the rest of them. It was simple enough to get out.
Trowa-
Trowa watched Shin perform in the center ring doing better than ever. The visit to the sea had done wonders for him, bringing back his self-confidence and, hopefully, letting him finally sleep free of nightmares for the first time in weeks. Shin flipped easily on the large rubber ball landing deftly on one foot. It was a simple trick, one that Shin could do in his sleep, he would get on to the more impressive tricks in a few minutes.
BANG!
Trowa's mouth fell open as Shin fell. It seemed to happen very slowly. Shin jerked, his head flying backwards, then there was a cry of pain and shock before Shin landed hard on the sawdust floor. Catherine actually managed to dash out ahead of Trowa and reach Shin's side first.
The crowd as panicking and Trowa had to tune out the noise they were making to concentrate on Shin as both he and Catherine knelt next to him. Shin had been shot just under the heart, thank God, and he was still alive, if only just.
Catherine was feeling for a pulse and relived when she found on. "He's still alive!" She cried and pressed her hands over the bleeding hole in Shin's chest. "Trowa, go find a doctor!" She ordered, he voice harsh from fear.
"The ambulance is on its way." Ringmaster told them, squatting beside Shin. "What happened?”
"One shot fired from the audience, caught him approximately two inches below his heart and appears to have punctured his left lung." Trowa reported. He looked up at the audience, as he knew there was nothing more he could do for Shin. There was no one who would ever want to kill Shin, he was simply to good of a person. However, there were many people who would be thankful for Trowa's death. His eyes narrowed, searching the now thinning crowd. Nothing. Not one person he could recognize. The bullet must have been meant for him and with the costumes he and Shin wore, it wouldn't be difficult to make such a mistake.
This was his fault, Trowa knew. His fault that Shin might die. The blood was gathering around Shin, escaping Catherine's hands and there was little they could do until the ambulance arrived. Trowa took off his shirt and folded into a neat square, telling Catherine to use it instead of her hands. After she'd replaced it, Trowa put his hands over hers, adding his weight to the pressure on Shin's wound. That might be all that kept him alive.
Outside, they heard the cry of the ambulance sirens.
Date Dojo-
Seiji-
At their house, Seiji was eating dinner with his sister and Zechs, who'd been invited over more than once since Seiji had started to settle into his new life, when he clutched his chest suddenly and gasped with unexpected pain.
"Seiji?!" Luc was next to him instantly with her hand on his back. "What's wrong?"
He didn't answer and simply sat hunched over and breathing hard. It felt as if he'd just been shot. Seiji took his hand away from his chest and looked, but there wasn't a drop of blood or even a wound.
Zechs put a hand to Seiji's throat, checking his pulse. "Is it your heart?" Zechs asked with a professional manner. "Your pulse seems normal."
Seiji allowed Zech's touch, but only because Luc trusted him. He allowed them to feel his forehead and ask questions which he didn’t answer. His mind was on something else. One of the others was hurt. Seiji felt the touch of water washing over his face and he felt the pain. "I have to go." He stood abruptly and started out of the house.
"What?" Luc demanded, confused. "Sei-Chan? What's going on? Where do you have to go? You should be going to the hospital!"
"I have to go." Seiji repeated himself. Seiji started walking down the street and quickly changed to running as quickly as he could, even as Luc and Zech's stared after him. He could find the person if he followed the feeling, he just knew it. He had to find the person.
Fan Family Restaurant-
Xiu-
Xiu woke feeling exhausted and found himself in his own bed. The other bed that Wufei used was neatly made, as always, but empty. The moon was shining through the window and the house was eerily quiet. Xiu listened as hard as he could, but it was completely, absolutely quiet. He'd never heard it so quiet in his whole life!
Wufei stepped into their room and brought with him a tray of soup and hot tea. "You need some peace to rest." Wufei set the tray next to Xiu's bed and sat with him. "How are you feeling? I was afraid I would have to take you to the hospital. Auntie‘s not very happy with you at the moment."
"I didn‘t think she would be. I’m fine, I just feel a bit weird, that's all." Xiu answered. He could still feel Shin in the back of his mind, like a phantom touch, just lingering there. But, it was definitely there. Touma, also, was there, so close that Xiu almost felt as if he could touch them both. "How's Shin?"
Wufei scowled at the mention of Shin. "I don't know, nor do I care."
"What?" It was very unlike Wufei to act like this, especially toward someone he barely knew. “You didn’t call and check up on him? How long have I been out?”
"More than a day. Why should I care what happens to him? He almost killed you and Touma with his stupid behavior. He is not the kind of person I think you should be with. You are to good for that."
Xiu sat bolt upright. "Now wait a minute! Where do you get off..." Xiu suddenly cried out and lay back onto his bed in agony. "Oh, shit! Crap!" He cried. Xiu felt Wufei's hands on him.
"What happened? Are you all right?"
"My chest!" The pain was worse than anything Xiu had ever felt before and it was digging right into him. Xiu was trying not to scream, but it was so hard.
Wufei managed to make Xiu lay still. "Move you hands, I have to see." Xiu reluctantly moved his hands away and let Wufei check his chest. "There's nothing here, Xiu." Wufei sounded confused, but continued checking such things as Xiu's eyes and pulse. "Maybe I should take you to the hospital, after all. It must have something to do with your little swim."
Slowly, the pain dulled and Xiu was able to breathe easier and he felt the pain that the other was feeling.
Xiu tried to pull away from Wufei. "Look, it's not me that's hurt, it's him."
Wufei narrowed his eyes. "Him who? Shin again?"
"Yeah, I think so. He just got hurt and real bad, too. I have to go help him." When he was met with only the uncomprehending stares, Xiu grew frantic. "Don't you understand? I have to find him, Shin needs me!" Xiu pushed passed Wufei, running out the door and down the stairs.
Wufei followed him out all the way down through the restaurant and to the alley out back. Behind the restaurant, Wufei found Xiu strapping on a helmet and getting on Wufei's motorcycle. "You are in no condition to ride." Wufei said firmly, trying not to feel insulted that Xiu was touching his bike without asking.
"I'm fine. I told you, it's Shin who's hurt."
"I don't know what you're talking about, but I won't let you endanger yourself when you're sick." Wufei strode up to Xiu and took his arm.
Xiu gave him a very serious look. "Don't be dumb. You know you can't fight me hand to hand. I'm way too strong for you, so back off before I have to do something I'll regret in the morning."
Wufei stood there a moment, debating with himself. It would do no good to let Xiu beat him into a pulp and Xiu could do that easily. Wufei let go and stepped away. "Where are you going?"
Xiu, without asking permission, straddled Wufei's motorcycle and shrugged. "I don't know, but I know I can find him if I just look for him. He needs me." Xiu took off into the night, leaving Wufei alone on the sidewalk and very confused.
Wufei didn’t waste a moment before he ran to the street where he just saw a taxi pulling up to the sidewalk to let someone out. He quickly jumped in and told the cab driver. "Follow that motorcycle!"
"Is speed an issue?" The driver asked.
"I'll give you a two hundred yen tip if you stay at least two cars behind him. If you lose him, I'll break both of your legs."
The driver, understanding that Wufei was serious, took off after Xiu.
Quatre’s mansion-
Touma-
Touma was star gazing when the pain hit him. Unfortunately, he was laying down on the roof of Quatre's house at the time. The pain was so sudden and intense that Touma jerked and starting rolling off the roof.
"Oh, no." Touma whimpered, clutching desperately at the shingles of the roof. What an embarrassing way to die! Falling off the roof of your own home! Especially after Quatre had been nagging Touma for years about sitting on the roof, and how he would fall someday. If Touma survived, Quatre would never let him live it down!
Touma felt the pounding ache in his chest dim just as his feet slipped off the edge of the roof and he was left dangling by only his fingertips. "Oh, please, don't let me die this way! It's just to pitiful!"
Touma hung there for a moment, trying to think of a way to save himself, when he felt the singles start to give way under his weight. Little by little, Touma was slipping until, very suddenly, Touma just fell. Though he didn’t remember screaming, Rashid told him later that he did. Rashid should know. Touma landed on him.
"Touma, what were you doing up there?" Touma’s large adoptive father asked when he helped Touma to his feet.
"Falling." Touma answered dryly. Rashid knew that Touma was into the stars, so he shouldn't be all that surprised Touma was up there in the first place.
"Why were you falling? You've never had any trouble with heights before."
There was no time. Touma had to go! "I'll explain later, sir." Touma took off running into the night.
Youja Kai-
Ryou-
Everyone was sitting in the family room, waiting for Naaza to finish cooking dinner when it happened. A burning pain, deep inside Ryou, and he gave a short cry of pain. Everyone instantly looked at him, startled.
"What's wrong?" Anubisu asked, looking up from polishing his sword.
"I...my chest hurts. Like someone just shot me with an arrow." Ryou rubbed the sore spot, but there was nothing there. "I think someone got hurt." Ryou could feel fear from someone, but he didn't think it was Seiji. Ryou hadn't told his oniisan's about that yet, or the orb the old man had given him, though he knew he should. For some reason, Ryou was afraid that it would make them angry.
Ryou’s oniisans gave each other strange looks and Naaza came in, his face serious. Ryou knew they could speak to each other without talking, but he hadn’t understood it until he’d met Seiji.
"You can feel their pain?" Mama Sh'ten asked Ryou, his face deadly serious.
"Um, yes. Why?" Ryou was getting nervous at their reaction and the way they were looking at him. “Did I do something wrong?”
“No. Nothing…wrong.” Rajura covered his face with his hands for a minute before looking at mama Sh'ten. "It has to be now. We've put it off for too long."
Mama Sh'ten seemed reluctant, but nodded. "Yes. If he's starting to contact the others, then it is most definitely time."
Anubisu set his sword carefully back into the scabbard on his back and stood up. "Come with us, Ryou. There is something you need to see."
Duo, for some reason, had been oddly silent through the whole conversation, but he stood as Ryou did. Even though he didn't know what was going on any better than Ryou did, he wanted to go, too. They always went everywhere together.
Before Duo could even take one step, however, Rajura was behind Duo and grabbed him, holding a hand over Duo's eyes and he whispered softly. "Sleep."
Duo was instantly asleep and fell limply into Rajura's arms, who then lowered Duo gently to the floor. "He'll wake up soon, but he can't come this time." Rajura told Ryou while he pulled a blanket over Duo.
Ryou was becoming afraid, "Why can't Duo come? What’s going on?"
Naaza said, but he pointed to Ryou’s chest. "We‘re worried about your pain. You are one of us, Ryou. You are destined to become a great warrior at our side. For some reason, you are starting to become connected to the other side of the war, the enemy. You can, it seems, feel their pain and one of them has been hurt. If we don't stop this now, you may be drawn to their side and want to fight against us. Do you want that?"
"Of course not!" How could Ryou want to fight his own brothers? He’d never join the enemy, whoever they were!
Rajura smiled. "Good. Then come with us, Ryou. It's time for you to meet our master, Emperor Arago."