Title: Destiny’s Wheel: Chapter 1: Destinies Revealed. Pt. 8/8

Author: Deathangelgw

Disclaimer: not mine, no sue…yea

Warnings: Angst and sap alert!! Death!

Pairings: wouldn’t you like to know hehe

Rating: R for violence

Note: wow….end of the first chapter! Cool! Now onto the next one after this!

Feedback: Muchos appreciated!

‘thoughts’

/telepathic speech/

Genaisa sighed softly as she rode Byakuen. Her exhaustion was catching up to her and it worried the female warrior.  She needed all of her wits about her if she was going to be able to continue on this mission.  She saw Kaos as he stood near a bridge, and then got off of Byakuen, walking over slowly to her mentor and friend. 

Kaos looked up and smiled at her in greeting, then looked at Shuten.  Nodding in understanding, Genaisa went over to Shuten and checked him over.  She listened as the Troopers came into the garden, and then heard Kaos say softly, “I am glad you are here, Byakuen, my old friend.” She smiled as she heard the big cat purr, and then looked over at Kaos.

Standing, she came over by him, looking slightly at the curious Troopers as she quietly talked to Kaos about Shuten’s status.  He nodded once, then looked over and smiled at the five young men.  They stood taller, practically beaming as he spoke. “Ryo no Rekka, Touma no Tenku, Seiji no Korin, Shin no Suiko, Shu no Kongo…you have proven yourselves to be strong and well able to defeat the Youjakai. I’m very proud of you.” The five all smiled, pride showing as they gazed at Kaos and Genaisa. “You are to be commended. You fought with courage and strength, overcoming many of the obstacles that had been thrown before you,” Kaos added with a soft smile.

Seiji stepped forward slightly as he replied, “Arigato, Kaos. But…we owe you and Koganeiro Samurai a lot of the thanks. You both helped us many times, saving us.”

The Koganeiro Samurai chuckled softly. “I didn’t need to help as much as I had first thought, Troopers. You did just fine mainly on your own.  I’m also very impressed. I…had my doubts,” he commented with a grin and the Troopers chuckled.

Jun tugged on Nasuti’s arm. “Psst…psst…Nasuti, who’s he?” he asked as he pointed at Kaos, then meeped as Kaos turned to them, smiling.

“I’m sorry young lady, young man. I want to thank you two as well. You helped the Troopers overcome many obstacles with your encouragement and knowledge,” Kaos stated kindly and the Koganeiro Samurai smiled and nodded.

Nasuti smiled as she replied, “I knew that the Troopers all needed to be together in order to defeat the Youjakai. And I’ve seen it for myself as well.”  Kaos nodded as he looked over at his golden Trooper.

Ryo looked over at Kaos and asked softly, “Kaos….what is the relation between our yoroi…and Shuten’s dark yoroi?”

Kaos turned from them and stared at Shuten pensively. “Your yoroi…and Shuten’s….are the same.”  Gasps and exclamations came from the Troopers as they stared at Kaos. The Koganeiro Samurai crossed his arms across his chest as he watched them, silently waiting for Kaos to reveal the rest of the information. “They come from the same source: yours, the Mashos, as well as Reikon,” Kaos added as he pointed at the golden Trooper.

The five blinked in surprise. “Reikon? Is that…your yoroi’s name?” Shin asked Reikon’s holder softly.  He nodded and smiled gently.

Ryo fidgeted slightly then finally asked softly, “Will you please tell us who you are now?”  The other four Troopers nodded in agreement as they looked at their fellow warrior.

Genaisa smiled slightly then looked over at Kaos questioningly.  Kaos nodded once then stepped over as Genaisa knelt down onto one knee, eyes closing serenely.  Her facemask slid back, revealing her face, and then she felt her helmet being removed.  She opened her eyes and stood as her raven black hair fell around her, brushing past her ass and blowing in the wind.  The Troopers as well as Nasuti and Jun gasped in shock as the warrior they had thought was a male…was revealed as a female.  She smiled teasingly at them as they gaped at her, then Ryo spoke softly, eyes filled with delight, “It’s you.”

Shin also was very delighted. “I don’t believe it! You were the one helping us?” he asked.  Both didn’t notice the strange looks they were receiving until Shu spoke, his voice telling of his shock.

“That’s the mystery girl?!” he squeaked out as he gestured vaguely at Genaisa.

Seiji smirked as he gazed at her for a long moment. “You never said she was THAT beautiful…” he exclaimed softly and she blushed a bit.

Shin and Ryo both snorted as Ryo retorted, “Yes we did…you just never believed us!”

Touma was quiet for a while as he gazed at Genaisa, then realized that her gaze was locked with his own.  She smiled at him, then replied softly, “Hai…it is good to see you in the real light, Shin and Ryo.” She turned her gaze at this to the other Troopers, including them.  “My name is Tasaki Genaisa.  Like Kaos said, I wear the Reikon yoroi, whose soul is Ai…love,” she explained as she bowed slightly to them in greeting.

They all smiled at her. “Genaisa, huh? That’s such a pretty name,” Ryo murmured thoughtfully then smirked as she blushed again.

Shu tapped his chin thoughtfully. “How were you able to give Ryo that….energy ball or whatever it was? And….you healed Jun, didn’t you?” he asked and frowned as she nodded, sighing softly, almost sadly.

Kaos placed a hand on her shoulder as he replied, “Genaisa has special…gifts that she has been using to help you five out as best she can.”

“Gifts? What kind of gifts?” Ryo asked in curiosity, not noticing the uncomfortable look that came to Genaisa’s face.

Genaisa sighed. “Well, I think you’ve kinda figured out I’m telepathic. I’m also telekinetic and have the power to heal,” she answered as she looked away from them a bit.

The Troopers watched, wondering why she was so hesitant to tell them about her powers.  But then Shu smirked and asked, “Well, can you do any other tricks?”

She smiled slightly at him, and then shrugged vaguely. “You’ll see them eventually,” she retorted, then smirked at the frustrated look that came to both Ryo and Shu’s face.

“Ever the elusive, ne Genaisa?” Touma queried softly and she smirked at him.

Ryo stood straighter as he gazed at her. “Will you be joining us, Genaisa no Reikon?” he asked and she smiled at him.

“I would like that, Troopers. It would be an honor to fight by your sides,” Genaisa replied, bowing her head to them.

They blinked, and then Seiji said, “The honor is with us, Genaisa.”  A soft smile of relief flashed across her face and they realized now why she had been forced to hide her identity. She wasn’t sure if they would have accepted her.

A soft moan from behind Genaisa and Kaos startled them. Ryo and Touma quickly pulled their weapons out, training them on the slowly moving Masho as he regained consciousness. Just as Touma was about to shoot his arrow, Kaos held his staff out, blocking them. “Stop. Put your weapons down.”  They blinked in surprise at him, not noticing as Genaisa walked over to Shuten and put a gentle hand on his back as if checking him over.  She looked up at him and nodded, then placed her helmet back on.  Kaos looked over at the Troopers and instructed, “I will speak to him. He is human…perhaps he is ready to join us.”

Ryo lowered his katanas. “But…but…” he started, and then stopped as Kaos looked at him.

“You do realize that we can not allow Arago to have his yoroi, don’t you?” Kaos asked softly and Ryo sighed, nodding.  Turning, they started to leave as Kaos looked at Genaisa. /Genaisa. Stay near and be ready to offer assistance if he needs it,/ Kaos sent to her and she nodded, then walked over to a near by tree and leaned against it, watching silently as Shuten awakened and sat up, rubbing his head.  Kaos looked over at Shuten, a slight smile on his lips as he asked, “Shuten…are you ready to listen to what I have to say?”

*~~**~~*

Shuten looked into the water under the bridge, his mind in turmoil. ‘No wonder I fought against Arago all the time. I wasn’t meant to have such hatred within my soul.  But…how do I purge myself of this evil? How can I follow what Kaos told me…in following my heart?’ he thought to himself as he gazed at his image.

A soft voice floated to him and he looked up. “It’s hard, isn’t it? Trying to find a way out of the darkness when it’s all you’ve ever known?” 

Shuten looked over as the one he had named as Koganeiro Samurai walked over.  He blinked as he saw that the facemask was pulled back, revealing gentle features that seemed almost feminine.  Shuten stared as he realized that it wasn’t just the face that had feminine features but the whole figure. He looked back at his…no, hers he corrected himself mentally, face and saw a light smile on her lips. He stepped forward slightly as she stopped and asked, “So, a female has been helping the Troopers defeat myself and my fellow Masho?”  She chuckled and winked at him, earning a light smile from him.  Softly, he requested, “Would you do this Masho a favor and remove your helmet so that he may see your face fully?”

She smiled again and nodded once, then lifted her helmet off. He held his breath as raven black hair cascaded down her back, framing her in black swirls.  He looked her over, and then smiled. “What is your name, golden child?” he asked softly as he stepped forward a bit more, closing the distance between them.  He was surprised when he saw no fear within her dark violet eyes.

She cocked an eyebrow in amusement as she replied, “My name is Tasaki Genaisa. I wear the Reikon yoroi.”

“Hmm….I had thought that Reikon no yoroi was a myth.  As well as other legends of the wearer. Never did I expect such beauty to carry such a strong burden,” Shuten whispered softly as he brought a hand up and gently touched her face. 

A light blush crossed her cheeks, but she didn’t look away from him. Softly, she answered, “There is beauty within all creatures, Shuten. Even inside of you.”  He snorted bitterly and moved to step back, but she brought a hand up to hold his hand to her face as she continued in a serious tone. “I can help you…if you’d like.  I can at least free your heart enough so it can decide without the darkness clouding it,” she offered and his eyes widened as he looked at her.  Then, a soft smile crossed his lips and he leaned in, closing the distance between them swiftly as his lips met hers in a light kiss.  She gasped slightly in surprise, but didn’t move as Shuten kissed her.  He closed his eyes, thus didn’t see the light glow that passed between their lips as they kissed.

After a minute, he pulled back slightly, looking into her dazed eyes and smiled again.  She smiled back and he whispered, “I don’t know what you did while I kissed you, but my heart is free. Arigato.”  She nodded, then swayed a bit, dizzy.  He reached out to her, but they both gasped and looked up as lightening flashed around them.  Genaisa gasped and put her helmet back on, then stood back to back with Shuten as they watched the other Mashos appear, laughing cruelly.

“Well well, Shuten. It’s been a while,” Anubis commented lightly as he stepped.  He frowned as he saw the Koganeiro Samurai. “We’ve come to take you back with us, Shuten,” he added with a cruel smile.

“Arago-sama wishes you to return with us,” Naaza ordered snidely as he walked up closer to them, stopping when the young warrior glared a warning at him.

“Now,” Rajura finished as he lowered himself down like a spider and gazed at the two.

Shuten smirked as he stood up. “You’re all wasting your time. I am not returning to Arago.”  Slowly, he walked towards the edge of the bridge and looked at them. “Arago used me. I can no longer serve him,” he stated as he crossed his arms defiantly.

“Arago-sama disagrees Shuten. You will return with us,” Naaza declared as he drew two of his katanas. 

Genaisa took out her sais and brought them up defensively.  “Shuten is a free man. He can make his own decisions,” she stated softly and Naaza laughed cruelly.

“Stay out of this, Koganeiro Samurai.  This is none of your affair!” Rajura cried as his only warning before launching his morning star at her, causing her to jump out of the way, backflipping and coming up, only to have Naaza attack her.

“No! Genaisa!” Shuten cried out as he tried to go to her aid, but Anubis attacked, slashing with his wolf claw at him.  Rajura rapid fired his nunchukus, hitting Shuten several times before the Oni Masho was able to grab the chains of the weapon and yank them out.

He turned his head and gasped as he saw Naaza use his poison blast, knocking Genaisa flying into a nearby tree.  She cried out in pain and slid down, gasping for air as she clutched her throat from the fumes.  Shuten tried to go to her, but was blocked by the Doku Masho as he attacked.  He saw Anubis out of the corner of his eye and couldn’t react in time as the Yami Masho stabbed his wolf claw into his side.  Crying out in pain, Shuten collapsed slowly to the ground.

“Shuten!” Genaisa cried out as she rushed, but got sidelined by Rajura as he slammed his morning star into her from behind.  She gasped in pain and collapsed near Shuten, struggling to get up.

“Well, well, looks like we will have two prizes to take to Arago-sama,” Naaza commented smugly as he reached down to grab Genaisa. 

Suddenly an arrow soared at them and Naaza jumped out of the way as it landed near Genaisa, blocking them.  They looked up in surprise as Touma shouted angrily, “Get away from them! Now!”

“Yea, take your fight up with us!” Ryo cried out as he and Shu jumped out of a tree, followed by Seiji and Shin from another tree.  They surrounded the three Mashos, facing off as Touma covered them from above, arrow ready.

“This is none of your affair, Trooper whelps!” Naaza sneered as he glared at Ryo.

Ryo snorted. “You beat up one of us, it becomes a part of us. And you aren’t taking Shuten anywhere,” he stated dangerously, raising his katanas up.

“Yea, he’s staying with us!” Shin added as he held Rajura at the end of his yari.

Seiji looked down at Genaisa as she got slowly up. “Genaisa, you ok?” he asked in worry and she smiled at him. But they still saw the wince of pain as she moved.

“So, our little Koganeiro Samurai has a name, huh?” Anubis sneered as the Mashos watched her stand.

She glared at them. “It’ll take more than you pathetic Mashos to beat this girl,” she sneered at them and they gaped at her.

“Girl?! You are….” Naaza trailed off, red in the face with embarrassment and fury. To be beaten by a female was a blow that they hadn’t expected.

The Troopers smirked. “Mashos, let us introduce Genaisa no Reikon, Samurai Trooper,” Shu introduced cockily and Genaisa saluted to the mortified Mashos.

“A female has beaten you!! How demeaning!” Anubis sneered at Naaza and Rajura, who glared back at him.

“It doesn’t matter…we must get Shuten back to Arago-sama,” Naaza declared then watched as the Troopers closed ranks.

“Over us you will,” Ryo said softly, and then they all attacked.  The Mashos fought hard, but it soon became apparent that the battle was not theirs.

Suddenly, a bright red light flashed from the sky, crashing to the ground and blocking them. The Troopers watched in shock as the Mashos surrounded Shuten, laughing cruelly as they vanished in balls of light.

“Aw damn! Shuten went with them!” Touma cried in slight anger as they watched the four disappear.

“K’so! Damn it….” Genaisa cursed softly, startling the others.  They stared as she clenched her hand into a fist as she stared up at the sky.  But they didn’t comment as Kaos came up behind them, his staff chiming as he walked up.

He looked up at the sky in concern as he murmured softly, “Now…Arago wants all ten yoroi. He will stop at nothing to gain their power.”

Genaisa sighed and nodded as she looked at Kaos, but Ryo proclaimed, “Then we’ll have to go in and take Arago down on his turf.”

Kaos looked at him, something of alarm in his demeanor as he replied, “It is dangerous in the Youjakai. You may not make it.”

Ryo smirked as he put his katanas away. “We’ve sworn to defeat Arago and we will,” he stated confidently.

Shu winked and added sassily, “Besides…with Genaisa with us, we could kill him with looks!” Genaisa blushed brightly and looked away and they laughed softly. “But, could we get something to eat before we go?” Shu asked as he held a hand to his stomach. 

Jun laughed softly as he rode Byakuen. “Shu-chan needs to eat all the time…even before battles,” he commented and grinned.

Shu rolled his eyes. “Hey, give me a break!” he cried and they laughed again.

Suddenly, they all turned as they heard a soft moan and saw Genaisa collapse to her knees, holding her head as she gritted her teeth. “Genaisa!” Seiji cried out in alarm, as alarmed as the rest at her sudden collapse, but it was Kaos who reached her first, kneeling next to her.

“Genaisa, daijoubou?” Kaos asked softly as he brushed a hand down her face.

She smiled slightly up at him, trying to hide her pain and exhaustion, but not quite succeeding. “Eh, guess old diesel breath’s attack got to me real bad, that’s all. No big deal,” she whispered as nonchalantly as possible.

Kaos sighed softly, and then stood up, helping her to stand.  She wavered slightly, but then found herself steadied by a strong arm around her waist as her arm was placed over a shoulder. She looked up, surprised and found herself staring into deep blue eyes.  Touma smiled gently at her and murmured, “Ya know…you can always count on us to help you, Genaisa.  We are your allies and friends.” She smiled slightly and looked away, but not before he saw a look of fear in her eyes. He frowned and wondered if she’d ever had friends before.

Kaos smiled slightly, but then tilted his head as he heard Shu ask Ryo, “So, how are we going to get into Arago’s castle?”

Ryo shrugged, and then noticed Kaos watching them. Stepping forward a bit, he asked, “Kaos…is there a way to get into the castle?”

Kaos sighed softly, looking down. “I will be the bridge into Arago’s domain,” he answered softly, almost in resignation. Genaisa watched him in concern, not liking how he was so resigned.

But the Troopers didn’t take notice. “Awesome…we’ll take down Arago and free everyone!” Shu proclaimed as he glanced at Jun. “You watch, Jun. We’ll have your parents back with the rest of the city in no time!” Shu cried and Jun smiled up at him.

*~~**~~*

Ryo sighed as he looked around at the group. Shin and Touma were talking quietly as they sat nearby on some rubble.  Jun and Nasuti were dozing nearby on a ledge, while Genaisa was sound asleep on Byakuen.  As soon as they had settled down in the lower part of the city, Kaos had told her to rest.  She had tried to protest, but he had been rather firm.  They all had been curious about her protests, but then had watched as she fell asleep as soon as she laid her head down on Byakuen’s furry body.

That had worried them.  How could she be so exhausted? They had tried asking Kaos about this, but he had said nothing.  Sighing softly again, Ryo shook his head. He had a bad feeling that Genaisa had been watching over them constantly, never sleeping for the past several days.  Add to it that she kept on using her powers and getting herself into trouble for them….it all equaled to her burning out. He looked at her again and smiled softly. She looked so peaceful sleeping, her hand pillowed under her face as she slept soundlessly.

Seiji watched him, smiling softly. They all were taken with their beautiful ally in some way.  Mainly, they all felt a sense of gratitude to her for all that she’d done for them. She had helped them to fight, but had left it open enough so they could do it themselves.  ‘I think we all are just wondering if we can repay her somehow,’ Seiji thought to himself, then turned as he heard Shu’s impatient sigh.

“You know, look. I don’t see the big deal. Why don’t we just break in to Arago’s castle right now?” Shu asked in exasperation as he leaned his chin on his hand.

“Aaa, we shouldn’t go in without being prepared, Shu.  Let Kaos do the bridge thing and then we can worry about the Youjakai,” Touma replied as he leaned back a bit.

Seiji snorted as he commented, “Yea, well, we should also remember what Kaos said as well.”

Shu sighed, and then nodded. “Hai hai…but I still say we should blast our way in there,” he stated, then looked over at Ryo. “Ne, Ryo. What’s up?” he asked and Ryo smiled slightly at him.

“Oh, it’s nothing. But I can’t forget what Kaos said. Maybe getting into the Youjakai won’t be the snap we think it may be,” he answered and shrugged slightly.

“Let’s just go with the flow.  If we start doubting ourselves now, we might not make it then, right? So, let’s stop it. Genaisa hasn’t lost faith in us, and she’s going with us,” Shin reminded lightly and they all smiled at this, nodding.

“Papa….Mama…” Jun murmured softly as he turned in his sleep.

Nasuti woke up and smiled sadly as she murmured, “Poor guy. He really misses his parents.”

Shu and Ryo came over by the wall and watched her as Shu muttered, “Man it really burns me that he can’t be with his parents.” 

Ryo nodded in agreement then looked around in surprise. “Kaos? Where did he go?” he wondered aloud as he looked around.

“He was right here a minute ago,” Shin replied as he and Touma got up off of the pile of rubble they had been sitting on.

They looked around, confused, when a soft moan surprised them.  They looked over to see Genaisa waking up, stretching gracefully before gazing at them. “You all look so serious. What’s wrong?” she asked quietly, then got up, stretching again.

But they didn’t answer right away as they just stared at her.  Nasuti snickered softly as she watched the bewitched boys, and then asked, “Genaisa. You were so deeply asleep that you should have been out for days! How is it you got up so quickly?”

Genaisa smirked as she answered, “It’s called an internal clock. I set mine to wake me in a couple of hours.” She noticed the stares she was getting and sighed, trying to hide her blush as she leaned up against Byakuen and scratched him behind the ears.  Byakuen purred and chuckled softly as he saw the Troopers watching his dear friend and her obvious embarrassment at the attention.  She just didn’t realize how truly lovely she was, but he wasn’t going to say it.  If everything worked out, the Troopers would say it to her…in more ways than one.

She cleared her throat and looked at them, then looked up the stairs. “I’m going up for some air,” she said, then started up the stairs, followed by Byakuen. Ryo moved to go with her and she called over her shoulder, “And no I don’t need a bodyguard.”  Ryo blushed and the others laughed as she continued up the stairs. 

She sighed softly as she got to the top. She wasn’t sure she could handle their ‘attention’.  She was flattered for certain, but she was so used to being on her own that the extra attention was….embarrassing.  She was constantly hearing their thoughts about her and she wasn’t certain how she would be able to handle being alone with anyone of them outside of battle. She remembered the ‘dream’ she’d had with Touma. She knew he remembered now as well, had seen it in his eyes when he had gazed at her. What was it she had been feeling so close to him?

Sighing again, she shook her head to dispel her thoughts, and then saw Kaos standing not far from her.  Softly, she went to his side and wrapped her arm around his waist. “Kaos…why are you so worried and sad?” she asked softly as she laid her head on his shoulder.

He sighed softly and looked down at her. “I am just sad on some decisions that must be made, and worried for all of you. Arago is dangerous. I do not wish to leave you at his mercy,” he replied softly as he caressed a tender finger along her jawline.

She smiled up at him and stated, “We can do this, Kaos. We’re almost there.  I know that some sacrifices had to be made, but we can do this.”

He smiled softly. ‘Sacrifices. Oh my sweet Genaisa…if only you knew how true those words are…’ he thought to himself, then instructed, “I want you to protect and guide them while in the Youjakai, alright, Genaisa?”  She nodded once, straightening up.  Kaos smiled and caressed her cheek, then looked down at Byakuen. “You must protect those two now, my old friend,” he murmured softly and Byakuen purred sadly, pressing his face into the robed leg.  Sighing again, Kaos looked up at the floating castle that dominated the horizon.  Determined, he brought his staff up and the chiming began as he walked to the gateway, Genaisa and Byakuen watching him go silently.

Genaisa watched as her friend and mentor disappeared between the buildings.  She felt unease within her as she waited for Kaos to do whatever he was going to do.  Suddenly, the ground trembled around her and she gasped.  She saw lightening flash from the castle, striking down where Kaos had gone.  She cried out as she felt his cry of pain tear through her mind and heart.  “Kaos!” she shouted and ran off for where he was, praying she was in time.

She panted as she ran, and then gasped as a bright column of light burst before her. Covering her eyes, she screamed, “Kaos!!”

Kaos looked over at her serenely and said, “Protect and guide them, my dear Genaisa. Remember your soul of love and follow your heart.”  Then, he became a ball of light and flared up, rushing to the top of the column and making the bridge.

“Kaos…NOOO!!!!” Genaisa cried out in anguish as she fell to her knees.  Hands wrapped around her waist, she sobbed and rocked herself as she sat near the bridge that had taken her friend away.

TBC in Chapt 2!

<<Home>>   <Previous Chapter     Destiny's Wheel: Chapter Two>