Chapter 9 _To Fight For You_

Chapter 9 "To Fight For You"

Toya's breathing came in short quick gasps as a feeling of foreboding jerked him from the deep sleep the sharing of the mating mark had caused. Memories of the night before came flooding back but so did the fear of losing her, making his arms tighten around her unconsciously. He needed to get Kyoko out of harm’s way and soon.

Now that he’d mated with her, Kyou would come. He wouldn’t allow Kyou to have her. He’d die first. Toya held on to her possessively. His love for her had no boundary. He had to find a way to stop Kyou from taking that away from him.

For the last couple years, he and Kyou had been battling each other silently, but in truth he knew what was really happening. They both housed within them a part of Tadamichi’s heart and soul… the parts that clashed. He and his brother were forming a strange bond and all the threats and fights only made them closer. It was a way of understanding one another.

Kyou had many chances to kill him… but never did. Toya had raised his weapons for the deathblow but also couldn’t bring himself to finish it. Neither one would admit it but over time, they had become true brothers. But brother or not, Kyoko was his and his alone.

Toya slowly opened his golden eyes to watch Kyoko as she slept within his arms. This was all he’d ever wanted and he would not share her with his brother even if it meant breaking the bond he and Kyou had built. The bond between him and Kyoko was stronger than the bond that part of Tadamichi demanded. She was now his life-mate and he wanted to be the only one to hold her love within his heart. He wondered if he should warn her about the impending threat of Kyou trying to take her.

Kyoko was coming out of her sleep to feel strong arms locked around her. Not opening her eyes, she just laid there, enjoying the sense of security she felt in his arms. This was all she’d ever wanted, for Toya to love her. She slowly opened her eyes only to find him staring straight into her own. Her heart fluttered and she smiled.

"Toya," Her voice was soft and breathless.

Toya rolled her over onto her back and stared down at her. He didn’t need Tadamichi… or even his brothers. She was all he would ever want or need. Lowering his lips to hers, he wondered if last night’s memory of the taste of her lips was right. Without a word he received his own answer. The kiss was sweet, fiery, and intoxicating. His hair spilled over his shoulder to canopy around them as soft moans turned urgent with need.

Kyoko gave him all the love she had through that kiss. When his lips left hers, he looked down at her with wonder in his expression. Then his senses came alert and his body tensed.

"Kyou is near.” He rose up and taking his white undershirt, he slipped it over her head knowing he’d destroyed most of her clothing the night before. He watched as it floated down around her knees. "I have to get you away from here Kyoko. It's no longer safe."

Kyoko felt her heart speed up at the way Toya was acting. "Toya, what is it? Has he come here to fight you again? I thought he’d given up that game.” Her voice held a hint of fear in it. She took the hand he offered and stood beside him.

Toya could hear her heart thumping in panic. “He’s not here to play. He wants you.” He turned to her and placed a hand on each of her cheeks, pinning her with his gaze. "Kyoko, no matter what happens, I will always love you. Now let’s go before he comes any closer.” Placing a quick kiss to her lips he turned around so she could climb on.

Kyoko wrapped her arms tightly around him. The one thing that shocked her more than anything else was the fact that she could feel Toya's fear overriding her own. Toya wasn’t scared of anything… ever. This was bad… really bad. In her mind, she cried out, ‘No, not now, not when we are finally together. It’s not fair… they’re brothers and fight for the same side.’

She pressed her cheek against his silky hair as Toya took off with speed he’d never used before. Her eyes widened as things moved past her in streaks. Putting her lips closer to him, she asked breathlessly. "Toya, where did this speed come from?" She held on as they jumped from one tree to another fast enough for it to almost be considered teleporting.

In truth, Toya had no idea where it had come from but he felt stronger and faster. He smiled to himself but didn’t answer as he took his speed up another notch. They took off to the area where they’d left the others, getting there in record time. They crashed into the clearing, landing right next to a worried Suki and Shinbe.

Kamui latched his arm around Kyoko’s waist as soon as she slipped from Toya's back.

"Kyoko, we were worried. Where have you guys been all night?” He pulled her into a concerned embrace then suddenly stopped, his stardust colored eyes widening. He took a step back from her in confusion than turned his accusing gaze to Toya.

“Kyoko, you smell just like Toya.” He wrinkled his nose in puzzlement.

Kyoko flushed ten shades of red as Suki and Shinbe looked from her to Toya then back to her. She didn’t care what they thought and was about to tell them so when Toya spoke up.

"Kyoko is mine and that’s all you need to know because right now we have a problem. Kyou's scent is getting closer and he thinks he’s gonna steal Kyoko from me.” He sniffed the air again scowling. "And on top of that, I can smell Hyakuhei within the breeze."

Suki grabbed her bayonet as Kamui edged closer to Kaen, who was now burning his bright flame as he grew into his fighting form.

Kamui's eyes shimmered as he grabbed Kyoko’s arm pulling her with him. "Kyoko, I don’t like this. How are we supposed to fight both of them at the same time?"

Kyoko bit her bottom lip, not knowing how to answer Kamui’s question. She grabbed her crossbow off the ground and slung it on her back hoping she wouldn’t have to use it but feeling safer having it within reaching distance.

Seeing Toya turn in a circle as he watched the sky, she sought out an answer to Kamui’s question since it mimicked her own question. "Toya, shouldn’t we make a break for it while we still have a chance so that later we can face them one at a time.” Her lips parted as Toya ran to her and pushed her behind him protectively.

"I’m sorry Kyoko, but it looks like it’s already too late.” The twin daggers pulsed and flashed to life as he felt a strange feeling that he’d never felt before close over his body. Then his eyes glowed molten silver as the twin daggers pulsed again at twice their normal power level. Lightning crackled around the blades ominously.

Toya lifted the blades in amazement then brought them down in an arc and could hear the power hum. He suddenly knew what it meant. His love for Kyoko had gone into the twin daggers and given him the power to protect her from harm. He stood in front of Kyoko possessively, smirking inwardly as he watched Kyou land in the clearing.

Kyoko’s eyes widened when Kyou’s entrance wasn’t his normal soft landing. He landed in a crouch sending a wave of dust around him before slowly rising, his gaze riveted on the daggers.

"Kyou,” Fear laced her voice as she watched him approach Toya. She wasn’t afraid for herself. She didn’t think Kyou would harm her but she was scared he would harm his brother if he didn’t get his way. She took her crossbow from her back and notched it, waiting to see if Kyou would make her use it.

Kyou could feel the combined power surging from Toya and Kyoko. His attention set firmly on her as he stated the facts as he saw them, "You have already chosen us."

Kyoko saw the look in his eyes and her heart froze. Kyou was usually emotionless but now, his eyes held fire as if he’d been waiting anxiously for this to happen and it sent a chill through her.

Toya stiffened and he glared at his brother angrily. "I’ve already told you once, Kyoko is mine,” He growled out waiting on Kyou to make the first move.

Kyou’s unmistakably emotionless voice turned to his brother. "Your power has grown brother. This will come in handy when you fight Hyakuhei… but you still are not stronger then I, Toya. Do not waste your energy fighting me when it is Hyakuhei who is the danger. When I join the bond you have created for us with her… my power will grow as well and we can protect her as it was meant to be."

Kyoko watched in confusion as she listened to Kyou. Narrowing her eyes, she spoke using the strongest voice she could muster. “Kyou, I’ve chosen Toya as my mate so I’m no longer free, right? When you mate… isn’t it for life?” The last of her words were the question that was suddenly bothering her and her heart leapt when Kyou turned his intense gaze on her.

With the barest hint of a smile gracing his lips, Kyou arrogantly informed their naïve priestess, "My dear brother has regretfully forgotten to tell you that by becoming his life-mate… you have become mine as well. All that is left is the bonding of our bodies.”

Kyoko gasped. "No, that’s not true. It can’t be. Toya?"

Toya felt his blood begin to boil because it wasn’t a lie but neither was it the truth. Raising the fire dagger, the power behind the blade hummed as he screamed. "You will not lay a hand on Kyoko or I swear, you bastard… you will lose that hand.” He rushed his brother, bringing the dagger down in an arc only to make contact with Kyou's sword of destruction.

In one swift movement, almost too fast to detect that he had even done so, Kyou had drawn his sword and clashed it with Toya's dagger. "You will lose if you try to stop me, dear brother. You may lose more than her.” Kyou scowled in irritation then challenged, "Do you want to leave her so soon?”

Kyoko was disturbed. What did he mean… she was to be mated to both of them? Why had Toya not warned her? She felt her anger start to grow at the two brothers who now stood glaring at one another. She was not going to be with Kyou… but she also didn’t want Toya to hurt him.

Their weapons parted, sending lightning around the metal blades, only to clash back together at a different angle. Kyou had a malicious predatory glint in his eyes as he stalked Toya… the blades once again parting.

Toya had had enough of his brother’s intimidation. "I don’t have to abide by Tadamichi’s rules if I choose not to… so go find your own mate, you bastard!" Toya lunged again only to be brought up short when Kyou swiped at him with his deadly claws. As Toya dodged the claws, Kyou brought his sword down slicing a shallow cut along Toya’s arm as a warning of what was to come.

With a smile that was known to chill the strongest of hearts, Kyou advanced on Toya. "Abide or not, it is in our blood. If you press me, I will take your life at the same time I take your mate.” He could see the horror in Kyoko’s eyes before she pressed her face against Kamui’s chest and it only angered him more. Kyou roared with suppressed fury as his powerful blood began to seep into the corners of his eyes, turning them crimson.

Toya knew it would be best to get Kyoko as far away as he could get her right now, for her own safety.

Kyoko jumped when Toya yelled in her direction. "Suki, Shinbe, get Kyoko outta here! Now!”

Kaen dipped his head under Kyoko and literally tossed her onto his back as the others jumped up behind her. She didn’t want to leave. What if something happened to them?

"No, let me go. I have to stop them!” Kyoko screamed, trying to jump off Kaen just as the dragon was taking off.

Shinbe reached out to grab her and get her to safety when to his dismay; Kyoko was snatched right out of thin air. Kamui and Suki yelled her name while Shinbe tried to grab her hand just as she was being pulled out of reach.

Kyoko didn’t know what was going on or who had grabbed her. She could feel the arms locked around her, keeping her from falling as she stayed there in midair. She could see Kyou and Toya in her line of vision and distantly she thought to herself. ‘Then who?’ Cold chills hit the side of her neck as a voice whispered in her ear.

"Priestess… shall we complete the guardian heart crystal?”

Kyoko screamed reaching out her hand for Toya just as he turned and locked gazes with her.

Toya and Kyou both turned to see Hyakuhei hovering in midair holding Kyoko around the waist. His laughter filled the clearing as he put his hand across Kyoko’s mouth to keep her quiet and his arm held her pinned to him. His thumb caressed her cheek as he smirked.

"Did you forget who you were fighting for?" Turning her face to his, he whispered, "Such carelessness from the men who claim to love you.” His eyes softened as past collided with present images. Somewhere deep within the tormenting demons, he could hear his own voice whispering that she would save him.

Kyoko was terrified; more terrified then she’d ever been in her whole life. She watched as his long dark hair flowed out around them and began to grow, wrapping itself around her like living bondage to hold her still. She could feel his demonic aura biting at her skin where his hair touched her.

She shifted her gaze to look down at Toya and Kyou who had stopped fighting. Both now had red eyes as they watched Hyakuhei caress her cheek. They were the last thing she saw before her and Hyakuhei disappeared backwards through a black void that had opened up behind them.

In union, Toya and Kyou sprang, slamming through the void and disappearing within its inky blackness before the void closed behind them… vanishing from sight. The rest of the group was left alone in the clearing not knowing what to do or where the void had taken them. The brothers found themselves within a rock tunnel not caring when the void closed behind them.

Toya looked around disappointed that Hyakuhei wasn’t standing within killing distance. "Damn it! Where the hell did they go?" He growled then turned his glare toward Kyou. "You shouldn’t have followed me!" His facial features turned serious for a moment… Toya knew he could use all the help he could get but it also made him angry.

"Let’s just find her." Was Kyou's calm response, the blood leaving his eyes.

In a blur, both guardians raced down the tunnel coming into a large room with a small pool of water. Looking around… Toya realized this was where he and Kyoko had spent the night.

“Not here… why would he?” He whispered in denial wondering how Hyakuhei had known.

Kyou growled when he saw Hyakuhei standing on the other side of the pool with Kyoko still held tight against him. He detected the shimmer of a barrier surrounding both of their bodies. He could also smell what had happened only hours before and only a few feet from him but he remained calm, always waiting on the enemy to make the first move.

Toya had no intentions of waiting and lunged at the barrier, only to be repelled as the shield crackled with blazing light, slamming him back onto the stone floor.

As they watched, Hyakuhei’s ebony hair spilled over his shoulders like liquid as it held Kyoko flush against him… as if they were lovers. His dark gaze caressed her face remembering another. He slid his hand across Kyoko’s cheek, tenderly watching the now unconscious girl. He paid no attention to the two angry guardians on the other side of the barrier. They did not deserve her… no matter what Tadamichi had thought. She was not to be shared. He would make her hate them both.

"Let go of her you bastard!" Toya cried out in rage, slamming the crossed daggers against the barrier, only to be repelled again.

"Stop,” Kyou held up his hand to Toya. "He will not hurt her yet. We will have time to save her.”

Toya growled pushing himself up off the rock floor to stand beside his brother.

Hyakuhei turned Kyoko to him as he shifted to give the two men a better view. He slid his hand up into her hair and back down to run his thumb over her bottom lip. He smiled knowingly. "Tadamichi was wrong and I’m going to prove it." He tilted her head up and lowered his lips to hers, sealing this new spell with a kiss.

Toya caught a flash to his left and turned seeing the form of him and Kyoko lying just as they were this morning. He gasped as the illusionary figures began to move.

Kyou watched with a dangerous expression replacing his normal calm surface.

***** Kyoko awoke with a start, sitting up and breathing very hard as if waking up from some unknown nightmare. She calmed realizing she was still in the cave where she and Toya had spent the night. Letting her vision follow the hand that was thrown across her chest, her lips lifted in a relaxed smile seeing Toya lying beside her.

Her soft voice echoed within the walls of the cave. "A dream?" She bit her bottom lip feeling more like she’d been tossed back through time. She couldn’t shake the sensation of how real everything had felt, of Toya and Kyou fighting and of Hyakuhei taking her.

Watching Toya sleep let her know everything was all right because if it wasn't, he would know… right? "I love you," she whispered needing the words to wash the rest of her fear away. She smiled as his golden eyes opened but he just stared at her… not saying a word before moving to sit up, looking around the cave as if expecting something.

He looked back at her and slid closer, putting his hand behind her head to pull her in for a hard kiss before releasing her.

Kyoko got another odd feeling as he stood up and began dressing. "Toya, are you alright?" She asked in a small voice, unable to get rid of the irrational fear that was still holding her.

He turned around and smirked down at her, "I’m fine now that we are mated, but you might want to get ready. Kyou will be here soon to collect you and take you with him." He turned his back on her as if he didn’t have anything else to say.

Kyoko froze, not believing what she was hearing. She couldn’t help but think that something was wrong as she looked around. She could hear the water and she could feel the ground but at the same time she hoped like hell she was dreaming.

She reached over and pinched herself. "Oww, okay, I’m definitely awake." She watched as Toya turned back to her, looking impatient.

"Come on, get dressed. You don’t want Kyou mad at you for making him wait, do you?"

Kyoko jumped up looking around. Okay, first she was going to find her clothes then she would figure out what the hell was going on. She reached down and picked up her bra, seeing it was ripped and shook it at him, her temper finally flaring. "Okay, I don’t know what is going on but you have to give me the shirt you’re wearing so I’ll have clothes to dress in, seeing as to how you destroyed mine."

Toya turned around and gave her an annoyed look before shrugging back out of his shirt and slinging it at her. "Here.”

Kyoko caught it and flipped it over her head to cover herself. Standing there in his oversized shirt, looking down at the floor, she asked, "Okay Toya. What’s really going on? I thought after last night,” She glanced up at him not understanding, “I trusted you. What do you mean Kyou is coming to get me? Why is he going to do that?” She held her breath hoping it wasn’t for the reason she was thinking.

She watched as Toya’s smile turned satisfied. "Kyoko, I’m not the only one who wanted you," He laughed. “We forgot to tell you a secret. Now that we have mated, you belong to all the guardians. You see, Kyou knew you wouldn’t pick him because you feared him so he let me have you first. And now he can have you while I go back to finding the rest of the talismans. Besides… brothers should always share.”

Kyoko was speechless as he turned and walked out of the cave leaving her behind. "No, this isn’t right. This can’t be right. TOYA!!!!!!" The scream was torn from her soul as she sank to her knees and let the tears come.

***** Kyoko’s scream echoed through the cave as the vision vanished. Kyou noted Toya’s head was tilted down, his bangs falling in front of his face hiding his expression but looking closely, Kyou could see Toya’s fisted hands at his sides, the daggers once again sheathed within his body as it trembled with rage.

Knowing Toya as he did… to be hot headed and not to think first Kyou hissed. "Toya, hold yourself. She is not physically hurt. Do not do anything rash or you will endanger her. Wait for my signal." He stilled realizing why Hyakuhei was doing this. This is the very reason Hyakuhei had killed his brother… the same reason he and Toya had been fighting only moments ago.

"That wasn’t a dream… that was a nightmare to her. She doesn’t want to be with anyone but me," Toya growled back. Lifting his gaze back to Hyakuhei and Kyoko, he could feel his powers building up inside him as he watched Hyakuhei seductively wrap his arms around Kyoko, seeming to hold her tenderly while she whimpered in her sleep. "What the hell is he doing?" The angry words tore from him.

"He is giving her false memories using mind control. She will think this really happened if she does not see through the spell.” Kyou gritted his teeth when Hyakuhei again kissed Kyoko and another vision appeared.

***** Kyoko knelt on the floor, tears streaming down her face. "Why Toya? Why did you betray me like this?" Her small body racked with her sobs, she didn’t know what to do. She stopped crying, feeling the fine hairs stand up on the back of her neck… she wasn’t alone anymore. She didn’t have her crossbow with her. She had no weapon at all. She froze as a shadow fell across her then cringed knowing without a doubt just who was standing behind her.

"Why do you cry?” Kyou’s voice regarded her coolly. His emotionless and refined tones chilled Kyoko to the bone. She flinched when he knelt beside her and reached out to touch her cheek.

"No!! Don’t touch me… please! I don’t want you to put a spell on me. I want to be able to think on my own!" She cried out and faced him. "I don’t want you… or Toya. I just want to go home!"

"You cannot go home now.” Kyou smirked and waved his hand dismissively. "You belong to the guardians." He watched as her eyes filled with hurt and anger. "You gave my brother more power. Do you really think I will let you go, knowing you will strengthen my power as well?" He demanded.

Kyoko stood up taking a step back, watching Kyou close the distance between them with a predatory glint in his eyes. She tried to reason with him as she kept retreating. "Kyou, you are not like this." She cringed, knowing he was gaining on her and raised her chin up a notch in defiance. "Would you really hurt the one you are sworn to protect?!" She screamed as his feet left the floor.

He reached for her, lifting her and pinning her to the wall several feet above the stone floor. "I would kill the man or demon who tries to hurt you. But you and I are different. I will not have to rape you with a spell. You will want me and you will give me more power." He leaned into her and nuzzled her wet cheek.

On the other side of the barrier, Kyou seethed. He felt Toya’s power rise more with every second this went on. Toya’s power grew with his anger and his will to protect Kyoko. He only hoped Toya could control his demonic side for a little while longer.

Kyou turned back to the scene only to see his likeness start to force his self on Kyoko and his own anger began to burn. Switching his sight over to the real Kyoko, he could see Hyakuhei was still kissing the unconscious girl and his hands were now roaming her body. One rape was imaginary but the other wouldn’t be if they could not stop it in time.

He knew it was getting too dangerous to wait any longer. "Toya, focus all your power on the barrier and we will strike it at the same time."

As his brother’s words penetrated into Toya’s mind, his gaze turned from the demented image of Kyoko and Kyou, to the barrier that held the real Kyoko. He felt the daggers pulse within him. His blood was on fire as the twin daggers slid into view, glowing a powerful blue.

Kyou’s blood seeped into his own eyes as he watched the nightmare unfold in front of him. He would not let anyone do this to Kyoko… not even himself.

"Shatter it!" Kyou’s cry of fury echoed as both his and Toya’s blades hit the barrier and lightning filled the cave. The scene flickered and vanished as the barrier began to ripple as if a hard rain pounded it. The blades, still braced where they hit, caused the distorted ripples from the impact to race outwards with waves of sizzling power, dissipating the barrier.

They both saw Kyoko wake up and start to struggle against Hyakuhei. He pulled his lips back from hers and smiled. Hyakuhei turned her around so she could see Toya and Kyou, knowing that the images he’d given her, she would think were true.

The moment she saw the brothers coming toward her Kyoko started to scream, her eyes widening in fear. She instantly turned back around, grabbing hold of Hyakuhei and sinking as deep into his embrace as she could get. All she wanted to do right now was get away from the guardians and if Hyakuhei was her only out… then she would take it.

"No, Kyoko! Fight it! Hyakuhei is lying to you!" Toya didn’t know what to do with Kyoko in the way. Her expression told him that what he’d seen in her dream, she still thought had really happen.

When she looked back up at Hyakuhei, she let go of him, not knowing what to do. Kyou realized at that moment… she was scared of all three of them.

“Kyoko, trust us. We did not harm you. Hyakuhei did." Toya’s words barely had time to reach her before Hyakuhei erected another barrier. Grasping Kyoko’s chin, he once again lifted her lips for a memory altering kiss. Right in front of both Toya and Kyou, another vision appeared, this time close enough to touch.

Kyoko was still fighting Kyou. The image of Toya was only a couple feet away, watching as if he didn’t care what was happening. In the vision, Hyakuhei came and threw Kyou off her, saving her and pushing her behind him as if protecting her. Then his hair lengthened, wrapping around Kyou and Toya at the same time to sling them through the void he had opened up behind them.

Kyoko watched as Hyakuhei turned to her, his midnight hair in silken waves flowing out around him. His perfect body was bare from the waist up, showing his lean muscles and unblemished skin.

He reached out gently and caught a tear from her cheek whispering, "Priestess, I will protect you this time. You were never meant to be shared.”

Kyoko’s mind flashed… he’d saved her and his eyes were kind… but… she looked up at him trying to see inside. Something wasn’t right. Hyakuhei came closer to her, caressing her cheek with a feather-light touch. Just as she pressed her cheek against the palm of his hand she stilled, instinct warning her that this was wrong. Why would the enemy save her?

Then it clicked. She could see herself as he touched her. She was watching herself like gazing into a mirror. Looking up into his eyes, she cried, "This isn’t real!" She started to struggle. She could hear Toya and Kyou yelling for her to fight it. Looking behind her, she could see their shadows on the other side of what looked like a barrier.

Toya stopped trying to slice the barrier and Kyou smiled, knowing Kyoko had broken the spell.

Kyou raised his sword and roared, "Now!"

Both struck right beside each other and the shield started to flash in and out of existence.

Kyoko screamed both their names, reaching out for them.

With the speed of his full guardian power, Kyou forced his hand through the fluctuating shield and grabbed Kyoko’s wrist. Just as he jerked her out of harm’s way, Toya released all the power of the twin daggers directly at Hyakuhei. The blades never touched him, but they didn’t have to. Hyakuhei’s body was ripped apart, exposing the talismans in his chest.

Hyakuhei growled as his body started mending the wounds with the help of the sacred talismans. “You know nothing and you are wrong!” he yelled before disappearing into a void that had opened up behind him. The voices of the demons within him could be heard ricocheting through the caverns as the tainted shards of crystal protected its master.

Toya turned to see Kyou standing beside him holding Kyoko. She’d once again slipped into unconsciousness, either from Hyakuhei’s spell or from shock… he wasn’t sure. Kyou was gazing down at her… as if he did indeed love her and Toya growled possessively.

Without looking up at Toya, Kyou’s calm voice soothed his brother’s blood lust. "I will not harm her." He could feel the need within him to take her away from all of this but he fought it. All his instincts pushed him to keep her, to mark her before she ran from him. She was his chosen mate but he overpowered the need with new understanding. Until he convinced her of his love, she would never accept him.

He walked to Toya as the red vanished from his golden eyes. "Kyoko is yours for now, brother.” He placed Kyoko in Toya’s arms and silently exited the cave. After seeing his own image harming the girl, it left him feeling disturbed. Kyou suppressed a growl as he stood outside the cave awaiting his brother. He remembered the words she had spoken to him within the dream spell.

Kyou looked down at his hands in new understanding. “I will wait for you to love me Kyoko.”