Chapter 8 _Flames of Friendship”

Chapter 8 "Flames of Friendship”

Hyakuhei took a step behind the tree when Toya entered the gym area. His black eyes widened as the silver guardian drew closer to Kyoko. This was the guardian who was a force of his own. The mere thought of Kyoko in danger would heighten Toya’s power… making him very unpredictable during battle.

Even Toya did not know the extent of his own strength, but Hyakuhei knew… when Kyoko was in danger… Toya’s power becomes limitless. Even the other guardians were unaware of this fact. Toya had been the one to receive the power of the one true guardian and that made him the fiercest during combat. The more he wanted to protect her, the stronger he would become… such power was disturbing.

Hyakuhei’s hand fisted as he remembered the curse he’d put on the boy. He had hoped that one day the curse would destroy Toya and his limitless power but to this day, the silver guardian seemed unaffected.

'One day Toya… the curse will take you by surprise.' His eyes hardened as he watched the enemy circle the priestess.

***** As Toya circled her he asked, trying to distract her from what he was doing, "So, do you think you will be drinking again, Kyoko?" He gave her an impish grin as he lunged forward slowly and watched her turn sideways to evade him.

Kyoko felt her adrenaline growing with the thought of not letting Toya catch her. "Stick a fork in that subject, will you? I’m done with drinking." She watched for the exact moment for him to lunge, and instantly created a barrier for him to bounce off of. She could only hold the barrier for a moment, and as soon as it vanished, he appeared in front of her, pulling her into his arms.

Kyoko's eyes widened a little. She was used to Kotaro catching her from behind, but Toya had a new approach, and she found herself flush against him. She looked up into his eyes wondering why he hadn’t let her go yet, "Toya?" She couldn’t help but feel his muscles tighten underneath his clothes.

Toya stood motionless, trying to get the picture out of his head of her being taken into the enemy’s body. He could hear himself scream her name as he tried to reach her. He tightened his arms around her without even realizing it. In his mind’s eye, he could see Kyoko as she turned her head and looked directly at him with tears in her eyes. He felt like his heart would stop from the realness of the vision.

"Toya please let go. You’re hurting me," Kyoko whispered against his chest.

Hearing her words, Toya lost the scene playing in his mind as he looked down at the top of her head and instantly released her. He suddenly felt his knees go weak with relief… knowing she was safe and the vision was once again gone.

Sitting down right where he was, Toya folded his arms across his chest, wondering what was happening. It bothered him, knowing that what he just seen in his mind did not feel like a dream… it had to have happened… but when… where? The most disturbing realization was the fact that he had felt so helpless. The knowledge that he couldn’t save her was traumatizing.

Kyoko looked down at Toya's face, his eyes now hidden from her by his long bangs. She let her gaze caress the silver highlights of his dark hair. He seemed so tense and confused that it made her chest hurt. She lowered herself beside him, putting her hand on his shoulder.

"Toya, I know something’s wrong. I can feel it. Will you please tell me? Maybe I can help." She really did want to help because whatever it was had him very upset. She could feel uncertainty vibrating from him in waves.

Toya placed his fingers to his temples and squeezed his eyes shut, "Kyoko, in my head, I keep getting these images that I’ve been with you before. I don't understand why, but they’re driving me crazy." He quickly looked over at her, and saw her eyes widen with acknowledgment. He frowned, "You already know, don’t you?" His eyes narrowed.

Kyoko looked straight ahead at nothing in particular. What was she supposed to say? He was probably remembering things she didn’t even remember. She shrugged sadly knowing she’d been told not to say anything… even though she really wanted to.

She looked at him with a weak, skittish smile. "Maybe you should ask Kyou about this," her voice was almost pleading.

Toya knew in that moment, with those words from her, that it was true. The memories were real and he growled, "I don’t want to ask that bastard anything. I’m asking you Kyoko, so tell me, damn it!"

He didn’t like the fact that Kyoko would hide anything from him, and at the moment, he didn’t trust Kyou. Not after seeing her shoot a spirit dart at him in what he figured was a memory. What if Kyou was lying… and only wanted to hurt her?

Kyoko cringed at Toya’s tone of voice, but she understood why he was acting that way and almost felt sorry for him. ‘It’s not any fun knowing you can’t remember,’ she reminded herself.

"Look, all I know is that we’ve been together before now, but neither of us remembers. So, if you are starting to remember, then you already know more than I do," she stood up, feeling as if she was going to get in trouble for already saying too much. “I’m sorry.” She whispered guiltily.

Toya could feel the fear and indecision vibrating off Kyoko and it hurt his feelings making him ask, "Kyoko, why don’t you trust me?" His heart pounded in denial. He wanted her to trust in him… trust in the fact that he would never hurt her.

Kyoko stopped in mid-stride. Turning around, she walked back to Toya and sat down. "I’m not supposed to say anything, but if you’re remembering… I don’t see why I can't,” She said honestly then added with a nod, "Kyou said you might remember with time. Everyone that is here on scholarship will remember with time."

She leaned against him, laying her head on his shoulder. "All I remember are feelings… so far. I can tell you the feelings I have for you are stronger than for anybody else that I was supposed to have known in the past." She tilted her head up and looked at the side of his face, wishing she could remember him. "Toya, I do trust you… probably more than anybody else."

Toya remained quiet for a moment, trying to decipher what she was saying. Her sweet words lifted most of the weight from his chest letting him breathe. He sighed then asked, "Do you know when this happened?"

Kyoko frowned, "For me, it would be only a little over two years ago. That’s the time from when I have amnesia… but for you, it would be over a thousand years ago." She shook her head, "I think you were born into this time because of a wish I made. Kyou remembers all of it, and that’s why we’re all here."

Toya nodded, understanding at least that part, "The Guardian Heart Crystal… right?" From what Kyou had always told him, and putting it together with what Kyoko just told him, he was getting a better picture.

Kyoko looked at him again and smiled, nodding, "He says we all fought together to protect the Guardian Heart Crystal in the past, and we will have to do it again. That’s all I really know. But if you figure it out before me, will you please let me in on it?"

She grinned, trying to lighten the mood, "But for now, Kyou says I am weak and need to train." Here she frowned again, "Something went wrong last time, but what I don’t know… because I think we won." Kyoko bit her lower lip in confusion.

Seeing the vision of her and that beast flash across his memory again Toya whispered under his breath, “It didn’t look like you were winning… it looked like you were dying.” His fist clinched in uncertainty.

Kyoko frowned having half heard him. “I… don’t remember.” She felt a cold hand of the unknown grip her heart and twist it painfully. “What are you remembering Toya?” She wanted to know… she needed to know why his eyes shimmered silver instead of gold at the memory.

Figuring he was already confused enough, Toya decided to let it drop for now instead of passing his worry on to her. The last thing he wanted to do was scare Kyoko and there was no power on earth strong enough to make him say out loud what he was seeing in his visions. It was as if… saying them, would make them true, and he didn’t like the thought of that.

Right now he had a bone to pick with Kyou and he wanted to find him. Toya stood up and offered his hand to help Kyoko up, "Forget it… I’m not sure what I’m seeing. Are you ready to go back upstairs now?" He gave her a smile that for once came straight from his heart.

Kyoko almost lost herself in that smile then looked at the hand he was offering. She took it, rising, "No, I’d like to stay a little while longer. I’ll be up later." She watched as he turned away. "Toya,” her eyes softened as he turned to look at her. “For now… just don’t worry about it, okay?" She watched as he hesitated then left without saying another word.

She turned to the big glass doors of the dojo and walked to them, staring out at the receding daylight.

"I hope I didn’t say too much," Kyoko voiced her worry against the glass. She didn’t really want to be on Kyou's bad side… but seeing Toya’s smile had made it all worth it.

***** Kamui had been standing in the hall between the dojo and the lobby area watching her and Toya through the glass window for some time now but he didn’t feel like going in and joining them. His mind was caught up in daydreams that he couldn’t figure out. Multicolored glitter shattered within Kamui's eyes as another daydream came, blocking out the real world.

They were all sitting around a campfire watching food cook over the low flames. It was something Kyoko had brought back from her world and she’d said it would only have to heat up and it would be done. He looked around the fire within his daydream and noticed Shinbe and Suki were also among them.

Kamui grinned as he got an idea. Focusing his immortal magic on the food, he only thought to speed up the heating process so they could hurry up and eat the delicious smelling food. He was trying to be sneaky so no one would know he was helping, but in his excitement… the entire pot caught on fire and melted.

They all watched as the cast iron pot literally melted… dripping into the fire and putting out the flames.

Slapping his hand over his face, Kamui groaned. Peeking between his fingers, he noticed everyone was now staring at him.

“What?” he asked innocently.

“Damn it Kamui, I know you did that!” Toya yelled standing up.

Kamui jumped behind Kyoko and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her back against him. “Save me,” he cried.

Toya’s eyebrow twitched knowing what the little squirt was doing, “You can’t hide behind her forever.” He cracked his knuckles to get his point across.

Kamui remembered Kyoko stretching her arms wide as if creating a shield for him to hide behind and turning her head to the side. She smiled and winked at him then gazed back to Toya. “Toya, I have more food but if you so much as lay a finger on Kamui, then I will give him your part of the food.”

Kamui remembered sticking his tongue out at Toya and Toya’s jaw dropping but by the time Kyoko turned to see what he was doing, his face was straight again. He hugged her to him and remembered the feeling of not wanting to ever let her go.

The daydream left him as he slid down the wall of the empty hallway and wrapped his arms around his knees, hugging them just as tightly as he’d hugged her. “Daydreams can be so real sometimes,” Kamui whispered to himself as he reached for another image that stood between him and reality.

***** “But Suki,” Shinbe whined outside the locker room door.

“No means no Shinbe,” Suki yelled at him through it, her voice fading as she drifted toward the showers.

Shinbe smiled wickedly when he heard the faint sound of the shower being turned on. Trying the doorknob, he almost groaned in pain when he found it was locked. Reaching into the pocket of his pants, his amethyst eyes lit up with pure male satisfaction. Feeling the small metal object in the palm of his hand, he pulled his hand out producing the key he’d been able to swipe when Kyou wasn’t looking.

‘Kamui would be so proud,’ Shinbe thought and snickered when the lock on the door silently gave way for his entrance.

Quickly slipping inside, he shut the door and locked it behind him suddenly having the feeling of being a thief in the night. Walking silently across the locker room, he stopped for a moment, eyeing Suki’s discarded clothing. Reaching down, he delicately picked up a lacy thong and held it up for inspection.

‘Why Suki, who would have guessed there was such a wanton female under that rough and beautiful exterior?’ Shinbe thought, stuffing the thong in his pocket. Gathering his thoughts, he tiptoed over to the huge shower room and peeked around the corner… hiding partially behind a hanging towel rack.

His hands gripped the edge of the wall tightly as he caught a glimpse of Suki standing in the steaming cascade of water… like a water nymph, tempting and mysterious. Shinbe grunted slightly when it triggered a random thought and pictures began playing before his eyes like a forgotten memory.

A massive forest on all sides suddenly surrounded him as if he’d just teleported among them. His hands reached up to part the bushes in front of him and he nearly fell back on his butt at the heart-stopping vision before him. Suki and Kyoko were both as nude as their day of birth… bathing under the cool waterfalls of the hot spring.

Shinbe was riveted to his spot, unable to take his heated gaze away from the girls as they spread soapy lather all over their glorious bodies making him wish he were the cloth they were using. Licking his dry lips, Shinbe settled more comfortably on his knees and leaned forward just a little bit.

He didn’t realize he was breathing so hard until a harsh voice next to him startled a few years off his life.

“Breathe any heavier and they’ll know we’re here,” the voice hissed almost right in his ear.

Shinbe glanced over in shock at Toya but quickly turned back to the bathing beauties before them.

“I want to be a washrag,” Shinbe blurted suddenly.

“Will you two be quiet, you’re making me miss the show!” another voice whispered from their right.

“Kamui?” two shocked voices chimed in union.

The young man popped his head out from behind another bush that was closer to the water than their current position. Shinbe cursed Kamui’s good luck but kept silent.

“What the hell are you doing here?” Toya growled at him.

Kamui grinned, “I am a male after all. I have needs too.”

“Needs my ass!” Toya yelled, standing up.

Shinbe slapped a hand over his face.

“TOYA YOU PERVERT!” Kyoko’s voice echoed across the water. Birds, that had long since taken rest in the trees around them, fluttered frantically in all directions.

“Damn!” Shinbe exclaimed and made a mad dash back to camp with Toya right on his heels.

Taking turns looking over their shoulders as they ran for their lives, they both noticed that the girls were now out of the lake with towels wrapped around them, giving high speed chase. They also noticed that Kamui had remained undetected.

‘Lucky bastard,’ Shinbe thought just as something very hard nailed him on the back of his head.

Shinbe fell back on his rear end and opened his eyes to find himself back in the shower area of the locker room. A pair of feet were in front of him and he got an eyeful of Suki standing there with a very evil and angry expression on her face.

“Get out!” she whispered.

Shinbe was too stunned to move at first, his eyes roving over her barely covered body.

“GET OUT YOU PERVERTED ASSHOLE!” the sound of her voice echoed just as Kyoko’s voice had echoed in the memory … frighteningly .

Shinbe suddenly found he could move and quickly exited the locker room almost forgetting to open the door in the process.

Suki sighed in frustration but found herself smiling at his determination. Walking over to where she’d left her clothing, she frowned when she noticed her underwear was missing. It didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out what happened to them.

“SHINBE!” The birds around the college scattered in fear.

Shinbe had made it out of the locker room and grinned when he heard Suki scream his name. Taking the thong out of his pocket, he knew this little bit of lace had made the entire thing worth it. He was having a bit of trouble trying to decipher the episode he’d just experienced. Was it a memory long forgotten or was it just a figment of his imagination?

A smile lit his face as he decided memories were a wonderful thing. He pushed away from the wall beside the locker room door and ran up the stairs with a very enraged Suki right on his heels.

***** Kyoko looked around the gym realizing she had been there all day. Feeling like she’d been trapped within the same four walls for way too long, she decided she wanted to go for a run.

Opening the doors, she stepped outside onto the grass, feeling the breeze turning cooler with the night air. She breathed in the freshness of it hoping it would clear her scattered thoughts. Her emerald eyes lifted up just in time to see a huge flock of birds take off as if something had frightened them and she frowned wondering what it could’ve been.

Suki had told her that there were walking trails around the school but she’d yet to check them out. She needed a run anyway, so she took off in a jog, thinking now would be the perfect time.

The first thing that popped into her mind was Kyou. He wasn’t as cold as he made people believe. So far, he had tried to frighten her, only to then tell her that they used to be close. She wondered if he’d acted that strange in the past, too. Something inside her told her to trust him, no matter how weird he was.

Mimicking the feeling of running away from it all she added more speed to the run, loving the feel of freedom for the moment. It was like welcoming an old friend back home and she embraced it, knowing it wouldn’t last. She ran faster knowing the walls would be waiting on her when she got back.

***** Hyakuhei stood at the doors Kyoko had just come out of and watched her take off down the dimly lit trail. He hadn’t been detected. His black wings hid themselves from the light of sight and his long hair had receded for the moment back to a more human length to help his masquerade.

He thought back to the world he’d come from. It was nothing compared to this world. Here, he could have so much more. Cloaked in his human form, they didn’t realize who he was, and he came and went at the school with no one questioning him. With one simple wish from the girl, she’d brought him here without meaning to. But first, she’d given him all her memories. A tainted smile tilted his sensual lips.

The priestess did not know him now, but he knew her and all her secrets. He had only found out where the guardians were, and that had led him straight to her. He didn’t want to hurt her… but he did want her, and the Guardian Heart Crystal she carried deep within her.

Now cloaked in his human form, he could hide his power and grow closer to her. And this time… instead of ruling a demon-racked nation, he could rule over this land and the mortals. He would have to be careful, for his power had yet to be fully restored. He could feel it growing more every day now that the priestess was near.

Hyakuhei could use the feeling she’d shared with him to create a deceivingly peaceful aura around himself and draw her to him, and the suspicion of others away. His midnight eyes followed her until she was out of sight. Craving the feel of the chase, he took off for the run that would bring him closer to his goal.