Uhanzee let Gregor do most of the talking. Let him work out just who he thought Hana was. He was sure after some of the tales Gregor had shared with him that Hana had decided in a truly Japanese way to be his home. Neither guarded heart knew that a careful observer could see the longing that would flicker in a pair of black eyes. Gregor, normally so observant, missed those looks. He would have a word with his Shayla. She knew hearts. She was helping Samuel deal with his own resurrection and his own destiny, she could give him pointers on how to help these two stop fighting their destiny.
"Hey, have you talked to Jaeoh since we came back?"
Uhanzee slowly shook his head, flipping one long braid over his shoulder. "He has been closeted with the once Prince since you returned. Shayla tells me that it has something to do with some legend."
Gregor snorted. "So he is keeping everyone in the dark."
“Maybe not on purpose Ma’hane. Legends are tricky things. The meaning of the tales are easily misinterpreted. Our leader has had destiny shoved back in his face after five long years alone. Shayla tells me that he only spoke to her on computers. Did you speak to him at all in those years.?
Gregor shook his head. “He was deep in the mountains at some monastery last I had heard.”
“Then coming back has been as confusing to him as it is to I. He is attracted to this Star Knight. She, like himself, does not fit the culture they grew up in, they have both been touched by destiny and she is a lovely thing.”
Gregor snorted again. It was true that she was pretty but he was not attracted to her other than as a puzzle to be solved. “Never mind she can give him a run for his money as a fighter. She is tough, strong and fast.”
This time Uhanzee raised both brows. Gregor thought the Knight was a warrior worthy of note. He continued. “I got one spar with her and she was fast. Fast enough to know she was holding back.” Gregor’s voice took on a musing tone. “I have a feeling she could whoop us all if she was at full power and angry.”
That comment really surprised Uhanzee. Gregor never admitted things like this. Maybe the notaxe’na had finally grown up. Years before he would never have admitted that a warrior could be good, never mind possibly better. “So this woman would be a good match for Jaeoh?”
Gregor paused again. In all the excitement he had not thought about attraction. Jaeoh had all the signs, if you paid close attention and Gregor admitted he hadn’t been. He got up slowly with a nod to Uhanzee. Now the time with Mamaru made sense. Though Uhanzee’s destiny comment made him wonder. He headed to the kitchen. It was time for some tea.
***
Seiya lay back on the large blood red bed. This Shadow Master, Kaneda, was wonderful. He gave her free rein to use her powers as she saw fit. Playing with the little slut was fun. The blood flowing down her pale, pale skin satisfied something deep inside. The last time she played like that her toy had broken too quickly. This Star Knight was much stronger, though she was pretty damaged. They had to let her heal up a bit per Kaneda’s orders. He had a plan to use her for bait but she had to be alive for that.
Seiya closed her eyes and pictured the lovely reactions she got from Suteko. Hanging her from the ceiling with chains was deliciously medieval. Having them imbued with the woman’s one serious weakness was genius. She rolled about the bed purring. She licked her lips as she let the black haired woman’s large green eyes fade to black, her face transform to another face. One that she once called friend. How she would love to string up Hana, whip that condensing look from her little man stealing face. Better would be to have Gregor chained down, unable to save his little slut. Yes, it would be hellacious to make him watch as she bled and begged for mercy. Too bad little Hana was too smart to be caught.
***
Steve was back in his own quarters, reconsidering his bargain. He had been offered power and the time to ride his beloved waves whenever he wished but all he seemed to do is beat on women. That was not what he signed on for. It was one thing to fight a foe, going toe to toe, power to power but to beat a woman chained to the ceiling, that was torture. He had finally walked out after Seiya started to lick the blood off the flail she kept at her belt. She had been weird in the old days but this was sick. She didn’t even ask the woman questions just struck and struck her. Even after the moans had died out. It took a direct order from Aki and a blow to her head to stop the mistress of Pain. He really felt sorry for the woman. Whatever information Kaneda wanted was likely to die with the Star Knight if he didn’t pull Seiya back. Maybe his plan was a mistake. He started to plan a way out. Shadows might be most places but the Ocean held little shade.
***
Aki stayed in the Room after he sent Seiya away. The torture was getting nowhere. This wasn’t getting them closer to the Gate and its guardian. It was just giving sick pleasure to two very twisted souls. He knew his Master had a thing for sensei but he obviously found Seiya more to his liking now.
Nodding to his attendant shadows, he held out his hand. They dropped a shallow bowl and a cloth into his palm. He stepped over and shook his head. “Sensei, they go to far,” he said softly. Even though he sold his soul to save his skin, he kept early lessons on honor buried deep. He placed the bowl under her chin and slowly proceeded to clean blood from her face. She was fully limp, so limp at first he through she was unconscious again but he started when she sucked the cloth between cracked and swollen lips, trying to capture the moisture held there.
“Easy woman,” he snapped his fingers and the bowl floated off to the side as a flask floated to his hand. He carefully cupped her chin and lifted the flask. Some of the water spilled down her chin, washing a clean path through the blood but she managed to swallow a few mouthfuls before dropping her head back down.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
Aki stood debating before reaching for the water and cloth. Once again he started to wash her face. While swollen and heavily bruised her face had not been cut much. The blood mostly came from the spit lip and a cut high underneath her eye. It ran above an old scar that he wondered about. A fine line along her cheek. He stepped around to check out her back and let out a silent whistle. The back of her shirt had been ripped into shreds. The tattered remains stuck in the wounds on her skin. It looked as if Seiya couldn’t wait to start. Kaneda had sent him out to check on various field shadows and now he was glad. While it was a bit hypercritical of him after his earlier attempt to get information, this made him sick deep inside. Bits of cotton were stuck to her wounds and her entire back was a wound. Very carefully he pulled the pieces of t-shirt from her back and then snapped his fingers again.
“This will hurt sensei, but it has to be done.” He lifted another flask and poured it over the wounds. The scream that followed was weak, ragged and defeated. She tried to arch away from the burning pain but she couldn’t. The antiseptic, magically enhanced, would keep the wounds from festering. “That is all I can do for you sensei.” He walked back around his former teacher.
“Thank you,’ she said again, her whisper more forced this time. Not sure why, Aki reached out and lifted her chin gently. He studied her face. Her eyes were swollen shut, though he swore he could feel her watching him.
“I don’t think it will matter now if you tell them sensei.” Aki whispered but she was unconscious again. Not sure why, he sent a trickle of energy into his former teacher. Not the shadow energy he used before but something from inside his soul. The part that once believed in the bright and shiny pure light. It wasn’t strong but it gave the injured woman’s body a gentle boost toward healing. He headed back out, he needed to think.
Chapter Thirteen
Heaven can Wait
“Okay it is time to pull back, to focus on the now. Can you hear me Jaeoh.?” The dark haired Kouhei leader nodded. The meditation technique put him in a deep trance but he was still partially focused on the here and now. He
had let Mamaru steer him to this place in an attempt to find his center again. His growing anger was making him reckless. The last attempt to work out a plan of attack had him storming out. Of the moon court only Mamaru and Iriko seemed to understand.
The shadows had taken to attacking what seemed like random temples and dojos. It was obvious they were searching for Suteko’s brother. They had one of the descendants of the Crystal kingdom chi masters and needed the other. Mamaru had decided that Jaeoh needed to know a few of Suteko’s secrets. Most definitely the one bearing on who she had been. Also on Mamaru’s growing suspicion that Jaeoh may be the reincarnation of the ancient prince. That was both hard to swallow but harder to ignore. Now he let the anger wash away, flow into something else. If he didn’t master himself he would do something foolish.
He slowly released his tension, calling forth the soothing sound of rain on leaves, a warm fire crackling next to a soft rug and a woman. A woman eager for his presence.
Mamaru watched as the Kouhei leader slowly relaxed. The aura of contained anger that flickered with green flames had settled back. He had been ready to call in Gregor to subdue his leader. Since the capture and knowledge of the Star Knight’s torture he had been acting rash. Each time a team went out to deal with the growing shadow incursions he had shown up and flew into battle. Even upstaging Rage’s attacks. The ancient memories were taking over the young man. He had to use every trick in his hard won personal arsenal to keep him from using Hana’s artifact to mount a single handed rescue. Ancient drives were overwhelming when added to current attraction. But they had turned a corner. Just as he moved to bring Jaeoh out of the trance something odd happened. Faintly across the room a figure was forming. Mamaru gasped as Suteko shimmered next to Jaeoh.
She placed a finger to her lips, shaking her head. As the image grew clearer he could see that the Star knight was in bad shape. This projection was dressed in a torn gi was covered in blood and burns. She moved slowly toward Jaeoh, reaching out a hand. While her form was easy to see, she was transparent, like a ghost. Mamaru whispered, “are you dead?”
She turned her large green eyes to his and shook her head mouthing, “No,” before turning back to Jaeoh.
When her hand touched the Kouhei’s temple she flickered. Jaeoh’s eyes flew open and his jaw dropped. “Suteko…”
She smiled weakly and nodded. With her ghostly fingers still on his temple she started to speak. Mamaru heard nothing but Jaeoh held a one sided conversation.
“Jaeoh-san I need your help.” Her voice came softly inside his head.
“We will get you free, I promise.” He whispered.
The image shook her head, “No Jaeoh-san, no. Not for me. I need you to help my brother. Kaneda is drawing near to Ran-chan’s hiding place. If he finds my brother, he finds the final gate.”
“Your brother has his friends. He can defend the gate.”
"Yes, he can, if he knows they are coming. Ran-chan is a tad slow sometimes. I need you to get a warning to him. He has to be warned, to be helped. He needs people to guard his family.”
Her voice was fading as her form flickered. “Suteko?” he asked, worry slipping into his voice.
She seemed to shudder now as something was attacking her. "Don’t….worry about me Kohiski. Please just listen.” The shudders were getting stronger as the men watched. “Have Rei-sama send a message to the Hidden Hills temple. Have her tell them, “Hide the key,” she gasped and it looked like she stumbled. “The Shadows Rise,” her back arched and she let out a scream that this time Mamaru heard. They both watched in horror as black lightening covered her form and blood flowed across her features.
Both men reached for the ghostly image. She cast a longing look toward Jaeoh, “I wish we could have…” she faded as she was pulled back to her body. A crystal thudded to the floor.
Jaeoh and Mamaru sat in silence for along moment. Finally Mamaru asked. “What was her message?”
Jaeoh stood, from the floor to his feet he transformed to Sailor Kouhei Draco. “She wants a message sent to the Hidden Hills temple. Tell Rei to send this exact message. “Hide the key, the Shadows Rise.” He reached down, picked up the crystal and strode to the door.
Mamaru blocked the doorway. “What else Kouhei?”
Jaeoh’s eyes flared with green dragon power. “Nothing else for you sensei. It is time the Kouhei bring Unicorn out of the shadows.” They locked gazes and Mamaru moved aside with a nod. He too had seen the ghostly projection. They could not leave the woman to die alone. No matter her orders.
“I’ll give the message to Rei and get the senshi ready to go.” Mamaru started to go left when he felt Jaeoh’s hand stop him.
“No, have them take care of the city. The Kouhei will bring back our lost and we will punish the traitors.” His voice was scary, low and angry, holding a touch of something else. Almost an echo, as if an ancient warrior was shadowing his modern incarnation.
Mamaru nodded, at this moment one prince to another. Ancient Hiro had made his appearance and it was time to prepare.
The men separated and Mamaru went first to Rei, who nodded at his message, her eyes wide. He then went to Usagi and whispered in her ear. He made sure to have a hand holding her down. She looked up and nodded then gestured for her senshi to gather about. They talked and argued over who would go and who would stay.
Jaeoh headed to the office. At this time Gregor, Uhanzee and the injured Samuel were watching the table. The Kouhei felt a draw that did not touch the Senshi. The table held secrets that Hana would not reveal but they understood. Understood that this was more than the only link to the shadow realm and the prisoner held there.
They looked up as one as they felt his power. Gregor’s slow smile said it all. “Time to get the ladies I see,” He let out a loud laugh as Hana and Shayla came in supporting a weak but upright Iriko.
“Kouhei we have to finish this. We have left the Knight too long.”
Iriko looked at her new friends. “Jaeoh-san, I need to go with you.”
The Kouhei powered up as their leader stared at the senshi of secrets. “Why?”
“Because I can get past the guards and shield you. Hana and I have expanded my shield.”
He turned his eyes to Hana who nodded. “She will be needed.”
“Then power up senshi, we leave now!” His voice cracked out like a whip. Iriko transformed and stood straighter. The added strength and power helped her overcome the last lingering weakness form the poison and her wound.. Earth moved to stand at her side, his hand clasping hers.
“Time, open it up.”
Hana reached into her own pocket and pulled out a key. Unlike the key used last time, this key was made of topaz that glowed. She slid the key into the lock, twisting it first to the left, then to the right. Before she pulled it out she looked at her team. “This time the only way back will be with this key. We have twelve hours. Any longer and you will be trapped in shadow and time.” The Kouhei each nodded as did Minerva. She lifted the lid and she reached inside. “Brace yourselves. I’m taking us as near to Suteko as I can. Be prepared." She lightly touched the white jade of Unicorn and as one everyone in the room was transported in a flash of light.
Mamaru turned away and wished them a silent luck as the senshi set out to warn the temples.
***
Seiya was once more in the Room, using her flail. Someone had cleaned up her new favorite toy. “Tell me who is helping you slut and this will stop.” She raised the weapon and brought it down along Suteko’s lower back. The Star Knight jerked but no sound escaped this time. The human body can only scream for so long before the vocal cords give out. Hanging from the ceiling with no way to support her weight had pulled both shoulders out of their sockets. It had caused her to nearly die till Kaneda realized he might lose his lure. He ordered Aki to return them to place and lowered her so that she could stand. She had ev
en been allowed to lie on her belly till the dark magic had knitted her up enough to stand more torture.
Suteko had learned if she focused inward she could block out the pain. It made the pink haired madwoman enraged when she couldn’t feed on her victims fear and pain but it allowed Suteko’s spirit to roam. She had managed to slip free long enough to deliver her message to Jaeoh.
Letting her eyes flutter shut once more she pictured his face She understood better now the nature of her attraction to the Kouhei leader. When she was recaptured she had been tortured to the point she nearly died. It was the first time she slipped free. She was met by her ancestor who held her and told her everything. To find out that she first had been born far way in a different time was hard to grasp To find that her destined mate was the handsome Kouhei leader was another. Suteko had been shown his life, explained the error in fate that had them grow up apart and the correction that made them warriors of that fate. It was now up to Jaeoh and his team to decide whether this time they would be together or apart forever. As much as she longed for the ending offered it was unlikely now. She sent her destined love to fight with her brother.
“Oh no you don’t woman.” Suteko started with a gasp as a bucket of cold water hit her square in the face. “I said it is time to talk. “ She felt Seiya wrap her fingers in her hair and pull her head up with a hard jerk. The sharper pain brought her fully back. She let out a strangled sigh.
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