Chapter 4:

Byakuen looked up in surprise. He had forgotten all about the blue-haired archer's rapid departure from the kitchen earlier. "Shimatta!!" Spreading his senses outward, he began searching for the Wyvern that had only moments ago disappeared. 'Where is it? Where?' Reaching the lake's boundary, he sensed it and it was not alone. "SHIN!!!" Byakuen called the other boy in a panic.

Shin jerked his head, hearing Byakuen's voice echo through his mind. "Byakuen? What is it? What's wrong?" Shin may have been slightly annoyed at the tiger's consistent meddling, but he could feel the tiger's tension and pain in his call.

"Touma is in trouble. A Wyvern is hovering above him down by the lake. Meet me there." Without waiting for acknowledgment, the tiger raced out the broken balcony door and leapt gracefully off the railing.

Ryo knew something was wrong, but he just couldn't leave the blond swordsman alone. Picking up his friend gently, Ryo carried Seiji out into the hall and down to his room. He was not about to leave the swordsman in his room with the broken door. Placing Seiji carefully down on the bed, he brushed Seiji's sweat soaked locks off of his forehead. Ryo sighed as he looked out the window. 'Please guys, be careful' he thought silently.

Shin bolted out the kitchen doorway with Shu close behind him. He ran as fast as he could to reach the lake in time. He could see Touma sitting on the bank, his shoulders silently quaking and a dark shadow hovering over the lone boy. Byakuen was by the blue-haired boy's side and was glaring at the shadow creature, who still hadn't moved. "Touma!!!" Shin called to the other boy; he began preparing a mental attack on the creature as he drew nearer.

Touma's head snapped up and around, and Shin could see that the boy had been crying. His eyes were red rimmed, and he was trying vainly to stop the tears coursing down his face. Seeing Shin's face harden in concentration, Touma finally felt the source of some of his angst. Looking up, he could see the dark form that was trying to get to him. Hardening his feelings, he began to think of Seiji and their first time together.

The Wyvern felt it, the moment the boy beneath him began to draw on his love of the blond swordsman, and he began to fade away with a smirk. 'It is time to go and get the one that has no such attachments.'

Shin looked baffled as the Wyvern suddenly disappeared. His attack passed harmlessly through thin air. Sighing with frustration, he sat down besides the still upset Touma. "Touma, why don't you tell me what is bothering you?" he asked softly.

Touma shook his head. "I don't want to talk about it."

Shin glanced at the still upset archer and then back at Shu. "Shu, go on back inside and check on Seiji and Ryo."

Shu hesitated as he watched Shin pull Touma into his arms.

Shin sensing Shu's hesitation, said softly "go on. We'll be fine."

Shu nodded as he slipped away. Byakuen close on his heels. The cat had an uneasy feeling that the Wyverns were toying with them. Shaking his head, he slipped into the house with Shu.

Shin watched as Shu and Byakuen headed back to the house and once he was sure that they were out of hearing, he again asked Touma to talk to him.

"No, Shin. I told you I don't want to talk about it."

Shin bit his lip, knowing he was sealing his death warrant as he ventured, "this is about Seiji's lack of memory isn't it?"

Touma twisted in his grasp and glared at Shin in surprise. "What do you know of this Shin?"

Shin bowed his head in shame. "Touma, I . . . don't blame Seiji. It's not his fault. It's mine."

Touma raised an eyebrow at Shin's statement. "Shin? How could it possibly be your fault?"

Shin sighed. "Remember when the Wyvern was attacking Seiji's mind? Well, I had to wrest it away from Seiji or it would have killed him. But in the process, the Wyvern tore away the one memory that was most precious to Seiji. The memory of you making love to him. I'm sorry, Touma. It's all my fault." Shin raised his shimmering green eyes to Touma's, expecting Touma to be mad at him, but what he saw was warmth and love. "Touma?"

Touma smiled at Shin. "Thank you for telling me Shin, and don't blame yourself for that Wyvern's actions. You were only doing what you thought was best at the time."

Shin smiled softly. "Then, you're not mad at me?"

Touma shook his head. "Of course not. I could never be mad at you, Shin. I am however, mad at myself."

Shin looked him over critically, before asking gently "why are you mad at yourself?"

Touma laughed without humor. "Seiji and I had an argument when we woke up this morning and I said some things to him that I shouldn't have. I was upset because he couldn't remember our first time together. But I understand now why he couldn't remember. I'll have to apologize to him for my foolishness."

Shin smiled. "That would probably be a good idea. Come on, we had better head back inside and check on him and Ryo."

Touma looked questioningly at the spearsman. "Shin?" he called softly.

"Yeah?" Shin asked as he stood up, reaching his hand down to help Touma up.

Touma grasped his hand and allowed himself to be pulled to his feet. "Why do you keep saying that we need to check on Seiji and Ryo?"

Shin regarded the archer carefully. Measuring his words, he said softly, "a Wyvern attacked Seiji right before it tried to attack you."

Touma's eyes opened wide as he suddenly took off in a full out run. 'Oh God, Seiji. Please be all right' he thought to himself. Pushing the door to the mansion open, Touma stumbled when he heard a scream coming from upstairs. "SEIJI!!!!!"