Disclaimer: I have no connection to the Ronin Warriors or the Samurai Troopers. I simply wanted to write a fanfiction about them.

WARNING: This is a yaoi fanfiction.

So if you do not like that type of relationship or if you cannot handle mature situations, please do not read any farther. I will not accept any flames for this fanfic. You have been warned. Any comments or suggestions can be directed to bhollan2@hotmail.com Thanks I appreciate it. Oh and this symbol ~ denotes a dream sequence.

The forest called to his soul. He yearned for the soft comfort of the mossy ground, the cool comfort of the shady trees, and the gurgling of the stream that curled a meandering path throughout the woods. Striding up to the waterfall that hid amongst the rocks, he let the water mist his face before settling himself on a large boulder along the shore. Closing his violet eyes, he leaned back on the boulder feeling the warmth of the evening sun shining on his upturned face. A gentle smile played across his lips as he drifted off into dreamland, unaware of the lone figure who stood watching from afar.

Touma regarded the slender figure from his perch in a nearby tree. A wishful look flickered briefly across his face before once again turning impassive. He simply loved to watch Seiji when he came out to the forest. Seiji always looked so much at peace in this place and Touma longed to be a part of the tranquility. He enjoyed the way the sun glinted off of his friend's blond hair as a halo of light shimmered around the golden figure.

Unconsciously flexing his fingers, Touma ached to run his hands through those golden strands. But that was forbidden, except in rare moments when Seiji was left unguarded. Sighing, Touma dropped from his perch making no noise as he landed on the moss covered ground. Turning away from temptation, he began to head toward the mansion, running straight into Shin. "Shin . . ." he whispered. "What are you doing here?"

The auburn haired young man looked up at Touma with a knowing smile. He had seen the archer perched in the tree when he was coming to get Seiji for dinner. He could feel the longing that Touma was desperately trying to hide, and he also knew that Seiji had been watching Touma for quite some time. Grinning catlike, he said, "Oh hi, Touma. You startled me. I was just coming to get Seiji for dinner. But I don't want to disturb him." Shin paused slightly, letting his eyes flicker toward the reposed figure by the waterfall before slowly returning his gaze back to Touma's dark blue eyes. "I think I'll go now." Shin started to head back to the house, when Touma's voice stopped him.

"Shin, wait! Aren't you even going to try to wake him up? He needs to eat too ya know." Touma was desperately trying to piece together Shin's odd behavior.

"Yeah, I know. But since you're here, I thought that you could wake him up. You don't mind do you?" Shin asked casually, a ghost of a smile shimmering on his lips.

Touma's eyes flickered with suppressed emotion before he turned back to Seiji's prone figure. "I guess not. We'll be there in a little while."

"All right." Shin started to walk back to the mansion but stopped after only going a couple of feet. Slipping behind the trunk of a rather large oak, Shin watched as Touma approached the golden figure. The last rays of the evening sun were bathing the warrior of courtesy in an unearthly glow. 'Oh, this is going to be good' he thought to himself. He had been helping Seiji with some of his nightmares that had been plaguing him lately, and in doing so, he had inadvertently seen a dream of Touma and Seiji in a rather interesting position. Shin wondered if that dream was about to become a reality as he watched Touma kneel beside Seiji.

'How do I let myself get talked into these things?' Touma asked himself silently. Shaking his head, he wondered briefly what was going on with Shin. Being the bearer of wisdom, he hated it when others left him stupefied, as Shin had done a minute ago. For the life of him he could not understand the weird glances Shin kept giving himself and Seiji. Kneeling beside the warrior of light, Touma leaned over him, preparing to shake Seiji's shoulder when Seiji whispered something incomprehensible. Leaning closer still, Touma struggled to make out the garbled words. He was listening so intently that he did not notice when Seiji turned on his side, his hand reaching unconsciously for Touma until it was too late. Touma laid trapped within the other warriors' embrace. Startled, Touma struggled to get loose but Seiji was still trapped within the throes of his nightmare, and only tightened his hold on the archer.

~ Crying Touma's name softly, Seiji began to panic when he received no answer. His violet eyes searching frantically over the battle-scarred earth looking for a hint of blue amongst the carnage. 'Oh God no. Please let me find him. He can't be dead.' Seiji cried silently. He can't be among this destruction but Seiji feared it was so.

He and Touma had been coming home from a wonderful afternoon when the doors to the dynasty had opened before them, sucking them up. They landed in a clearing full of wildflowers but something had not been right. Red eyes were glowing all around them. They had no escape and no means to get back to the mortal realm. They would have to fight. Calling upon their armors, they stood back to back as the dark shapes moved toward them. Seiji did the best he could to protect Touma. His blue haired friend often faired better at long range combat instead of in close quarters but the things, for they were things, he knew not of a better description, were gradually putting a wedge between the two warriors. Then, a flash of intense pain hit Seiji in the back of the head and his world went black.

A few hours later, Seiji groaned as he came to, only to realize that the field had been completely decimated and that Touma was nowhere in sight. Feeling the warm blood trickling into his collar, he grimaced, wondering what had happened. He was still alive which shouldn't be the case, but if Touma were dead he no longer wanted to continue living. Stumbling through the ravaged landscape, he screamed as he saw Touma's lifeless form laying several meters to his right. His bow had been broken and it laid useless in Touma's lifeless grip. "TOUMA!!!!!" Running to his friend, he cradled the lifeless body that was once his friend as tears streamed down his face. ~

Screaming Touma's name once again, Seiji jerked awake with a gasp. A pair of dark blue eyes was staring concernedly down at him. Startled to see Touma's eyes right above his own, Seiji jerked away from his friend, upsetting Touma unto his rump. Seiji stared wide eyed at what he assumed was an apparition. Touma couldn't possibly be alive. He had cradled his lifeless body against his chest. Backing up in fear and incomprehension, Seiji turned and ran from his bewildered friend.

Chapter 2:

Touma stood stunned for a second, before he took off following Seiji. Something had spooked his friend badly and it had something to do with whatever he had been dreaming. And that something had had to deal with Touma himself. He had heard Seiji scream his name in anguish just before Seiji had awoken. Whatever it was, it was bad. "Oh Seiji, what happened in that dream that has upset you so?" he asked the trees, not expecting an answer but he received one nevertheless.

"It's my fault, Touma."

A soft voice carried across his consciousness as he saw the bearer of water racing along beside him. "Shin?"

"Yeah, it's me. I stayed to watch you wake him up. I didn't expect him to be having another nightmare or I would have never suggested that you wake him up." Shin sighed in distress. Seeing the archer give him a funny look, Shin raised his hand to forestall any questions. "Before you say anything, hear me out. All right?" Shin asked quietly as they ran.

Touma nodded that he would listen to whatever Shin had to say, since he was too busy trying to keep up with the warrior of light to carry on a coherent conversation with Shin.

Shin seeing Touma's eyes shift back to following Seiji's rapidly disappearing form began his tale again. "A couple of weeks ago, I heard Seiji crying out in his sleep. He was having these horrible nightmares which would leave him shaky and irritable the next morning. On this night, he kept screaming no as if someone had ripped out his heart and stepped on it. It was heart wrenching to hear. I tried to wake him up to no avail and so in an effort to relieve him of the pain, I tapped into his nightmare and pulled it away from his unconsciousness. I left behind the most pleasant image that I could find in his psyche. That image was of you, Touma." Shin paused hoping to gauge Touma's reaction to this news.

Touma did not disappoint. His steps faltered as he heard that news. Turning his head sideways at Shin, he asked "An image of me?"

"Yeah, it seems that our courteous warrior has a crush on you. Which I believe you share. Now don't even try to deny it Touma." Shin put up a restraining hand when he saw Touma about to deny the truth. "I have seen the looks that you pass his way when you think that no one is watching. Don't worry, the others don't know about it and even if they did, I doubt that they would see what I see, since I have been privy to Seiji's dreams." Shin smiled slightly.

"All right, I won't deny it. I do have a crush on Seiji. I have had a crush on him for a long time but I have never said anything to him for fear of rejection." Pausing slightly, Touma finally registered what Shin had said. "So, he has been dreaming of me, huh?" A feeling of warmth flooded his senses before settling back into darkness. A sense of foreboding teased him as he asked his next question. "Well, then what does his nightmares consist of?"

Shin looked down at his feet, uncertain if he should tell Touma. Looking up at his blue haired friend, Shin hesitated. "Touma, I would rather not say. It is really Seiji's place to tell you. Not mine." Shin frowned as he thought about the nightmares that plagued the other warrior. He really did not want to burden Touma with them, but the warrior of wisdom needed to know what was bothering Seiji.

Touma sighed in exasperation. "Shin, you're right it is his place to tell me, but as you can see he is nowhere in sight and I am scared. So tell me!!" Touma fairly growled at the younger man.

Shin flinched unconsciously at Touma's growled words. "He . . . he has been dreaming of a new dark dynasty, with some sort of dog like creatures with long tusks along their faces. They are generally black or brown colored and can stand on their hind legs making them twice as tall. They have these large yellow claws that shoot out and retract back into the skin of their hands. They are vicious and often tear out their victims throats. However, they fight hand to hand mostly. Seiji has been dreaming that you and he get attacked by these bloodthirsty creatures and that there is no escape available." Shin pauses, unsure whether he should continue. Recognizing the grim look on Touma's face, he decides that he must forge ahead. "Touma, he has . . . he has been dreaming of your death." Shin stopped speaking as he saw all the color drain from Touma's already pale face. "Touma, are you all right?"

Touma nods his head slowly, shock evident on his face. "Shin, do you think his dreams are prophetic? I mean, Ryo has had prophetic dreams, so why shouldn't the rest of us?"

Shin glanced at Touma's dark profile. The sun had disappeared beneath the horizon leaving the earth bathed in the glow of the stars as they appeared one by one. "I don't know Touma. I am not even sure what has set these dreams off, but he is terrified. I think when we find him that I should be the one to talk to him first. I think seeing you might push him over the edge since he probably thinks that what he has seen is real."

"You mean to tell me that the reason Seiji ran off was because he thought that he was seeing a ghost?"

"Precisely. The last couple of times that he has had these nightmares it took me a considerable amount of time to get him to realize that the dream was just that, a dream. He gets so caught up in the dreams that he can't tell real from fantasy."

Touma nodded his acquiescence to Shin's proposal. "Fine, you can talk to him first but I will not be far away in case he needs me."

The two ran in companionable silence for a little while longer before they entered a small clearing in the woods. On the far side, lay Seiji who was curled up in a tight ball of misery. Shin approached Seiji cautiously, knowing from experience that Seiji might lash out at him, not realizing who he was. "Seiji?" he called softly.

Seiji raised his tear streaked face to Shin's worried one. "Shin?"

Shin let out a sigh of relief. He recognizes me at least. "Seiji, can you tell me what happened?"

Seiji moaned. "Touma . . . Touma's dead. Shin, I tried to protect him but I failed. Those dog-like creatures attacked us and left me for dead. I later woke to a battle-scarred wasteland with no Touma in sight. I had no idea where he was but I thought that if I survived then he must have too, but I was wrong. So wrong . . ." Seiji's voice cracked as more tears poured down his face. "I've lost him Shin. What do I do? I couldn't save him and now I don't want to live with myself." The words poured forth in a rush of hot tears as Seiji stood unsteadily. "Forgive me dear Shin but I can't stay here. Not without him. He was all that mattered." Calling Korin to him, Seiji took the hilt of his sword in both hands and went to plunge it into his heart. A golden bow stopped the sword inches away from his chest. Seiji blinked up at a pair of shining midnight eyes and promptly passed out. Korin faded from view, leaving Seiji once again clad in his street clothes.

Touma, who stood watching the exchange from a respectable distance, was beginning to get an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach as he watched Seiji call Korin to him. Rushing from his place of concealment, Touma called Tenku to him and prayed that Tenku would get him there in time. Pulling his bow loose, he thrust it between Seiji and his deadly intent, effectively blocking Seiji's thrust. Touma looked up through his tears to see Seiji's shocked face, before Seiji's eyes slipped closed and he collapsed into Touma's waiting arms.

"Oh god."

Touma whirled around. He had forgotten all about Shin in his haste to get to Seiji. "Shin." The name came out in a whisper.

Shin's face was ashen. He had known that the nightmares were troubling Seiji but he had not known to what extent. "Touma, is he all right?"

"I think so. He appears to be in shock though. We need to get him back to the house and soon." Touma stood up, willing Tenku away as he gathered Seiji's unconscious form to his chest. He turned away from the forest as he headed toward home with his precious cargo. Shin followed at his elbow, in case he needed something.

Reaching the mansion, Shin slipped ahead of Touma to open the back door. Touma smiled gratefully at him as he swept into the room.

Ryo, Shu and Nasutei looked up from their dinner at the sound of the door opening. Their mouths dropping open at the site of an unconscious Seiji in Touma's arms.

"What happened?" Ryo asked the blue haired archer.

Touma only shook his head grimly as he headed for the stairs. "Ask Shin about it." He did not have time to explain. He needed to get Seiji up to bed. Chills were wracking the swordsman's body as he muttered in his sleep. Stepping into their shared room, Touma placed Seiji on his bed and pulled the blankets up around his shoulders. He placed a small kiss on Seiji's forehead as he brushed leaves out of his hair. Seiji must have gotten them when he ran from Touma earlier. Pulling his desk chair up to Seiji's bed, Touma grasped Seiji's hand in his and promptly fell asleep watching the swordsman.

A little while later, something woke Touma from a sound sleep. Raising his head, Touma found a pair of red eyes watching him and Seiji from the corner of the room. The eyes never left Touma's as a wicked grin formed on the creatures face. Touma got up and stood protectively in front of Seiji. "If you want to get to him, you'll have to go through me first" he threatened.

The creature only seemed to smile more if that was possible. Opening its mouth, it hissed "Now, why would I want to do that, when I already have him?" the creature gestured behind Touma at Seiji.

Touma turned slowly, keeping an eye on the creature, he looked down at Seiji's drawn face. He was in the throes of yet another nightmare. "Damn you! Stop it. Leave him alone!" Touma cried as he whirled back around to face the creature. Lunging forward, Touma went to strangle the creature when it disappeared into thin air. "Where did you go, you evil thing?" Laughter was the only answer that he received. Slamming his fist onto his bed, he growled in frustration.

Byakuen noticing Touma's door ajar, slipped inside. He could feel the tension in the room and the anger emanating from Touma's silhouette. There was something else too, something dark hovering just above Seiji's unconscious form. Byakuen growled menacingly as he approached Seiji's side.

"Byakuen? What is it boy?" Touma did not see the thing hovering above Seiji but Byakuen would not let it do as it desired. He did not want to pounce on the thing because he was afraid that would only draw it more into Seiji. Instead he reared up over the side of the bed and swatted at the thing which hastily dissipated into the night.

"Byakuen?" Touma tried again to get the tiger's attention. This time the tiger turned to him with a slight grin on his face. He padded over to Touma and rubbed against him, seeking to comfort the archer. Touma's eyes sought out Seiji's form who seemed to be at peace once again. Touma looked down at the tiger. "You can sense it too, can't you boy? There's evil here. I thank you for getting rid of whatever was plaguing Seiji. Could you please stay here tonight?"

The tiger purred as he draped himself on the rug in the center of the room. He bared his teeth as if daring any entities to come in while he was on duty. Glancing at Seiji's form and back to Touma, the tiger inclined its head to Seiji's bed.

"Hmmm, what? You think that I should sleep with Seiji tonight?" The tiger nodded slightly. "All right boy. I will." Touma got into bed next to Seiji and pulled the swordsman into his arms. Touma snuggled closer to Seiji's warmth in an effort to protect Seiji from his nightmares.

Chapter 3:

Seiji woke the next morning with a feeling of contentment. He was warm and felt safe. What was even better, he did not remember having any nightmares from the night before. Stretching, he paused as he felt something rub against him. Blinking his bleary eyes, he saw a swath of blue laying across his pillow. Touma was tucked into the crook of his arm. One of his hands spread possessively across Seiji's middle.

Seiji smiled down at the archer, wondering idly why he was asleep in his bed. Reaching out a hand, Seiji played with Touma's silky locks as he tried to remember the past evening. Everything was a blur from the time he went out to the woods. Wait a minute. Woods? The last thing he remembered was lying down on the boulders by the waterfall, so how then did he get back to the house and in his bed no less? Glancing at Touma's still sleeping form, he wondered silently, 'Did he bring me back here?' Seiji struggled with his memory but it kept flitting away just out of his grasp. He dragged his hand over his eyes in annoyance. A headache began to pound beneath his brow. Struggling to get out from under Touma's arm without waking him, Seiji was surprised to find Byakuen balefully watching him.

"Byakuen? What are you doing in here, boy? Shouldn't you be with Ryo?"

Byakuen huffed at the swordsman as if to say 'I don't always have to be with him, you know.' Instead, he padded over to the swordsman's bed and began to nuzzle Seiji's cheek.

Seiji had yet to untangle himself from Touma's tight embrace and truth be known he wasn't really sure if he wanted to. He rather liked the feel of the archer's arms around him and the heavenly scent that was pure Touma. Touma smelled fresh like the morning rain. Turning his head to see the clock, Seiji was surprised to see that it was almost noon. He never slept this late. Stunned, he sat bolt upright, knocking Touma's arm from around him.

Byakuen hastily retreated back to his rug. 'Humans' he thought irritably to himself.

"Seiji?" a sleepy voice called to him.

"Oh Touma. I'm sorry I didn't mean to wake you. I'm just surprised that I have slept this late." Seiji glanced down at the floor, ashamed that he had awoken Touma.

"Late? What time is it?"

"It's almost noon."

"Noon? Too early. Need more sleep" came Touma's muffled response.

Seiji grinned down at his blue haired friend, laughter evident in his sparkling eyes. "Maybe so but I am getting up."

Touma responded by tightening his hold on Seiji and refusing to let him up.

"Touma, let me go."

"No."

"Touma . . . Touma, damn it, let me go." Seiji began to push against the archer to no avail. Touma's arms were like bands of steel wrapped about his body.

"No way, am I letting you go. Not after last night." Came the sleepy retort. Had Touma been in full control of all his mental capabilities he would have known not to have said that to Seiji.

Seiji stiffened in Touma's arms. "Last night? What happened last night?" Seiji asked in a cold, demanding voice.

Touma flinched as he realized his mistake. Cursing under his breath, he chanced a brief glimpse at Seiji's face. Seiji was staring at him as if he could see right through Touma's soul. It was an unnerving feeling to say the least. Deciding that perhaps he should find out what Seiji remembered first, he replied to Seiji's question with a question of his own. "What do you remember of last night?" Touma held his breath as he waited for Seiji to answer him.

Seiji was startled that Touma did not answer his question and instead had asked one of his own. Eyeing the now coherent archer, he wondered again what had led to the two of them being in bed together. Shaking his head, he tried to get rid of the cobwebs that insisted on clinging to his memory. Raising rueful and somewhat panicked eyes to Touma's midnight blue ones, he stated "I remember leaving the house to go out to the waterfall. I needed to meditate and I had asked Shin to come and get me for dinner. I reached the waterfall and sat on those boulders near the shore. I think I might have fallen asleep but that's all that I can remember." Seiji's voice began to rise in panic. "Oh dear God. Touma, I don't remember anything else. It's all a blur." Tears began to course down his cheeks again. "What is happening to me?" he cried.

"Shhh, Seiji. I'm here. I won't let anything happen to ya." Touma pulled the quaking figure into his embrace. Rubbing his hand on Seiji's back, he spoke soothingly to the swordsman. Touma felt bad about not telling Seiji what he knew, but he figured that Seiji did not need the added turmoil. Sensing a shadow in the doorway, Touma looked up to see Shin peering worriedly into the room. Shaking his head, Touma mouthed "later" to his friend.

Shin nodded, closing the door softly behind him, a frown marring his features as he made his way downstairs. Byakuen sensing that his two charges needed to be alone followed Shin down the stairs.

"Touma, I know you know something. Can't you please tell me what it is?" Seiji raised his tearful gaze to the archer, hoping that the archer would tell him what was going on.

Sighing, Touma shook his head. "Seiji . . . yeah I do know something and so does Shin, but I think that you need to figure this out for yourself. I don't want to upset you any more than you are. Please, Seiji don't ask me to."

Seiji could hear the pleading in Touma's voice but he didn't heed it. Grasping Touma's left wrist harshly in his, he twisted the other teen's wrist in a painful angle. "Tell me!" The words came out grating, harsh, demanding. They bit into Touma's flesh as sure as the pain was arching through his arm from the painful angle that his wrist had been turned. Seiji's normal calm exterior had snapped, leaving in its place a scared shallow shell of the former Seiji.

Touma knew that Seiji would never truly hurt him but the wild look in the blond man's eyes had him wary. He had never seen Seiji so rattled until last night and now he had unnerved Touma twice in the space of a few hours time. Touma gulped, wondering what he should do when Seiji's voice floated over him like water.

"Please?" he begged.

Sighing, Touma gave in. "All right Seiji, you win on three conditions." Touma looked at the blond man and wished he could erase that haunted look, but instead he was simply going to add to it. "First, you have to let go of my wrist. Second, you must promise me that you will listen to everything that I have to say without interrupting me, and third you must not blame yourself for anything. It is not your fault. Understand me?"

Seiji looked at Touma and then down at the wrist he held, only now realizing how much pain Touma must be in. He immediately let go of the wrist which Touma cradled gratefully to his chest. Seiji flushed slightly in embarrassment. "I'm sorry Touma. I didn't realize." Seiji's voice trailed off as Touma placed a restraining finger against his lips.

"What did I tell you? I told you it is not your fault. Now are you going to listen?"

At Seiji's nod, Touma began to tell the story. "First off, I want you to know that this is not going to be pleasant but you still need to hear it ok?"

Seiji nodded, he already knew that this was not going to be pleasant from Touma's tone.

"You are right. You did fall asleep on the boulders by the waterfall. Seiji, you had another nightmare." Touma paused as he saw Seiji's face blanch. "I tried to wake you up but you were too caught up in the nightmare to notice me. When you came too, you took one look at me and ran screaming."

Seiji placed his head in his hands as a memory assaulted him. Groaning, he looked wide eyed at Touma. "Noooo, you're dead. I saw you. I held you in my hands." Seiji began to back away from Touma in fear, the nightmare once again gaining control.

"No Seiji. I'm alive. What you saw was just a dream. It wasn't real."

Seiji kept shaking his head in denial. "Noooooo!!!! I know what I saw. You are not real." Turning, Seiji prepared to run when Touma's hand encircled his wrist.

Touma, seeing that Seiji was on the verge of losing control like last night, did the only thing he could think of to get rid of the madness in Seiji's eyes. He grabbed the swordsman's wrist as he prepared to flee and dragged him roughly up against his slender frame. Before any rational thought could interject itself into his brain, Touma slammed his mouth down over Seiji's. He roughly kissed the swordsman, in desperation. His mouth kneading the pliant flesh of Seiji's lips. Running his fingers through Seiji's golden locks, he kept the swordsman from escaping by twisting his hands into the strands. He gradually felt Seiji begin to soften under his onslaught, and he gentled the kiss. No longer was the kiss rough and in haste but it slowed to a mere trickle before Touma pulled away, leaving them both breathless.

"Don't ever say that I am not real Seiji. I'm standing here in front of you. I promise you that I am quite real and that what you saw was simply a nightmare. It will not come true. I promise you." Touma crossed his fingers behind his back praying that he could keep that promise, thinking of the creature he had seen last night. He knew the thing would be back. It was only a question of when.

Chapter 4:

Seiji stood stunned, a soft white hand pressed against his swollen lips where he could still feel Touma's lips crushing against his own. The wild look was gone and in its place stood uncertainty. "Touma?" he asked softly.

"Yeah Seiji. It's me. I'm sorry for that but I didn't know what else to do. You weren't listening to reason and I was afraid that you would try something like last night, and I couldn't bear it if you did. Don't you realize how much you mean to me? I love you Seiji and I wouldn't be able to stand it if I lost you. Promise me, you'll never try to do what you tried to do last night. Promise me!!" Touma demanded an answer, his tears leaving tired marks across his pale cheeks.

Seiji unsure of what he was promising softly said "I promise Touma, but could you remind me of what it is I am promising not to do?"

Touma looked at Seiji in astonishment. "You still don't remember do ya?"

Shaking his head sadly, Seiji said "no, I remember the nightmare and fleeing from you. I remember running through the woods and Shin finding me. We talked for a little while and nothing. That's it. Why, what am I forgetting?"

Touma looked at his friend critically. "Seiji, you were very wrapped up in your nightmare. You kept telling Shin that you had lost me and by all rights you should have been dead but you weren't. Only I was. You said that you couldn't handle it anymore and then you called Korin to you." Touma paused slightly before whispering, "you tried to take your own life last night Seiji." Seeing Korin's blade flash in the starlight last night had almost sent Touma over the edge. "If it hadn't been for Tenku's extra burst of speed, you would have stabbed Korin's blade through your chest. I just barely managed to get my bow between yourself and your blade."

Seiji sat down hard on the rug. He blinked uncomprehending eyes up at Touma. "I did what?"

"It's true Seiji. I was there." A soft-spoken voice said from the once again open doorway.

"Shin?" Seiji asked incredulously.

"Yeah, I'm so sorry about last night, my friend. I didn't realize how much your nightmares have been troubling you. Again, I am sorry." Shin looked worriedly at Touma and then back to Byakuen who was still with him. "The others are wanting to know what is going on. Should I tell them or would you guys like to?"

"Let's wait a little bit, Shin. I have something to talk to you guys about anyhow. Something else occurred last night that none of you are aware of. It's the reason that Byakuen was in here. He stayed all night last night, protecting us. I don't think that any of us should go alone anywhere for the time being. There's more to this than simple nightmares, Shin."

Shin started, surprised but noting Touma's determined look he nodded as he left. "I'll tell the others that we will have a meeting in a couple more hours. You two look like you could use some more rest." Byakuen eyed the two knowingly as he padded outside the door. He plopped down in front of the doorway, daring anyone to come near it.

Seiji frowned at Touma as the door closed. "What do you mean, there's more to this than a simple nightmare?"

Touma grimaced. He really did not want to get into this right now. "Seiji, I'll tell you later with the others. Let's just say that your demons are real. One of them was here last night watching us sleep. I tried to grab it but it disappeared into thin air. Byakuen sensed it as well, so he set up sentinel last night. That was the reason why you found me in your bed this morning. Byakuen seemed to think that the things would leave you alone with my presence beside you. Which apparently they did so, at least for last night."

Seiji was surprised to say the least. He pulled the archer to him. "Touma, I'm scared. I don't know what is going on. What do these things want with me?"

"I don't know Seiji. Only time will tell, I guess. Come on, let's get some more rest before facing the others." Touma grasped Seiji's hand and pulled him into the nearest bed. Wrapping his arms around Seiji, Touma began to fall asleep. A soft nibbling on his earlobe brought him back to full awareness, though. "Seiji?"

"Hmmm?"

"What are you doing?"

"Making sure you're real. Please Touma I need this."

Touma propped himself up on an elbow and looked into the clear violet depths of his soon to be lovers' eyes. "Seiji, you have gone through an awful lot and yes I do love you, but I don't think that this is a good idea right now. You are on an emotional roller coaster. You may feel differently after this is all behind you." Touma turned away from Seiji's surprised face. He wanted this as much as Seiji but one of them had to be reasonable, and he couldn't count on Seiji to be that when he was so insecure right now.

Seiji saw right through what Touma was trying to do and he was not going to let him get away from it. "Oh no you don't Touma Hashiba!! You are not going to play the reasonable one with me. I want this and I know you want this too, else we wouldn't be in the same bed together. Don't even give me any excuses. My feelings for you will not have changed one iota. Hasn't my nightmare told you anything? I love you Touma Hashiba and I don't think that I can live without you. Why else would I have tried such drastic measures last night? You are my everything. Understand?"

Touma nodded mutely. He had no idea that Seiji felt that strong about him. He thought about all the innuendos that he had received from the blond over the last year, and then he had no more time for thought as Seiji's lips claimed his in a fiery kiss.

Seiji wrapped his left arm around the archer pulling him closer to his body. He needed the warmth that Touma was generating. Running his hands lightly up under Touma's shirt, he tugged the garment over his love's head and flung it carelessly onto the floor. Pressing kisses across Touma's flat stomach, he could feel himself aching with need. Touma gasped as Seiji slid his hand beneath the waistband of his shorts.

"Seiji!!"

Seiji simply smiled at Touma's innocence. "Please Touma, love me. I need you to make me forget my nightmares. I need you to reestablish that this is real and that you are truly here with me."

Touma rolled on top of Seiji and began unbuttoning Seiji's green silk pajama top. "Seiji, I am real and I will gladly love you." Touma grinned down at Seiji whose eyes were clouding with passion. Bending down, Touma placed butterfly kisses along Seiji's jaw and down his throat before settling on a golden nipple. Teasing the nipple with his mouth, he was gratified to hear the soft moans of pleasure emanating from Seiji's throat. Laughing slightly, Touma urged Seiji to sit up so that he could get the shirt off the rest of the way. It soon joined Touma's on the floor.

Going back to what he was doing, Touma began lavishing his attention on one of Seiji's nipples as he reached down with his other hand and grasped the waistband of Seiji's pajama bottoms. Tugging slightly, he pulled both the pajama bottoms and Seiji's boxers off in one swift motion, leaving Seiji gloriously nude in front of him. Sitting up, Touma pulled off his own shorts and undergarments before settling himself back on top of his lover. The garments were thrown haphazardly around the room, the owners not caring where they landed.

Seiji moaned when Touma climbed back on top of him, naked. He had been longing for this moment for so long and now it was finally happening. "Oh Gods" he breathed.

Touma smiled as Seiji exclaimed. He could feel Seiji's erection against his stomach and his own was burning with desire. Pressing against Seiji, he began to kiss the swordsman in earnest. Reaching down between Seiji's legs he stuck one finger inside of the tight opening causing Seiji to squirm ever so deliciously below him. Continuing to kiss Seiji, he stuck another finger inside of Seiji, stretching him. He was so tight and he felt so good against his hand. Touma could only imagine what it will feel like to be inside that delicious warmth.

Seiji, growing impatient with his slow lover, reached up between their bodies and grasped Touma's sex in his hands. Tugging gently on it, he was gratified by a rugged breath hissing between Touma's clenched jaw. Reaching up with his other hand, Seiji pulled Touma down for another kiss, his hand still slowly pumping Touma up and down in time with Touma's strokes inside of his body.

Touma wrenched his mouth away from Seiji's for a brief moment. "You're sure about this?"

Seiji growled at Touma's words. "Touma, I am naked, lying in your arms, completely vulnerable. How much more assurance do you need? I want this. I want you inside of me. Now!!"

Touma grinned at the impatience evident in Seiji's voice, their troubles for the moment forgotten. Reaching over to the night stand, Touma grabbed some oil that Seiji had left there for some reason or another and gently poured some into his hands. Rubbing his hands together, Touma inserted his now slick fingers back into Seiji's sheath. He then poured more of the oil over his own erection before he flipped Seiji onto his stomach. Pressing up against his opening, Touma began to enter Seiji slowly.

Seiji grabbed hold of the blankets on the bed, threatening to shred them in his grip. The pain was intense.

Touma paused, holding himself rigid within his lover. He pressed feather light kisses along Seiji's back until Seiji grew accustomed to his length. When Seiji began to moan, Touma took that as his hint to continue. Pulling out slightly then thrusting back in, Touma set the slow pace but soon his need as well as Seiji's overwhelmed him and his strokes became faster and harder. You could not tell where Touma ended and Seiji began. They were as one, moving toward that ultimate goal. Touma reached around Seiji and grasped his erection in his hands. He began to pump Seiji's erection in time with his thrusts. It felt so unbelievably good to be doing this with Seiji. A roaring sound filled his ears as he felt himself come deep inside of Seiji.

Touma's release triggered Seiji's as he came in a hot rush over Touma's hand. Seiji flopped bonelessly to the mattress, Touma still inside of him. The scent of their lovemaking heavy in the air. Touma lay reposed over Seiji's back, Not really wanting to move but knowing that he should. The others would be looking for them soon and they both needed a shower. Pressing another feather like kiss to Seiji's back. He slipped away from his lover. "I'll be right back. I'm going to take a shower." A mumbled response was all that he received. Smiling, Touma pulled the blankets up around Seiji's sleeping form and left for his shower.

Seiji moaned as he felt Touma leave his body. But he knew the archer had to get cleaned up because the time Shin had given them was almost up. He was tempted to join Touma in the shower but he felt a lethargy pulling at his limbs. Sighing, Seiji closed his eyes as he let sleep overtake him. He knew Touma would wake him up as soon as he got out of the shower.

Chapter 5:

Touma entered the bedroom from the connecting bath, towel drying his hair and immediately knew something was wrong. Seiji was still lying on the bed, but he was completely still, and Byakuen was urgently scratching at the main door trying to get inside the room. Opening the door, Touma was nearly bowled over by the impatient tiger who immediately pounced on top of Seiji's unconscious form. Growling, Byakuen began to nuzzle Seiji's cheek but he got no response. Letting out an inhuman roar, the inhabitants of the house could feel the tiger's grief in that roar.

In a flash, Touma was beside his love's side, feeling for a pulse. It was there but faint. Trying to shake Seiji's shoulder, he was surprised when his hand passed right through what should have been solid flesh. Alarmed, Touma drew back to see Seiji begin to flicker in and out of existence. "SEIJI!!!!" he screamed.

Ryo, Shu, Shin and Nasutei had heard Byakuen's roar and were heading upstairs when they heard Touma's scream. Running faster, the foursome skidded to a stop in front of Touma and Seiji's room. Peering in, they saw Touma in nothing more than a towel, with his hand over his mouth. His eyes were wide and focused on a point above Seiji's shoulder. Seiji was lying on the bed, unmoving. "Touma? What is it?" Nasutei asked.

Touma turned toward her voice and opened his mouth to speak but no sound came out. He pointed mutely at Seiji's form which had once again began to flicker catching everyone's attention.

"What the Hell?" came Shu's stunned voice.

"The creatures, they are attacking him again."

Ryo whipped around to stare at Shin. "Shin, do you know what is going on?"he asked in a carefully controlled manner. He truly hated being left in the dark.

Sadly, Shin shook his head. "All I know is that Seiji has had terrible nightmares plaguing him for the last several weeks and last night was the worst one yet. He has been dreaming of Touma's death at the hands of these dog-like creatures. Last night Seiji, still caught up in the aftereffects of the nightmare, tried to kill himself because he thought that he had lost Touma, only that wasn't the case. Touma just barely managed to stop him."

"Yeah, but that's not all. Late last night we had a visitor." Touma looked away from Seiji's flickering form and at his other friends. "It was one of the creatures from Seiji's nightmares. I tried to grab it but it dissipated into thin air. Then Byakuen came in and noticed another one that I had not seen hovering above Seiji. He must have scared it away because it never bothered us the rest of the night. But I knew it would be back. Damn!! I should have let Byakuen back in when I went to get my shower."

Byakuen glanced at the archer. Now was definitely not the time for this. Seiji needed Touma if he was to survive. Byakuen could sense the darkness around Seiji's form. It had settled around the swordsman the moment that Touma had left him. He had tried to get into the room, leaving gouge marks in the wood, but the door had been sealed shut by some force. Only when Touma reentered the room did the bond break. Byakuen knew he had to act fast or they would lose Seiji to the spirit world. Jumping down from the bed, he rushed over to Touma and grabbed his arm in his mouth. Tugging the archer toward the pale figure on the bed, Byakuen raised baleful eyes at Touma.

"What is it, boy? What do you want me to do?"

Byakuen huffed, Touma sure was thickheaded at times. Praying to anyone who would listen, the tiger urged Touma to understand. 'Please let him figure this out. Seiji is almost gone.' The tiger knew that with their newfound connection, they should be able to hear each other's thoughts. And in doing so, Touma would be able to pull Seiji away from the brink. They would be able to save Seiji from the gathering darkness if the archer acted quickly but how to make him understand.

Byakuen raised his eyes to the most empathic of the group, Shin. 'Please let this work. Oh Kaoso give me the strength to reach them.' A flash of light illuminated the room in an unearthly glow, causing everyone to shield their eyes. When the light dissipated, the group realized that they were down by four. Shin, Touma, Seiji, and Byakuen had all disappeared with the light.

Shin opened his eyes to see nothing but an expanse of midnight blue surrounding him. Glancing around, he saw a young man sitting in front of him. The young man was dressed in a simple white flowing robe that brushed his ankles. He said nothing as Shin approached but there was something familiar about the man. The man was pale, almost albino with a mop of curly black hair. A black and white tail could be seen peeking out from under the hem of the robe. Pale blue eyes shined up at Shin as the young man smiled in welcome. A golden staff topped with iridescent wings rested by the young man's side.

Shin returned the smile, feeling safe and secure in the blue heaven. Glancing down at himself he saw that he too was clothed in a similar robe only his was light blue. A slight contrast to his surroundings. The symbol of Trust glowed faintly on his forehead. "Who are you?" Shin asked the young man.

"Oh, you know who I am Shin of Suiko. I am your guardian. I was sent by Kaoso to protect five young men from the evils of this world as well as from the misdeeds of other worlds. A great evil is threatening to consume Seiji of Korin and only you and Touma of Tenku can stop it. The dog like creatures that have been plaguing Seiji's dreams are called Wyverns. They feed on the insecurities of mortal men. Seiji was targeted because of his empathic abilities. He is not fully aware of them as you are, my friend. That is why you were not chosen. You are capable of driving them out, where as Seiji is still learning to control the brief flashes that he receives." The young man smiled at Shin's incredulous look.

"The Wyverns felt that Seiji would be easily swayed since he is insecure in his relationship with Touma. However, they had not counted on Touma and Seiji consummating their relationship this soon. This consummation will lead them to a greater understanding of each other. Tenku and Korin have always been and will always be a part of each other. Their strength increases the closer the two bearers are to one another. Much like your armor and Kongo's. Rekka's armor gains power from each of you and hence, does not need just one of you to increase its strength. Now that Seiji and Touma have consummated their relationship, their power will increase tenfold. They will be able to hear each other's thoughts and feelings. The Wyverns could not allow this to begin, because then they would lose their grip on Seiji. Thus, they took him immediately after Touma left this afternoon. They placed a magic lock on the door that denied me admittance. I was too late to stop them from taking over Seiji's body. He was tired mentally and physically and could no longer hold them at bay. I am sorry Shin that I have failed in my duty." The dark haired young man bowed his head in shame.

"Byakuen?" Shin asked tentatively. He was beginning to piece together the story and he felt sure that the young man before him was indeed the tiger that they knew and loved.

"Yes, it is I, Shin. Kaoso has granted me the power to speak to you since you are the most empathic of the group. I know you have wondered about the intelligence in my eyes, well that is because I too was once human a long time ago. Kaoso saved me from a fatal wound, but the only way to do so was to forever change me. I have been on this Earth longer than most mortal men, including the Masho. And I have been forever indebted to Kaoso. I have looked after each bearer of the armor including your group. But for some odd reason, I feel most at home with you five. Like you are a part of me, especially Rekka. That is why I can sense when he is in trouble and to a lesser extent when you four are in trouble." Byakuen grinned at Shin who still looked shell-shocked.

Cocking his head, Byakuen could feel Seiji's tenuous grasp on reality weakening. "We don't have much time. Seiji is losing his internal battle and Touma does not know how to help. Only you do. Look inside yourself Suiko. You will find the answers that you seek. Head west through the mists. I have brought Seiji and Touma to this plane in an effort to slow down the Wyverns advance. You will know what to do when you arrive. Farewell for now, my dear Shin." Byakuen faded from view, his energy spent. Leaving Shin to wonder if what he had seen was a dream or reality.

Shrugging his shoulders, Shin began to walk west through the mists. The murkiness of the midnight blue world parted like a curtain leaving Shin bathed in a bluish green glow. The glow emanated from the center of the room, where two figures were. One was lying prone on the ground, the other was kneeling beside the prone figure, tears coursing unchecked down his face. Both were clothed in the same simple robes that Shin and Byakuen had been but in their respective colors of green and dark blue. "Touma?" Shin called to the figure.

Touma whipped his head around to see Shin in a pale blue robe slowly approaching. Looking incredulous, Touma asked "Shin?"

"Yeah it's me. How is Seiji?"

Looking down at his friend and lover, Touma shook his head sadly. "Not so good, I'm afraid. I think I am losing him." Touma bowed his head, wanting nothing more than to save Seiji but he didn't know how to.

Shin placed his right hand on Touma's shoulder and felt a chaos of images coalesce into a semblance of order. Automatically, he knew what he needed to do. Placing his other hand on Seiji's forehead, he began to act as a conduit for the two lovers. Speaking softly to Touma, Shin said, "Touma, let Seiji feel your emotions. You two now have a connection that cannot be broken. I'll help guide your thoughts into contact with one another. He must feel secure in your love if the Wyverns are to leave him be. You must prove yourself to him, Touma. Listen to your heart and go where it leads you." Shin gathered his energy and began to focus on Touma's thoughts of Seiji. Listening to those thoughts, he touched his mind to Seiji's as well, becoming the necessary bridge that would allow the lovers' to connect. After a moment, Shin felt Seiji's mind begin to respond sluggishly to the guiding light that was Touma. He could tell that Seiji was struggling to break free from the Wyvern's hold. Focusing his strength, Shin sent an emphatic burst straight into the Wyvern's consciousness, causing it to loosen its grip on Seiji.

Seiji feeling the grip lessen, surged toward the blue light above him. He felt Touma's thoughts enter his mind and he echoed the sentiments back to the blue haired archer. Blinking his eyes open, Seiji realized that he was lying on the cold ground with Touma kneeling over him. Their lips were locked in a heavenly kiss that Seiji was loathed to break. Touma pulled away slightly, glad to see that Seiji was once again awake.

"Seiji" he breathed.

"Come on, you two. This thing isn't over yet. We've only delayed the Wyvern for now. But it is still wrapped around Seiji's form thought it is now closer to the surface. It will be easier to get rid of it, but in order to defeat it, we must leave this plane. So let's go." Shin grabbed Touma's right hand and Seiji's left hand, leaving the two of them to join hands as well. A flash of light consumed the three as the fell back into the mortal plain. The three were still locked in their tight circle when they reappeared in Touma and Seiji's room. The robes remained with the three boys. The others stood gaping as their friends reappeared with another flash of light.

Chapter 6:

Immediately upon entering the room, Byakuen was at Seiji's side. He could see the darkness around the warrior of light this time around. Growling at the Wyvern, Byakuen pawed at the darkness but it refused to give up its grip on Seiji. Seiji's eyes were unfocused and he looked pale. The room began to darken with evil energy.

Shin hurriedly pushed Touma toward Seiji, urging him to wrap his arms around Seiji's pale form. Touma did not need the urging as he was already moving to encompass Seiji in his arms. The Wyvern noticing the archer's approach tried to get its host to move, but Seiji stood rooted to the spot. He only moved when Touma's arms wrapped about him, and that was only to fall gratefully back into the archer's embrace. Touma kissed the swordsman's pale neck, speaking softly to Seiji in his mind. "Hold on Seiji. We are going to beat this. Just hold on."

Seiji smiled up at the archer, through his pain. The Wyvern was trying to take control but was not having much luck, seeing as how Seiji and Touma's connection to one another was now wide open.

Shin noticing the darkness beginning to fade, started to panic. "NOOO!! We can't let it fade away. It will only come back, but stronger. It will combine with another Wyvern in order to control Seiji. It has tasted him and it will want more. We can't let that happen or Seiji will be lost forever. We must destroy it. Touma, Seiji focus on your armor power. You strength has increased because of your new bond. Trust it. I will aid you in all I can."

Seiji looked up at his love through pain clouded eyes. "I don't know if I can Touma. It is sooo strong."

Touma looked startled for a second before replying in Seiji's mind, "Of course you can. Together we are stronger. We will stand together against this creature. Come on Seiji, trust in your power, trust in us." Touma pleaded silently with Seiji's psyche. Reaching down, Touma pulled Seiji into his lap and began to suckle on his lower lip. Almost immediately, he felt Seiji's power surge upwards to meet his own, but it was not going to be enough. Seiji was too weak to muster his full strength, no matter the bond.

Shin seeing the blue-green light flare, knew immediately that the two lovers had connected to one another, and that their power would not be enough. Placing his hand over Seiji's heart, Shin began to concentrate. The Wyvern noticing that it was in imminent danger, began to shoot sparks out at Shin and Touma. Shin grimaced at the sparks arced over his flesh but he did not relinquish his hold. Reaching into Seiji's psyche, Shin located the Wyvern and began to tug on the creature.

The Wyvern determinedly dug its claws into Seiji's mind but Shin did not stop. If the Wyvern were left, Seiji would lose more than his memory. He would lose his life. Giving one final twist, the blackness was pulled free to hover above Seiji's form.

The thing turned on Shin, immediately. It was angry that this mere boy could have such power as to rip it away from its intended host. Lunging for Shin's throat, it was surprised when Byakuen interjected himself between the three boys on the floor and the Wyvern. Shin screamed, "NOW!!" to Touma and Seiji. In a burst of white-hot flame, their armors solidified upon their bodies and the two called out their new combined sure kill. "THUNDER SHOCKWAVE!!!" A golden light surrounded the two boys before solidifying into a ball of pulsing blue green energy. Locking their hands together, they both pushed their hands forward, causing the ball of light to leap from their fingertips to encircle the Wyvern. The light began collapsing in upon itself until it was nothing more than a pinprick. A muffled explosion rocked the house, throwing everyone to the floor.

After the shockwave wore down, the others looked to the center of the room to see the Wyvern's twisted body lay unmoving in the middle of the floor. Byakuen carefully approached the Wyvern, when Shin sent out yet another emphatic burst into the creature's body. He wasn't sure why he did it, but it just felt too easy for the Wyvern to have given up so fast.

Shin was right in his assumption. The Wyvern's eyes blazed red as the blast hit him full force. Howling his rage at being found out, the Wyvern was abruptly silenced as a golden arrow embedded itself in its chest. Looking up in surprise, the Wyvern nodded in acknowledgment to the grim faced archer. "Well played. But don't think you have won. This is not over. My master will see to that" the Wyvern hissed between its clenched jaw. With that said the Wyvern's body collapsed in a pile of ashes that soon disappeared all together.

Shin, Seiji, and Touma crumpled where they stood. Their energy spent. The others looked on in astonishment as the room returned to normal. There was no evidence of a battle having even been fought within the room. All traces of the creature were gone. Ryo gently picked up Seiji and Touma, placing them side by side in their bed. He gently brushed their hair out of their eyes before slipping out of the room. Shu followed with an unconscious Shin in his arms.

Shu went to the room next to Seiji and Touma's and gently placed Shin down on the mattress. Shu was not sure of everything that had gone on but he was glad that he had his friends back, and it appears that they have won this round at least. Whistling a soft tune, Shu went about his daily routine checking in on the three unconscious teens every once in awhile. He was mildly surprised to find that Byakuen had taken up residence next to Shin's bed, but he thought that it was just as well, since he did not want Shin to be alone. Leaving Shin in the tiger's capable care, Shu headed downstairs to get something to eat.

A little while later, Shin woke to the darkened room and immediately tensed. He could feel another presence in the room. A soft whisper came across his mind before he felt a warm nose press against his palm. "Byakuen?"

"Yes Shin, it is I."

Shin visibly relaxed, before asking "But how? I mean you could never speak before in this form."

Laughter greeted his question. Shin began to scowl. "Now Shin, don't scowl. It's not very becoming, you know."

This statement only made Shin scowl some more.

"All right, it's true that I have never spoken to any of you before while in this form, and truth be known I am not speaking to you know. At least not verbally. I am using mind speak with you Shin. It appears that through our brief contact in the other plane that I can now do this." The tiger rolled his liquid brown eyes at the human boy. "I don't know the reason behind it, so don't even ask. I do know that I am also capable of this with Ryo, who always seemed to understand me even without words. But well, now it's a whole lot easier." Byakuen grinned. "Anyway, I came to tell you that Seiji is now fine. He has however, lost a part of his memory, which I hope will not hurt Touma too badly. You see, Seiji does not remember consummating their relationship. I believe the Wyvern took the memory out of spite, as you wrenched it away from Seiji, but what is done is done. Nothing for it, but for them to have another first time."

Shin grabbed his pillow and bonked the tiger over the head.

"Hey, what was that for?"

"That was for being mischievous. You leave those two alone. You hear me, Byakuen. I don't care if you have been on this Earth for more than 400 years. You leave them be. Understand?"

"Sure, sure" said the tiger, grinning all the way. Then he turned serious. "Shin? Do you remember what the Wyvern said about a master?"

"Yeah, I do. He said that just as I was passing out. Do you think he was telling the truth?"

"Yeah, I do and that is what worries me. I am not leaving your side Shin and personally I would prefer it, if we could all be in the same room together especially at night. These things will be back and they will be after you and Seiji this time."

"Me, but why?"

Byakuen looked up at the warrior of trust. "Need you really ask? You defeated the last one with your empathic abilities. They are not going to let this slide. We must be on our guard but I think we will be all right for now. Kaoso has not said anything to me about an impending attack, and I have felt nothing moving against you five as yet. But better safe than sorry, especially since three of you have not come into your new powers yet." Byakuen smirked at the water warrior.

"You mean, Shu, Ryo and I have to . . . ?"

"Yep, if you want to survive. And don't give me any of that malarkey that you guys don't have feelings for one another. I have seen the looks, especially between you and Shu. It's amazing what you guys let slip in front of a poor unsuspecting tiger." Byakuen grins with mirth. "As for Ryo well, I had better not say who his crush is because actually I can't. I have not been able to distinguish among you five whom he likes more. I think he is in love with each of you." Byakuen loved the look on poor innocent Shin's face.

"Wait a minute, you said five? There's only four."

"No there's not. You're forgetting about Nasutei. She is as much a part of this as the rest of you, and Ryo is in love with her as well. So deal with it."

"Fine, so we don't go anywhere without another being with us and you want us all to consummate our relationships. Is that about it?"

"Yeah" answered the tiger.

"Great, just great. And how do you suppose I tell the others this? Hmmm? I mean they aren't exactly going to listen to me when I tell them that I have been speaking to you Byakuen. I can just see it now, Local teen thinks he can speak to tigers. Please." Shin fell back against his bedspread in exasperation.

Byakuen had the nerve to swish his tail as he walked out of the room. "That's for you to figure out. Not me. By the way, when I say consummate, that includes Touma and Seiji since Seiji can no longer remember the act. So if I were you that would be the first place I would head."

"Great! Byakuen you are no help. No help at all." The cat just smiled as it prowled downstairs looking for Ryo.