When Shadows Rise

  He walked over to the two photos on the wall. He immediately saw the resemblance to the boy dressed much like Suteko was now. The young man held something about him that Jaeoh’s instincts reacted to. If the rumors were true, this boy was the most powerful martial artist in Japan today. He could see it in the way he held himself but he could also see the clear fondness between brother and sister. He felt Suteko come to stand next to him and he slipped an arm about her.

  Leaning in a bit, she stared at both photos for a moment before closing her eyes and sighing. "He doesn't remember me now. Another curse on him thanks to Mother.

  He pulled her closer, letting her rest against his side. "What happened, love?" His voice was soft, gentle.

  Suteko started slowly as she moved away from his side. She knew it was important he know the whole sordid tale but she wasn't eager to tell him. Settling cross-legged on the futon, she smiled weakly. "Ten years ago my sensei passed and my mother changed." Over the next hour she covered her life in more detail than any one knew. Her travels had helped form her, changed her from the bright and friendly girl into the warrior she was. Jaeoh gently steered her story, pulling small things from her memory, gems that brought a smile to her sad eyes. By the time her mother cursed her to be forgotten with her dying breath, Jaeoh had moved to the futon, pulling her back to rest against his chest. He dropped light kisses on her throat to distract her from brooding as she told the tale of meeting the Star Knights, their battles and then the reemergence of Kaneda. She told him of what happened when Kaneda won, how he used her, hurt her and taken what innocence she had left.

  Jaeoh held her closer, more gently as she explained hiding from her team mates exactly how badly hurt she was after till they had to nursed her back. He was glad she couldn't see the rage that erupted in his eyes. For her first experience to be rape was criminal. Inwardly he swore it would be his own hands that killed Kaneda.

  As she wound down, he was lightly caressing her forearms. "Did you tell me all this to drive me away Suteko-chan?" His voice was still soft, a bare breath that tickled the soft hairs along her hairline.

  She shivered and dropped her head. "Not...entirely." Her innate honesty would not let her lie. "I wanted you to go in knowing everything." She whispered now, quivering. "My life has been odd, complicated and..."

  Jaeoh stopped her mid sentence by turning her head and kissing her deeply. She once more stiffened but slowly relaxed and let herself rest back in his arms. Her hand slipped up around his shoulder and clung to him. When he felt her shiver and softly moan, he pulled back, breaking the kiss. Unlike Suteko, Jaeoh had some experience at human relations. It was slightly unfair but he knew how to distract the female of the species. "Both our lives are odd and complicated, love." He whispered against her lips. "It doesn't matter."

  They spent the rest of the night getting to know each other. Destiny and ancient history gave them a soul connection, yet experience gave them more. The fell asleep wrapped tighter, no longer strangers.

  ******

  Across the city in the flat shared by Hana and Gregorr a discussion raged. "This is shit, Hana. We are in the middle of a war and people are pairing up like rabbits. Bad enough Uhanzee and Shayla can only focus on each other, we got Sammy going off with the purple haired chick, who he barely knows. Now them!" He stomped about the kitchen, crashing his chair and slamming down the tin with the tea.

  Hana stifled a giggle as the image of a polar bear in red flannel came to mind. Her partner was in a fine snit and he didn't understand why. Yes the team was pairing up now. It was time. More than time. They weren't teenagers any more. What once made them easy to fool was now gone. She softly sighed as she watched the one man who she longed for struggle with this item. She understood mentally a part of him was still hung up on Seiya but she wished he saw her. Saw her as more than a child/woman to be cared for and protected. She was fully adult, even if she wasn't built like her friends.

  "Gregor....sit....drink," as always she fell back on her traditional self. No amount of longing looks or gentle touches would make him see her as a woman. She would continue to be at his side whenever she was needed, silently hoping.

  Gregor turned about and caught the odd look on Hana's face. He paused in his rant realizing he had once more dumped his emotions on Hana. She was so dependable and understanding with him. He wanted to treat her as a sister but a part of him held back. Something down deep was yelling at him to pay attention but he shook it off. "I'm sorry mouse. I just don't understand. Oh hell lets forget them and go over tomorrow."

  They had been assigned the Okonomiyaki shop. Which was good. Something different to eat should be a nice change. He had been relying on Hana to cook and felt a bit like he was taking advantage of her. This living together was comfortable. too comfortable. It brought to mind things that little Hana wasn't ready for. Or so he thought. Sometimes he swore that she gave him looks like a woman gives a man. He shook his head, trying to shake out the image of them as a couple. He bought up Seiya as she used to be but his mind replaced that image with one of Hana’s shy smiles. "You are a dog," he said to himself.

  "Hmmm?" Hana asked distractedly from where she was reading. She looked up and smiled again. Her smiles only seemed to come out for him. "You know this menu seems quite diverse Gregor. Lots of choices and by the pictures, large portions."

  Shaking his head, Gregor go up. "I better head to bed Mouse." He leaned over and surprised them both by kissing her cheek. He spun and was in his room as her fingers softly touched her cheek. Her eyes closed and she did something totally out of character. She got up and spun about, letting out a tiny, stifled giggle.

  ******

  The next morning dawned brightly as they headed to the Okonomiyaki shop. Gregor had refused to climb into Hana's mini car, saying that the bike needed to be ridden and something about moping and puzzle boxes. Hana smiled fondly and watched him head off. Things were moving along so well now that Draco and Unicorn were together. She tilted her head up to check the position of the sun and then reached for her keys. Still bubbly about the simple kiss, she was distracted for the fist time since she was a tiny child.

  She tried to shriek as she felt arms wrap around her from behind but a hand covered her mouth. She struggled as best she could but her attacker was both larger and better positioned. Her eyes widened as Seiya stepped into view. The former Kouhei glowed with black energy. "Where is Gregor now, you little bitch? He can't save you if he doesn't know where you are." Seiya backhanded her temple, knocking Hana out cold.

  Steve caught her as she went limp. He looked up at Seiya with a glare. "Did you have to hit her so hard? The Master just needs her out of the way to distract Gregor."

  Seiya grimaced at what she had to work with. "Just follow orders little man. The Master gave me Hana as a toy." She pulled the limp, childlike woman away from him. "You can go let him know we have her now." Her voice cracked out like her favorite whip. Steve followed orders, just like he usually did. Together they disappeared in a swirl of black smoke.

  *****

  Across town Gregor pulled up his bike as a chill chased over his skin. Something was wrong. He scanned the streets, expecting to see Hana's mini parked nearby. No matter when she left, Hana always met him on time. Something was up. He swung off the bike, pulled out his cell. With a quick flip he punched in the two digit number and called her. Maybe her car broke down. Not likely but it happens. It went right to voicemail. Again it didn't feel right. Closing the phone he debated.

  "You won't find her bro."

  Gregor spun about, his hand about Steve’s throat before the other man could react. "You better be wrong, dude." Gregor's voice dropped to the deep angry growl of a beast. "Where is she!"

  Steve let out a gack as one hand went to his throat. He other pulled his dive knife, flooding it with his newly acquired darkness. Without thinking he drove the blade directly i
nto Gregor’s side.

  His fingers clenched tighter for a moment and then he looked down. "Damn, Steve, whatcha doing?" He staggered as Steve twisted his knife and pulled it out.

  Stepping back Steve watched Gregor stagger and drop to one knee. "Never thought much of me did you, Bro?" Steve sneered. "The surfer boy was a joke, well who's laughing now, huh?" His tone was all taunting boy but his eyes told another story. Flickering back and forth between arrogant black and lost blue. A part of the horror of what he did took over just long enough. "Seiya has Hana, Gregor. You better get your new friend to give up." He turned and walked back in the shadows, his voice floating back. "Get the Knight to surrender before Seiya does to little Hana what was done to the Knight."

  Roaring, Gregor pushed back up to his feet and lunged but Steve was gone. In his place was something that could only be called a troll. Eight feet with arms like tree stumps and fingers that trailed past it's knees. The stench of death floated out behind the beast and if Gregor had been looking he would have seen the remains of two street people tossed about the alley. But he was beyond seeing the world about him. He fell into his Rage, vision turning red as he swelled. The blood pouring down his side should have dropped him to the ground or at the very least slowed him down but it didn't.

  Not bothering to pull his blade, he barreled ahead, hands grabbing the troll to rip it to shreds. The big monster was quick for its massive size. It's hands curled all the way around Gregor's biceps and lifted him off his feet. It pulled him close, massive jaws dripping ichor as it tried to bite a hunk of flesh. But the true Rage buried inside Gregor had no balance in the here and now. He couldn't feel Hana's tiny hand and his control was gone. He and not the troll took a mouthful of flesh and blood. He bit and tore, black ichor flying as the beast howled and shook him like a doll.

  ***

  Hana awoke and tried to move, to leave and shook her head dazed. Her link to time and space was being blocked. Slowly opening her eyes, she lifted her head. Once more she was in the shadow realm. The room was familiar but only in its basic uses. She pulled on her hands and gasped. She was chained!

  "That's right bitch, you are not gonna get free this time." Hana looked up and her eyes grew round. Before her dressed in black PVC that hugged each perfect curve was Seiya but a much different one. Where once she was pretty, damaged but sane, now she was beautiful in the way of a viper. Shadow had given her waist length black hair with a single shock of pink running through it. At her belt she had her whip and her new favorite toy, the shadow flail.

  She walked over to the side and pulled a lever that started the chains retracting into the ceiling. Hana felt her arms pulled apart as her feet left the floor. "Kaneda was so very sweet. He let me have this room for our very private girl time sweetie." Seiya's once sultry voice was a sibilant hiss now. "And I can do anything I want...as long as I get the answer he wants." She pulled her whip and cracked it, slicing Hana across her cheek. "And you will give me the answers sweetie." She walked over and wrenched Hana's face toward her with a hand on her chin. She leaned in and licked the cut with a long slow lap. "But we get to have fun first. Ain’t it grand?"

  Hana shuddered and shook her head. "No, it isn't Seya. We're friends."

  "Friends? Friends!" Seiya walked back and forth before lashing out with her claws. "Friends don't steal friends men!" Seiya started beating her once room mate. Yelling and accusing her of crimes that the innocent, virginal girl could never do. She beat and clawed and yelled, questions forgotten in her madness.

  ***

  Steve appeared in his room and leaned against the wall shuddering. It wasn't manly or strong but he slid down the wall and sobbed. He had truly and finally blown it. He had given little Hana to a mad woman and then stabbed his once best friend, leaving him to fight and die alone. What had he done? This is when he wished he had the power to turn back time.

  He turned and placed the black crystal on the table. He then lifted the heavy metal statue of the Shadow master and brought it down hard. The statue broke but the crystal did not. It sat pulsing with a sluggish red glow, like blood on obsidian.

 

  Chapter Fifteen

  "Do you think this woman could show me that touch point technique Suteko used.?" Shayla turned and smiled at her tall mate.

  "Did I hear you say Suteko, child?"

  Uhanzee and Shayla turned to see a tiny, wizened woman balanced on a staff. Her large eyes held curiosity and a bright wit. Shayla politely nodded. "Yes elder. She is a friend and fellow traveler. She told me once of this place and the wise elder who ran it." Shayla put as much sincerity as she could in her words and no one can do that quite like a healer.

  "This girl, about so tall," she held up a gnarled hand. "Green eyes, black hair in a tight braid with a scar? Quickly, child."

  Shayla looked to her mate and he nodded. This woman was supposed to not remember the Star Knight. According to Suteko she had been wiped clean of everyone's mind in Nerima. "Yes grandmother, that is she does appear to look that way. Do you remember her?"

  Cologne, ever the wily ancient, studied the two gajjin standing before her. The pretty blonde woman and her striking male companion. They were out of place here but something, be it instinct, told her to trust them. "Yes, children, I remember her. Sadly I am the only one. It has been years since I have heard anything about her." She turned and hopped to the doorway of her shop. "Come, have some tea and tell me how that sweet child is faring." She disappeared inside, her voice drifting back. "And tell me how she got involved with the Kouhei."

  ***

  Iriko and Samuel quietly tended her garden just after the sun rose. They were shy with each other but they didn't need words. As one they carefully nipped and strengthened the rare flowers in this tiny garden. Samuel urged the delicate blossoms to grow strong, to drink in the sun.

  As one they blinked and lowered their tools. They weren't scheduled to leave on watch till noon but something was wrong, terribly wrong. Iriko gasped and her watering can hit the roof. "Hana!"

  She turned and without a backward glace dashed down the stairs, Samuel a step behind. She ran into her kitchen, snatched up her phone and called Setsuna.

  It only started to ring when Setsuna's cultured voice spoke. "Pain has her Minerva, and she is mad. She was told to get information but she is just torturing her for pleasure." The normally cool Pluto was crying. "You must find Rage and get him to her side." She then hung up.

  Iriko's eyes were filled with fear when she turned to Samuel. He pulled her into his warm steady embrace. "What is it?"

  "Pain has Hana."

  Samuel started to curse, low and long. He had seen what Seiya could do and now she had the object of her obsession since she had come back. "Where is Matten?"

  Iriko shook her head. "I don't know," she whispered. After a few minutes of tears and fear, Iriko shook herself and place her hand on Samuel's cheek. Softly, carefully she spoke. "There is a way, if you trust me, that I think I can find him."

  Samuel nodded. "I trust you."

  Iriko pressed him into a chair and explained. "All you Kouhei have a connection, subconscious but there. If I can heighten it you should be able to feel him and trace him."

  Samuel had no idea what she was talking about but she was his match. He trusted her. He took her fingers in his, gently kissed the tips and placed them on his temples. "Go for it, Iri-chan. Lets find the bear."

  Closing their eyes together Iriko appeared in his well ordered mind. They poked about together till they found the link. As one they rested mind fingers on the link. The blast of red rage and blood tossed Iriko out of Samuel's head with enough force to dump her on the floor. Samuel blinked and picked her up, quickly insuring with hands and eyes she was all right and then as one they said. "Got it!" Grabbing up her keys they headed out for the Okonomiyaki shop. Rage was out and his partner of the past years was not there
to stop him.

  Samuel had his phone out and was calling Jaeoh as Iriko drove, swerving between cars to gain every second she could. They needed to stop Gregor, before they lost him to madness.

  "Pick up Jaeoh, come on." Samuel held on for dear life. His sweet, timid mate was a demon driver. "Jaeoh! It’s Rage!..Oh you know...the shop. Yeah...okay!" He turned to Iriko just as they took a sharp left missing a bus by mere inches. "They’re nearly there."

  ******

  The bike raced down the streets, its two riders leaning low, knees nearly touching pavement as they took turns. Pure Rage flooded both Suteko and Jaeoh as they lay together that morning. Without a word they knew that Gregor needed to be stopped, calmed before he turned savage. Jaeoh brought the bike to a screeching halt before a savage scene.

  Gregor was covered in ichor and blood, his eyes black, his whole body glowing red. Pieces of Troll were slowly dissolving back into piles of ash. People had run down the street, fleeing the man devil before them. There was a pretty woman wielding a giant spatula trying to keep him contained.