Ronin Warriors Fan Fiction ❯ Yokoi no Death and Rebirth ❯ Chapter 7 Kaos's Return ( Chapter 8 )

Saya: So here we are on chapter 7 already.

Touma: A what an interesting chapter this is go to be.

Saya: How do you know?

Touma: I am genius remember.

Naaza: Genius, does that mean you grant three wishes?

Saya: That's a genie.

Shu: Someone's been spending too much time with his snakes.

Shuten: He spends more time with those skin shedding reptiles then he does with me.

Ryo: On is the Oni woni….

Nasty: *growl * Ryo!

Ryo: Sorry, sorry Nasty-chan.

Shu, Touma, Seiji: *snicker, snicker * Nasty-chan. Hahahaha!

Ryo: Soenzan!! *burns the three snickering troopers.*

Saya: Touma!!

D.L: Oh brother… Start chapter 7 now.

Chapter 7 Kaos's Return

"What the bloody hell!?" Shin blurted as they all gazed at the blackened kitchen.

"Well I… I …"

"Ryo!! You did this?!" Shin was fuming steam bellowing from his ears as the angry Suiko stalked toward the fire trooper.

"I was an accident. Shuten was attacking Nasty and I… I!"

"Nasty!" Saya exclaimed pushing pass Shin and the others. She spun around the corner before calling. "Nasty are you alright?" Quickly the troopers followed finding a dizzy Nasty slowly making his way down the stairs her body swaying from side to side. Saya was the first to get to her reaching out she help the taller red-hair down the stairs. As they reach the last step Ryo slowly set her down as Seiji checked her over for injures.

"I'm so sorry Nasty-san, it all my fault," Saya began, "Is your head alright?"

The young woman only stared blankly at the group before smiling her eyes regaining focus.

"I'm fine, really."

"Just what exactly happened in here?" Seiji asked as he continued looking Nasty over a soft emerald glow flowing from his fingers.

"Shuten!" Ryo growled as he watched Seiji.

"He attacked us before we could get out to see what was going on," Nasty added the glassy look in her green eyes fading.

"He attacked, knocking me through the wall," Ryo thumbed toward the gapping whole in the dining room wall, "and then he turned his attention to Nasty."

"And Saya, she…" Nasty paused looking over to Saya who was still at her side. "She saved me; she stepped in front of Shuten's attack?" The last part came out more as a question as the reality of what the she had just said sunk in.

"And you're not hurt."

"Hurt… No I'm fine, I felt it hit me but it didn't do any. But I hit Nasty as I fell and I think that's how she got that gash on her head. I'm really sorry."

"Don't be silly," Nasty smiled placing a hand on the other girl's arm.

"Besides if you hadn't have done that Nasty, might have died, though how it is that you didn't…?" Shin asked. "Were you in that white armor?"

"No, but Oni no Shuten mention something about a white light so maybe Ojo had something to do with it." /Ojo… /

"After that she carried Nasty upstairs." Ryo said looking much more relaxed, yet still not quite happy.

"That's where Doku was waiting, luckily he was a little too arrogant and that gave me enough time to hide Nasty-san behind the futon in the upstairs study. Sorry about that to Nasty-san. I kinda threw you… Sorry!"

A host of snickers coasted through the room as Saya bowed low to the college girl who only roller her eyes at the snickering.

"I owe you my life Saya-san, so please stop apologizing for saving it."

"Hai!" she nodded blushing slight as she looked away.

"Saya?" Touma called talking for the first time since they'd found Nasty. She glanced up at him as the archer made his way over to her, slowly reaching out a hand to rub her cheek. Shin watched not sure what was going on as Touma blinked lean in closer to examine his girlfriend's face. "Your face, there are small marks all over it."

Saya blinked apparently not sure what he meant, but now that Touma mention it Shin could see it too. Small welts decorated her brown face and neck.

"It's on her hand too," Nasty commented lifting up Saya hand to examine it.

"What is it?" Shu asked as they all leaned closer to the girl who sheepishly pulled back.

"I don't now it wasn't there earlier," she muttered a blush touching her cheek. Shin watched with a mixture of concern and fascination as the girl didn't seem to want all of this attention.

Shin was just about to suggest they put a cold towel on her skin when a faint chiming called to his senses.

It took Shin a moment before it hit him.

/Kaos… /

^Shin did you say… ^ Ryo stopped looking from the group to the kitchen door as the chiming grew louder.

"It can't be…" Shu muttered his attention falling upon the sound.

"Touma get back!" Seiji gasped. Every thing blurred for a second as Shin turned back to the others, a dark shadow materializing between the archer and Saya. His eyes widen as the Touma knelt face to face with a dark entity. It nearly indiscernible features curling into a fury filled hissed.

"Kaos!" Behind it Saya was shaking her eyes rolling back in her head as she tried to stand only to fall back against the wall her breath coming in short gasps.

"Saya…?" Touma muttered trying to get to her only to have the black creature block his path it stares going passed him.

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

Ryo blinked in disbelief as the monk cloth in a blue and white robe stepped out of the kitchen his staff clinging as he moved Byaruen accompanying him.

"Kaos?!" Shu blurted his voice reflecting their collective shock. Arago had made it quite clear to them that he had killed Kaos, months ago, but here he stood white hair falling behind his shoulders, eyes hidden by the brim of his wide hat.

"How… how is it…?" Ryo began but was cut off by the dark form of Shinu, eyes

"You! What are you doing here? Leave at once!" It demanded black eyes narrowing in anger. "We will not allow you near our bearer!"

"Shinu…" Saya whispered in between breaths.

"What going on?" Shu exclaimed as Ryo looked from Kaos to Saya then Shinu and back again.

"Rest assure, Shinu I have not come to harm your bearer." Kaos spoke at last but the entity only shook its head.

"No we do not believe you. You are the cause of her pain, of our pain. You nearly destroyed us."

"I did what I did in the belief that it was the only course I could take. You and Ojo will bring chaos to this world."

"We have no choice the judgment must come about," the calmer voice of the white spirit Ojo responded.

"Yes I see that now." The monk nodded. "And as I said I have not come here to stop it. I only wish to tell my Trooper of what will soon occur."

"You lie you have come to stop us. We will not…"

"Shinu?" Ryo blinked when he saw Saya's mouth moving in time with the voice of Ojo. "We do not have time. It must be completed now."

"It will not allow him near you or our bearer."

^What is going on? I thought Saya said Kaos protected her, ^ Ryo asked his confusion now reached extreme levels.

^It sounds like Kaos tried to stop the fusion of Saya and these two yoroi spirits, ^ Seiji answered a frown visible on his face.

^With the barrier Saya mentioned before, ^ Touma added his eyes focused on Shinu.

"Kaos? What. are. they talking. about," Saya rasped her eyes closed as she began to sink down the wall sweat gathering her creased brow. "You… you protected… me."

"Yes but in the process I broke your link with Ojo and Shinu," Kaos answered. /Just what the hell are they talking about! / "I thought that I could stop the fusion of these two spirits into their new bearer into you, but I was wrong. No not only will the fusion happen but it will also cause you great pain until your body learns to handle it."

"Do not make it sound like an accident, you interfere in the fusion, you are the cause of her pain!"

"Shinu! Come back you must finish."

"No I will not leave her unprotected. You will be unable to protect her while I fuse. He will try and stop it." Shinu argued with Ojo while glancing back at Saya's pain ridden body.

"You have to return." Ojo called more forcefully.

"I will not interfere. Finish it before it is too late," Kaos calmly replied.

"Shinu?" This time it was Saya, her voice growing weaker by the second as her body shook her eyelids fluttering.

"He will kill us!"

"If you do not return to her now it will not matter." Ojo cried the pain slowly seeping into its voice as well. The entity looked torn it eyes flashing from anger to concern.

"Shinu?" Touma called and for the first time it eyes turned to someone other then Saya or Kaos. "I will not let anything happen to her. Just please finish the fusion."

The dark spirit stared at his pleading face for a long moment its express unreadable.

"Neither will I." Shu called from beside Ryo. "I swear."

"Why would I trust warriors of Kaos? You…"

"Shinu, you can trust them please return, she will not last much longer," Ojo called.

Shinu scowled before saying, "Know well the consequence if she is harmed." With that it melted back into the floor reappearing under Saya. The black energy wrapped itself around Saya pulling her to a stand position just as Ojo had. Ryo could feel the build of much more dangerous energy as Saya cried out her body tensing.

"What's happening?!" Shu yelled.

"This isn't like before," Seiji muttered just loud enough for the others to hear.

"No, it is not," Kaos said calling their attention back to him though none of them turned to look. "Ojo was the rebirth, the call for all mystical yoroi to awaken. Shinu is the death that awaits those who hear it.

"What???!!!"

"Be patient my Trooper all will be revealed shortly."

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

Rajura sighed as he continued going through the scroll his eyes scanning the ancient text for something he wasn't sure he would find.

On the other side of the living room Naaza laid on the couch as Anubis healed him. Neither one spoke as Anubis finished, retreating from the room his mind else where.

/So lost…/ Rajura sighed again as he saw Naaza from the corner of his eye the green haired masho still seated on the futon staring down at his sub-armored hands.

Rajura knew what he was think about it was what they all were thinking. Shuten the most dependable of the four of them had failed in a big way. It wasn't that failure was uncommon. They lost countless fights with the Trooper over the past year but this felt different. Maybe because none of them understood how it had happened. One second they had the troopers at their mercy the next they were free.

/There was the light. / That was the main cause of their defeat though Rajura wasn't exact sure how. It had engulfed Shuten and the girl and the next thing they knew she was free. /Had Shuten let her go? No, Shuten would never… But then why the solitude? / Since returning Shuten had cut off his link with them, refused to be healed by Yami and simply disappeared. /Why Shuten? What happen? /

Even Anubis seemed to be taking his mind off of Korin in order to focus on the problem at hand. After Arago's destruction the four of them had felt the renewed bounds that once exist between their armors return. It was surprising and sudden as their bickering all but stopped and they actually began to care for one another. /Care… /

The emotion were very new and yet familiar, trust, happiness, joy, sadness, and even love. All of them were feeling it and Rajura found himself looking at his fellow masho in a new light. Naaza and Shuten seemed to be getting along the best in the group were as Anubis… Well Anubis began to see his enemy in a way he probably didn't think possible or intelligent. This seemed very confusing for Yami and though it was clear he had feeling for the blond trooper he seemed unable to except them. Instead he continued to battle the bearer of Korin. Rajura could tell that Anubis would kill Korin no Seiji if given the chance though he was equally sure that Anubis would regret it.

As for himself well Rajura found that a certain priestess was often called to his attention. Her pale skin made him wish to taste it, the dark hair that called for him to touch it. The eyes that begged for love, but she seemed unaware of it. In fact since Arago's demise she seemed to be slipping further and further into the evil that had controlled her. Though at moments she'd snap out of it revealing to Rajura the person he wished her to be. /Naïve, caring, full of wonder and hope. / But despite his efforts to bring more of that personality out Kayura still slipped farther away.

"Rajura-san!" Naaza called turning to look at him.

"Yes." Rajura answered giving his fellow masho all of his attention.

"What do you think happened to Shuten? I'm… I'm worried this isn't like him." Naaza said ringing his hands nervously. Rajura stood abandoning his scrolls.

"I don't know, but don't worry; Shuten can take care of himself. He just needs sometime to sort through things." Rajura told him placing a reassuring hand on the other man's shoulder.

"Sort through what, that's what I don't understand."

"I don't know Naaza, I just don't know."

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

Saya's pain was increasing by the second Seiji could see it in her body as the energy rippled around her. Kaos was right of course it was nothing like the energy of Ojo which enveloped the world, this energy was only affecting Saya, feeding off of her while at the same time renewing her. Her scream ripped through the air yet again the others visibly shaken. /How much longer can this take? / Seiji could sense that she was exhausted and was now well beyond pain.

He took a second to glance back at Kaos still stand where he had been the entire time his eyes unseen her face set in an express of disinterest that even Seiji had to envy.

Suddenly the energy erupted shooting above Saya before crashing back down on her form, but as it did the energy began to shape. Falling upon her in a rhythmic pattern. First the energy wrapped around her shin then knees followed by her waist until it at last reached her head. The power held still before taking on more angular shape, metal covering her shins and insteps. Then strips wrapped around her thighs. On her chest the metal conform to her breast leaving her stomach untouched. Sharp flaring shoulder pads angled form her collar as more metal collected to protect her elbows and wrists. Last the metal about her face metal way from her eyes, and mouth etching around her facial features two thin ax like blades molding from the side of the helmet; tiny holes opening about were her ears would be. In one last flash pattern as if suddenly craved into the ebony metal appeared.

Though it was armor it didn't resemble theirs at all. The two tones layer looked as one the helmet molded to her face perfectly. It looked more plastic then metal as the first layer Ojo entwined with Shinu.

"It is done." Kaos voice seemed heavy with concern as Saya's eyes twitched before open to relieve the same two tone effect only now neither was brown. One was white rimmed black around the pupil the other was black a rim of white around the other pupil. Saya stared motionless for moment for collapsing back to the wall with clank.

"This faint thing…" She began breathlessly. "Is really started to annoy…" her last word never came as her eyes closed again her body started to slip down the plaster.

"Saya!" Touma reached for her Shu helping him slowly lower her to the floor. They check her vital quickly before sighing in relieve.

"She's fine." Touma stated answer the unasked question.

For a minute no one moved all of them including Seiji relieved that she was ok before the obvious question arose from Nasty's.

"Kaos what did you mean when you said Saya would bring chaos?"

The ancient monk turned walking toward the living room.

"Come and bring her we have much to discuss." The group looked at on another before obeying. Touma started to pick up Saya only to have Shu take her and head into the room not bothering to avoid any of the mess on the floor from their earlier battle.

/This shall be interesting, ne? /

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

/I just… Oni, please tell me. I know you can hear me? /Shuten continued to call for his yokio's spirit yeah it would not answer him. It had been hours since their return to Youja Kai and Shuten was still no closer to understanding what that girl or Oni meant.

/^You, Oni no Shuten, must soon decide. ^

^You must soon decide for what reason you exist. ^

^"Do you wish to make your decision now, Oni?"^

^"You are no longer a slave. You now are responsible for your action, Oni no Shuten."^

^I know I will try. ^

^"Oni! If this is what you wish you must convince your bear of it or Shinu will come for both of you."^ / The words played through the red headed warrior's mind over and over again as repetitive as the seasons yet ever time bring something new.

/It is true. I do make my own decisions now. Why is it… why is it that I continue down this path I once fought to avoid. Why do I still wish for things… things that are evil! That brings suffering. /

^It is Arago's poison. Even now it still affects you, his darkness still nudging you toward itself. ^

/Oni… You have come. Please tell me what I should do. /

^ For century you have ignored me Shuten. You have not listened to my cries perhaps it would be best if Shinu did kill you, I could use the rest. ^

/But… /

^I am tried Shuten I wish sleep and Shinu can grant it. ^

/But why? Why would you want sleep? /

^Too much pain, too many evil deeds. I do not wish to see it anymore. I wish to sleep. And perhaps when I am awaked by Ojo in the future I will find a bearer not so easily swayed as you. ^

/Easily swayed… I… I don't wish to die. / Shuten could feel a lump developing in his throat his teeth clutched tightly, his lotus position slowly slipping.

^There is nothing you can do. Besides for what reason do you wish to exist. To bring more death. ^ the word came out as a hiss images of Shuten's past began to ravage his mind only the way in which he viewed them wasn't from his own mind nor from Oni's but instead from the lives he had taken. The pain ripping his soul as he heard every scream, every cried for mercy. ^Is this what you want to live for Shuten? ^ Blood filled his vision time and time again his organ exposed to the world, his eyes echoing the intense pain that cause his deaths. Over and over again he watched his body tighten as the entire world fell into darkness.

^Do not wish to see anymore Shuten, I welcome death. I welcome… Shinu. ^

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

"So this armor isn't from Ningen Sekai or Youja Kai," Ryo confirmed staring down into his cup of coffee, the day's events nowhere near finished.

"That is correct, Rekka. This power though in some ways similar to your own is also very different. Unlike your armor which houses the cleansed spirit of Arago, Saya's armor has two spirit neither one is whole without the other."

"Just like we're not whole without the mashos," Touma said absently fingering the sleeping girl's hair, her head on his lap as they set on the couch. Nasty and Ryo were squished together on the love seat while Seiji was sitting in a reclined just to Touma's left sipping his tea quietly. Shin and Shu were both sitting in front of the TV, Shu in a kitchen chair and Shin on a couple of cushion just in front of him. The only one stand was Kaos posed near the large window while Byaruen lazily cleaned himself in the corner.

"In a sense yes, but no. Unlike the nine armors I created from the cleanse spirit of Arago these two spirits are two completely different entity. One is Ojo the other Shinu or at least that what they have come be called.

"So then before Arago appeared these spirits came to earth for some unknown reason. They lay dormant for a while and then a tribe finds them and then begins to worship them," Shin started to sum up what they knew so far.

"Then along comes this Guizu kid, and the spirits awake up," Shu continued.

"They fuse with him like they did with Saya and then all of these armors started showing up. Ojo judges them as to whether the deserve life or not and…"

"Shinu act accordingly," Touma finished for Ryo.

"Yes, that's correct." Kaos answered turning back toward the window where night would soon be giving way to day.

"But how exactly did the tribe find the spirits? I mean wouldn't they have just thought they were dead?"

"Most likely but that was probably one of the reasons they worshiped them. They were probably frightened especially if they tried to burn them and found that they would burn. Lots of people even to day worship things out of fear," Touma explained watching Shu's blank expression for moment before deciding it was not worth elaborating on.

"That really isn't important anyway what is important is that we plan."

"Seiji is right if the yorois are going to head here to be judged by Ojo then we're going to be in deep shit."

"Is that why the mashos attacked?" Shin asked placing his empty mug on the floor next to him.

"No, the masho and your own armors are already awake. Though you all heard the call your armors our already bound to you."

"So then you're saying that the masho won't come after Saya."

"There is no way to know that. If a yoroi was active before the calling the bearer or yoroi may decide to ignore it or they may not."

"How so Kaos?" Nasty asked jotting thing down in her notepad.

"Each armor and it bearer are different some work together, other use one another, and some converse with each other."

"Converse?! You mean talk to their armors."

"It may seem strange to you Kongo but that is simply because you are not connected to your armor in that way. None of you are neither are the Masho for the most part. You have not opened your minds enough to see that the yorois are alive, sentient. They think, feel and hurt with you whether you are aware of it or not." The room felt silent again as the monk newest revelation was mowed over in their minds.

From what Touma understood so far. Saya had inherited a strange armor meant to judge other armor spirits and their bearers and that the white flash and voice that they heard during was Ojo calling for all of the armor spirits to awaken. This awaking or rebirth of the armors was felt through out all of existence and spanned all dimensions. Once the yorois awaken they would next need to find bearers and then they will began to seek out the one that called them. /Saya… /

Ojo as Kaos explained can talk with the yoroi spirits and see their souls to determine if the yoroi is worth of life or if it should be put back to sleep.

Shinu on the other hand works as the enforcer of Ojo's decision, but in reality just like Tenku and the other armors Ojo and Shinu belong to Saya though they may guide her it is she that is to act on their words. /If she can control them. /

"Kaos, if this has happened before why is it that Ojo is back. I mean if the armors were put to sleep before why reawaken them?"

"Yeah Shin's right the armors that Ojo has awaked have already been judged right? So what is this, a second chance?"

"Yes." Kaos answered looked back at them from brim covered eyes. "It has been thousands of years since they were put to sleep, many will have learned the errors of their ways though others maybe not and new bears will influence the yokois. Do keep in mind my troopers that all now active armors whether awaked by Ojo or not will be called judgment. "

"So then we will be judged," Seiji said somewhere between a question and a statement a listless look on his face while his violet eyes sparked under hanging golden bangs.

"Yes, Korin you are correct even you my trooper will be judged." There was a long pause as they glanced around at one another. "But rest assured your souls and your armors souls are pure. There is no desire to cause evil and suffering present in you, it is that which will move Ojo to judge you unfavorably."

"I just have one more question?" Touma asked looking at the monk inquisitively. "You never told us what happen to the past bearer of this armor. You said that the bearer is immortal like we are, so what happen to him?"

"That is unknown though it is apparent that he died," Disappointment filled Touma face as Shu groan out right. "But it is believed that he committed suicide."

"What?!" Gasp replaced the silence as everyone seemed to be asking the same question though Seiji vocalized it.

"How?"

"There is very little known of this armor and even less known of it bearer, Guizu, but what is known is that he fought alone for many decades. It is believed that the constant fighting wore on his soul and he final disappeared, the signal leading the yorois here to earth vanishing with him."

"I see." Seiji simply answer his calm tone feathering through the air. /I… I can't believe it. I didn't even think of that. / The archer cast his eye down on Saya, the armor still on as she slept a peaceful look on her face. /I don't want you to go through this. You shouldn't have too. /

"Kaos?" Shin called causing Touma to look back to the window where the monk no longer stood.

"Where'd he go?" Shu asked looking around.

"I think he's giving us some time to sort through this," Nasty told them her eyes glued to her notebook. "Besides it is late guys, we should all get some rest."

"Man I'm going to miss my animes. It starts in an hour," Shu grumble look at the clock that read 5:47 am.

"Here we are about to get involved in another long battle to protect earth and your worried about Saturday morning toons?" Shin snapped. Touma sighed not really in the mood to join into the silly argument. Instead his focus was on Saya as he stood lifting her into his arms, preparing to take her upstairs. He grimaced the injured from earlier radiating pain through his body.

"Here," Seiji offered taking Saya from Touma's arms. Touma blinked at the blonde before smiling.

"Thanks." Seiji merely nodded as they started out of the room "Night mina!" Touma waved to them as they started up the stairs.

They received the usual replies as Touma followed just behind Seiji. His mind was reeling with question that he just didn't feel like answering. /Everything will be fine. The guys will protect her. I will protect her. Saya won't be alone. /

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

Seiji laid Saya delicately on the bed her two tone armor reminisces of her eyes, a mixture of dark and light. Touma stood beside the blonde helping him pull back the blankets.

Seiji watched Touma from the corner of his eye as the archer grimaced again. They were all still wear their sub-armors and since Seiji could no longer see the marks on the armor's outside it meant that something must have gone through the armor and to his flesh. /Kayura's first attack maybe. /

Touma set down on the bed casting sad blue eyes to Seiji before returning them to his girlfriend. Seiji felt several pulls in his chest as he noticed Touma's face scrunch up in pain again. Seiji knew not to say anything the blue haired boy would never let him heal the wounds that were hurting him. Touma was stubborn and even when in battle he would only let Seiji heal his wounds if it were absolutely necessary. / "It hurts you to heal other people, and I hate to see you in pain Seiji-san." /

Seiji watched the scene for a few more moment seeing how the archer was trying to hide his pain. A sudden idea fell upon the blonde as he noticed how Touma was looking at Saya. His eyes screaming `I will protect her.' Seiji knew this look; so many times he'd looked at Seiji in this same way. This look which promised he'd give his life before every losing one of his friends. The swordsman's mind screamed with jealousy as he desire that look to fall upon him once more.

"Touma!" The whisper filled the silent room. Touma looked up at his a fake smile gracing his full, pink lips.

"Yeah."

"You're hurt; I can see it when you move. Let me take a look." Touma quickly looked away before saying.

"I'm fine really Seiji it's almost..."

"Touma!"

"Really I'm fine," Touma tried again.

"Is it really that bad?" Seiji questioned known from experience how Touma reacted to these situations.

"Seiji I,"

"Just let me take a look, ok?" Touma looked over his shoulder to the blonde trooper before bowing his head in defeat. Why Touma always objected so adamantly still someway shocked Seiji of course Touma would never do it in front of the others. They were more sensible about the healing thing. They understood that it was needed in order to complete their mission but Touma despite his ever logical brain allowed his concern for Seiji's well being and his low self worth for himself over ride the logic.

Sighing Touma nodded his sub-armor disappearing with a whisper. The instant it disappeared Seiji saw the drying rust colored stain covering Touma white shirt sticking to his torso. Seiji eyed the wound holding in the yell that was threaten to escape his lips. /Damn it now I have no choice but to follow through. If Touma won't let me heal him for me or for himself then… /

"Touma, how can you be so careless?"

"…" Touma opened his mouth to put forth some kind rebuttal but Seiji silence it with three fingers to the archer lips. Touma's eyes widen as uncomprehending look spreading across his features.

"No objections Touma. Think of Saya. She's needs you to be strong." /God this hurts. / "And for that you need to be healed and rested." /Come on Seiji hold it in, but damn the lips, that look. I could kiss you right now Touma… I want to so badly. /

Touma considered Seiji's words while the swordsman realized his finger were still upon the archer lips. Quickly he pulled away the desire to touch more then Touma's lips growing by the second.

"But Seiji you're too tired and…"

"I'm fine trust me now hold still and let me help you," Seiji stated as he called forth his armor placing his hand over Touma's chest. Slowly the armors soft green light engulfed them. Saya stirred just a little her but Seiji paid no attention. This was the closest he could get to Touma. Through his power he could see into Touma's souls. Warm and bright despite the rough edge created from his past. A past that very few knew about, in which the blue haired youth had seen horror very few would suspect especial considering Touma personality.

All too soon the healing was completed though the warrior of Korin didn't pull away. Slowly he reached further smooth some of the other's worry and fear. /Fear… /

Seiji knew what Touma feared. Seiji couldn't count how many time the six of them had come close to death during the past year. The things that they had gone through would be unimaginable to most people. And now they were about to face something which sounded even worse. /Just how many yorois are there? Countless perhaps. /

The blond shook off the dreadful thoughts before pulling away from Touma's soul. Slowly his eyes began to focus, the angelic face of Touma right in front of him. His skin as pale like moonlight his lips slightly parted as if begging to be kissed. While his eyes remained closed Seiji soaked in the image filing it away for future reference. /God, he so… no! Stop it. She's right there how can you forget that his given his heart to someone else, how can you be so stupid. /

"Thanks Seiji," Touma looked up at him his eyes opening, long lashes pulling back like a curtain to exposed sparkling blue eyes that held an abundance of mystery and wisdom.

"No problem Touma, but get some rest. I'll do the same," Seiji stood up heading for the door. /Must leave, must get away from him. /

"You're not staying here?" Touma asked sleep dripping from his words.

"No, I'll let you to have some privacy," Seiji said using his last bit of control to monitor his voice.

"Alright then," Touma smiled a weary grin. "Night."

"Good night Tou." Seiji flicked off the light to the guestroom as he watched Touma slide onto his side next to Saya her armored body slowly rising and falling as a whisper seeping from her white lips.

An all too familiar pain webbed through his chest as Touma pull Saya closer to him. /It hurts, I want to be there! Why can I have that, why can I have you? / Quickly the blond closed the door, the longing for his best friend burning along side his jealousy as he trudge toward his and Touma's empty room. /I want him so badly. I was wrong this is more then lust it's… /

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

Uncurling on the cool, damp floor Shuten glanced about his eyes unfocused as myriads of unwanted memories flooded back to him.

"No…" the masho's voice came out as a whimper his body aching as if he'd been in a battle. /A battle for my soul… /

Screams pummeled his ears, dead haunting eyes slashing through his soul.

"Why…" /Oni please make it stop, please stop. /

^Only death can stop this pain, and it is what we both deserve. Give in Shuten. ^ Oni whispered, a bit of regret evident in its voice.

/Death, do I really deserve death? /

^It will end this pain. Do you not agree that we have both suffered enough? ^ Shuten paused trying to calm his turbulent mind.

"No, for what I've done… For not being strong enough to fight Arago's power. For allowing myself to become… this I deserve much worse."

^Worse… ^

/I must fix things, before…

^You, Oni no Shuten, must soon decide. ^ That girl…

^You must soon decide for what reason you exist. ^ I must see her again.

^"Do you wish to make your decision now, Oni? You are no longer a slave. You are now responsible for your action, Oni no Shuten."^ /

^She can grant us relief from this pain. ^ Oni stated the seemingly lifeless armor appearing before him, focusing blank unseen eyes upon him.

/^"If this is what you wish you must convince your bear of it or Shinu will come for both of you."^ /

"Death isn't what you wish, is it Oni?"

^No, I only seek peace for my soul and for my bearer. But if death is the only way your heart can find peace Shuten then that is what I wish. ^

The red headed masho eyes widen before narrowing.

"Then peace you shall have."

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

Saya blinked her eyes grasping onto blurry images that all seemed vaguely familiar. Closing her eyes again she noticed the light sound of someone breathing just above her head the smell of light, fresh cologne washing over her. /Touma's… / Turning her head ever so gently Saya saw his neck first smooth pale skin slipping her under… /Wow no shirt now that's nice. / Saya watched his chest rise and fall for a few minutes afraid that if she looked up her movements might wake him. Smile she took note of the fact that his arms were wrapped around her torso protectively. /Probably was afraid I sneak off again. Not that I'm complaining… This is the third time I gotten to wake beside you, Aoi-chan. /

A stray shoot of pain ripped through Saya's body from hips to neck. She gritted her teeth holding in the gasp as it slowly faded. /What was that? /

^It will take sometime before your body can completely accept our joining, ^ Ojo told her softly.

^It is all that damned monk's fault. We should…^

/No, I'm fine really, I'm sure Kaos didn't mean any harm. / Saya thought trying to figure out how to untangle herself from Touma without waking him. The spirits' voices reminding her of just what she had become. /Yoroi… /

Slowly she pulled away his hands sliding across her body, she reached out holding his hands as she moved to leave the bed. Gentle Saya laid his hands beside him.

She studies him for a minute, the meager light from outside washing over his form clad in only shorts. She hated leaving the scene after all this was only the third time she woken up next to him. /I could really get use to this. / Sighing she shook her head casting off the dreamy look she felt filing her eyes. She leaned down pulling the comforter at the end of the bed up to cover her boyfriend noting how his blue hair fell around his face.

She looked over at the small wooden clock on the nightstand beside her that's hands read 7:09 am. Holding off the stretch her body ached for she turned around grabbing her laptop bag and some cloths before exiting the room.

"Night, love." Her whisper faded out of the room as she closed the door with an audible click. /Stupid door! /

TBC……

D.L. Well another chapter is done, at last things are final starting to roll, ne? Heheehee I love inserting Japanese a random spot don't you? Anyway I got a question for all of you do you think this is a Mary Sue fic? Let me know I won't get mad I promise.

Shu: Yes she will.

Naaza: Yep.

D.L.: I will not I really want to know. I think when people read the first page they assume that this is going to be a Mary Sue, were all the guys love Saya and there are all these fights over who get to have her. Then she'd get this super armor that could kick all the other Trooper's yorois butts and…

Saya: Wait you mean my armor can beat all of theirs butts?

D.L.: Of course not what fun would that be?

Saya: But I want to be all powerful so that I can protect Touma.

Ryo: Oh isn't that cute she wants to protect you.

Touma: Shut up! And Saya don't worry I can that care of myself really. No worries.

Seiji: Sure Touma, look at all those fic out there. You been kidnapped more times then I'd like to count; you've been beat, and turned evil. You're an even better victim then Shin.

Shin: Hey watch it.

Nasty: That's because Tou is one of the most popular characters.

Shu: And he's a wimp.

Touma: You take that back! I am not!

Anubis: He's right. Ne, Korin?

Seiji: I'm not getting involved.

D.L: Well now that they have gotten everyone completely sidetracked I'll say bye.

Shuten: Oh and don't forget to review or D.L. might get discouraged and think no one likes her.

Rajura: She's is so dramatic about that.

D.L.: I am not, oh and for all of you that are reviewing. I hear you, though I can't promise anything rest assured I got some great ideas. Anubis!! Seiji!!

Anubis, Seiji: Nani?