"Hitomi, Kyo. Come to me," Yasha called in the voice of one accustomed to issuing commands. The two demons stepped forward towards her throne. "What do you desire, my Mistress?" Kyo asked in an obedient monotone. "Yes, Yasha-sama?" Hitomi asked with a nervous quaver in her voice. "Hitomi, you are to resume your previous duties. This time though, do not concentrate so much on the Stars," Yasha said in a tone one would use to give friendly advice, her voice hardened as she continued. "There are other factions in this conflict. Factions of which I am unfortunately unaware." Hitomi swallowed involuntarily. "Yes Yasha-sama. I will begin immediately!" "Do so," Yasha said with a dismissive wave of her hand. Hitomi turned and departed slightly more rapidly than dignity allowed. "And what is it you wish of me, Mistress?" Kyo asked, his red eyes unblinking. "Another of my servants, Gyoshi, has been lax in reporting. Find him and bring him to me," Yasha ordered with a slight touch of menace in her tone. "Yes Mistress," Kyo said simply, and departed. **************************************************************** Dark Star Hosted by Beware the Radish. Originally created by Lady Chaos (known among mundanes as Chandra Rooney) Chapter 27: Love Lost and Other Pain **************************************************************** Junta sat alone in his bedroom, calmly tuning his guitar. He found it a relaxing activity. He had once killed a man with this very guitar, but he didn't like to talk about that. It wasn't what a guitar was meant to be used for. He played a few chords to test the sound but stopped as he heard a knock at the door. "Come in, it's unlocked," he said, sounding slightly distracted. "Hello Junta, do you have a minute?" Kuroi Hoshi said as she came through the door. Her voice lacked its usual strength, in fact she seemed almost hesitant. "Of course mother, what can I do for you?" Junta asked, looking up from his guitar. "I think I upset Kurayamino. And Zellar too," she said, failing to meet Junta's eyes. "Do you want me to talk to them?" he offered. "Yes. But let me get a few things off my chest first." She paused, inhaled a deep breath, and let it out before continuing. "I have never treated either of them as well as I should have. I have always tried to do what is necessary. The cost of failure is unthinkable. But then I did something for which I have yet to forgive myself. I fell in love with Zellar and Kurayamino's father. I distanced myself from him and from them." Kuroi Hoshi glanced at her son, seeking some sign of disapproval. But his mouth did not twist into a frown, and his eye held naught but kindness. So she continued. "Every time I look at Zellar or at Kurayamino I see their father. The man I did not let myself love. And that hurts. I was deliberately cruel to both in an attempt to avoid attachment. I succeeded only in driving them away. But I love both of them dearly." "Shh." Junta stepped forwards to embrace his mother and then stopped as he remembered his guitar. Shrugging off his guitar strap, he hugged her comfortingly. "It's alright." "With Nesuni I tried not to make the mistakes I made with Zellar and Kurayamino. I think this only hurt Zellar more. Since I showed I was capable of caring he felt that I had singled him out for that kind of treatment." "I'll speak to him. It's alright mother, we will win." "I hope so. I truly do. Tell Zellar the he is Mind Star. Finding a new place isn't enough to change your destiny. Dying is." **************************************************************** "... and then Maurice said that out of all the people he had available, I was the most suitable for the position of punisher," Yohko said with an almost childish pride in her voice, not unlike a five-year old proudly reporting that she has learned yet another letter of the alphabet. "You mean there was no one else available?" Joodan said, grinning broadly. "Joodan, don't be mean!" Yohko protested in a tone of voice that was unpleasantly close to a whine. "I'm sorry, if there's anything you want me to help with for your new job, Yohko, just ask," Joodan offered in a more earnest tone than usual. "Well." Yohko hesitated a moment before continuing, seeming slightly embarrassed. "There is one thing. Do you know where I can get black vinyl clothing?" "Why do you want black vinyl clothing?" Joodan asked, the surprise clear on his face. "I did some research when I got the job as punisher. I found this one book with lots of pictures." Yohko blushed slightly before continuing. "Apparently I also need to use a whip and a pair of handcuffs." **************************************************************** "The Taisei is proceeding more slowly than it should," Gyoshi said in a faintly accusatory tone. "There is no need to rush. Death is inevitable," Naoto replied levelly. "Besides, you haven't exactly been at your most punctual. How have you been spending your time, anyway?" "I've been busy. There are other details to be taken care of," Gyoshi said defensively. "A holy man has already been killed by a betrayer. The next step is for a healer to be killed while a protector watches." "Let's head to the local hospital then." "You know where the hospital is?" "Of course. A hospital is as much a place of death as it is of life. If not more so." **************************************************************** The man went limp, but Yuji held his head under the water for a few more minutes. Satisfied that the man was dead, Yuji attempted to shake some of the water off of his hands. There wasn't much water left in fountain, so it had been difficult to drown the man. "Nice night isn't it?" said a voice from the shadows. "Who's there?!" Yuji said, whirling towards the apparent source of the voice. "Terribly sorry to sneak up you like that," the figure said as it stepped out into the meager light. "My name is Kichigaisakka. I believe you are Yuji." "What do you want?" Yuji asked, his eyes narrowing. "I have a mutually beneficial offer for you to consider," Kichigaisakka offered smoothly. "I am a loyal member of the Kobun. I should kill you now," Yuji said, showing off teeth that were sharper than most dentists would have considered safe. "But you won't," Kichigaisakka replied, apparently unfazed. "And what makes you so sure of that?" Yuji asked with a frown. "You haven't heard me out. After all it's not your loyalty that's in question." Kichigaisakka paused before continuing. "But your colleagues are perhaps not quite so dedicated. You're an intelligent man, I'm sure you've had suspicions of your own." "Alright. I'm listening," Yuji said, the suspicion not entirely gone from his voice. **************************************************************** Yasha tugged on the leash that was attached to Himiko's collar and the damned soul reluctantly stumbled forwards. "I've heard that having a pet is great stress reliever," Yasha said mockingly. "I think I'll start teaching you tricks." Himiko silently glared in response. "Let's start simple. You will call me Mistress." Yasha made a simple hand gesture. "Speak, girl." "Damn you! You can't do-" Himiko was suddenly cut off as Yasha made another hand motion. "If you can't handle that trick, let's try another one," Yasha pointed at Himiko. "Play dead." A bolt of energy hit Himiko. She writhed in pain for a couple moments and then lay still. "Good girl." **************************************************************** Naoto held Dr. Fukumi by the throat, unmoving. Fukumi's eyes were wide with terror. "No, not yet. There are no witnesses," Gyoshi said. Focusing on the frightened doctor he continued. "Scream." The doctor opened his mouth, but fear had stolen his voice. Gyoshi smiled slightly, and made a simple hand motion. Energy leapt from his hand to the doctor. The doctor's scream did not lack for sincerity. **************************************************************** "Now Detective Kaede, a full body massage would help you relax. It would speed your recovery considerably," Michiyo offered suggestively. Before the recuperating detective could respond, an agonized scream split the air. Detective Kaede promptly shrugged off her sheet and struggled to stand up. "Now detective, you're not up to that kind of activity yet," Michiyo said reproachfully. "You can lecture me later," Detective Kaede said as she pushed the door open and headed out into the hall. **************************************************************** Gyoshi yawned slightly and turned to Dr. Fukumi. "Still no one. Perhaps another scream is necessary?" "Police, freeze!" Kaede shouted as she came through the door. Naoto merely glanced at the detective and promptly snapped the doctor's neck. "My, what a lovely uniform," Gyoshi said mockingly. Kaede glanced down at herself, and blushed slightly as she realized the lack of coverage provided by her hospital gown. "You failed," Gyoshi said, locking eyes with the detective. "You couldn't save him. You are nothing." A light seemed to pass to her eyes from Gyoshi's and she promptly collapsed, sobbing. Without another word Naoto and Gyoshi walked out of the room. Glaring at the Kobun as they passed, Michiyo entered the office and gathered the detective in a comforting embrace. "It's alright," she said soothingly, ignoring the questioning shouts from further down the hall. **************************************************************** "Tenkou, have you seen Zellar?" Tenshi asked, the concern in her voice plain. "Oh, hello Tenshi. No I haven't seen Zellar. I haven't seen Kurayamino either." Taking note of Tenshi's expression, she tried to sound reassuring as she continued. "They're probably out somewhere together. I'm sure they'll be back soon." "You think so?" "I'm sure of it. Was there something you wanted to talk about?" "I'm worried, about Zellar. About the coming battle. About the way no one seems to trust me. About whoever this 'Yasha' person is. About everything." "Everything will be alright." Tenkou laid a comforting hand on Tenshi's shoulder. "Zellar would never let anything happen to you. He'll always be there to protect you." Tenshi sighed heavily before continuing. "That's part of the problem. He shouldn't need to." "Why not?" Tenkou asked, somewhat confused. "I am, or at least I was, a Guardian Sprite. But I am not who I used to be." "I understand. Firu was telling me about who I used to be, when I was the Queen of Heaven." "It isn't the same for you." Her voice became a level monotone, and she turned her face away from Tenkou's unwavering gaze. "It took death to make you give up your duty. I do not have that excuse. It is my duty to protect others. But now I have become weak. I am dependent upon others for my protection. I am worse than useless." "That's not true! You just need to build up your confidence. I'll prove you're not useless." Tenkou grabbed the sprite by the arm and began to haul her bodily down the hall. "Come on!" **************************************************************** The flat was neat and tidy, but sparsely furnished. "Nice place," Zellar said politely. "Downright palatial," Kurayamino said dryly. "Is the entire room yours, or do you sublet the couch?" "Actually, I own the entire building," Varaeir replied resignedly. "You own the entire building?" Zellar replied in surprise. Varaeir nodded in response. "It was an inheritance from my father." "Your father is dead?" asked Kurayamino. "I suppose he is," Varaeir said, smiling slightly as if at a private joke. Kurayamino and Zellar exchanged wondering glances. **************************************************************** "Thank you Vincent, I wouldn't have been able to get the circle drawn in time if not for your help," Hitomi said sincerely. Sure enough, the artist was kneeling on the floor, working on a detailed, though subtle, mystic circle. "It was my pleasure," Vincent replied, trying to conceal the fact that he was blushing at the compliment. Seemingly oblivious, Hitomi continued. "Now remember, once Nesuni is in the circle you must complete it immediately. Contained by the binding circle, I'll have a chance to examine her condition." "I will not fail you," Vincent unconsciously straightening his posture. "Now if we can just depend on Atsuri to get her in here without arousing her suspicion," Hitomi said with a slight frown. **************************************************************** "So why didn't you kill the nurse?" Gyoshi asked. "I didn't feel like it," answered Naoto, his voice toneless. Gyoshi laughed derisively. "You didn't feel like killing? I don't believe that for a minute. You always feel like killing. You kill when you're angry, and you kill when you're bored. Homicidal intent is your normal state of mind." "If you must know, she reminded me of someone I used to know," Naoto admitted reluctantly. "Someone you used to know? No..." Gyoshi paused for a moment, but smiled slightly as realization lit up his eyes. "Someone you used to care about." He paused and looked Naoto in the eye for a moment. "Someone who left you. Well how about that? The big bad Kobun has a hear- Urk!" Gyoshi was cut off as Naoto suddenly picked him up by the throat. "You will never speak of this again." Unable to speak, Gyoshi nodded energetically. "Good." Naoto dropped Gyoshi and walked away without another word. "This is an unexpected development," Gyoshi said to himself, rubbing his throat. **************************************************************** Authors Note: Thanks to my pre-readers, Jonatan Streith (the man with more avatars than Vishnu), Katy Coope (who likes fishnet stockings, precocious, isn't she?), Lady Chaos (the woman who thinks brooding is attractive), and John Evans (who's actually an agent of God. Really. Chaos-sama told me. It must be true), for their help in creating this piece of writing. I'm rather proud of it actually. Thanks to Epsilon for reminding me to shave. You may be interested to know that my first idea for the title of this chapter was 'Pink Hair and Black Vinyl', but I thought this one suited it better. Or you may be disturbed to know this. I hope future authors do not curse me for taking the daring step of giving the reader some idea of what the Taisei is.