Utena, Revolutionary Girl Fan Fiction ❯ Love's Honor ❯ Chapter Thirteen ( Chapter 13 )

[ T - Teen: Not suitable for readers under 13 ]

Chapter Thirteen

(How . . . touching. I suppose I should have expected the
Red Tyger to have the charisma to sway his clan,) came the
silent words as violet eyes scanned over the scene. A
slight breeze ruffled short-cut brunette hair; the teenaged
girl tossed her head to get the stray forelock out of her
way. A faintly hungry expression glowed deep within her
eyes as she watched the highland lord gracefully mount up on
his white horse. Were her heart not devoted to her poor,
captured love, she'd be tempted to see if Lord Touga's
reputation was a deserved one.

That thought, however, made her blood suddenly run cold.
Nervously nibbling on her lower lip, the young woman turned
her gaze to watch as the rose-haired lady dressed in mannish
attire climbed up onto the saddle perched atop her
buff-colored mare. (Please, by all that's holy, *tell* me
where the sword is kept! I've waited so long to hear, and
every day *he* suffers so . . .)

How long she had played at this, she could no longer say.
Months, at the very least, and with each cycle of the moon
her despondence had grown. All of this was so far beneath
her! But for love, she'd endure even the fires of Hell if
it saw her beloved safe.

"Shiori! Stop standing there mooning and mount up," came a
somewhat strident voice.

(Wakaba . . .) The girl addressed narrowed her gaze,
suppressing a growl. Were there not so much at stake, she
would have put the plain-appearing brunette in her place
long ago. "I was just getting to that," Shiori responded,
plastering a fake smile on her pretty face. Swinging
effortlessly up onto the saddle, the violet-eyed servant
took a moment to glance back at the ancestral home of the
Kiryuu prince.

The clanmembers were still gathered there, some talking
amongst themselves while others stared at their
soon-to-depart lord. Though most had been initially stunned
at the news -- and a number of the older warriors had tried
to argue their lord's decisions -- the gorgeous redheaded
chieftain had calmly explained his reasons for his choices.
All knew that ties of blood were the most binding of all,
and to have their neighbors in such an alliance at a time
when there was danger from the south made even the most
obstinate of the Kiryuu reconsider.

And Nanami was there as well, looking as brave as possible
as she waved farewell to her older brother. Behind her,
like a protective shadow, stood the other highland
chieftain; Lord Kyouichi had been talked into accompanying
his foster brother back to Kiryuu Keep. Though Shiori was
under the impression it was to somehow help Lord Touga in
his bid to convince his clan of the correctness of his
choice, she also had the idea that it was to also have
someone there for Nanami to turn to should the Ohtori move
into battle before expected. (Poor girl's probably going to
need it,) Shiori thought. After all, none of them had a
clue what it was with which they were messing.

But she knew. She glanced down at the golden ring on her
hand, the symbol of her promise. Fear spiked through her
again as she thought about the horrors her beloved could be
facing at that very moment, horrors possible because she had
yet to discover what she must.

Eyes the color of the sea looked upwards at the overcast
sky. Though the day looked to be off to a gloomy start as
far as the weather was concerned, Utena still had a smile on
her face. They were about to embark for the Rose Arbor, and
that alone brought a thrill of excitement. Perhaps, at long
last, her quest neared its end. Turning in the saddle, she
lowered her gaze to take in the sight of the scarlet-maned
lord astride the horse she remembered was called Blizzard.
How wonderful he looked, hale and whole again, an echoing
smile on his handsome visage. Then she thought of Ryu, his
absence once again poignant as she saw what remained of her
companions gathering around her. Her smile wilted. "My
lord, did you send poor Ryu back home?"

Touga nodded, his own expression becoming somber. "Aye, the
Kiryuu warriors that are his escort left just after sunrise.
They'll see to it that he makes it home to his mother."
Considering that the young man had fallen trying to protect
his lady, it was the least he could do. He was confident
his men could get the remains there despite the distance to
the Tenjou holdings in the southern kingdom.

Utena nodded in an answering response, the plump plume
decorating her soft hat floating on the breeze stirred up by
her movement. Touching a foot against her mare's flank, the
rose-haired warrioress moved closer to the highlander.
"Your people took your news well for the most part," she
remarked.

"There are some who aren't happy, mostly those who continue
to hold a grudge against the Saionji," Touga responded. "I
may never convince some of them of the good of this. The
others, however, can see the advantage of us being able to
present a united front against anyone seeking to harm us.
Aye, some may resent having to share resources with them,
especially in a year where we may come under attack, but
most know that we have better odds if we have the Saionji
firmly on our side. I have faith that while we are gone to
recover the sword, my sister and Saionji will be able to
further convince the clan that this is a good idea." Of the
two clans involved, his foster brother's clan had been more
accepting of the situation, especially after receiving the
news that their lord was once again a sovereign prince,
beholden to no one but himself.

"It would probably be in everyone's best interest to hasten
on our task," the lowlander girl responded. "Do you still
feel the Rose Gate's location?"

Closing cobalt-blue eyes for a moment, Touga searched within
himself. There . . . "That way," he replied, twisting in
the saddle and pointing to the horizon off to the northeast.
The echo of the vision was still there, urging him forward
to . . . something.

Violet eyes narrowing slyly, Shiori gave her fellow
handmaiden a swift glance. Determining that Wakaba was too
involved in some silly conversation with Tatsuya to notice,
the short-haired brunette nudged her mount so that the
dark-colored palfrey took a few steps closer to where the
pair of nobles were talking. Mentally repeating a desperate
prayer, the older girl strained her hearing to catch what
they were saying.

(Aye, that's the direction,) Utena silently agreed. "Aye,"
she repeated out loud, a hint of a smile tugging up the
corners of her expressive lips. "As you know, it's a
three-day ride to Grove. From there, to the east into the
depths of Greenwood Forest, we will find a trail that will
take us into the wilds and, at the end of four days, the
Rose Gate itself."

(Grove.) Touga frowned slightly, calling the fortress there
to mind. Essentially the southeastern outpost of the
Arisugawa lands, it lay on the very edge of civilization.
From there, in the direction of the rising sun, were only
the savage wilds and the Fey, along with all the other
dangers in the woods beyond the control of mortal man.
Glancing at his frail-seeming companion, he could only stare
in wonder as he realized that she had made this trip once
before, when she was even younger than she was now. "So all
we need to do is travel to Grove and then follow the trail
that leads eastward for four days?"

"Aye, that's all we need do," Utena responded.

It took all of her will to not let her emotions show.
Unable to believe her good luck, Shiori suddenly felt
practically giddy with joy. Grove! They were going to
Grove, *his* capitol, though the fortress would be so empty
without his dear presence there. Who would have known that
the sword would have been so close? Not only that, but she
could possibly appeal to the Golden Panther for assistance;
after all, that one had a stake in the situation. A hint of
a sly smile crossed the handmaiden's lips. She'd much
rather deal with the Arisugawa then deal with the somewhat
frightening Ebon Phoenix.

Hearing his pink-haired companion's words, the Kiryuu prince
mentally nodded in acknowledgment, then twisted in the
saddle to glance back at his younger sister and the somber
man who would soon be her husband. Saionji and he had
talked far into the night about the situation between the
clans and this journey of his. He was confident that his
childhood friend would do everything in his power to keep
both groups safe and to assist Nanami. (And, God willing,
Saionji and my sister will be able to come to an accord. I
know they'll be good for one another so long as they manage
to do so.) Noticing the younger Kiryuu waving -- and
looking like her world was coming to an end -- Touga smiled
and waved back, hoping to reassure her. Then he turned away
and gave Blizzard the signal to start. With the wind in his
hair, the highland chieftain set off in the direction from
which the Rose Gate was calling to him, the rest of the
party traveling with him following in his wake.
________________

The water felt good, the cool liquid washing off the dust
from the dirt track they were following as it splashed
merrily back into the mirror-like lake. Cupping her hands
together, Utena drew out more water, this time drinking it
from her careful grasp. Nearby, Wakaba was refreshing
herself in much the same manner while in the near distance,
the sounds of men's voices revealed where the Kiryuu prince
and his escort of a half-dozen men were preparing a hasty
noon-time meal.

"Ah, that feels wonderful," the spunky servant happily
sighed, crouching back on her heels as she glanced about the
surrounding forest with her brown-eyed gaze. They'd been on
the move since an hour after dawn, and Wakaba found it quite
the pleasure to get out of the saddle for a short while.

"Indeed it does," Utena agreed before taking another drink
of water from her cupped hands.

"So tell me, my lady," the ponytailed girl asked, turning
her attention to the noblewoman that employed her, "what are
you going to do should you achieve this quest?" In all
honesty, Wakaba could easily see how taken her lady was with
the dashing highlander -- the men of the rugged northlands
were quite attractive, especially a certain green-haired
prince -- and she couldn't help but worry about Lady Utena.
From what she'd been able to hear from the other servants,
Wakaba knew that Lord Touga wasn't exactly known for his
loyalty when it came to women. However, he had passed her
lady's tests, which had made Wakaba wonder if she ought to
rethink her position on what sort of man the scarlet-maned
prince truly was.

"Well, I've agreed to return to Kiryuu Keep and be a guest
of Lord Touga's hospitality for a while," Utena replied,
getting to her feet and brushing off her trews.

"But what about your holdings, my lady?" Wakaba asked,
realizing just how deep the other girl's infatuation must
run.

"My stewards have handled things well for over a year
already," the lowlander noble responded. "A few months more
wouldn't hurt anything. After all, I went into this
expecting it to take quite a bit of time." Glancing about,
Utena suddenly frowned as she realized that the gregarious
servant was the only other person about. "Where's Shiori,
Wakaba? Did you see where she went?"

Startled, the brunette frowned as well, scanning over the
forested area with her brown gaze. "No, my lady," Wakaba
replied, racking her brain in an attempt to recall just when
was the last time she'd seen the older handmaiden. Shiori
had remained mounted, mentioning something about needing the
privacy of some bushes. "Perhaps she finished seeing to her
needs and returned to the camp while we were washing up?"
she suggested.

That certainly made sense. Feeling a small sense of relief,
Utena walked back over to her mount and untied the reins
from the small tree to which it had been tied. "Then let's
return as well." Taking her palfrey's reins in hand, the
slender noble retraced her steps back to where the men were
eating, her faithful servant following along with the other
mare in tow.

"I still don't exactly like it, my lord," one of the Kiryuu
warriors was saying between mouthfuls of the roll he was
eating. Though most of the escort were young men in the
prime of their life, the one speaking was one of the older
men, a veteran of many a raid and battle. "You could have
used your sister to gain more land or more wealth, but
instead you offer her to our former enemy. Have you
forgotten that it was the Saionji who started the conflict
between us?"

Before the Red Tyger could respond to his follower's words,
one of the other Kiryuu spoke up. "No one's forgotten about
that, but it's over and done, Hikaru."

"There's no excuse for not only rescinding their servitude,
but also giving them half our wealth *and* Lady Nanami," the
battle-scarred man growled, scowling at the black-haired
warrior that had spoken. "They only got what they deserved,
and now it's been utterly undone. Thieves and murderers
shouldn't be rewarded."

"I would rather help a neighbor I know than watch them fall
to someone I don't know. Give me the familiar over the
unfamiliar any day," Michiyo said, speaking up. The
sandy-haired man, one of those who had survived the ambush,
gestured toward the general direction in which the Saionji
lands lay. "They were desperate then, their lands not
supporting them as well as ours support us -- "

"They stole our cattle, our crops, our daughters," Hikaru
countered with a growl. "And they killed our brothers and
our followers -- "

"And we broke them," Michiyo replied. "But now we face an
even greater threat, and we need allies such as the Saionji.
They know these lands as well as we, and they are steadfast
warriors. We face a common possible foe from an area beyond
our homelands. If they should fall, then our own chances
are that much more tenuous. They were in that ambush as
well, and in that moment, it didn't matter who was Saionji
and who was Kiryuu. All those that fell were defending all
of us."

Touga leaned back against the rough bark of the tree behind
him, back propped against it as if it were a sturdy chair.
Taking a bite from the slice of cheese he held in his hand,
he continued to watch as his clansmen talked amongst
themselves about his earlier announcements to them.

"He's got a point," remarked one of the other Kiryuu, a
young warrior around the same age as their redheaded lord.
"If the Ohtori are determined to come up here, then we stand
a better chance fighting with the Saionji then standing
alone."

"And if they're as impoverished as our lord says they are,
they won't be as strong of help as they could be," another
of the younger clansmen added. "We've more then enough to
sustain ourselves though the summer is embroiled in warfare.
We help feed the Saionji and not only will they be at their
best, they'll owe us besides."

"They were our *enemy*," Hikaru reiterated, sounding
frustrated.

"They paid dearly for it already," the sandy-haired Michiyo
replied, his voice sounding every bit as stubborn. He'd
seen both the Saionji and their lord in action and he knew
he'd much rather have them fighting at his side then against
him. "Now it's time to put that behind us and stand united
against the Ohtori should the Phoenix come calling. Once
the crisis is over, the marriage will keep them on our side.
They will be kin by blood."

That had the younger Kiryuu nodding in agreement. One of
the unwritten but sacred traditions of life was that bonds
of blood were the most honored of all. In an uncertain
world, family was all you could rely upon for assistance;
kinfolk looked out for one another, and the most despised
person was one who turned on his own family.

"They killed our men," Hikaru stubbornly insisted.

"And we killed theirs, but they've also lost many to the
disease and starvation their war brought to them. Once Lord
Kyouichi and Lady Nanami are wed, they would be fighting
their own brothers should they take up arms again, and no
sane man would do so," the raven-haired Kiryuu man
responded.

That brought another round of head nodding by the other less
seasoned warriors, though the older man looked like he was
becoming disgusted at the younger generation. From what the
others had seen of the green-haired lord, it would be
unlikely that the Saionji would be despicable enough to
attack those who had become family -- at least as a whole,
and so long as the Kiryuu gave them the aid brothers were
expected to extend. No more Kiryuu should die at the hands
of their neighbors, making the world a slightly safer place.

Touga opened his mouth to take another bite of his cheese,
but movement caught his attention. Turning his head, he
smiled as he saw the boyishly-clad noblewoman return with
her servant. "Ah, there you are. Lunch is awaiting you."
Then the smile faltered, becoming an expression of
puzzlement. "Where is your other handmaiden, my lady?"

Utena grimaced in worry. Looking about, all she could see
were the Kiryuu clansmen. "Shiori's not here with you, my
lord?" she asked, equally confused.

The Red Tyger shook his head in denial. "No, and I've not
seen her since she left with you to take care of your
needs."

"But I thought she had returned . . ." the lowlander
warrioress replied, her expression turning to one of deep
concern.

"We've seen nary a hair of her, my lady," one of the Kiryuu
said, his words echoed by all the others.

"Then where is she?" Utena asked, glancing to the equally
worried appearing Wakaba.
________________

Hooves thundered down the deer track that wove between the
massive trunks of ancient trees and the thick underbrush
that grew in the shadows of the giants. Glancing back over
her shoulder for what had to be the millionth time, Shiori
looked for any sign of pursuit, her violet eyes searching
for a hint of movement behind her. So far, there had been
none, and she was beginning to think that she had indeed
slipped away from the lowlander woman and her highlander
acquaintance. Considering that she had ridden for quite a
distance within a streambed, it should be quite a while --
if ever -- before the Kiryuu discovered her palfrey's
tracks.

The masquerade was over. Somehow, she *had* to get someone
to get their hands on the magic sword, but she knew she
could far more trust the Arisugawa chieftain then she could
the beautiful but eerie Ohtori prince. If she could somehow
convince the Arisugawa to get the sword first, then maybe
the return of her beloved would be even more guaranteed.
After all, no one messed with the Golden Panther if they
could avoid it.

Lord Akio had come close to snatching the lowlander girl,
but in the ensuing battle, Shiori had been equally at risk
as the rest. That fight had opened her eyes, made her
realize that she was expendable after all. Thoughts of the
Ohtori prince getting his hands on the sword he so badly
wanted and then killing her beloved anyway spurred Shiori
onward, sweat beading on her brow beneath her brunette
bangs. Getting the Golden Panther involved would surely
force the dark-skinned lord to release his captive once he
had gotten what he wanted.

That sword would need to become the property of the
Arisugawa chieftain before Lord Touga and Lady Utena came to
claim it . . .
________________

There was no sign of her at all. It was as if she had
vanished off the face of the earth.

Her heart heavy, Utena twisted in the saddle and looked
behind herself once more. Somewhere, out there in the dense
foliage of the evergreens, was her handmaiden. Inwardly
cursing at the necessity of continuing on without Shiori,
the young warrioress turned her attention back to the path
ahead. What had happened? Where could she be? Why was
there no evidence of where she had gone? A hundred such
questions filled her mind as she rode on behind the equally
silent Red Tyger.

Next to her, glancing at the rose-haired maiden in concern,
the normally exuberant Wakaba was silent. She could tell
from her mistress's face alone how disturbed she was at the
sudden disappearance of the older servant. Bad enough
knowing that the dashing Lord Kyouichi was being wedded to
the younger Kiryuu, but seeing her lady in such a state made
Wakaba's heart ache. "I'm sure she'll turn up somewhere, my
lady," the handmaiden softly said hoping to cheer the other
girl up.

"I hope she's all right. How I dislike having to leave her
behind," Utena responded, her voice sounding weary.

"Everyone tarried as long as we dared," Wakaba reminded.
"And no one looking found any sign of her, though the Kiryuu
did their best."

"I know, Wakaba," the lowlander noble sighed.

"I'm very sorry, but it couldn't be helped," Touga said,
turning enough in the saddle to look back at the two riding
behind him. "The longer we delay -- "

" -- The greater the risk that Lord Akio could prevent us
from achieving Love's Honor," Utena finished, nodding. She
understood the risks and the reasons, but she still worried
about her lost lady in waiting's well-being.

"Correct," Touga responded, though he continued to mull over
the mysterious happenings. A thought came to him, one that
made a cold shiver run down his spine. "Lady Utena, how
long has Shiori been in your employ?"

"For only a few months, my lord. She came stumbling in
during the winter snows, begging for assistance and saying
that she had escaped cruel treatment from a former mistress.
I couldn't turn her away," the kind-hearted maiden
responded. "And since none came to demand her back, I kept
her in my custody."

(Only since the winter?) Touga echoed, still feeling that
chill. "When in the winter, my lady? Do you recall?" he
asked, his voice taking on an undertone of demand.

"If it pleases, my lord, Shiori was found a week past
Midwinter's Day," Wakaba spoke up, answering in her lady's
stead. In all honesty, there was something about Shiori
that put Wakaba on edge almost every time they were in one
another's company. When no one else was around, Shiori had
carried herself as if she were better, as if she were a
noble instead. From the look in Lord Touga's dark blue
eyes, he must suspect that there was more to the now missing
woman than was first believed.

"Aye, that's right," Utena confirmed, then blinked in
surprise as the color seemed to drain from the handsome
lord's face. "Whatever's the matter, my lord?"

Half a day wasted, looking for the girl. Half a day in
which they were delayed. The Kiryuu prince inwardly cursed,
hoping that they hadn't somehow given the others also
seeking the sword an advantage. "I hope 'tis nothing, my
lady, but I fear the girl may have been a spy for those also
looking for what we seek."

"What do you mean?" the lowlander asked, a feeling of dread
coming over her.

"Somehow those men that ambushed us knew you were traveling
with Saionji and me. And now your lady in waiting, one that
you know not where she comes from nor have you known her
long, goes missing."

"Perhaps those also seeking the power took her?" Utena
suggested, fear showing on her beautiful face.

"Were they in a mood to be taking people, they would have
taken you," Touga pointed out After all, only he and the
rose-haired lady knew that he now possessed the Champion's
brooch. "No, to be safe, we must assume she has ridden on
to notify those to whom she reports." Once the girl told
them the latest news, what would Ohtori do? Would he swoop
down to make another attempt to grab the key Touga now held?
Would he take the chance to strike swift and hard against
the Saionji and the Kiryuu, knowing that the latter was
being watched over by Lady Nanami? Would he do both,
splitting his forces between two objectives? Turning his
gaze once again solely to the path they followed, the Red
Tyger urged Blizzard on to a faster pace. If they were to
have any reasonable chance at all against one wielding dark
powers, then he must be confirmed as the new Champion. He
could not fail this, nor could he allow Ohtori to gain more
of an advantage than he already had. "Come, my lady!" he
called out to the one riding in his wake. "We must hurry.
Already we have lost half a days's travel."

She didn't want to believe it, but she had to admit that
what her scarlet-maned companion feared could be true.
Frowning in both worry and dismay, Utena tapped her heels to
her palfrey's flanks, urging the mare to a speed that
matched that of the Kiryuu prince's mount. They needed to
reach the Rose Arbor, swiftly, before Lord Akio's plans
could be carried out.
________________

Emerald eyes swept over the sight, the corner of a mouth
twisted up into a grin. At long last, he stood here before
the Rose Gate with a way to get beyond the massive stone
doors. It was easy to come here -- it always was -- for he
retained the ability to walk within shadow and the feel of
this place was always in the back of his mind. Unlike his
other, weaker half, he still had some of his lingering power
though he too was encased in mortal flesh and bone.

The gateway was impressive, a pair of smooth pink-veined
white marble doors upon which were carved the stylized
insignia of a rose within a circle. In the center of the
right-hand door, a large handle with a circular depression
at its top protruded. Around him were the shadows of the
deep woodland glade, this entryway seemingly out of place in
so wild an area. But he knew where this would lead, back to
that place where he truly belonged.

Nimble hands opened the pin of the tarnished silver brooch,
swinging it away from the blackened disk of metal. The
slender rod jutting outward, those same fingers then held
the brooch steady as he set the piece of jewelry into the
circular depression, the pin sliding into the deeper stone
sheath meant for it. Before now, the way had been barred to
him, the dark reflection of the Champion's brooch that was
his only link -- aside from his physical appearance -- to
what he had once been not good enough to unlock the gate.
But all that had changed now, the way being opened by the
claiming of the true brooch. Hearing the faint *snick*, his
smile grew a bit wider as he gave the handle a turn, his
skin dark against the white stone.

It rotated to the left, as he expected it would. Letting
go, he could hear the sudden sound of running water, though
he knew one couldn't see the waters that flowed. Slowly the
Rose Gate began to move, transforming, the marble grinding
against itself as the twin panels swung outward and up
smoothly. Behind them, two gates of sharp-tipped metal
grilles slid past one another, one to each side. High
above, the petals of a large stone rose reached up toward
the boughs of the surrounding forest; he looked up at the
sight for a moment, the wind playfully ruffling his long,
pale-lavender hair, then lowered his gaze to the now open
entrance.

Stairs greeted him, a flight made of the same marble as the
gateway, the thorny vines and fragrant blooms of a rainbow
of roses entwined about the bannister of the stairs that
zigzagged upwards through the thick forest. He took a
moment to breathe in the sweet scent of the flowers; she
always did love the things, and he had loved them because
she had. The smile still on his gorgeous face, Lord Akio
began the walk up the long flight of steps.

An archway awaited him, the graceful curve and rose emblem
at the top of it shattered. Though broken, the two halves
still rested against one another, the massive lanterns
hanging from each post illuminating the area around the base
of the arch. He passed through the shattered entry, emerald
eyes scanning over the place beyond.

A sea of roses stretched out before him, all red, the color
of blood. Narrow pathways crisscrossed the area between the
well-tended bushes; the fragrance was almost overpowering.
In the center of the scarlet sea a lone figure stood, her
dark purple hair and brown skin making her stand out from
the ruddy hue surrounding her. At the moment, she was bent
over slightly, watering the flowers in her care.

Seeing her there made some intense emotion stir within him,
but whether it was love or hate, Akio couldn't say. Both
were merely sides of the same coin, after all. Regardless,
he could no more remain unmoved at the sight of her then
could this flesh and blood body of his stop breathing. He
wanted to rush to her, but was uncertain whether he intended
to hug and kiss her passionately or wring her neck when he
reached her side. Instead, he merely walked calmly toward
her, determined to remain in control as he made his way
between the lush foliage of the bushes.

The slender figure, clad in a regal gown of a hue that
matched the surrounding roses, straightened; a stray gust of
wind danced over the area, tossing blood-red petals into the
air, rippling Akio's mane of light hair even as it tossed
about the long, straight strands of the woman's locks.
Though the gold-accented bodice of her dress fit snugly,
showing to an advantage her feminine charms, the skirt of
the gown was full, voluminous, obscuring the shape of the
rest of her. Atop her head, like the rays of a brilliant
sun, a tiara of golden points glittered from among the deep
violet of her hair. Turning to face the newcomer, she
smiled.

Akio noted the expression of happiness even as he realized
that the leaf-green eyes staring back at him were devoid of
any and all emotion. She was just as he remembered, save
for the lack of light deep within her large, beautiful eyes.
So she too had changed by what she had wrought, but in what
manner?

He had returned; of that she could not be mistaken. The
same dusky skin and magnificent form, the same
heartbreakingly gorgeous face, the same silvery-lavender
hair -- though he looked older, more . . . worldly. Her
heart should have been leaping in utter joy, but she no
longer had a heart -- that object had fled with her soul.
And he seemed different inside as well, changed in a manner
she couldn't quite describe. (My poor beloved, how
mortality has affected you.)

Akio stopped before the graceful woman, looking her over
with eyes as well as mind. (A shell, a projection . . .
Gone is the soul within?) Looking into her vacant eyes, he
knew that to be the case. What he faced now was merely a
doll, an automaton. Holding out a brown-skinned hand, he
spoke a single word, "Anshii."

"My dearest beloved," the tender of the roses replied,
reaching out and resting her graceful hand atop his. "When
I sensed the presence of one brought by the brooch to this
place, I had prayed that it would be you to climb the
stairs. Welcome home." Still the smile remained upon her
lips, the leaf-green gaze equally devoid of life.

"Long have I waited for this moment," Akio responded,
changing his hold upon Anshii's hand to lift the back of it
to his lips in a greeting that was more sensual then
respectful. She may be a heartless doll, but if enough of
the true Anshii remained, she would react as he expected.
"To return whence I belong and see you once more, to have a
chance to mend what was done."

Anshii remained standing there, unmoved by the tall lord's
gesture, her hand still held in his loose grasp. "The
sundering can be fixed?" she asked, her voice carrying the
same flatness of emotion as her eyes.

"Aye, but there are things I need, Anshii."

The faintest stirring of emotion, the tinge of a look of
hopefulness. "What do you need, beloved?"

Akio mentally smirked. How well he knew her, that even this
shadow of what she once had been would leap at the chance to
undo what had been done. A look of heartfelt pleading on
his handsome face, the pale haired noble replied, "The
sword, Anshii."

Another subtle undercurrent of what passed for emotion, this
time it was uncertainty upon the rose tender's otherwise
vacant face. "But the sword . . ."

"Come now, Anshii. You've been holding it for me. Look at
me. You know who I am, who I was."

Still she hesitated, uncertain. The sword was for her
Champion, and the one standing here had the look and feel of
her lost beloved -- yet there was still something that
didn't seem right. She had always trusted him before, so
why was this moment any different?

"Everything can be restored, but to do so, I need the
sword," the Ebon Phoenix reiterated. Staring at her
tenderly, he added, "Knowing the whole of you, I love you."

She returned his gaze. He was mortal now -- powerful and
still wielding some magic, but still mortal. Should
something happen to him, he could be lost forever as was the
fate of any other born into the physical world. By her own
hand, he was now less then what he had once been. If there
was some way to take it all back . . . "And though you know
the whole of the world, I love you," Anshii softly said in
reply.

He held out his arms to her. "The sword, Anshii . . ." He
saw the surrender in her posture, read the tinge of
acceptance there on her beautiful face, and made ready to
catch her slender form. Her eyes closed as a brilliant
light suddenly appeared over her cleavage, a mystic breeze
swirling around them as magic awoke in response to her will.
Anshii arched backwards, falling, even as the golden hilt of
a ruby-adorned sword emerged seemingly impossibly from her
heart. Catching her with one strong arm, Akio reached over
and grasped the golden wire-wrapped handle. With practiced
ease, the Ebon Phoenix drew the glittering blade from its
living sheath; the shining silver-colored blade cut through
the air as Akio swept the weapon down and outward, reveling
in the familiar heft and weight of the sword.

At long last, he once more held Love's Honor. He would be
able to finish his plans. Glancing down at the
expressionless face of the still-bent woman he held, he gave
the hollow projection a smile. He leaned down and gave the
red-gowned rose tender a lingering, passionate kiss as a
sweet reward for her cooperation.

It would only be a matter of time now before he could turn
the power of the sword into something he could wield, and
with it, he would hunt down and eliminate his weaker half.
Then all that would remain would be himself, the Phoenix,
rising remade from the ashes of what he once was.