A Ranma 1/2 fanfic All Ranma 1/2 characters are copyright Rumiko Takahashi and are used without permission for non-profit entertainment purposes only Doors Best Left Unopened Part 13: Complications by Mark MacKinnon At first, Ryouga's mind just hadn't wanted to accept what was happening. As the mysterious woman began to sink into the dark patch of shadow as if it were water, though, he realized that it was all too real. Just like the tiny trickles of dark on Reiko's pale throat were all too real. Shaking off the paralysing sense of unreality, he bolted forward, eyes fixed on Reiko's glazed, vacant stare, stretching out his hand frantically. He had to reach her. He had to. Because it was for keeps. Maybe he'd never really understood that before that day ... that black, bleak day at Furinkan. He would never admit it to anyone, but going in he'd felt a kind of anticipatory thrill, in spite of Ranko's story, in spite of Jack's warnings. The enemy had come, and they would pit their ferocity against the skills of Nerima's best. And, after a pitched battle, Nerima's best would emerge triumphant yet again, the menace defeated. Because that was the way it always happened. Only this time, it didn't. This time, someone had changed the rules. He had to reach Reiko in time. Because, if he didn't, she wouldn't be held hostage as the prize in some duel. She'd die. Or worse. For keeps. He lunged for Reiko and her captor as they sank smoothly into the darkness. Made a grab for Reiko's arm. And missed. He sprawled forward, eyes wide with disbelief as the two women sank smoothly into the patch of darkness. The pale beauty's gaze mocked him as it disappeared into the shadow. He lashed out blindly, unwilling to accept that he had failed ... ... and was entirely surprised when his arm sank into the pool of darkness right up to the elbow. The sensation was odd, cool and strange, but there was no resistance. As he flailed around blindly, his hand hit something solid. He grabbed it and pulled, struggling to get his legs back under him. Gritting his teeth, he tried to thrust his other arm down to get a better grip, but it struck solid ground jarringly. After a moment, he found that he could reach down into the darkness, but only by pushing his hand down while touching his other arm. The strange darkness eddied and flowed around his arms, and Ryouga was suddenly certain that if he let go, the dark would seal up again, leaving only solid ground. He growled deep in his throat and pulled back hard. NOW there was resistance, but he began to make some headway, and finally he pulled his catch free of the cloying dark. A limp hand appeared. His grip was locked around a wrist ... Reiko's wrist. He pulled harder, hoping he wasn't hurting her but not knowing what else to do. More of her arm appeared, then her shoulder. When her head finally broke the surface, he grinned triumphantly. "Reiko!" he called. Her head lolled limply, though, her eyes still unfocused. "Reiko, wake up!" "Foolish boy," a low, throaty voice chided him. The other one appeared behind Reiko, apparently still holding her beneath the surface. She fixed Ryouga with a stare, her lovely face cold and haughty. "She's where she wants to be. Why don't you let her go?" Ryouga snarled. She's not human, he told himself. I think she's like those ones we fought before ... "You're lying," he growled. "What did you do to her?" The woman's eyes met his, and he gasped as her smile seemed to caress his skin. "Wonderful things," she whispered seductively. "Would you like to hear?" He blinked rapidly, his natural reticence asserting itself long enough for him to look away from those mesmerizing eyes. "Reiko, come on! It's me, Ryouga!" Was it his imagination, or did she blink a couple of times at the sound of his voice? He tried to pull her free of the strange woman's grip, but he couldn't. And he was afraid that if he tried to get a better grip on her, his opponent would drag her down before he could react. Digging his heels into the soft ground, he got ready to pull as hard as he could without yanking Reiko's arm out of its socket. "All right, handsome, if you're going to be that way, I'll make it easy for you," the woman said slyly. Ryouga thought she was just playing more games until he noticed the inky shadow on the ground beginning to expand slowly. His eyes widened as the border crept toward his feet. "That's right, hero," the woman mocked him. "Either you let go, or you join the lovely Reiko as my guest in the darkness. The sweet, concealing darkness, MY domain. I rather like the idea of having you both, actually ..." Her voice trailed off suggestively, and he grimaced. Once the shadow spread, he would have no leverage. He'd have to let Reiko go or be dragged in himself. No. I won't let that happen, he vowed silently. Honour demands that I do everything in my power to save this girl. But what else could he do? Trying a Shi Shi Hokoudan at this range wasn't an option, not with Reiko's body blocking most of the other woman. Anyway, he'd need his hands free for that. "Reiko, I need your help here!" he cried out, his heels slipping forward slightly, digging furrows in the soft earth. "Reiko! Come on!" If she could grab hold of his arm, he'd have a chance. Her head bobbed slightly, and he thought she might be looking at him. But the treacherous shadow was encroaching steadily on his position, and he drew his feet back awkwardly, losing ground and nearly losing his balance. "Reiko!" "Let her go, boy," the woman crooned, "or share her fate." "No!" The woman laughed at him as his feet started to slide forward again, his toes hanging over the edge of the insubstantial darkness. Oh man, he despaired, think of something, Ryouga. Quick! Then the shadow was splintered by a blinding flash of light. The woman shrieked and Ryouga found himself flying backwards, still holding Reiko. He hit the ground hard, the blonde landing on top of him. Her blue eyes, dazed but aware, looked into his from inches away. She drew a ragged breath. "You're late," she whispered. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Reiko was dimly aware of being pulled to her feet and half-dragged, half carried towards the light. Her breathing was fast and shallow, her thoughts muddled, and her blood ran hot with Wynneth's siren song pounding savagely through her veins. The bite on her throat throbbed deliciously, and she clenched her teeth to stifle a moan. Caught, she cursed weakly. Caught so easily. Dammit! If Ryouga hadn't distracted Wynneth at the critical moment, she never would have escaped. As it was, she'd barely managed that piddling little light spell. Fortunately, it had seemed to disrupt Wynneth's shadow magic, startling her. But that was hardly going to be enough. "Where are you going with my new pet, handsome?" that maddeningly husky voice came from the darkness. Reiko opened her eyes to find that Ryouga had pulled her out onto the path, under the streetlight. That was a good move, but it wasn't going to be enough either. She tried to get hold of her chaotic thoughts, tried to ignore the sweet seductive need to return to Wynneth's dark embrace, to just let go ... Dammit dammit DAMMIT! She bit her tongue, the pain clearing her head slightly. Wynneth had tasted her blood. Reiko suspected that would give the witch power over her, although she wasn't sure ... wasn't sure of anything, just at the moment. She needed to get away, to marshal her strength and shore up her defences. "Reiko," Ryouga hissed. "Can you walk?" "Mmmm?" she mumbled. She felt him tense as low, throaty laughter flowed around them on the warm breeze. "We can't stay here," he gritted. He started violently as one of the lights farther down the path exploded. Another popped loudly behind them, then another, broken glass showering down onto the path noisily. "Damn," he whispered. "Where IS she?" "She's ... playing with us," Reiko gasped. "Ryouga. Buy me some ... time ..." She clutched his shoulder with both hands, her knees still weak. Every muscle in her body felt like it had been leeched of its strength, and when Wynneth's scent washed over her on the light breeze she nearly fell to her knees. "Time?" he whispered back. "What for?" "Please! Just ... a little. Trust me," she pleaded. Managing to meet his eyes, she saw doubt there. Well, she could hardly blame him for that. They barely knew each other, and now she'd landed him in the middle of some very deep shit. And frankly, she wasn't at all sure she could pull this off. Unfortunately, they didn't have a lot of options. The dark was closing in on them as the lights in both directions exploded in a shower of sparks. Finally, they were standing in the middle of a tiny oasis of light, the oppressive dark pressing in all around. She bit the inside of her lip, forcing herself to concentrate on constructing a spell. Don't know how much power I can summon, she thought desperately. If it's not enough ... "Well, well. Here we all are." Wynneth's voice again. Reiko stood unsteadily, hoping Ryouga could hold their opponent's attention long enough. "Why don't you show yourself?" Ryouga bellowed angrily. "Are you afraid?" More laughter. "Oh, how sweet," Wynneth mocked from the shadows. "No, handsome. You are no threat to me. Reiko would be, had she managed to resist my advances. But she didn't, and now she doesn't want to fight me. She doesn't want to hurt me. She just wants to come to me. Don't you, Reiko?" Wynneth's words caressed her heated skin like silk, and she choked back a whimper. The spell she'd planned to use was too complex, no way could she manage it in her condition. Cold sweat broke out along the back of her neck as she fought the compulsion to just give in. "Reikoooooo ..." Wynneth crooned again, her voice coming from all around. Then Ryouga did something strange. He snatched the bandanna from his forehead and flung it out into the dark. There was a startled cry, and he followed it up with several more in the same direction. They didn't fly like cloth but like metal, cutting the air with a sibilant hiss. Reiko took advantage of the momentary lull, coming to a decision. There was one spell that she could manage that might work. Risky, but it was the only chance she had. It had the advantage of remaining mostly inactive until triggered, so Wynneth wouldn't be forewarned. Unfortunately, she was going to have to touch Wynneth to trigger it. "What a clever trick." Wynneth's voice was colder now, the taunting lilt gone, and Reiko wondered distantly if Ryouga had actually managed to hurt the witch. "Show yourself!" Ryouga demanded again. "What's the matter, handsome? Afraid of the dark?" With that, the light over their head shattered, raining tiny slivers of glass down around them. She sensed more than saw Ryouga peering intently into the sudden darkness around them. "A little longer," she whispered under her breath, concentrating desperately. He made no reply, but she was certain he'd heard. "I know what you are!" he shouted. "We fought your kind before! That day at Furinkan! And we beat you!" Reiko registered the words dimly as she fought to keep the intangible pattern in her mind's eye from slipping away. "My kind?" Her voice was teasing again, but with an edge now, still seeming to come from everywhere. Reiko's eyes were adjusting to the dark, but she knew that would prove little help. As she cast about frantically for the final parts of the spell, the old man's dry lecturing tone seemed to come to her, drilling her again and again. You need to be able to summon these patterns instinctively, the voice told her, and to put them together in the proper order. In battle, time will be your enemy. "You fought low-lives and scum," Wynneth sneered from somewhere close by. "That is why you won. I am nothing like those brutes. They are the club. I am the razor's edge of killing steel, beautiful and graceful, striking without warning." Reiko sensed Wynneth, saw Ryouga spin out of the corner of her eye. "Good-night, handsome," Wynneth said sweetly. She back-handed Ryouga before he was turned around, sending him flying several feet through the air to strike the ground heavily. Reiko's mouth was terribly dry, and her heart began to race as her senses filled with Wynneth's nearness once again. Now or never, she thought drunkenly. "Wynneth." She had no trouble putting just the right degree of longing into her voice. Wynneth turned to her with a slow, languid smile. "Ah, Reiko. My pet. Have I been neglecting you? That little spell earlier was not nice, but I forgive you." She held her arms out invitingly. "You do want to be forgiven, don't you?" Reiko trembled, clenching her hands reflexively. "Yes," she whispered. "Then come to me." Reiko took a step toward Wynneth. Then another. "Rei ... Reiko!" Ryouga choked out. He was struggling to his feet, but he was too far away to help. Wynneth cocked her head, her smile mesmerizing. "Come to me," she repeated, her voice full of dark promise. Reiko stepped into the circle of Wynneth's arms and rested her palms lightly against the other's chest. "Yes," Wynneth breathed. Reiko forced herself to meet those dark, compelling eyes. "Burn," she hissed. And released the power she'd built up. It was a modified version of the trigger ward she'd left behind at the shrine. White light blazed from her palms, engulfing Wynneth in cold white flames. Reiko had the satisfaction of seeing Wynneth's eyes widen in shock as the spell hit her. She shrieked in pain, staggering back and flailing ineffectually at the cold fire. Spent, Reiko fell bonelessly to her knees, watching with a sense of detachment as Wynneth's flawless pale skin began to blacken and blister. Her hair swirled around her as she twisted and spasmed, igniting as well. Her howls rose in pitch, becoming shrill and constant. "Take that," Reiko whispered giddily. Then she fell forward, the last of her strength expended. The cool grass felt nice on her cheek, and she closed her eyes, ignoring the distant sound of agonized screams as a comforting numbness rose up in her mind. And when a voice called her name, she ignored that too. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Nabiki looked at Akane. Akane returned the favour. Then they both turned back to their sister with identical expressions of bemusement. "The fire department?" they asked in unison. Kasumi nodded vaguely, leaning back on the couch. Nabiki leaned over the back while Akane sat beside the eldest Tendou sister. "Um, sis," Nabiki said, "I'm pretty sure that if the fire department shows up on your first date, the Japanese Ministry of Romance is allowed to officially declare it a disaster." "Nabiki!" Akane hissed. Nabiki just looked at her. "If you ever get Ranma to take you on a proper date, Akane, would you actually think having representatives of an emergency service show up would be a good thing?" Akane stared back at her, and Nabiki knew that her sister's irritation was being held in check by her concern for Kasumi. Nabiki was concerned as well; she just showed it in a different way. She leaned her weight on her arms where they were crossed on the back of the couch and studied Kasumi's face carefully. She seemed unfocused, almost vacuous, the way she usually did when she was dealing with stress. And Nabiki could detect the faint smell of alcohol on Kasumi's breath. "She's obviously in shock," Nabiki declared. Akane nodded sympathetically. "I guess it must have been really bad," she said, her sorrowful gaze fixed on Kasumi's profile. "Hmmm?" Kasumi looked up at her, then at Nabiki. "Oh, no. It was very nice." And she smiled sweetly. Oh man, Nabiki thought. Total denial. "Nice?" Akane asked tentatively, shooting a concerned look to Nabiki behind Kasumi's back. "So Kasumi, why did the fire department put in an appearance? I mean, they weren't there to serenade you, were they?" Nabiki inquired carefully. Kasumi sighed happily. "Oh, no. They were there to break down the door." "Break down the ..." Akane blinked. "Well, it was all the smoke, you see," Kasumi explained. "From dinner burning." Akane's eyes widened. "Oh, no! Not the dinner you were making?" she gasped. "Oh, Kasumi!" "Um, and you were where, exactly, during all this?" Nabiki asked. "In the hall, of course," Kasumi said simply. "I locked us out of the apartment. That's why dinner burned, and why the nice firemen had to break down the ..." "Gotcha," Nabiki nodded. She caught Akane's gaze behind Kasumi's back and made several drinking motions. Akane nodded sadly. "So of course there was a terrible mess, and dinner was ruined, and ..." "Kasumi," Nabiki asked with exaggerated patience, "which part of this do you consider `very nice', exactly?" Kasumi blinked, then smiled warmly. "Oh. I suppose I'm not telling this very well," she said, apologetic. "Here's what happened ..." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Ryouga stood at the corner, an unconscious blonde draped over his back, wondering just how it was he always managed to get into such bizarre situations. He'd grabbed Reiko after she'd fainted and gotten away from the park with all due haste. There was no telling, after all, if the creature that had attacked them had friends nearby. After a half hour of walking, he was pretty sure that they weren't being followed. That was the good news. The bad news was that, not surprisingly, he was lost. He'd thought to take Reiko back to Ucchan's, but characteristically his plan was not working out. Despairingly, he cast about for a familiar landmark, anything to indicate which way he should go. This particular side street was deserted, which was frankly a mixed blessing. He didn't have to explain why he was piggy-backing an unconscious girl, but he also couldn't ask for directions. "Hey." He choked back a yelp as the soft voice intruded on his brooding. Craning his head around he saw that Reiko was awake, blinking groggily as she pulled her head up off his shoulder. "H-Hey," he stammered. "You're awake." She grunted. "Lucky me," she rasped. "Where are we?" Ryouga felt a rush of heat to his face. "I'm not sure," he mumbled. She stared at him blearily. "Not sure?" she asked weakly. He shuffled his feet. "Um, I'm sorta ... lost." She sighed, and he was painfully aware of the way in which her chest was pressed against his back. "Well, hike on up to that cross street there. I see traffic, maybe we can catch a cab." He nodded. "Okay. How are you, anyway? Can you walk?" he asked. His heart stuttered as she laid her head back on his shoulder. "No," she mumbled. "Now get going, okay?" Trying to swallow past the lump in his throat, he trotted obediently towards the distant sound of traffic. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Akane pulled her feet up under her, resting her cheek against her hand where it lay splayed against the back of the couch. "Wow," she said softly. "So everything worked out, huh?" "I don't believe it," Nabiki admitted. "Usually, I associate dating disaster with Akane." Akane scowled. "Ex-CUSE me?" she grumbled. Nabiki was not cowed. "You know, things getting smashed or blowing up or insane martial artists fighting in the streets," Nabiki clarified. "Come on now, Nabiki," Kasumi said placatingly. "I'm sure now that they are an actual couple, Ranma and Akane will have very nice, normal dates." Akane fidgeted and said nothing, hoping that neither of her sisters would notice her discomfort. So of course, they both did. "Uh-oh. Trouble in paradise, sis?" Nabiki asked. Kasumi fixed Akane with her patented concerned gaze, all moist and maternal, and Akane knew she wasn't going to avoid the issue. "It's just ... this sneaking around is starting to get to me," she sighed. "That's completely understandable," Kasumi assured her. "It must be hard, having to hide your feelings all the time." "It is," Akane told her. "Sometimes I just want to shout it out for everyone to hear." "What's stopping you?" Nabiki asked. "Is it Daddy and Ranma's father?" "Partly," Akane muttered. "I mean, they'd just go overboard as soon as we told them ..." "Aw, show a little backbone, sis," Nabiki told her. "Tell them you're getting married your own way. Ranma will back you up, right?" Akane didn't answer, and Kasumi and Nabiki leaned towards her in unison. "You haven't talked to him about this?" Kasumi asked, concerned. "Geez, Akane. Old habits die hard, huh?" Nabiki added. "You two never do anything the easy way, do you?" Akane felt unaccountably defensive, shifting nervously under the combined gazes of her older sisters. "We just haven't really had time to discuss this," she protested weakly. Nabiki shook her head sadly. "Akane, what are you waiting for?" she asked. "You two should settle this thing so you don't have to worry any more. Maybe if you talked more instead of making out all the time ..." Akane sat upright, spluttering. "Wh-What? We do NOT ..." Nabiki pulled out a small, spiral-bound notebook and, flipping it open, began to read. "Seven twenty-two AM," she began in a dry, bored tone. "Behind the dojo. Seven forty-eight, hallway by the bath. Eight fifty-three, behind the Furinkan High equipment shed. Twelve oh-six, again with the shed ..." Akane lunged across Kasumi's lap, snatching the notebook from Nabiki's hand. "You ... YOU ..." she began, waving the book around in a threatening manner. Then something caught her eye and she looked at the page Nabiki had been reading from. It was blank. "Oh Akane," Nabiki drawled, "you are just SOOOOO predictable. Did you really kiss Ranma behind the equipment shed?" Akane looked down at her twined fingers, her cheeks radiating heat. "Nuh-no, I just ... we ..." "Nabiki," Kasumi said sweetly, "you are incorrigible. When are you going to give Akane the chance to make fun of YOUR boyfriend?" "Yeah!" Akane shot back, still flushed. She was puzzled when Nabiki smirked at them. "You mean you guys haven't heard about how I had two guys fighting over me at school today?" she asked innocently. Akane, who'd spent most of lunch with Ranma (behind the aforementioned equipment shed) shook her head blankly. "Really, Nabiki?" Kasumi asked, delighted. Akane sighed at the sight of Nabiki's mischievous smile. "Well," Nabiki said, studying her fingernails idly, "remember how that rumour about me and Ukyou was going around? Let me tell you a little story ..." ------------------------------------------------------------------------ It was driving her to distraction. Reiko stood wearily, her palms flat on the edge of the vanity, leaning all her weight on her trembling arms, and struggled to clear her thoughts. Her head hung down, unbound hair obscuring her face as she muttered under her breath. She hated this. She hated the impersonal, antiseptic atmosphere of this generic hotel bathroom. She hated that Ryouga had practically had to carry her through the lobby. She hated the curious if surreptitious stares she'd gotten from the desk clerk. She hated ... Weakness. Sighing raggedly, she reached up with one hand and raked her hair back over her shoulder. There, stark against the pale flesh of her throat, was incontrovertible evidence of her weakness. The tiny twin puncture wounds were reddened and slightly swollen, and she stared at them in the mirror, idly surprised at how small and inconsequential they looked. While it may have looked innocent enough, the bite was throbbing exquisitely, sending dull pulses of pleasure thudding through her body with every beat of her heart. She brushed it lightly with her fingertips, gasping aloud as the sensation quickly sharpened, stealing her breath and her strength. Swell, she thought as her breathing slowed once more. The great heir of the sorcerous family legacy gets a vampire hickey. What a chump I turned out to be, huh? Always telling the old man what hot stuff I was, how I could handle anything. Then some slinky vamp puts the moves on me and reels me in before I even know what's going on. If it hadn't been for Ryouga, I'd have ended up as some undead lapdog. Boy, kiddo, when you screw up you really do it in style, huh? Her reflection looked unimpressed with the mental tirade, blue eyes staring back out of a bloodless face. So what now? they seemed to ask. Good question. First things first. She fished in the small bag on the counter, pulling out a box of band-aids. Trying to keep her thoughts ice cold, she pressed it carefully over the incriminating bite mark. It didn't really help much, but at least it hid the evidence of her folly. She supposed that the wound should really be purified somehow, but there was nothing she could do about that for the time being. The old man could have done it easily, of course. Just another reminder that she was on her own now. Any lessons she hadn't already learned about sorcery would likely never be taught now. Like what to do about the unwholesome burning of a vampire bite. She stripped off her clothes quickly and tossed them on the floor, pulling on the plush bathrobe that the hotel provided and belting it tightly around her waist. Then she brushed her hair out and tied it back tightly. Regarding her reflection critically, she frowned. "You're stalling," she told herself. Trying to ignore the fatigue that was stealing over her, she squared her shoulders and walked out into her room. Ryouga was perched on the edge of one of the room's comfortable chairs, clearly ill at ease. He looked up as she appeared, standing abruptly. "So," he said, rubbing his hands together. "Are you, ah, feeling better?" She grimaced and walked over to the bed. "A little," she told him. She stacked the pillows up at the head of the bed and laid back with a heartfelt sigh. At least her weariness was making it a little easier to ignore the constant throbbing of the bite. She waved Ryouga over to the chair near the bed. "Sit down for a sec, would you? I want to talk." He sat, tentative, his eyes on hers. "What is it?" he asked warily. She closed her eyes for a moment, then opened them in a hurry. Big mistake. If she closed her eyes, she was going to fall asleep, and she needed to get this out of the way first. "Well," she said grudgingly, unable to put it off any longer, "I guess I owe you thanks for helping me out back there." He blushed and looked down at his hands. "Oh, that ..." he began modestly. "Even though you were three hours late," she added before he could get carried away with that whole modesty thing. His shoulders hunched forward. "Um," he said. "Where the hell were you, anyway? I waited for you, you know," she grumbled. Ryouga shifted, fidgeted, and squirmed. "I, ah, got lmmmph," he muttered. She frowned. "You got what?" "Lost." The word was small and sheepish, and she blinked, thinking she must have misunderstood. "Lost?" "Yes." "Lost." "That's what happened ..." "What is it with you and getting lost?" she asked irritably. "It's only a ten minute walk from the restaurant to that park at the most. Frankly, that's a pretty lame excuse, Ryouga. Are you trying to insult my intelligence?" He looked up at her, and she was struck by the anger and misery in his eyes. "I swear on my honour that's what happened," he said in an even voice, only his burning cheeks giving away his discomfort. "I ... get lost very easily. I have a really ... um, bad sense of direction." She blinked. Either he was a very good liar, or he was actually telling the truth. "You're kidding," she said flatly. "I'm afraid not," he muttered. He looked so abashed that she decided to let it go. For the moment. "Anyway, Ryouga, the point is I asked you to meet me at the park for a reason," she went on. "I have a problem, and I think you might be able to help me." "You mean with those demons," he said grimly. "No. I mean, well, yes, now, but ... wait a second." She tried to shrug off the seductive warmth of the plush bathrobe and the implacable pull of the soft bed. "Didn't you say something to Wynneth about fighting her kind before?" "Well, the things we fought were monsters," Ryouga clarified. Reiko chuckled mirthlessly. "Oh, she was a monster too, Ryouga," she said sourly. "Don't go thinking that she wasn't just because she was beautiful. She's no better than any ugly, slime dripping gut-ripper. In fact, she's worse. Those other ones can just kill you. There are worse fates than that. Much worse fates ..." She realized she was starting to ramble, and another yawn overcame her. "I should go," Ryouga said, standing. "You're tired ..." "No!" She blinked rapidly, caught between the seductive need to sleep and the dull but insistent throbbing at her throat. "I still need to talk to you about something." She yawned again, her jaw popping, and shook her head. "I think it better wait until tomorrow," Ryouga said firmly. She knew he was right. She was in no condition to be talking about such a delicate matter right now. "All right, listen. Will you be at the restaurant tomorrow?" she asked, rubbing one palm over her eye. "Sure, I should be there all day," he said cautiously. She grunted. "Good. Because I really do want to talk to you about something important, and this time I want to make sure you attend our conversation." He blushed at that, she noted with satisfaction. She hadn't properly chewed him out for being late yet. Of course, he HAD saved her, so she could probably let his tardiness slide. Just this once. "It's a fair hike back to the restaurant," she added. "You should take a cab. After all, I wouldn't want you getting ... lost." He blushed again. Geez, she thought, what is it with this guy? I've never seen a guy this tough who was so bashful. "I don't have any money," he told her. "It's okay, I'm used to walking ..." She ignored him, leaning over to grab her purse off the night stand. "Here," she said, holding out a couple of bills. "This should be enough." He gaped at her. "I couldn't accept ..." "Ryouga. I'm serious about this. Now take the money." "But ..." he mumbled, digging one toe into the carpet. She grinned mirthlessly. "Relax. I've got lots. I just had a rich relative die. Now take it and go." It took more effort than it should have, but she finally got him to accept the money. Only, of course, after promising to pay her back. At that point, she wouldn't have cared if he'd offered her one of his kidneys. She felt completely drained, and the door had barely shut behind Ryouga before she'd turned out the lights, crawled under the blankets and fallen asleep. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The more Ryouga thought about it, the more worried he became. That creature tonight, the one who'd looked like a beautiful woman, had spoken like she'd known about the fight at Furinkan. He'd wondered about the demons that had escaped from Furinkan, of course. But, as weeks had passed and no word had come of them, he'd assumed that they'd all been dealt with, possibly by that guy Jack and his organization. Now he had to wonder. The one that had attacked Reiko could easily have passed for human. What if there were more of them around? That particular thought gave him a chill. He still remembered the horrible screams as their attacker had staggered back, wreathed in those unearthly white flames ... That was another matter he wanted answers on. Reiko had done that, as well as calling up that ball of light that had broken the shadow circle in the ground. Neither effect seemed to be any sort of chi technique, at least not as far as he could tell. He was curious to find out how she'd done that, and what she might know about the creatures who'd attacked at Furinkan that day. And of course he was anxious to find out why she wanted to talk to him. She seemed very insistent. He chuckled ruefully, berating himself for worrying so much about what she thought. After all, this Reiko was a stranger who just waltzed on into his life and starting making demands. He didn't owe her anything, did he? Of course, that argument might have held a lot more weight if he hadn't expended so much effort trying to meet up with her tonight ... The taxi pulled up in front of Ucchan's, and he shook himself out of his reverie and paid the driver. The casual way Reiko had offered him the money had irked him, even more so because she'd had a point. He could have taken hours to find his way back here, if he'd managed it at all. Still, he was going to pay her back. He didn't like being indebted. Fishing out the key Ukyou had given him, he let himself in and padded softly across the floor. He slipped into the back area and headed for his room, only to be surprised by a sudden flood of light. "Ryouga!" "Ukyou?" He squinted. She stood in the open door of her room, dressed in a large white t-shirt that hung down to mid-thigh. "Hey there," she said. "I wasn't sure if you were going to make it back tonight." He grinned crookedly. "Me either," he told her. "Better late than never, though. Um, I hope I didn't wake you up." She shook her head. "Nope. I was just reading. So, do anything fun?" Reading? It seemed rather late for that, but he didn't press the issue. He wondered, though, what he should tell her about that evening's encounter. He didn't want to worry her needlessly; perhaps it would be better if he spoke to Reiko further before deciding what to tell her. "Well, uh, not really ..." he began before noticing that Ukyou was squinting at something on his t-shirt. "What?" Wordlessly, she reached out and plucked something from his shoulder, holding it up to the light. He blinked. It was a long, blonde hair. One of Reiko's, obviously, from when he'd been carrying her. She stared at it, expressionless. "Um, that," he said quickly. "I can explain ..." "You don't have to explain anything, Ryouga," she said mildly, opening her fingers to let the hair fall. "It's your business." She smiled sweetly. He answered with an uncertain grin. "Yeah. But really ..." "Well, it's late. Good-night." She shut the door softly. His mouth opened and closed for a few moments, all thoughts of the evening's battle temporarily forgotten. "It's not what you think," he told the door plaintively. Predictably, the door did not respond. After a few moments, he turned and shuffled down the hall. The whole incident left him feeling curiously defensive. After all, he didn't want Ukyou having the wrong idea. Not that there would be anything wrong if he had ... but he hadn't, even though Ukyou obviously thought he had ... but it was nothing like that ... it was all just a misunderstanding, after all. And it was important that Ukyou understand that. It was just ... important. Resolving to clear things up in the clear light of day, he turned with a sigh and trudged to his room to get ready for bed. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Kunou sat bolt upright in his bed, breath catching in his throat. He blinked a few times to clear his vision, clenching and unclenching his hands warily, as if testing that they still worked. That dream. He listened to the rhythm of his own breathing, head cocked. No screams. No icy sweat, no shuddering breaths. Just the dream. It hadn't been an ordinary dream. Long ago he'd come to recognize the difference between ordinary dreams and the dreams of madness that came as they would in this house. This had definitely been one of the latter. But. But it hadn't been. There'd been none of the sense of dread, none of the icy talons of fear that clawed their way out from the soft underbelly of the dark subconscious. He had simply ... remembered. The events of that day so long had replayed themselves in his mind. As with the other dreams, it had been as if he was not dreaming at all, but awake in another place, experiencing things, aware of them. Except in this case, for the first time, the sense of madness had been ... absent. Everything had seemed almost painfully ordinary. In fact, it was as though his senses had been unnaturally acute, perceiving every little detail. And though he had known what was going to happen as events unfolded, he hadn't been afraid. He remembered the feel of his brother's hand, the way the lantern light flickered, yellow and warm. He remembered the feel of the air, cool and damp. He remembered the door. The door that was to remain unopened. And then ... He remembered more. Curiously untainted by a young boy's panic, he recalled the sight of tattered cloth, the flash of white bone, and ... And a soft golden glow. He rubbed his hands over his face, frowning. Yes. The pendant, the one that looked like a dragon's head. He remembered that, too. Only ... Only it hadn't been glowing that day. He was sure of that. It had gleamed dully in the light of the lantern, but it definitely had not glowed. But in the dream, in which everything else had been just the same, that one detail was the only inconsistency. That pendant. His sudden convulsive shudder was not caused by the cool air of his room. He stared off into space, considering the implications of what had just happened. It was as though whatever it was that dreamed madness had suddenly, in a moment of lucidity, sent him a message. The idea that this presence might, somehow, be aware of him chilled his blood, causing the flesh on the back of his neck to prickle painfully. He fought back the creeping sensation of atavistic dread with a snarl. Fool, he breathed silently. You swore on the memories of your sister and noble Sasuke to face your duty, so face it! If, for the first time, these dreams have purpose, then that is what matters, not your petty fears. The pendant. Was it important somehow? But why that item out of the dozens in the catacombs? And why now? Setting his jaw, Kunou climbed out of bed and set about dressing. Questions. Questions he had. What he needed was answers. He set out to find some. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (The old man stood in front of the shrine, his robes fluttering in the breeze. "What are you afraid of?" he kept asking her. She just shook her head. "I'm not afraid!" she shouted back. "Not of anything! Not like HER! I'm just not gonna be controlled by it!" Her words brought a familiar expression of sorrow to the old man's face. "Your power comes with a heavy burden," he said. Familiar words, words that never failed to enrage her. "It's MY power and I'll do what I want with it!" she snapped back. He just smiled, his eyes full of regret. "I wish we had more time," he said softly. Then the wind kicked up, and she had to shield her eyes. "Old man? Hey! Where'd you go?" She looked around, panic rising in her chest. The shrine, her home, was gone. As was the old man. "Hey!" Her voice echoed hollowly in the emptiness. "Anybody?" "Anybody?" a husky voice asked. She turned to see a park behind her, a lithe shadow emerging from the trees. "Don't you mean me?" "Wynneth," Reiko hissed. "You took away my home, didn't you?" Wynneth walked up to her, her beautiful features set in a haughty smile. "It wasn't really your home, was it? It was all just a lie. After all, shouldn't a girl be with her mother?" Reiko fell back a step as if struck. "You don't know what you're talking about," she told her nemesis, but her words were without conviction. Wynneth wet her lips in a slow, sensuous manner, closing the distance between them again. A hot pulsing began at the base of Reiko's throat as the lissome vampiress drew near. "Oh, I know," she said lazily. "I know you ... intimately." "Burn!" Reiko shrieked. She raised her hand, but nothing happened, and Wynneth chuckled throatily. "Where is your vaunted power, girl?" she taunted as she came closer. Reiko was rooted in place, unable to run. "BURN!" she screamed desperately. Still nothing. Wynneth smiled again. "So the truth is finally known. Under that tough facade, you really are a weak, ineffectual little girl ..." "Shut ... shut up," she stammered, panic rising in her. "You never wanted the power, did you? That's why you submitted to me so easily. You didn't want the responsibility." "SHUT UP!" she screeched, her fists held close to her sides. Wynneth wagged a finger at her disapprovingly. "That's just like you, Reiko. So disrespectful. You are a very bad girl, aren't you?" Reiko shook her head, wishing desperately for the power to stop the witch's taunts. "No!" "You ARE bad," Wynneth breathed. "Everyone knows it. That's why you were drawn to me." "You're lying!" she wailed, trembling with impotent rage. Wynneth just smiled that sly, maddening smile, her eyes lidded and confident, unaffected by Reiko's protests. "Always fighting, getting kicked out of schools, staying out late, drinking ... you're a disappointment to everybody, Reiko Hisakawa. So stop with all the pretense. What has your life been, after all? What has this great power meant to you? Let's see some truth, shall we?" Wynneth asked lightly. A figure appeared off to the side. Reiko instantly recognized it as herself as a young girl. Tears were coursing down her face. "I'm afraid of it," young-Reiko whimpered. "Why do I have to? Why? Please don't make me, Grandfather. I know what Mother said, but I don't WANT to!" Then the girl vanished and another figure appeared magically out of the dark, and it was her again, this time wearing a school uniform from a couple of years previous. "It's all because of this stupid power," adolescent-Reiko said softly, staring at the ground, a creased piece of paper clenched in one hand. "All of it. Everything. And you knew all along. It's nothing but a curse, and I hate it. I HATE IT!" Reiko turned helplessly as another version of her appeared, this time looking much as she did now. "Don't talk to me about duty, old man," double-Reiko growled to empty air. "Or destiny either. I could care less about that stuff. If I gotta have this power, then I'm gonna use it for myself! That's how it should be! After all, what's it ever gotten me? Huh?" Silently, that one also disappeared into the surrounding dark. Reiko saw a new figure appear, and gaped in horror. This one was her as well, but not as she'd ever been. The new her was clad in a black, racy outfit like something out of a sex club. Skin tight material barely covered her breasts, sweeping down to a narrow V between her legs, cut high over the thigh. A tail dangled between her stockinged legs, and it seemed to twitch almost like it was real. The other her wore high-heeled pumps and black lace gloves, and black cat ears protruded from her blonde hair. Worst of all, though, was the black choker she wore. It had a little silver bell on it, just like a housecat's. Cat-girl Reiko stood submissively, head bowed, hands clasped primly in front of her. "Ah," Wynneth purred. "My pet." She let something dangle from her hand, and Reiko noted with mounting horror that it was the end of a leash. "No," she murmured, trying to make her legs move. They felt like they were mired in syrup, and she began to panic as she saw the leash perk up into the air, weaving like a cobra as it seemed to scent the air. "You never really wanted that power and responsibility," Wynneth said sympathetically to cat-girl Reiko. "As my pet, you won't have to worry about all that. You won't have to worry about ... anything." Cat-girl Reiko nodded, eyes locked on the leash as it wove hypnotically toward her. "Hey!" Reiko shouted. "HEY! Don't just stand there, idiot!" Cat-girl Reiko gave her a vacant smile. "Why not?" she asked, her voice sweet and demure. "This way I won't have this responsibility anymore. I won't ever have to worry about failing again ..." The leash snaked closer, and cat-girl Reiko tilted her head back so that it could snap on to the collar. Reiko's eyes widened in disbelief as a smirking Wynneth reeled her contented catch in. Wynneth reached out lazily, scratching cat-girl Reiko behind the ears with her long, blood-red nails. Cat-girl Reiko arched her back and purred, a throaty feline sound that made Reiko want to scream. "A good girl would have said no," Wynneth told Reiko, regarding her through lidded eyes. Reiko wanted to reach out and smash them both for this. Unfortunately, although she was moving her feet she couldn't seem to get any closer ... "Well, now. What should I do with MY power?" Wynneth mused. She turned her gaze on Reiko, who was running in place. "Ah, I know. You are bothering my pet. You've got to go." She turned to cat-girl Reiko and smiled fondly. "You know what to do," she murmured. Cat-girl nodded happily, then turned to Reiko, a terrifying blankness in her eyes. Reiko tried to call out, but her voice seemed frozen as cat-girl raised her hand, palm out. No, she thought desperately. No, no, no ... "Burn," cat-girl Reiko whispered. And Reiko burned ...) "NO!" She was hunched over, the blankets pooled in her lap, panting as sweat ran freely down her face, dripping off the end of her nose. She clenched her fists and pounded the mattress furiously, making little strangled sounds deep in her throat. A dream, she realized, the panic beginning to fade. Just ... just a dream. That's all. Yeah. Just a dream. Damn. Oh, damn. She hunched over herself, wrapping her arms around her chest and rocking slightly in place. That had been a bad one. Finally, her pulse began to slow toward something approaching normal, and she felt fear being replaced by an all-too-familiar unfocused anger. Boy, every night's a Freudian party in my unconscious, she thought sourly. Whoopee. Almost reflexively, she raised one hand to her neck. There was no collar, of course, just the band-aid over the still bothersome bite. Her hair hung down in her face, and she pushed it back impatiently with both hands, willing her muscles to unknot as her breathing gradually slowed. Blearily, she gazed around the dark hotel room, and for a moment she felt a pang of homesickness so powerful that it was nearly physical. She didn't want to be sitting here in this unfamiliar bed in this unfamiliar city. Unfortunately, she had no home, no place to go, no place where she belonged ... She caught herself slipping into self-pity and snorted. Big deal, she told herself angrily. Once I do what I came here to do, I can go anywhere I want, do anything, be anyone. That's gotta be worth something. Right? But of course, she had no answer to that, only more questions. Like, for instance, the local demon population. The encounter with Wynneth had shaken her more than she cared to admit, and she hadn't even begun to examine the implications of the demoness's presence in Tokyo. Something was buzzing at the back of her mind, and she shook her head. Tokyo, she thought ruefully. Traffic jams, pollution, noise ... so now they can add demonic predators to their list of municipal problems. Well, big deal. It has nothing to do with me anymore ... (you're a disappointment to everybody, Reiko Hisakawa) She dug her fingers into her shoulders, groaning as the stiff muscles resisted her probing. Just what I need, she thought sourly. Lectures from someone who drinks blood for fun. Like she knows what I've been through ... She froze, the sweat on her skin seeming to freeze in place. (You disappoint me, Reiko Hisakawa) "Whoa," she whispered. "Wait a minute here ..." (I'd expected you to pose far more of a challenge) Wynneth had taunted her in the park, played with her. But ... (You disappoint me) ... but how had she known ... (Reiko Hisakawa) ... Reiko's last name? I never told her that, Reiko thought numbly. And ... (I'd expected you to pose far more of a challenge) And Wynneth had talked almost like she knew all about Reiko. But how was that possible? Unless ... Unless she'd been LOOKING for Reiko. Unless she was involved with the one that had attacked the shrine and killed the old man. Reiko knew that the trap she'd left behind had been sprung, and had assumed she was safe. But if that creature hadn't been alone, then Wynneth might not be the only one looking for her. There might be more. And she was registered here under her own name. She was out of the bed almost before she had time to form the intention. She had to get out of this place. Fast. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The rising sun threw golden flashes off the window of Ucchan's okonomiyaki. Reiko's reflection stared back at her, looking as uncertain as she felt. She had thrown on a pair of jeans and a t-shirt, and she suddenly realized that with her carryall slung over her shoulder she looked just as she had when she'd come to this city. That thought did not cheer her in the least; it merely served to remind her that she hadn't accomplished a damned thing yet. What was supposed to be a simple, final task to be completed before she could get on with her life had instead turned into a morass of strangeness. She was no closer to getting the pendant or finding this Sasuke character, and she'd nearly fallen under the control of a vampiress to boot. And the realization that there might be more demons looking for her had sent her fleeing from her hotel room at an ungodly hour, seeking the feeble sanctuary of an all-night doughnut shop. After three cups of mediocre coffee, she'd finally decided to seize the initiative. And that was how she found herself in front of an okonomiyaki restaurant at 6:30 in the bloody morning. The sad reality that she had nowhere else to turn didn't sit particularly well with her, but her options were basically slim and none. Sighing and regarding her reflection critically, she tugged at her braid with small, fussy motions. She'd braided her hair in the shop's rest room, and she wasn't quite satisfied with the result. Finally, though, she had to admit she was stalling ... which was quite unlike her. All right, so she owed Ryouga one. A big one, to be brutally honest. And she was about to ask him for ANOTHER favour. So what? He was a guy, wasn't he? A little flirting and he'd be eating out of the palm of her hand. No problem. She pounded on the door, ignoring her misgivings. The sooner I get this over with, she told herself firmly, the sooner I can leave all this behind. She pounded again, and was rewarded with the sound of footsteps approaching from the other side. Placing one hand on her hip, she smiled archly, adopting a cool, sexy stance. Don't give him a chance to talk, she told herself. Take the initiative ... Unfortunately, when the door opened, it wasn't Ryouga who stood revealed. Reiko was hardly disappointed, though. An attractive young man in a school uniform stood there, trying to button his jacket up at the throat. He stopped when he saw her, his hands falling slowly to his sides. His long, glossy hair was tied back tightly, highlighting smooth, even features and eyes that were as pretty as a girl's. Oddly, he had a bandolier of small spatulas slung across his chest. He stared at her, obviously taken off-guard. "Hi there," she said with a slow, sexy smile. He didn't smile back. "I'm sorry, we're closed," he murmured in a pleasant, melodious voice. Not bad, Reiko thought. If I was here on pleasure instead of business, maybe I'd let him take me out. Well, who knows? He may have his chance yet. Those eyes ... Aloud, she told him, "Yes, I know, but I need to see Ryouga." The handsome stranger frowned, cocking his head cautiously. "Ryouga?" he asked. "Now? It's kind of early, you know. Couldn't this wait?" She stepped closer to him, lowering her voice as she stared directly into his eyes from close range. "But it's very important," she said huskily. She was gratified to see the boy's cheeks flush, and he blinked nervously. "I'm sure if you just let him know I'm here, he'll want to see me." Letting her bag slip to the floor, she reached up and lightly grasped the collar of his jacket, buttoning it for him. She was certain to take her time, brushing lightly against him as she worked. When she was finished, she looked up into his deep green eyes again without moving back. "I'd be very ... grateful," she breathed warmly. The blush had spread all the way down to the collar of his jacket, she noted with glee, and he swallowed as he stepped back out of the doorway. "Come in," he said tightly. "I'll tell him you're here." She smiled and grabbed her bag, stepping inside. Hmmm, she thought as the boy disappeared into the back. The shy type. Maybe that's just what I need ... Gah. What she needed was to find Sasuke and the pendant and get out of town before things got hot. Still, it was always an ego boost to know she could fluster a guy so easily. She looked around, bouncing lightly on her toes. The place was spotless, chairs upended on top of the tables, stools lined up with military precision by the counter. Idly, she wondered who the boy with the spatulas was. She didn't recall having seen him there on her previous visits, just Ryouga and that girl chef. She looked around as Ryouga came out of the back, wearing a black tank top and sweat pants and looking mildly alarmed. Pleasantly tousled from sleep, his rugged features and masculine frame were an intriguing contrast to his roommate's more androgynous charms. He combed his fingers through his spiky hair, padding barefoot across the floor as his roommate watched without expression. "Reiko! Is everything all right? Did Wynneth find you again?" The charming smile she'd summoned congealed on her face as she ran those words through her mind forwards, then backwards, then forwards again. "Ryouga," she said slowly, "that's impossible. She's dead. Right?" He sighed in relief, apparently not noticing the tension in her body. "Well, I wasn't sure," he said sheepishly. "I mean, I don't have much experience with vampires." "Dead?" his roommate inquired politely. "Vampires?" They ignored him. "Wait a minute," Reiko pressed. "After I hit her with that spell, you finished her off. You DID finish her ... right?" Ryouga was staring at her blankly. "How could I do that?" he asked. "First, she was staggering around, burning, and then she charged into the shadows and disappeared again ..." Her bag fell from nerveless fingers, thudding loudly in the quiet restaurant. "Disappeared?" she squeaked. "Um, yeah ..." "And you didn't think to MENTION this to me before?" "I thought you knew ..." "Excuse me?" the roommate interjected politely. Reiko ignored him. "I was unconscious!" she growled. The she drew a deep breath. "So let me get this straight. Not only did you not finish her, you let her escape through that portal of hers?" Ryouga frowned. "I didn't have a chance to get to her," he objected, flushing. "Anyway, she was burning with that white fire that you hit her with ..." "Excuse me?" the roommate repeated, a little louder. "You ... IDIOT!" she blurted. "What?" he asked, defensive. "I mean, what's the problem? I thought it was more important to get out of there in case she had friends! Anyway, she must have crawled off somewhere to die. She was on FIRE, Reiko ..." "I couldn't get much strength into that spell, Ryouga! She might have survived it! And if she did ..." She reached up to touch the band-aid on the base of her throat. "She'll be coming after me again ..." "EXCUSE ME?" They both looked over to where Ryouga's roommate was standing, glaring at them. "I don't suppose," he said quietly, "that anyone would like to tell me just what the hell's going on?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------ The morning jog had become something of a ritual already for Tragus. He definitely enjoyed the feel of his new body as it flexed and raced along the twisting paths of the nearby park, muscles burning with exertion, but that wasn't the reason he'd begun doing it. Put simply, he needed his morning fix. Even with the changes his presence had caused in this body, it couldn't maintain its adult form for an entire night. That meant that he woke each morning in that putrid little girl form that he'd come to despise. So each morning, he donned loose-fitting shorts and a t-shirt and set off into the park. And somewhere on the paths or from the cover of the bushes, he would find a victim and drain some chi, triggering the pleasurable rush that transformed his body into its leggy, lithe, powerful state. It was hard to say which he craved more: the sensation of draining chi, or the power that came with this sensual female form. Not that he had to choose, of course. He always ended up with both. And it was a hell of a great way to start of the day, beating out coffee and a muffin by a fair margin. He let himself into the apartment, admiring the way the thin cotton t-shirt clung to his sweat-dampened body. He was quite enjoying being female, even if this body had some drawbacks. Now, if he could only get a handle on that idiotic Kunou boy ... He stopped short, some instinct warning him of trouble. It was always a good idea, he'd found, to listen to his instincts. They'd saved him more than once. And right now they were telling him he was not alone. Fishing out a coin from his pocket, he moved quietly through the entryway and into the living room. The sun was just up, and shadows were everywhere. That triggered a memory, and he cocked his head slightly. "Wynneth?" he called softly. Silence. He moved quietly across the room, easing the door to the bedroom open with his foot. It swung halfway before hitting something solid. There was a soft, indistinct noise from the bedroom, and he could smell something now as well, something burnt. There was another scent underlying that, a nauseating sweet smell that caused his stomach to churn reflexively. Suddenly, he wasn't anxious to see what was waiting for him. Unfortunately, there was nothing for it. Readying himself, he reached through the partially opened door and flipped on the light. There was something on the floor all right. He eased into the room, looking down in horror at the thing pulling itself weakly from the shadowed reaches of the half-opened closet. Its skin was a mass of blackened tissue, cracking open in many places to allow a thick clear liquid to ooze out. Its ragged scalp was showing on one side, although there was still some dark, lustrous hair left on the other, which swept down and mercifully hid the face. The legs seemed mostly untouched below mid-thigh, and they worked feebly against the carpet, propelling the ruined form out of the closet with painful slowness. Slowly, Tragus crouched down beside the quivering form, holding his hand over his nose and mouth as the smell began to intensify. The skin was still pale and flawless in the few patches where it was intact, and that night black hair ... "Wynneth?" he asked tentatively. The thing on the floor quivered, trying to turn its head. Tragus reached out cautiously and brushed the hair back. One pain-maddened dark eye peered back at him, and he grimaced. Half of her face was almost intact, but the other was a mass of rippled burns, the eye on that side sealed shut. Wynneth's breathing was laboured and painful sounding, and as he bent over her the one good eye somehow managed to focus on him. She made a gurgling noise, but no words came out. Tragus swallowed his bile as it tried to rise. He needed to know what had done this, at the very least so he could stay the hell out of its way. He noticed that Wynneth's feet still disappeared into the impenetrable shadow that she'd emerged from. Gritting his teeth, he reached down to pull her all the way out. He didn't realize his mistake until he got his hands under her arms and pulled. Charred flesh crackled and pulled loose, and Wynneth screamed, a high, gurgling wail that tore loose from her throat. Then, mercifully, she stopped. Her good eye rolled back in her head, and Tragus could only tell that she was still alive by the awful liquid sound of her breathing. He stood up, holding his stained hands away from his body, looking with disgust and dismay upon the ruined remains of what had been a beautiful and powerful Aerkinma lady only the previous day. "So much for our partnership," he grumbled. "Now what the hell am I supposed to do?" end part 13.