Title: Destiny’s Wheel: Chapter 1: Destinies Revealed. Pt. 5/?

Author: Deathangelgw

Disclaimer: Not mine, no sue, all theirs, yea…

Warnings: same warnings as last time….

Pairings: ehhehehe…nothing tooo concrete yet…just the guys being friends and all!

Rating: uh, in this one….prolly pg-13

Note: *grins* I’m on a roll! Need to get this to where it is in my head or else I get reeeeeeeal buggy that way!

Feedback: Much loved!

‘thoughts’

/telepathic speech/

dreamscape

Ryo and Shin ran swiftly through the woods, Byakuen with Jun on his back right beside them.  They headed for the city of Tembashi to regroup with Seiji and hopefully Shu.  About a good three miles from the meeting place, they stopped and rested. 

Byakuen watched them for a bit, then sniffed the air.  Moving silently, he went into the woods.  About five minutes later, Jun looked around. “Ne…Ryo, where’s Byakuen?” he asked as he scratched his head.

Ryo and Shin both looked up as well, frowning. “You know…I don’t know, Jun,” Ryo replied in slight worry, getting up.

“He was here a minute ago,” Shin commented as he too stood and looked around.

“I don’t know guys….we better find him. With the Mashos and their constant attacks, he could be in trouble,” Ryo murmured and Shin nodded in agreement, then went into the woods with Jun, calling for the tiger.

*~~**~~*

Byakuen sniffed the air, slowly walking through the forest. ‘She’s here…I know it,’ he thought to himself as he looked around, and then came to a small clearing.  He purred softly and picked up his pace as he came to the female standing in the middle of the clearing.  /Genaisa…I’m so glad you are here,/ he purred as he nuzzled her.

She smiled as she snuggled her face into his neck. /Shu is free and they are going as we speak to meet the others in Tembashi. Hopefully, they’ll be able to figure it out that Touma is in space,/ she reported, then stifled a yawn.

Byakuen looked at her in concern. /When was the last time you rested? Or even ate? The Troopers have been taking care of themselves, but what about you??/ Byakuen asked as he nuzzled her face.

She smiled at him and scratched behind his ears. /Don’t worry about me, old friend.  I can handle this. My gift keeps me energized enough to stay alert.  I need to stay alert to protect the Troopers so they can relax,/ she responded soothingly, not mentioning that she hadn’t eaten or slept since she had woken up from the unnatural sleep they had all been put through.

Byakuen growled lowly. /Genaisa…/ he started, then perked his ears.

“Byakuen!”

“Hey Byakuen! Where are you?!”

“Byakuen!”

Genaisa stiffened then stood up hastily. “Damn it, Byakuen!  They aren’t supposed to have found me!” she exclaimed in exasperation.  She heard them get closer, then swore softly as she took off into the woods.

Ryo heard some bushes rustling as he came into a clearing, then saw Byakuen.  “Byakuen! There you are!” he cried, and then noticed that the tiger was looking at where the rustling had been.  Frowning in concern, he looked at Shin. “Shin…let’s go!” he ordered and ran after who ever had just taken off.  Shin jumped up to the trees and ran, noticing that Ryo did the same and got ahead of their prey.

Jumping down from the trees, Ryo tensed, then blinked as a beautiful girl ran out and right into him.  She shrieked and struggled against him, trying to pull away and pleading not to be hurt. “Whoa, whoa! Calm down! I’m not going to hurt you!” he declared soothingly, wrapping his arms around her waist as he soothed her.

“Ne, Ryo! Did you…find…oh…” Shin’s voice trailed off as he came into the clearing and saw their ‘prey’.  The girl stared back at them, pale face framed by long luxurious raven colored hair.  Her slender body was finely shaped and muscled, while what caught them both were her eyes. Wide eyed and somewhat fearful, they looked at them as though looking into their very souls, dark violet gauging them as she watched them watch her.  Smiling gently, Shin stepped forward and said softly, “Konnichiwa. My name is Shin.  That’s Ryo.  What’s your name?”

She blinked at him, then a blush crossed her face.  Unknown to them, she could hear their thoughts…and they were quite embarrassing.

‘She’s so beautiful.’

‘Her eyes…so familiar…’

‘I hope she’s single…’

’Hope Seiji doesn’t see her…then I’ll never see her again…’

The random thoughts confused Genaisa as she stayed in Ryo’s arms, then her blush grew as she felt his last thought. ‘I wish I could hold her forever.’  Swallowing hard, Genaisa opened her mouth, then gasped.  Looking over to the right, she pointed in mock fear.  Ryo and Shin got into defensive positions between her and the ‘danger’, leaving it open for Genaisa to make her escape. Quickly, she jumped up into the trees, timing it just as the wind picked up and covered the noise her escape made.  She panted for air, trying to cool the blush to her cheeks as she watched the two Troopers realize that she was gone.  “Where did she go?” Ryo asked as he looked around the clearing.

Shin shook his head in confusion, looking around as well. “Don’t know, but she sure was fast,” he stated in admiration.  Genaisa felt her blush deepen as she listened to them from her hiding spot.

“Yea I know….what a babe!  I wish we knew her name,” Ryo said softly, blushing slightly.

Shin chuckled. “Ryo, I do believe you are taken by that raven haired beauty,” he commented teasingly and Ryo’s blush deepened.

“Well…I…uh….” Ryo stuttered, then sighed. “Well…alright, yea I am.  But…did you see her eyes?  They looked…so…familiar.”  Ryo trailed off, seeing the same thoughtful look on Shin’s face as well. ‘Do we know her from somewhere? I hope so,’ Ryo thought to himself, then looked up with Shin as they heard Jun snickering.

Jun giggled as he watched the two teens. “You guys are going gahgah over a girl!” he exclaimed between his snickers as he leaned against Byakuen.

Ryo and Shin both snickered, shaking their heads.  Jun was too young to understand that girls would become very important in life eventually.  Sighing softly, Ryo said, “We need to get to Tembashi.”  Shin nodded and they took off jogging, both feeling a bit more lighthearted.

Byakuen looked over his shoulder as he ran beside them and purred.  He saw Genaisa as she reappeared in the clearing, watching them leave.  Focusing forward, he ran with his humans, smirking in a very feline fashion at his friend’s honest confusion.

Genaisa watched them leave, biting her lip.  She realized something as she watched them head for Tembashi.  She missed Ryo’s arms around her.  Wrapping her own arms around her body, she wondered what she was feeling and if it was right.

*~~**~~*

Jun looked around the temple they were stopped at and sighed softly. ‘It feels so safe here,’ he thought to himself, then turned to leave.  But, as he turned, he heard the soft hiss of extinguishing flame and looked over.  His eyes widened as he saw each of the candles become dark and cold, their glowing light snuffed out one by one as a shadow spread through the room.  Gasping in fear, he saw a figure appear and screamed, “RYO!!!”

Ryo and Shin looked up in shock as they heard Jun’s cry. “Jun!” they both cried out, then gasped as a cruel laugh floated through the air from the roof of the temple. 

“Well, well, Troopers.  Looks like we get to play now!” the Gen Masho, Rajura, stated in evil amusement as he held the struggling boy.

“Jun!”

“Let him go, Rajura!” Ryo snapped out as he and Shin jumped up to the roof and faced off with the Gen Masho. Rajura cackled mockingly, then tossed the boy aside.  Jun cried out as he tried to grab hold of the shingles.  Ryo cried out as he dived for Jun, barely catching him before he fell off the roof.

“Ryo!” Shin cried out, then shouted as he dodged Rajura’s morning stars. 

Ryo gasped as he lost his grip on Jun. “Jun! No!” he called out, and then gasped as a golden figure caught Jun in mid-air. “Koganeiro Samurai!” he exclaimed in relief as the Samurai set Jun down.

Their mysterious friend smiled at him then blocked an attack by Rajura. “Rajura…your stench was hard to miss….much like the other Masho,” he stated acidly as he watched Ryo stand and face off against Rajura with Shin.

Laughing cruelly, Rajura said, “Too bad it won’t help you now!” He lashed out with his morning star, and then swiftly threw his nunchukus at the two Troopers.  Crying out in pain, they crashed down onto the ground, getting up slowly.

“Ryo! Shin!” Jun cried out as he ran towards them.

Rajura laughed cruelly again as he swung his spider claw weapon at them.  “Tou…Chi…MOU!!!” he shouted out as he swung the kamas at the group.  Silky spider threads spewed out, surrounding and covering the three warriors, boy, and tiger.  Rajura laughed as they struggled to break free, noting the Koganeiro Samurai as he slashed at the sticky threads.  “Now that you are my captive audience, I’ll let you in on a secret. I have Touma no Tenku.”

“Nani!?” Ryo cried out in angered disbelief.

“That’s a lie!” Shin shouted, just as angered.  Koganeiro Samurai said nothing as he watched the spider Masho with wariness.

“Is it?” Rajura sneered and an image came up before him.  Ryo and Shin gasped as they saw the image of their fellow Trooper captured.  Laughing mockingly, Rajura waved his hand and the image disappeared. “If you wish to see your friend…he is waiting at the city of Tembashi.”  With that said, he jumped into the air, vanishing with a cruel laugh.

The web disappeared and the two Troopers looked around. “Koganeiro Samurai? Where did he go?” Shin asked as they looked around.  The mysterious Trooper had disappeared, but they knew they’d see him again.

Looking at Shin with his fist clenched, Ryo declared, “Let’s move it, Shin. Touma needs us.”  Shin nodded once and, after they had Jun stay to tell the others what was going on, they left for Tembashi.

*~~**~~*

Genaisa looked around the city, noting the mass of destroyed youja soldiers and arrows.  She gasped as she saw the hankyu of Tenku hanging on a branch. ‘Could Touma really be…captured?’ she wondered in concern.  She looked over as she heard Ryo and Shin then saw Touma, chained.  She frowned as she looked at him. ‘Something isn’t right…it doesn’t look like he put up much of a fight at all.  That’s not Touma!’ she thought in conviction, then called on her armor, heading for the battle as they finished up destroying the soldiers that had ‘captured’ Touma.

“This was too easy.  How come Touma was beaten?  These guys were a snap!” Ryo commented in bewilderment as they looked down at their now free friend.

Suddenly, their mystery helper appeared…and attacked Touma.  “Koganeiro Samurai! What are you doing?!” Ryo cried out as they watched the two battle.

Jumping back, their ally glared up at them. “That ISN’T Touma no Tenku!” he stated angrily.  They gasped as they looked at him, then looked over startled as an answering laugh came from ‘Touma’.

As they watched in confusion, Touma transformed into Rajura, who laughed again. “You are indeed the fools, though it would seem that your mystery friend here is very observant.  Not that it will save you!” he proclaimed cruelly.

“Well, that explains a lot,” Ryo murmured softly as they got into defensive postures.

They watched as Rajura suddenly split into two.  “Huh? What’s going on?!” Shin exclaimed in confusion.

“Watch yourselves Troopers. It’s another trick!” The Koganeiro Samurai tried to warn, but it was too late. They looked at each other….and only saw Rajura.  Leaping to the attack, Ryo attacked Shin, not knowing he was attacking his own friend.  Genaisa gasped. “Yamette! You’re attacking each other!!” she shouted out, but was too late as they called upon their sure kill attacks, blasting each other with enormous power.

Rajura laughed cruelly as he appeared before the fallen warriors. “Foolish Troopers. You fell for my plan so easily!”  He heard a snarl and looked over as the Koganeiro Samurai stood between him and the two unconscious boys. “So…you were the only one, huh? It won’t do you any good!” he snarled out and raised his kamas, but a shout stopped him.

“Ryo! Shin! Hold on we’re coming!” Jun’s young voice shouted out from a distance away, but closing quickly.

Rajura chuckled, then saw that the Koganeiro Samurai had disappeared. He frowned slightly, but then stepped back, disappearing into the stone behind him as he stated, “Time to set up my other trap.”

“Ryo! Shin!” Shu shouted out as they ran into the clearing and stared in horror at their two beaten up friends.

“Oh man! Their yoroi is trashed!” Seiji cried in soft horror as they checked on them.  He looked around the area, sensing someone watching them. ‘How did this happen? They look like they had been fighting each other…’ he thought to himself darkly, then looked up as Shu growled.

“It must be Rajura and he’s still around I know it!” Shu snarled angrily and took off at a run, vowing to get the Gen Masho for what he had done to his friends.  Seiji followed him, intent on finding out what had happened.  Neither of them noticed the young woman who followed them silently in the shadows.

*~~**~~*

Genaisa watched as the other two Troopers fell into the same trap.  ‘K’so….those blockheads! They constantly are getting into trouble!!’ she swore to herself, then closed her eyes. /Seiji no Korin…listen to me!!/  She saw him stop, confusion in his mind as he looked around, but tried to keep an eye on ‘Rajura’.  /Listen to me! That is not Rajura! It is Shu! See for yourself!! Look for the truth or you’ll end up like Ryo and Shin!!/ she sent to him frantically.  Seiji stopped, then brought his no-datchi up, looking into its reflection.

“You are Shu, right?” She heard him ask as he stared ahead at Shu. Shu answered with something then attacked Seiji.  Genaisa gasped as Seiji dropped his no-datchi, trying to get Shu to stop, but instead ended up getting pounded.  She watched in horror as the illusion was revealed and felt the pain and horror from both Troopers.

As Rajura and Shu fought then, she ran over to Seiji.  Kneeling next to him, she caressed his face gently. ‘Please be ok,’ she thought to herself.  Moaning softly, he woke up and they locked gazes.  He tried to say something, then passed out.  She bit her lip, then got up, swiftly disappearing before Shu saw her out of her yoroi.  It wouldn’t do to be caught twice in one day.

She followed them to the lake where the others were being taken care of, careful to stay hidden and silent in the trees.  She sat in one tree not far from the edge, watching them as they discussed this nearly fatal battle.  Leaning her head back, she just let their voices soothe her heart as they talked about the poem.  She perked up as she heard Ryo figure out that Touma no Tenku was in space.  Grinning at his success, Genaisa sighed in relief. ‘They might pull this off after all,’ she thought to herself.  Relaxing slightly, she leaned back against the trunk of the tree and listened to them discuss how to get to Touma.

“We need to find out if Arago is one up on us,” Ryo stated firmly, glaring at an obstinate Shu.

“Why? We know where Touma is. I say we go in and crash Arago’s party and forget about Touma,” Shu retorted as he crossed his arms.

Ryo glared at him. “Don’t underestimate Arago!  And we need Touma in order to defeat the Youjakai!” he shouted, growling.

“Ryo’s right.  We can’t go barging into the castle without some kind of a plan,” Shin agreed soothingly as he and Seiji watched the two hot heads argue.

Shu smirked, leaning back a bit as he commented, “Well here’s a plan. Ryo and I bust into Arago’s castle to find out Arago’s plans while you and Seiji make a distraction.”

Seiji snorted and rolled his eyes. “No way, Shu.  Shin and I will go in,” he declared acidly as he glared at the Kongo wearer.

“Oh yea?! What for?” Shu growled as he glared at the blond.

“I know you, Shu. You are always itching for a fight.  We can’t afford that right now,” Seiji replied coolly, returning the glare with one of his own.  Genaisa frowned as she listened to them.

“Yea well, it’s better than just sitting around with our thumbs up our asses!” Shu shouted as he stood up angrily.

“That’s enough you two!” Nasuti cried angrily as she glared at them. “Arago would just LOVE it if you guys started fighting between yourselves,” she pointed out and Shu hung his head.

“She’s right, Troopers. You need to focus on getting rested for the battle tomorrow. Haste is needed, but waste is not.” They all started as their mysterious friend’s voice floated down to them.  Shu and Ryo looked around as did Seiji and Shin, trying to find their ally, but couldn’t find the source.  Genaisa smirked as she saw their frustration at not being able to find her hiding place.

“Gah….that guy is about as elusive as that girl we saw,” Ryo stated, crossing his arms and almost pouting.  Shin snickered softly and shook his head, but Seiji and Shu stared at him.

“Girl?? What girl?” Shu asked intently as he watched the other two Troopers and saw to his surprise a blush crossing his leader’s face.

“Uh…well…I…” Ryo stumbled a bit, blushing brighter as he saw the leer in Seiji’s eyes.  Shin snickered again, receiving a glare from the Rekka bearer for his non-helping status.

“Well, Ryo...Shin.  Where did you see this mystery girl?” Nasuti asked, amused as much as the others at Ryo’s flustering.

Ryo cleared his throat and looked down, but Shin took pity on him and replied, “We met her in the woods near a temple outside of Tembashi.  We think she may have run into Byakuen.  Anyways, we never did learn her name.” He smiled sadly, looking thoughtful.

Ryo sighed and nodded. “Yea…and man was she a babe,” he muttered, then blushed even more.

Genaisa’s eyes widened and she blushed deeply as she heard this.  Shu groaned. “Man, you guys have all the luck,” he declared as he mock glared at the two.

Seiji looked thoughtfully at Ryo and asked, “What did she look like?”

Ryo blinked at Seiji in bemusement, but responded, “Well, she was probably about my height, long black hair that just ached to be touched.  And her eyes….god they were so beautiful!  A dark violet that just seemed to pierce through you,” he answered softly, eyes lost in memory. “And her face held this gentle light to it that just…made you want to hold her.”  Shin sighed as well, lost in the memory.

Genaisa just watched them, knowing her face was a deep red in embarrassment. ‘They think that of me?  But…I’m not like that….am I?’ she thought to herself in confusion.  Her thoughts were interrupted though by Seiji’s next comment.

“Hmm….she sounds like this dream I had,” Seiji murmured, frowning a bit in confusion.  Shrugging, he smirked at the two. “Betcha that’s what it is…a dream. No such girl could exist,” he added.

Ryo glared at Seiji, but Shu interrupted the almost tirade and said, “Eh, let’s talk about girls later. Why don’t we decide who’s going to go in and trash Arago?”

Nasuti hid a smirk behind her hand. Clearly Shin and Ryo were smitten by the mystery girl, but they knew they had to focus on the mission.  Sighing softly, she replied, “I’ll decide who’s going in since you are all too defensive right now.”  Shu started to protest, knowing she was going to say that he and Ryo should stay back, but she cut him off with a glare. “Shu…it’s for the best. Now let’s all get some sleep.”  Nodding, they all turned in, not knowing that they were being watched over.

*~~**~~*

Touma floated serenely in a barren landscape.  Slowly, he opened his eyes and looked over. “Who…who are you?” he asked softy at the figure he saw beneath the cherry tree.

A soft voice floated to him. “I am a friend, Touma no Tenku.  Have faith.  The other Troopers will free you soon,” it replied gently as Touma sat up slowly.

“It’s you, isn’t it? Koganeiro Samurai,” he stated as he floated up to a standing position.  The figure nodded once in acknowledgement, but remained hidden.  Touma reached out and found that he wasn’t in his yoroi, but in a pure white nakata.  “Please….tell me who you are,” he whispered softly as he floated closer.

A wind blew up, blowing around the figure.  Touma saw that what he took for a cloak was actually hair, raven black hair that flowed past the figure’s waist.  Sighing softly, the figure stepped forward and Touma gasped. The female smiled at him gently, her violet eyes gentle and warm.  Touma floated so that inches were between them and looked down at her, trying to memorize her face. “What’s your name?” he asked softly as they looked into each other’s eyes.

She smiled slightly and replied, “You won’t remember anyway, Touma no Tenku, so why should I tell you?”

He smiled slightly back at her and answered lowly, “Please? Even if it is for a small time…I wish to know the one who has helped us so.”

A slight blush crossed her cheeks, causing Touma’s heart to stop at the beauty. Softly, she said, “My name is Tasaki Genaisa. I wear the Reikon yoroi.”

Smiling softly, Touma slowly brought up a hand and caressed her face. She blinked, blushing more as he lightly traced her face. “Such a lovely name for such a lovely person,” he whispered softly, then put an arm around her waist. “I feel as if I’ve known and searched for you all my life, Genaisa. Please…will I remember any of this?” he asked softly and her eyes saddened slightly before she shook her head and pulled away.  He reached for her, but the cherry petals blew around them and he found himself falling into darkness as her image vanished.

Genaisa opened her eyes slowly and sighed.  ‘What was that? Started off with me giving a message and then he’s declaring his love to me! And we don’t even really know each other,’ she thought to herself, and then found herself sighing wistfully. ‘Still….I almost wish he would remember…’ she thought, then shook her head.  Sighing, she resumed her watch over the sleeping Troopers.

TBC

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