~~~~ * ~~~
Hijacked
- Epilogue

By: Lady Jaya

~~ * ~~

Demon Cries.
hearts been crushed.
Blood flowing free.
Piercing. Agony. Bites.
Like the Silver Sword,
Through his heart.
Seeing in the last.
Killers lips whispering Truth. Knowing.

~~ * ~~

Shin looked up from where he was cutting up a rather large peace of meat on the counter near the skin as a tight lipped Ryo, came stalking through the door. There was an air about Ryo of tension, anger, and something else that Shin couldn't quite read. Quickly he turned back to the meat just barely missing his fingers with the large carving knife he'd been using.

~What the hell is wrong now?~ He wondered biting back a sigh. Out of the corner of his eye he watched the his best friend and lover slide his jacket off and hang it on one of the begs near the door. Finally Ryo looked up and caught Shin's gaze from under the fall of jet black hair his azure colored eyes were dark and stormy.

"What happened Ryo?" Shin asked quietly, not bothering to put the knife down.

"Touma disappeared again." Ryo growled adding something under his breath, more to himself then to the auburn haired warrior who stood at the counter.

Sudden the anger drained out of the fiery warrior's demeanor and he looked tired. With a sigh Ryo leaned against the counter next to Shin and ran his hands through his hair.

"Damn." Shin muttered, glancing at Ryo their eyes meeting before Ryo broke the gaze turning to star listlessly out the window. "How long had he been gone this time?"

"Don't know. Half an hour probably." Ryo shrugged. "He was with me in the theater, said he wanted to go get a drink or something. I wasn't really thinking about it at the time. When he didn't come back after fifteen minutes I went out to look for him. But he was gone..."

"Who's going to tell Seiji this time?" Shu asked from the door a grime look on his own face. He was wearing a loose fitting dark orange shirt, with some faded yellow something or other on the front, and a pair of not so loose jeans. Pushing away from the wall Shu came over to stand on the other side of Shin.

"Don't look at me." Ryo muttered. "I don't know if I could face him after..."

"We all know how easily Seiji and I get along." Shu said. Shin looked up to find both of them look at him, he sighed.

"Why the hell do I always have to... DAMN IT!" Ryo and Shu jumped at the sudden out burst from the normally quiet Shin. Picking up the already dirty towel sitting on the counter Shin wrapped it around his bleeding finger, and muttered something more under his breath.

"You ok Shin?" Ryo asked leaning a little closer trying to see over his shoulder a slightly worried look on his face.

"Ya." Shin muttered carefully unwrapping the towel to examine the cut on his finger. "Shu can you get me one of the Band-Aids out of the cupboard over there. Please?"

"Sure." Replied the larger Trooper moving over towards where Shin pointed.

Moving over to the sink, Shin began to wash his hands. Taking the Band-Aid from Shu, Shin dried his hands off before putting the strip of cloth on the cut. Pulling the apron he'd been wearing off Shin tossed it at Ryo who caught it with a slightly surprised look.

"What's this for?" Ryo asked raising an eye brow at Shin.

"If I'm going to tell Seiji I expect you two to help out for a bit. I need the rest of that meat cut up into bit size pieces. Shu there's some carrots, green pepper, and cabbage that needs to be cut up in the fridge." He paused in the door way rubbing his hands across the bottom of his over sized dark blue shirt that had a picture of a dolphin on the front. "There's another cutting board in the drawer over there. And please DON'T EAT TOO much of the food Shu other wise there won't be enough for dinner."

Not waiting to hear the response Shin turned and left the kitchen hoping that he wouldn't come back to find the place in shambles. He sighed knowing that it probably wasn't worth hoping for. But, he shrugged to himself and started up the stairs towards Seiji's room hoping to find the blond swords man in his room. It never hurt too much to hope now and then...

~~ * ~~

Seiji sighed as a light knock on the door reached his keen ears. The last thing in hell he wanted right now was to be bothered. He'd been trying to meditate all afternoon, and still he couldn't seem to concentrate. With a growl he rolled out of his sitting position in the middle of the floor between the two beds. In the room he had once shared with Touma.

That thought almost instantly put him on edge and dragged his mind towards the black hole that had been sitting in the back of his mind ever since.... Ever since...

"Nnooo." Seiji hissed under his breath, cursing himself he walked over to the door and unlocked it. Throwing it open he gritted his teeth and turned to face a all too clam looking Shin.

"What the hell do you want?" Seiji asked trying to calm down his beating heart, and racing thoughts.

"Well um..." Shin's voice trailed off as he saw the mess in the room beyond. A room that had once been strictly the neatest cleanest room in the whole house. Now it was a mess with cloths all over the floor, a book here and there, along with a few other items. The blinds were still pulled close as if they had never been opened that morning, and the bed sheets were rumbled.

Pushing past Seiji, Shin stepped into the room trying to decided where to start first when a strong hand grabbed his shoulder. Seiji whirled the bearer of Suiko around to face him his violet eyes flashing.

"What do you want Shin." He hissed his free hand clenched at his side so tightly that his knuckles were white. Then almost as suddenly as the anger had come it vanished. Seiji turned away from Shin, his face slightly paler then usual. The blond warrior stared at the shadows that danced in the corner for a long time. For a minute he thought that Shin had left the other was so silent but he knew better, slowly he turned to face Shin, a mask of nothingness in place on his face.

"I came to tell you that... That Touma's gone again." Shin said gingerly, avoiding the swordsman gaze avidly. "He ran out on Ryo a little while ago."

At first Seiji didn't say anything he just stood there staring at Shin's dark brown/red hair, an unreadable look on his face.

"I see..." He said finally with a heavy sigh. "I should have known he wouldn't stay..."

"Seiji it's not your fault." Shin interjected quietly.

But Seiji didn't seem to hear the words of the other as he slowly turned and walked over to the window. Sifting the blind slats with a single finger he stared out at the yard below.

"DAMN IT." He growled shaking his blond hair out of his eyes. "DAMN IT ALL!"

Shin sighed under his breath and stepped back towards into the door way.

"Seiji, dinner will be ready in about an hour..." He paused. "If you go out looking for him, please get Ryo or Shu to go with you."

For a minute Shin thought Seiji was going to say something to him. But when it became clear that the blond had no intention of saying anything at all, Shin quietly left the room pulling the door softly closed behind him. Slowly he made his way down the stairs and back into the kitchen dreading what he would find there. Just as he dreaded what would most likely happen later that night...

~God.~ He thought hopelessly. ~When will this nightmare ever end?~

~~ * ~~

Touma sat in the icy window staring out at the crystal snow slowly falling, across the bleak yard of the small run down place. There was a fire of glimmering embers slowly dying in the fire place in the back corner of the barely furnished room. But the indigo haired archer sitting in the rocker wrapped in a blanket, with a sad, haunted, far away look in his eyes could care less about the fire. Lost in a timeless memory of horrors, that were not soon to leave his mind.

~~ * ~~

Shin glanced over his shoulder, to make sure none of the others were watching from the door way. Ryo knew what he was doing, and he had even condoned the idea. When he was sure no one was watching, Shin slipped the two light colored pills into Seiji's drink. Giving it a quick stir to make sure, that they were completely devolved, before he finished setting the table. he hoped that Seiji wouldn't be his normal over observant self that night, which was only a slight chance. However it would give the plan a better chance of succeeding in it's goal...

Carefully whipping his hands across the light blue apron, Shin pulled it off. Tossing the peace of cloth onto the clean counter. Shin headed out of to find the others, nearly running into Shu on his way. The larger warrior having realized that the 'food' was ready.

Their eyes met for a few seconds, and Shin saw the worry in their blue/gray depths. Putting a hand on Shu's shoulder, Shin sighed. Then went to find Ryo and Seiji. No words were needed between the two close friends.

~~ * ~~

it was a few minutes later when they all finally gathered, together again in the kitchen. A moody Ryo, glaring at everything. While Shu stood across from the dark haired almost leader, staring at the ground refusing to look at any of the others. Seiji's stony silence was only icing on the cake, with arms folded across his chest. Then there was Shin, who stood leaning against the counter, watching the other three that were in the room with him.

"Come on." Shin said finally, when no one, not even Shu moved towards the table. "the foods getting cold."

Silently they all moved towards the table. No one said anything quietly pulling out chairs, and sitting down. The quite was heavy with tension, it filled the room, till it seemed that it must explode...

dinner was a silent affair need less to say that night, as it had been more oft of late. No one had much to say to the others, or they were too lost in their own thoughts, to bother saying anything. even if there was something to say.

~Finally~ thought Shin, as Ryo got up and left with Seiji only a few minutes ahead of him. Taking his own plate to the sink, he waited for Ryo to come back.

Ryo'd promised to keep an eye on Seiji, till the drug took effect, in his system. If he could. Shin just hopped the swords man wouldn't notice anything till it was too late. it would be easier if Shu and Ryo could go out on their own. Though Shin didn't relish, the moment when Seiji would wake from his slumber. Still it would be easier if they had Touma home when he came around.

~~ * ~~

Ryo sighed and then knocked softly on the door Seiji had just closed. He wasn't sure what he was going to say, but he'd told Shin he'd talk to Seiji. Try to keep him busy till the drug Shin'd slipped into his water started to work.

Seriously he was really worried bout both his friends.

Seiji and Touma..

Ryo bit his lower lip, nervously waiting for the door to open. His sharp hears picking up the quiet shuffled of feet from inside.

True he didn't and probably wouldn't understand totally what had happened nearly a hear ago on that damned plane. Man times over and over in the past few months, he'd though a lot about those adventures/Nightmares during the highjacking. Tried to imagine what it might have been like for Seiji, and Touma. Even for the others he knew. But he couldn't really do it. Even when one of the others nightmares leaked over into his mind. It didn't happen much lately. Touma had shut down his link with them, and Seiji still had more control then most of them. Despite the 'blondes' own mental state of mind.

Sometimes Ryo wondered if Seiji, wasn't even more on the down fall then Touma. After all the 'blue haired' Archer had dealt with depression and other things more then any of them, in his short light. Ryo hopped that perhaps that would have or could have prepared Touma better to deal with the tragic experience they had shared.

While Seiji, though he had control of himself, his emotions. (Well most of the time any way.) It worried Ryo when Seiji was in control, lately. He knew that keeping things inside all the time was dangerous. He didn't want to think what could happen when his friend did loose control. When...

"What do you want?"

Ryo blinked, realizing Seiji was standing in the door way watching him. With that damned aggravating, ever_so_calm_look/

"Well... Um. Shin and I were wondering if you'd tried contacting Touma, since sometimes you can get through to him... better then the rest of us."

"I can't." Seiji stated then turned away. Pausing. "Is that all?"

"Actually, I was wondering if you wanted to talk." Ryo paused. "I know I'm probably not the best person... but please! Seiji just remember that no... no matter what happened. We ARE your friends, and we're here if you need us!"

Ryo turned away from Seiji Date's intense violet/blue gaze. Not used to saying his personal feelings out loud, much less to the man standing before him. Crimson crept up into his cheeks, and across the back of his neck. Without another word Ryo started to walk away when a quiet voice called him back."

"Ryo?"

"Hai..." Ryo turned back, looking up to meet Seiji's violent yet emotional gaze.

"Domo Arigato." The blond whispered quietly, turning back into the room but not before Ryo caught the glistening moister of tears in his eyes. "Thank you Ryo- Kun."

So saying Seiji quietly closed the door behind himself, leaving Ryo standing alone in the quiet hall way. With a lot on his mind, not to mention a new idea of the face behind the 'Date' mask. He was glad that for once he had said what he felt.

~~ * ~~

Shu had checked a few minutes ago on Seiji. To find the blond passed out in his room. Half on and half off of his own bed. Having quickly put his friend into bed, tucking him in, with a bed night kiss and all.

Chucking to himself Shu headed down the stairs. But his expression quickly changed, when he reached the bottom of the stairs. Ryo and Shin were waiting for him, there. Grim looks on their twin faces.

"He's out like a light for a while.' Shu said quietly glancing towards Ryo. "So I suggest we get going, we have a certain 'blue haired' Archer, to find. No?"

Ryo nodded. "Hai we do."

"Good luck Shin." Shu added giving the auburn haired mans shoulder a squeeze, before heading out the door after Ryo's wild black head.

The fiery sort of leader of the rag tag group was read to go. He didn't want to wait any longer then he absolutely had to. Shu could feel it all around him as he climbed into the passages side of the jeep, pulling the door Shu behind him.

It was going to be a long night.

~~ * ~~

Shin watched the two of them leave in the Jeep, Ryo already speeding down the long driveway towards the road. Before too long he'd be speeding down the highway, no down far over the speed limit..

Shin hesitated, and then set to work cooking, he might as well get something ready for when they got back. For even if Ryo wasn't hungry Shu probably would be and if they had Touma with him. It would most likely have been a while since the blue haired Archer had eaten. Then here was what would, or could happen when Seiji decided to join them again in the land of the living.

All around he had the feeling that some good wholesome food might come in handy. Besides it would give him something to do. To keep his mind off everything else, and his hands busy. Also it would give him less time to worry, which was what he wanted right now...

~~ * ~~

The room was dark, the only light was the thin stream that slipped in under the door. From the lighted hall way out side. But even this small thing would not have mattered.

For the single occupant of the room couldn't have noticed it if he had wanted to. Cause he was already lost to the world around him. Sinking deeper and deeper into another one.

A cold breeze, chilled the room coming from the open window, above the bed. over head stars gleamed in the black bowl of the endless sky. Barely visible due to the light pollution of the city nearby. Not that it mattered really.

Seiji Date lay in the messy room, on the crumpled mass of sheets, called a bed. One of the old dark blue blankets off of Touma's bed, was thrown over his limp figure. one hand hung off the side of the bed, knuckles gently brushing the floor.

Suddenly the porch light outside, beneath the window came on. But the man on the bed didn't seem to notice the visible intrusion of radiant energy. His eye lids didn't even flutter, his face remaining passive, calm, almost peaceful. For the first time in a long time.

But Seiji Date was not sleeping, a natural sleep, exactly. His sleep was of one who had no slept for a long time, but needed to. It was good that he slept, though he would not so much like the idea when he perchance happen to wake...

~~ * ~~

~Here I sit.~
~All Alone. In this place.~
~So Stupid am I.~
~Foolish I was.~
~Foolish I still am and always will be.~
~Damned from the beginning.~

I sit here on this bed, there are no blankets on it, only a dingy old mattress. Near me the window, that looks out on the city of Tokyo. But I don't look at the city, I don't look at anything. My mind lock in the past replay a re run that has been watched too many times in the present and in the past. Yet I can not escape from it's grip.

In my lap my hands lay unless to me now. At least in the past I knew I was of some small use to the others. I was of some help, I could do something to protect and to defeat. But now I can't even draw the string of Tenku's bow back.

~What kind of curse is this?~
~I must have sinned.~
~What sin could I have committed to deserve this.~
~Now I have nothing.~
~I am nothing, and no one.~
~They do not care.~
~They can not care.~
~Alone.~
~Always alone.~
~You swore you loved me.~
~But I can't believe it is true.~

He sighed his azure eyes glazing over slightly, goose flesh on his bear arms from the cold that came in under the ill fitted door, and around the unsealed window edges. But the man on the bed seemed not to noticed as he continued to star off into space. Lost in another world..

~~ * ~~

Ryo sighed, and muttered something under his breath, not looking back at his companion the larger built Shu, who was following behind him. The other warrior of Kongo keeping his blue/gray eyes open searching the streets about them for the blue haired Archer. The object of their search. They had been looking for nearly three hours now and still they hadn't been able to find him.

Just to err on the side of caution they had started with Touma's normal haunts, and then any other place they could come up with as they wracked their minds trying to think of some place that the blue haired boy might have escaped to. But they so far had had no luck. It was almost as if he had vanished from the surface of the earth.

Shu quickly put that thought out of his mind. He knew his friend well enough to know that something like that was possible. But he had to cross his fingers and pray that it was not so.

~Please Touma anything but that.~ Shu thought, pausing to tie his shoe.

He glanced up just in time to see Ryo vanished around the corner ahead of him. With a sigh Shu jogged after his wild haired friend catching up in a few minutes. Shu fell back into step with Ryo, not bothering to say anything. Ryo defiantly was not in the mood to talk. Shu had tried that earlier and run into nothing but dead ends, and brick hard walls.

So he'd given up on that. They had walked on in silence.

~They were going to have to quite some time soon.~ Shu thought, with a sigh. Soon the sun would be coming up and dawn would light the world once again. He didn't want to leave Shin alone in the house when Seiji came back into the land of the living. Besides they were both tired and hungry. He wanted to find Touma, as much as the black haired warrior with him. But neither of them no matter what they did, where not super human.

~Just humans with powers at their discretion. A lot of good it was doing them now.~ Came a bitter thought.

~~ * ~~

It was dark.

Silence. Echoes.

Slowly eyes flutter open, the irises glowing, an eerie electric violet color. Their light, the only penetrating substance in the void of midnight blackness. The eyes were the only thing that moved, slowly, turning from side to side. Looking.

Four Walls.

Something over head. Moving. Falling. In slow motion down. Violet/blue eyes move up. The silver/gold head titled ever so slightly. In the presents of the violet flitters, that illuminated the press of rich black Earth, tilting and tumbling through the thick air.

Breathing

All around. Not just from one direction but everywhere. Eyes blinked plunging, everything into pitch darkness, for endless seconds. They open again, white gold hair tumbling down, unchecked upon a pale brow.

A Voice.

Whisper. Wordlessly.

Digging. Digging. Digging.

From somewhere, over head, in the a motion almost too face to see. Something falls. It stands quivering in the soft fresh dirt. He stares at it seeing and yet almost as if not seeing.

A shovel.

Poor. Poor Seiji. Poor Date. Poor Date-san.

Laughter.

Digging. Digging. Digging.

Your own grave...

~~ * ~~

Touma sat. That is what he did. His eyes were glazed staring off into space. He was contemplating. Yes that's what he was doing. Trying to figure out what the future held only to decided that there was nothing there for him. He was useless though he had never been worth much in the fist place.

Now it was different. Now....

Silently tears coursed down his cheeks as he remembered the looks of pity and anger on his friends faces when he'd come around. Remembered the way Seiji had refused to meet his gaze staring listlessly out the hospital window. Perhaps he could have lived with the pity of the others. Perhaps in time it would have lessened. Perhaps they would have forgotten to an existent.

But it had been the pain on Seiji's face the lost, hurt, look on his best friend's face had hurt him more then anything else. What was worse was it was all his fault that things were like this. Though Seiji would not let him say that. He had just kept shaking his face and whispering her was sorry, so sorry.

Touma shivered as memories coursed through his mind. Not even bothering with the futile struggles he had put up before. It didn't matter.

No matter what he tried he couldn't explain to the blond that it wasn't his fault. That it was all his own fault. That if he hadn't been such a fool that if only...

If only he'd been able to control himself. Control his mind keep his thoughts from Seiji. If only he'd been able to spare Seiji that pain, that pain they had both experienced and shared even after it was over.

Still linked by minds. Double doubts effecting each other, pain manipulated and multiplied by the others. As if everything was doubled over in each other sharing the others thoughts and doubts till neither was sure who was who. That was how it had happened and that was how they had ended.

Slowly forced to move away from each other blocking each other off. It had been Seiji in the start always the mentally stronger in most ways of the pair. Though Touma was strong in his own right. Little by little their minds had started to separate again.

Thoughts from Thoughts. Pains from Pains. Fears from Fears.

And so forth. Though even now they were still closer then all the others. They always would be. That was the effect of the mental bonding induced by Anubis' actions. For better or for worse it was there. Both not slightly dependent on the other. What would happen if one were to leave this world and the other remain...

That is a question I do not wish to find out?

All these things went through Touma's mind thought not quite like that nor in that way. Though all of them were thought about at one time or one level or another. What did the future hold in store for them...

~~ * ~~

Silence. Infinite. Nothingness.

That voice. He knew that voice, gravely he rose from the Earth. Violet eyes dulling, their light fading. A new viable substance some place, out of view, is birthed. He looks up.

Sad.

Faces.

Gearing. Taunting. Angry. Daunting. Betraying. Condemning.

Silver, tears mist in the corners of his eyes. Heart beats like a drum in the distance. Echoing all around. Ricocheting off the four walls. Mouths that have no sound. Screaming. Shouting. His heart beats on, and then continue as if to some distance sound he can not heart. eyes accusing. glaring. Fists waving in the air. Obscene jesters. Blows came unfelt, he looked on, emotions flickering through in a great range of variety. They were strange on his face and to his scrambled mind they made no sense.

Fear.

Hurt.

Denial.

He fell to his knees. Violet eyes dark with pain. Harsh words known but not heard. Tears of crystal, slowly slipping down pale cheeks. Visible, as they twinkled and fell to the dark Earth, below him. Then...

Quiet.

Nothing.

Alone.

Infinity.

Emptiness.

Silence.

He stood now on a flat plane, as if suspended on nothingness. The black pit of the grave a gapping maw blowing him. As if trying to swallow him up again. Not a sound. The laugher gone, voice silenced, heart beat gone quiet.

Terminated.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

Water.

Falling.

Space.

Blood.

Lifeless. Violet/Blue eyes, widened slightly. Surprised. Spreading outward. Coming towards him. Creeping across the expanses of space.

Closer. Closer. Closer.

Shinny.

Slippery.

Sticky.

Wet.

Metallic. Death.

Something.

~ I don't want to look. Don't want to see. What I feel is there. No! No more. Too much I have seen already. In the Past. In the Present. No more. PLEASE! Please. No more! ~

Iiieee!!

PLEASE.

Silence.

~~ * ~~

Silently she stood on the edge of the sea shore staring out across the wind swept waves, spray tossed high as they pounded tirelessly against reef. This side of the island, would be as barren and rocky as the surface of the moon, if it were for the few scraggly scrubs that somehow lung to life. Along with the life give substance that roared in her ears. Over head a gray mass of clouds moving away from the island, out towards the open sea was viable.

Soon the sun would be raising, and it would dawn cold and clear. Warming up after the first few hours of the morning had pasted, evolving into a lovely day. All things considered that is.

Slowly she turned to meet the others gaze. Silver/green and blue/gray like the swirling currents of the ocean blue. The two women alike in many ways and yet different as well.

"Hello, Nasuti-san." She said in a quiet voice, pitched just loud enough, to be heard above the constant crashing of the swells. "It's nice to see you again."

"And you Jaya-san." The other woman replied, nodding her head politely. Nasuti looked away eyes traveling the landscape around them. Desolate and barren.

"How are they doing?" Jaya asked turning back to the sea, the loose black and dark green jacket she wore, over a pair of black jeans and a dark blue/green tank top, flapped about her slender frame in the stiff wind, coming in off the waters. Silver/green eyes slightly sadder as if searching for something in the violent ways of nature. That despite it all, had been around longer then anything else, and would probably be here, long after they were gone.

Nasuti sighed. "Ryo, Shin, and Shu are hanging in there. But I'm worried about Seiji and Touma, they have to find some way to get past what happened. Before the healing can start. I'm afraid that if something doesn't happen soon..." her voice trailed off and she didn't bother finishing the sentence. Her meaning under stood by her single companion in the empty place.

~~ * ~~

Inexorably. Eyes are drawn upward. Towards it. The thing waiting for him there in the darkness. Shadow that is not really shadow. Illuminated by light that is not light. Seen but not seen. Heard, or just felt. What is the difference.

Unable to stop.

Not wanting to see.

Knowing. Already.

Too much.

Faits Choices.

Destinies calling.

Death and life.

On going battle.

No longer able to not see. Pools of blood. So much blood. Too much blood. More still flowing. Stop it.

~ His eyes open! ~

Unseeing.

~ Is he breathing? ~

No...

Iiieee. Please. Anyone but him!

Why. Why. Why!

He kneels, tears flowing freely. Emotions playing tag across his features. Reliving the last in all it's unholy glory, all the same. One bad memory, on top of another and another. Piling up. Till they had to topple over. Sliding into one big mess. That would take forever to put back together again. But what would the end result be?

Tears.

Death.

Love.

Torn Apart.

Blood. Flows. Freely.

Spinning!

Suddenly Seiji Date sits bold up right in the bed, his usually wild golden locks matted to his brow, with sweet. Throwing back the blanket Shu had thrown over him, Seiji stood up on shaky legs. He stumbled into the bath room, hoping to bring himself more into this world with some cold water.

A few minutes later he came back out look slightly better. His features were haunted, and his violet eyes dark with worry, pain, along with something else that couldn't be named. He bit his lower lip worriedly, leaving the room without another thought.

Seiji no Korin hurried down the stairs, and out the front door before Shin had even realized that the blond was up. As the auburn haired man came to the door of the kitchen to see what he had heard he arrived just in time to have the door slammed behind Seiji's retreating form. But by the time he raced out side Seiji was already on his way out of there, speeding down the road away from the Mansion.

Only one thought in his mind.

Touma..

Seiji stumbled as he climbed out of the vehicle his mind not on where his feet where but where he was heading. Or more his final destination and what he might, could, or would find there. Taking a deep breath he quietly closed the door behind him trying to calm his racing heart. Violet eyes studied the depleted building that toward over him. It was the perfect place to hide and he knew why Touma had choice it. However the Archer had not realized just how closely the two of them were connected now. Nor that Seiji had found him out as far as the blond could tell.

Some of his normal calm returned as Seiji followed his instincts pushing away his thoughts and feelings for clarity of thought. To some existent he achieved it but not totally. He could feel the anger and the pain pounding on it's invisible wall in his mind the whole time.

~~ * ~~

Shin stood in the gravel drive way for a long time after the tail lights of the vehicle Seiji had taken vanished into the darkness of early morning. He would have followed if there was had been away but there was not. Finally breathing a prayer to whoever or whatever might be out there Shin turned back towards the warm yellowish light coming from the kitchen window on the other side of the house.

The auburn haired man with sad eyes, and a heavy face paused only once on the first step throwing one last glance over his shoulder. Blue/green eyes searching the shadows for something though even he knew not what he was looking for. With a sigh Shin left it, behind. The insistent whistle of the kettle on the stone calling him back within.

Silently he pulled the kettle off the stove setting it on one of the cool back burners while he set about fixing up the rest of the stuff. Getting a bag of tea out of the cupboard at the same time. He needed something calm down his nerves now. Shin carefully poor the hot water into the gracefully painted white cup. He wondered if he should tell Shu, and Ryo that Seiji had come around... Or that he'd left the mansion without a word.

"Damn it Seiji." Shin muttered under his breath waiting for the tea to seep.

He sighed and brushed his rather scraggly reddish brown hair out his eyes, biting his lower lip in thought. Things were so confused lately there hadn't been much time to think about any of it. Just enough time to try and keep up with the head long rush of events. Ever since, ever since the plane. Since...

"Since Anubis raped Touma... and Seiji..." Shin growled under his breath. Making him self face the dreaded truth and say it out loud.

~God. What was he to do. He was at the end of his wits and not getting anywhere what so ever.~

~~ * ~~

Ryo glanced over his shoulder at Shu's already hulking figure in the shadows behind him. It was still dark, though not as dark as it had been. The darkest hours of the night had already begun and were passing even now as they continued their endless walk back towards where he'd parked the Jeep a ways away.

The dark haired blue eyed man with tanned skin sighed and run a hand through his long tresses eyes once again searching the shadows for a familiar form, one he'd been looking for all night. Without seeing hide nor hair. Ryo was starting to loose hope of ever finding Touma, he opened his mind again one last time as they came inside of the jeep.

Nothing.

"Damn it all." The fiery bearer of Rekka spat grinding his teeth together in frustration.

~~ * ~~

Silently Shin put the thoughts away, silent tears of frustration working their way down his pale cheeks as he began to prepare the food again. Though he did it all without really seeing what he was doing, his hands working for him knowing exactly what to do without conscious thought from their master. Then all of the sudden there was the sound of breaking class as the cup clattered to the floor shattering on the hard tiles into a million pieces. Though would never be put back together.

Donning his Sub-armor as he left from the top of the porch steps, a living fire like that burned in Ryo's soul flared up inside Shin's soul. Catching his Yori ball on the tail end of a spectacular flip that he probably wouldn't even remember doing later. Shin's hit the ground running a hard look on his normally calm face, knowing that he would never be able to forgive himself if he failed to catch up with Seiji now.

As the auburn haired blue streak took off down the road after the blond he knew he was going the right thing in his heart. After all if anyone had the best change of finding Touma it was Seiji. But he always feared the Bearer of Korin wasn't in the best state of mind himself. The ware might be over. But there were still dangers lurking around. It was better to be safe then sorry in this world and this line of work.

Touma was not in any state to fight even if he could find the strength even now to pull Tenku's might Bow. He was not of the mind to do so. As for Seiji...

The blond had no control over his own mind any more, his actions reflected him in everything he did. Even his emotions showed on his face in broad day light. Or at least not to the level of control he was used to. It effected him. It effected all of them whether they realized it or not.

Shin did not doubt Seiji's ability to fight, he knew he could. But what scared him was the thought that the blond might not be able to stop himself from going to far in the midst of a fight. Or what that might do to his already fragile state of mentality. If something were to happen, there was no telling how it would all come out in the end.

So Shin ran on through the night, till finally he caught up with the vehicle that Seiji had taken. He followed just close enough to follow but not close enough that the blond might notice him. Though there were no guaranties in these games any more it was all chance and dare. But Shin breathed a little easier with Seiji in sight.

~~ * ~~

Jaya slipped her hands in her pockets closing her eyes tiredly taking a slow deep breath and letting it out even slower. As if listening to something brought in by the wind or the waves. She nodded her head absently. Long strands of red/gold hair flying about her pale face. The wind having fun toying with the dark tresses, those tied back and the ones that had come loose.

Nasuti watched her, tucking a strand of her own hair behind her ear at the same time. Sometimes it was hard to remember the events that had brought them together. It felt like forever ago, the drama of that plane ride that had changed all of their lives. Jun seemed to have gotten over it easier then the rest of them. But then he was young enough that he didn't and hadn't understood what was going on.

"Where's Jun?"

"He's spending the night at his friends house." Nasuti replied with a wane smile. "He needed to get away from the atmosphere a the mansion, and like wise the others needed a break from him...."

"I see."

"Hows Maria doing?"

"She's moving on." Jaya paused kicking at one of the stones under her feet. "She's getting married, in a few month."

Nasuti smiled. "Good for her. What's the luck guys name?"

"Kontai, Kontai Dean. She said she'd send you an invitation, it should be arriving some time in the next couple of days." Jaya nodded loosed in the sea. "She'll be happy with him, she deserves to be happy."

"I look forward to it." Nasuti paused for a second and the silence lengthened. "What about you? Are you happy?"

"I... I am." She sighed, tiredly.

The silence closed in about the two again. Neither spoke, both contemplating in the silence. Eyes lost out in the deep blue/gray of the ocean swells. Raising and fall, raising and falling. On and on they kept coming and going, never ending. The continuous motion of the oceans majesty. Almost as if it were a living entity it's self not merely a harbor of other living creatures...

~~ * ~~

"Come on Ryo." Shu said in a quiet slightly calmer voice then the other. "Touma... Touma can take care of himself. We'll find him in the morning or perhaps Seiji will when he wakes up." Shu paused and took a slow deep breath trying to calm his own inner turmoil for the sake of the other.

Shu knew he wasn't the best at control his fears, or his temper, his anger most of all. But over the past few years he had made an attempted to control himself a bit more. After all Shin couldn't be there during every fight, and it didn't always pay to think with your hard head. Though...

"I'm worried about him Shu." Ryo said in a low voice as they climbed into the Jeep. "Really worried about him. Ever since it happened... He's been really...really bad. You know what I mean, and it doesn't help that Seiji's losing it to."

"They are both strong." Shu sighed staring out the window. "We have to have faith that somehow they'll pull through this. But we also have to be there and help when they need us..."

"Hai." Ryo started the engine brushing his hair out of his face he took a slow deep breath before pulling out. "I just wish there was something I could do. Something I could have done..."

"We all do Ryo-kun. We all do."

~~ * ~~

There.

Something whispered in the back of Seiji Date's mind, as he stepped off the stairs onto the landing of the 13th floor. Touma was some place on this floor, of that he was certain. He could feel him closer then before some place hiding in the shadows near by. Slipping slightly out into the hall way. Bright violet eyes, lighted with fear searched the hall way both directions but found nothing there. Shadows sifted and moved as light flicked from some place out side the building creating monsters where there were none.

~Damn.~

Seiji stood there keen ears listening for something. Trying to figure out where the blue haired Archer had gone to. His mind was of no help now as if all insight had left him or perhaps a little bit had stayed. Biting his lower lip Seiji turned right through he wasn't sure why, it just felt like the right thing to do somehow. Over the years Seiji had become accustom to following his instincts more often then not. He prayed that they would not let him down now when he needed them more.

As he moved it was as if everything moved in slow motion around him, as if he were locked in time watching all from out side his own body. His spirit hanging in the dark space that surrounded him. Seiji Date closed his eyes again fighting a wave of sickness and Deja-vu that washed over him realizing what this place reminded him of though he wasn't sure why.

Perhaps it was the darkness that encompassed him and everything that else that took him back to that dark time. Ever since then it had been a little harder to face the nights even more so at first now it wasn't so bad. Other then the dreams that always haunted the place where the mind traveled while the body slept.

~Why here Touma?~ His mind asked softly though deep down he knew the answer to that question even before he asked it. Asking and inadvertently answering it at the same time.

~~ * ~~

Slowly Ryo coasted to a stop on the white line. Stormy eyes glared up at the red light in front of him. The bearer of Rekka tapped his fingers impatiently against the edge of the steering wheel. Muttering something under his breath about lights being too long and so forth. Colorfully added to of course.

::Ryo?::

::Yea?::

::Seiji's up.::

::WHAT!:: Both Shu and Ryo replied in shocked mental voices.

::You both heard me.:: Came the sullen response.

::What happened?:: Was Ryo's next question. Shu listening in without commenting for the time being.

::Not sure really.:: Pause ::One minute he was out like a light. The next he was running out the door. Like Arago himself was after him.::

::But..::

::I'm following him now.:: Shin cut in quietly.

::Good for you Shin!:: Shu commented quietly.

::Where is he?:: Ryo inquired without enthusiasm. His mental voice cold and angry.

::I don't know yet some place down town. Right now I'm on 13th and Sakura.::

::Ok, we're on our way.:: Pulling a sharp right. Ignoring the red light Ryo headed down the street gunning the engine for all it was worth. ::Keep me... us informed.::

::Whatever...::

::Good luck Shin.:: Shu added before they closed the mental ties practically between them.

~~ * ~~

Touma sat in silence nothing in his mind as he stared at his hands folded in his lap and contemplated his life. What was wrong with him? Why couldn't he do something right for once?

Because your worth less Touma no Tenku. A gentle soothing and deadly familiar voice in his mind.

Then why did Tenku chose me? He asked one of the few things he couldn't quiet get over. The Armor wouldn't make such a mistake.

How could it have known in the beginning? The voice asked closer this time louder.

Something in his mind broke at in that second and scared blue eyes looked around the dark room searching for the owner of the voice. He was near he could feel him and he shivered.

I don't know. He whispered back his mind whirling in endless circles. He couldn't concentrated as the darkness closed in around him, folding its self around his lost mind. Touma couldn't even grasp reality and more it was like grasping at straws that were falling away from him always just out of his reach.

You don't know anything Touma. The voice taunted angrily. Your nothing but a worthless fool who can't do anything right. You can't even help your friends any more. Not that you ever could in the beginning.

What do you know? He pleaded as shadow detached it's self from the wall coming slowly inexorably towards him as if in slow motion a nasty little smile on it's face. Shivers chased themselves through his body as his azure eyes went wide in fear.

"Go away." He whispered trying to scoot himself farther back in the chair. "Get... Get away from me."

"Now...now Tenku is that anyway to treat an old friend." The other asked with a little smile playing across his lips. "I though we were comrades at arms now that Talpa's gone. Even though we don't really get along."

"I SAID GET AWAY FROM ME!" Touma screamed at the top of his voice pushing Anubis away from him his mind going crazy with the uncontrolled furry that suddenly burned through his body. His eyes flashed and all hell broke loose as he threw himself at Anubis no longer in his right mind.

But Anubis just pushed him off as if he were nothing his nasty laughter echoing around the empty room and down the hall ways, in a sinister manor. His dark eyes flashed dangerously.

"You always were a fool Tenku." He spat. "You were a fool when I took you, and you were a fool before that. I thought perhaps to open your eyes but I guess I was wrong. You have no hope."

~~ * ~~

It was as if all of the sudden everything snapped into focus for Seiji Date, his head came up and his violet eyes clear. Without thinking his feet and his body leading the way as he followed the echoes of Touma's cry down the hall and down another one. Finally he reached a door. His anger burned hot in his body as he pushed open the door way, stepping into the room beyond.

Blue/Violet eyes showed no mercy and he growled low in the back of his throat glaring at Anubis who stood over Touma a nasty grin on his face. Seiji's face was dark, as he slowly moved forward deliberate grace in his elegant strides purpose to his movements.

"Get out." The Swords man's voice was cold and harsh in the silence. "You've already caused enough damage Yami. Now get back to your own damn realm and stay there."

So saying he pushed past Anubis to knelt next to Touma, a look of concern on his pale features. Silently he brushed the backs of his knuckles across Touma's cheek. The azure colored eyes flew up, and Touma pushed him away with a strangled cry of fear. His eyes were wild and unrecognizable as he stared at Seiji, Touma's whole body shaking.

Anubis laughed out right. "One thing before I go Seiji-kun." He said crossing the couple feet of floor space between them in mere seconds. Roughly he jerked Seiji's head back and hissed the blond passionately on the lips. Without another word Anubis let go and vanished letting Seiji fall back to the floor a stunned look on his face.

"Damn you Yami." Seiji spat whipping the back of his hand across his face angrily. "Damn YOU! YOU HEAR ME!!!"

Suddenly something reached through Seiji's anger and he turned back to find Touma standing in the corner fear on every feature of his body. He was trembling as if he'd seen a ghost and something made Seiji hesitated. Slowly the blond took a step back doing a double take. His own faded heart went out to the other finally realizing the full existent of what had happened to them what seemed like only yesterday. Yet was in truth almost a year ago, or perhaps more, Seiji wasn't sure...

"Touma?" He whispered taking a step towards the blue hair Archer who just stared at him with a strange wild look in his storm azure eyes. They were black like gem stones of the night only the little light from out side that shone in through the window glimmered like stars in their dark depth.

"Get... Get away from me.... Or I'll DO SOMETHING!" Touma hissed his voice trembling slightly. "JUST GET AWAY!"

"But... Touma?" Seiji held out on hand and it trembled slightly in the space between them. "Touma it's me Seiji." He pleaded his violet eyes searching the others begging him to see him to recognize him. "It's over Touma. I swear it's all over, nothings going to happen to you again. I promise." He swallowed hard tears gleaming in his eyes. "Please Touma-kun Please?"

For a long few minutes they stood there facing each other. Seiji's out stretched hand between them. Violet/blue eyes pleading with Touma's soul for hope, for life. He was shaking, but being who he was he could not show it. Not to Touma nor anyone else. There would always be apart of his soul that stayed hidden from the world within and the world without.

For our own sanity, we all must have a place to hide within our own soul. A place no one knows a place no one can know. A place that is you and you alone. Something that always stays you even when you give the rest of yourself to someone else. Yet we all wish for someone to share that little part with though we know we can never truly let it go.

~~ * ~~

The clouds were moving on their way across the ocean, now not much more then a mass of grays and blacks in the lightening sky about them. Yet the world still held a gray quality of the early morning. Neither light nor dark reigned supreme in this time. But something in between the two.

"Where have you been the last few months?" Inquired the auburn haired woman, stepping away from the jeep down to the shallow beach that ran down into the sea. Then to the larger rocks of the reef only a little ways out to sea.

"Here and there." She shrugged. "I stay no place anymore, never did. I always have to be on the move. I think I'll head back into the Pacific soon, it's starting to get too cold for my tastes."

"You know your always welcome to come stay with us at the mansion." Nasuti offered. "There's always room for one more, and I doubt the guys would mind."

"Iie, so, jarimaseni." Jaya whispered more as if the wind and the waves then to the woman behind her. "No, but thank you Nasuti. I don't think it would be the best thing for them. They have too many memories already I would only enhance that." She sighed. "Besides I can't afford to be tied down anymore. Forgive me but I must be moving on again. You'll know when I come back here again."

"Good luck to you then. Tomodatchi."

Jaya turned back, and nodded her head to the other. Before her eyes images flashed. A little smile appeared on her face as she looked back up. Turning Jaya began to move down the beach away from Nasuti. A little ways away she stopped and turned back.

"Good luck to you as well Nasuti-san." She called. "Go back to them. I think the time of healing is close at hand."

Without another word, Jaya continued walking down the shallow beach, red/gold hair swimming about her body in the air. Black boots, matching black jeans crunched in the loose stone. Her shoulders hunched over against the wind, silver/green eyes watching the stone beneath her feet.

Finally when the other woman was out of sight, Nasuti turned back to the jeep with a sigh. Climbing in she headed back towards the city, towards the mansion, and the guys. Pondering Jaya's words in her mind. Wondering when she would see the other again.

But that was the last Koji Nasuti never saw or heard of Jaya. In fact that was the last any of them ever saw of the slender red/gold haired girl, with silver/green eyes. Not even Maria could say where she went, it was as if she had vanished from the Nigen Kai all together...

~~ * ~~

Then it was as if all Hell on Earth broke loose.

The stars shall fall from the skys,
The will be swallowed up whole,
As the seas raise from their beds,
To encompass the Earth,
In it's last hours,
When Heaven and Hell clash for supreme.

`` * ``

"Touma.. please..." But the blond never got the chance to finish even if he had known what he was going to say.

"STOP IT SEIJI JUST STOP IT!" Touma finally screamed his face contorted in anger. He shoved the other away from him. "JUST GET AWAY FROM ME! I DON'T NEED YOU AND I DON'T NEED YOUR DAMN HELP!" He turned his back to Seiji and glared into the corner his shoulders shaking.

"What is that supposed to mean." Seiji growled feeling his own temper start to get the better of him. "If you didn't need help, you would have gotten past what happened a long time ago. But you can't let it go can you? Can't forget what Yami did to you, what he did to BOTH of us."

"Shut up!" The blue haired man spat. "IF IT WEREN'T FOR YOU THIS NEVER WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IN THE FIST PLACE! AFTER ALL YOUR THE ONE THAT PLAYED HIM OFF, AND MADE HIM MAD!"

"DID IT EVER OCCUR TO YOU THAT MAYBE I HAVE FEELINGS TO." Seiji yelled back both of them too angry to know what they were saying anymore. "I WAS THERE I FELT IT TO."

"But it WASN'T YOU YAMI WAS FUCKING." Touma growled with a dry laugh. "WAS IT? No it wasn't. IT WAS ME!"

"THERE WERE TWO OF US AND ONE OF HIM. WHERE WERE YOU?"

Touma balked at him. "I WAS ON THE FLOOR TIED UP WITH A CURTAIN, UNCONSCIOUS! I SURE AS HELL DIDN'T SEE YOU DOING MUCH!"

Seiji took a slight step back as if he'd been hit in the face. "YEAH WELL! If you weren't so damn..."

"DAMN WHAT DATE!" Touma whirled around reaching out to grasp Seiji's shirt with his good hand, their faces only inches apart. "DAMN FOOL? DAMN STUPID? DAMN IDIOT? WEAKLING? DIRTY? HOPELESS? WHAT!"

Silence.

"WELL COME ON SEIJI. WHAT THE HELL AM I!" There were angry tears in the Archers eyes now but he didn't seem to notice so angry he was shaking. His hands tightened around Seiji's collar or one of them did. The other lay there resting against Seiji's chest his permanently bent fingers trembling in an effort to close.

"Perfect."

Touma laughed out right pushing Seiji away from him with his good hand, he shook his head and just laughed. "Yeah that's a real riot Seiji." He said his face becoming instantly blank again. "Who do you think I am, to believe such shit like that, hun? Your the one who's perfect, you always were."

Seiji blinked taken back by Touma's harsh words. " Whatever made you think I was perfect?" Seiji turned staring towards the door, a tired look on his face all of the sudden. He felt as if he'd been awake for years and alive for longer then that. /God how things could change so fast in short a time./

~What was happening to them? Were they both losing it...~

"Where do you THINK!" Touma growled. "JUST LOOK AT YOU!"

"Touma stop." Seiji turned back. "Touma we're supposed to be friends, not enemies."

Touma laughed his lips pulling back in a sneer. "Oh really friends? Is that what you think we are Seiji? Friends..." He tapped his index finger lighting against his temples. "Let me see I'll have to think about that one!"

"Fine." Seiji said unable to hide the anger and hurt on his face. He turned and headed towards the door. "Let me know when you figure it out!"

"Why should I." Touma yelled after him.

As soon as Seiji was gone, he slumped back against the wall his whole body shuddering uncontrollably. Slowly Touma put his hands to his face, to find that his cheeks were wet with tears. His weak hand shaking uncontrollable as he stared at it making it look all the more ugly in his minds eye. More tears began to fall as he realized what had just happened.

"What have I done!" Touma whispered in agony. "Seiji what have I done?"

~~ * ~~

Shin stepped farther back into the shadows, not liking the atmosphere of the place as the sound of a car came closer. He crosses his fingers green/blue eyes watching the street.

~It's still coming. Damn it.~ He thought having hoped it would have turned away and gone some place else. This wasn't one of the best places to be caught alone, even with Suiko. Besides he couldn't use the armor against people... Could he?

But Shin was spared the decision of that, as Ryo's jeep sped around the corner, skidding to a stop a few feet away. Shin hesitated a second, as Ryo and Shu climbed out of it.

"Shin?"

With a tired smile Shin moved out of the shadows, towards his two comrades in arms. The sky was starting to lighten and the shadows of night faded. Soon the first raise of the sun would set the sky on fire. But not yet.

"Where are they?" Ryo asked, his face a mask, his stormy blue eyes glancing towards the building. In who's shadow they stood.

"Inside one of the upper floors." Shin responded grabbing Ryo's shoulder as the wild haired leader headed towards the door. "Their talking let them be."

"No!" he growled. "I'm SICK of thing nonsense and it HAS GOT to STOP NOW! I'm not waiting ANY LONGER!"

"Ryo please at least wait till their done. Seiji and Touma need to talk, they have to work things out for them selves or they never will." Shin said in a calm voice stepping between Ryo and the door.

"Shin's right Ryo." Shu said stepping next to his auburn haired friend. "But I think we should go up just in case something happened. Just be sure not to let them know we're here. The way Seiji's been lately I doubt even he'll know we're here."

Ryo sighed turning away from them he ran a hand through his tangled mane of dark hair. "Fine, I'll let them be for now. But once their done ta liking...."

"Thank you Ryo." Shin said throwing his arms around his lover.

Ryo looked down and slowly a smile softened his dark features. Leaning forwards he gave Shin a passionate kiss on the lips. Shin responded in kind. Both letting off a little of the tension that had built up in the last few hours in the passion on that kiss. While Shu watched on with a smirk on his face, and a little sadness in the back of his heart.

~~ * ~~

Touma never noticed when Seiji re entered the room, dried tears on his pale cheeks, his blond hair brushed out of his face. That is till he looked up to find him kneeling in front of him.

"Touma, I'm..." But the Archer didn't let him finish.

"Seiji, I'm sorry." He said quietly more tears on his cheeks as he hurried on. "I... I should have said anything. It's not your fault. It wasn't your fault. There was no way you could have known that was going to happen... I... I had no right to say anything."

"Iie." Gently Seiji reached out to brush one of the tears from Touma's cheek his finger tips lingering there for a fraction of a second. "No, you had every right to say what you did." Carefully he reached down and took both of Touma's hands in his own.

"No I didn't Seiji." Touma insisted. "I was wrong. If it's anyone's fault it's mine. I should have tried harder to stop him to do... to do something... It's my fault you felt it, if only I'd..."

"Please Touma stop." Seiji whispered tears slipping down his cheeks. "It's not your fault either. Perhaps there were things we both could have done to try and stop him. But we didn't." Slowly he brought Touma's hands up to his lips. Seiji kissed Touma's palms, then the tips of each of his fingers, in turn. "But it doesn't matter any more. The past is the past and there is nothing we can do to change things now. What ifs, maybes, and perhaps won't help." Carefully he pressed Touma's hands together palm against palm. He pressed Touma's finger tips against his breast. Their eyes meeting, and Touma tired to look away. Gently but firmly Seiji claims his hands with one, reaching out with his other he turned Touma's face back towards him. "I can't make you believe me Touma-kun. But... But if you... your willing we could try and start over..."

Touma stared at Seiji, his blue eyes wide with surprise as if he didn't understand what had just happened. He looked deep into Seiji's violet eyes, and saw only open honesty shimmering in their depths.

"I... I don't know if I can Seiji." He whispered trying to stop the fresh flow of tears.

Swallowing back his own tears, Seiji took a deep breath and then helped Touma to his feet. Wrapping his arms around the blue haired man Seiji gentle pulled the Arches head to his shoulder letting him cry.

"There's only one way to find out." Seiji replied in a low voice. "There's only one way to find out."

They clung to each other as they sat down on the mattress in the corner of the room, crying together. Touma's tears bring Seiji's own guilt and hurt to the surface. But perhaps it was for the best. Let the tears start the cleansing of their hearts and souls.

~~ * ~~

"I don't hear anything." Ryo muttered glancing around the corner. "You sure their up here?"

"Yes."

"Maybe something's wrong."

"I don't like this."

"No really you think?"

"Shut up."

"Make me."

"It would be my pleasure!"

/ BOTH OF YOU COOL IT! /

"Oops he's PO'd now."

Shin threw his arms in the air and rolls his eyes at the two other men. Muttering under his breath he slipped around the corner and down the hall. If they weren't going to do it. He might as well. After all they hadn't heard anything since they got up here, someone should check on Touma and Seiji to make sure something wasn't wrong.

He hesitated one hand on the practically open door. Pushing it open a couple more inches Shin leaned close to peer through the crack. Slowly a smile spread across his face . He opened the door wider and motioned for Ryo and Shu to come over.

~~ * ~~

Slowly the first golden rays of the sun spilled over the edges of the Earth, shedding their golden light in the darkness. Setting the sky on fire with the crimson hues of morning. Clouds of gold moving off into the distance, only a few remained to scuttled onwards the distant horizon now.

The sun had show her face. It looked as if it had the makings of a lovely day in the works. But only time would tell what the day would bring. Or the one after that...

Through the window the golden light peeked, settling it's gentle touch across the pair on the bed. Their faces finally peaceful in sleep, tears of sorrows still evident thought now dried. Locked in each others arms, as slept took him Seiji leaned forwards to place a tender kiss on the top of the blue head that lay near his heart.

~I always loved you.~ He thought darkness closing in about his thoughts. As his eyes closed the last thing he saw was the twisted position of Touma's right hand. ~I'm sorry.~ He thought softly. ~I promise I will make it all right....~ So exhausted physically, mental, and emotionally he let the sleep take him.

And that was the sight that greeted the three in the door as the sun rose on the day, and the night took it's leave.

~~ * ~~

Silently the three headed out of the building back onto the side walk. For a few minutes none of them said anything as they stood there. Then finally Shu's stomach rumbled loud enough to be heard by all.

Ryo chuckled softly. "I wouldn't mind something to eat. What about you two?" He asked glancing around. "I think there's a restaurant down the street aways."

"Sounds good to me." Shu replied rubbing his stomach with a grimace. "But I guess you both figured that one out already."

Shin put a hand on his large friends shoulder. "Yeah I coulda guessed. Still I'm rather hungry two and now that there is a chance of things going right... Something to eat sounds good to me. Lead the way Ryo-kun."

Ryo slipped an arm around Shin's shoulders and slipped his hand into Shu's with a little grin. "Come on guys let's go celebrate and let those two up there sleep for a bit."

~~ * ~~

And so that part of the story ended the same way it started in a manor of speaking. While Shu enjoyed his meal Ryo and Shin decided to slip away for a little bit of personal time together. Once again they ended up having some fun in the bath room. Only this time they had a little bit more room then they had before.

But our story doesn't end just quite yet. There is one more part I want to add and it takes place a little while into the future. Things are starting to get better for our boys. Seiji and Touma have started talking again, and slowly coming to terms with what happened. While Ryo, Shin, and Shu still keep a close eye on them. They aren't so worried any more.

~~ * ~~

"Are you ready?" Seiji asked in a quiet voice raising worried violet eyes to meet Touma's azure blue eyes. They caught each others gaze for a long few minute each lost in the depths of the others souls, falling into the twisted pools of conflicting emotions. Neither saying anything just kneeling there on the ground.

"Yes." Touma whispered in a low voice. Nodding his head slightly in agreement with his words. "Get on with it Seiji before I loose my cool."

"Ok." Seiji replied putting a hand on the others shoulder for a minute, before whispering a silent prayer to whatever gods had brought them this far in the past few months that they would continue to watch over them for a little bit longer. "It might help if you don't watch." He advised reaching for the tools that lay slightly off to one side.

"Just do it."

Seiji didn't answer, as he deftly set to work, though the blond swordsman cringed with each blow. Finally he was finished tossing the thing aside he set to work realigning the re-broken bones and knitting them back together. Through the whole thing unable to look at this best friend, and hopefully some day again they could work move away from the past. Lovers. This was one of the first steps towards that day and Seiji knew it living in the hope that it was possible.

"Done." He whispered in a horse voice as he slowly pulled away from Touma, the light green glow of Korin fading from about his body. Sweat dripped from his face and his golden hair was matted to his head sticking to his face like his cloths. Seiji felt like he was watching everything in slow motion. Exhausted.

There was a pause and then slowly Touma came into view, his face was white but there was a smile on it. Carefully he held up his hand wiggling his fingers as if for the first time. He looked like a little boy opening his presents on Christmas day and Seiji smiled, it was a scene he'd never forget.

"You'll have to work with it for a while before your hands as strong as it was before." He said finally leaning back in the grass. "But it should be almost as good as new."

"Better." Touma whispered throwing his arms around Seiji's neck and kissing him right on the lips. Too happy to care.

The kiss lasted only for a few seconds before Touma pulled away with a blush. Seiji slowly sat up reaching over to slip his arms around Touma holding the archers body close. Then he let him go nothing more then a simple hug.

"Come on." He stood up with a groan. "Let's go home, you can tell the others."

"Thank you Seiji." Touma said in an earnest voice. "Thank you."

"It was the least I could do." Seiji replied stumbling slightly. Touma caught him slipping an arm about the blondes shoulder.

"Let me help you, you need some rest. You shouldn't have pushed your self so hard..." Touma said worriedly.

"I'll be fine." The Swords man replied quietly. "Let's just go home..."

"Yeah." Touma agreed softly. "Home."

~~ * ~~

The End! 10/16/00 Lady Jaya -- - Jaya -------------------------------------------------------------------------- SN: Jaya Korin ICQ: 72698875 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- If you're taken don't try to play hero. There's no one alive that can't be broke, Kusac. All it takes is time and the right levers. Tell them what you can, what will do us the least damage. That way you might survive long enough to escape. It's a game that you can only win by escaping or dying. Put a few lies in with the truth. Misinformation will help us, but be careful what you say because if you get it too wrong, they'll kill you. They'll know they can't trust your answers, and you'll no longer be of any use to them. - Kaid -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Here underneath this little stone, Lies Robert, Earl of Huntingdon. Ne'er archer was as he so good, And people called him Robin Hood. Such outlaws as he and his men, Will England never see again.