The Meikai War

The Meikai War
It seems this chapter is too long for adult-fanfiction.org to display it all. A good portion of this chapter was not shown when it was first uploaded so I’m braking it up into two parts. Sorry for the inconvenience.
Ja ne
b-chan
Chapter 12 part 1

Suoh slashed the throat of one Meikai demon its dark blood speckled him, coating blood over blood. Suoh didn’t seem to notice, the ryu lifted its head and roared a deafening battle cry making the demons that faced him back up out of fear. Before them was Suoh Ryu, one of the ferocious ryus to ever exist, the Black Fire Serpent. It was rumored among the lesser beings that the silver fox god, Inari, had lured the black fire dragon out of the ninth gate of hell with his beauty and charm to fight for him. Hn, people made such rumors when they feared something.

Not far to Suoh’s side fought a creature of pure silver. It dodged and danced in between the rows of demons, not one-drop of blood stained its flawless features or attire even though it had killed its fair share. Everything about it was beautiful: the way it moved, the way it breathed, the way it killed; enchanting its victims with a glance then swiftly delivering the death blow. The silver fox god, Inari, the tempest, an untamed silver god that’s beauty was radiant; one could only wish for the privilege to die by his hand. The silver fox leapt over a row of demons to land delicately next to his bloody partner.

They were opposite yet if you looked at them they some how matched. The way they worked together as if they could read each other’s thoughts, a skill gained from years of combat together. Both beautiful and pure in their battle rage, a silver arrow, a bloody black iron sword, the way they killed together was art. They were different, the outside world couldn’t enter into their private dance together, all who dared died. The silver god and his black mount were two messengers of death and destruction.

Suoh cut a demon in half with one swing. "Inari, he’s up the tower," said the black ryu.

The silver fox smirked and jabbed his sword into the chest of one demon smacking it away with the other. "I dare say Aresism shall not have this one."

Suoh smirked as well. "I’m going up after him."

The silver god nodded his head even though his back was to the ryu’s. "I’ll finish here."

Suoh broke his attack with the demons and leapt to land against the black stone tower they had been making their way toward. Using the small cracks between the stones he scaled the tall tower that reached into the sky. Suoh glanced down at his partner to check his progress. He wasn’t worried for the god, Inari could take care of himself, but just as so many were blinded by the fox’s beauty so too was he. He could no longer live without the silver god, without him he would be an empty shell. Suoh smirked and continued up the wall. Inari was a god, he was eternal, Suoh would never know the pain of losing him unless the fox god choose to leave his side. Suoh trusted him, more then any other being. Even if he could grow tired of the silver fox, he would always be Inari’s ryu; it was his place.

The black ryu reached the top of the tower and glanced around with his blood red eyes. He snapped his head to the side as his target fired a ki blast at him. Suoh easily leapt up and back flipped out of the way. Landing he gave their targe a look over. Vajarae, a pale creature with blue hair and bluish skin, not unpleasant to look at, but far too dressed up to be truly beautiful.

"Give up," said Suoh.

The demon god ground his white teeth, then stood up and smirked. "I think not."

Suoh sighed. "I know of your ability to copy an opponents skills, why do you think I came up the tower instead of Inari?" he asked with a grin.

"What?" said Vajarae backing up. He tried to get a read of the ryu’s abilities, but all he could feel from the ryu were natural abilities that came with such a powerful body. "No!"

"That’s right," said Suoh sliding off the tower’s wall. "I have no techniques for you to copy unless you can make yourself a black fire ryu." The ryu smirked and charged the shocked demon god, his fist contented solidly with his chin and the demon was uppercut right off the tower.

Inari looked up to see a falling body as he stood among his kills. He tossed his long silver mane and greenery began to grown all around him. Vines climbed up the black tower covering the dark stone, ground covers of clover, moss, and thick grasses grew over the dead, small flowers of various colors bloomed everywhere. Vajarae was snatched for the air by several strong vines and tied up nicely.

The silver fox god picked one red bloom and sniffed it delicately as Suoh landed beside him.

"That was quick," said Inari into the flower.

"Are you talking about the demons at the tower’s base or the weakling they were protection?"

Inari laughed softly.

A red ryu landed beside them and the god Mars climbed off. "Inari, I should have know it was you," he nodded his head to the black ryu. "And your mount."

Suoh only nodded his head back at the god, showing as much respect to him as he’d been shown. He walked past the two gods and over to the red ryu as the beast transformed in a tall humanoid with black hair, orange eyes, and red scales.

"Friend will you take the demon Vajarae to Enma for judgment?"

The red glanced at Mars who nodded. "We will black ryu," said the ryu bowing deeply to Suoh. "It is always an honor to be of service to you."

"No need for this brother, the Meikai is weakening, we fight for this goal do we not?" said Suoh.

The red ryu smiled. "Yes, we fight for this my brother." The ryu walked over to the tower and jumped up, pulling out a long sword he sliced the vine holding Vajarae off. Catching the demon god he tucked him under arm and landed next to Mars.

"You do not wish to present him to Enma?" asked Mars. "He would no doubt honor you."

"I will not, it is not my honor," he said going over to Suoh and kissing the black ryu. "It is ours."

Mars looked at him a long time. "You are too modest Inari, I shall take him in for you, but I’ll not claim him as my capture." He turned around and motioned to the red ryu. "I’ll say he was Inari’s and his mount’s catch," he said before walking way with the red ryu.

Inari sighed as he watched them go. "You fight for them and they show you no respect," said Inari.

"No, they show me some," said Suoh letting his fire blade wink out. "I am now at least mentioned as your mount."

"That is true, but you deserve more then to be mentioned."

"That is enough for me," said Suoh going over to the silver fox and kissing him. "That is all I wish to be in their eyes, yours. Let us go home."

The silver fox nodded. Suoh, he thought, I want you to be more then that in their eyes. I want them to expect you as my mate, and not my mistress.

* * * * * * * * * * *
Once again they had all gathered at Dragon Springs. Suoh and Inari no longer cared much for the tournament, felt that it was a waste of time and effort for both sides.

Suoh only watched Rouin’s fights, which the tall black had many of. Everyone wanted a piece of the tall black, it was rumored that he was the strongest of all the ryus, expect perhaps Ryuujin. Rouin liked to fight, since he lived in the Meikai lands it was easy for him to cause them trouble. He was a dangerous, reckless, ryu.

Suoh lay sunning himself his wings spread out to let the sun’s ray soak into them, his twin, Sunoo, lay by his side doing the same. Both black and white ryus lifted their heads as they heard the sound of approaching steps.

"Suoh," greeted Rouin going over to the ryu. "You’ve been busy lately, I’ve hardly seen hid nor hair of you. Come here!" he said sitting down next to the once relaxed ryu and squeezed him in a bear hug.

"You’re…. Killing…. Me…." gasped Suoh.

Rouin lessened his hold to let Suoh breath. "I’ve got great news, Suoh," he said messing up the smaller ryu’s hair. "Really great news!"

"What is it, Rouin?" asked Sunoo watching as the overly happy tall black slapped her poor twin repeatedly on the shoulders in his excitement.

Chi laughed and sat down next to the white ryu. "We were finally successful."

"Huh?" said Sunoo.

"I’m pregnant," smiled Chi.

"Oh!" cried Sunoo leaning over to hug Chi. "I’m so happy for you!"

"Yah…. Me to," panted Suoh trying to free himself from the overly happy Rouin.

"I hope someday I’m as lucky," smiled Sunoo.

"I’m sure you will be," said Chi petting her hair. "You’ll find a really nice ryu and have a whole litter of cubs together, you deserve to."

"What about you Suoh?" asked Rouin still holding on to the smaller black ryu. "You want cubs?"

"Rouin no Baka!" shouted Chi lifting a large bolder to throw it at him. It hit him right on the head and broke to pieces.

Suoh escaped while Rouin had little chibi Chi’s flying around his head.

Chi jumped on him and began shaking him. "I thought you’d given up on Suoh! Are you cheating on me?!"

"No, no, no, no!" protested Rouin waving his hands. "You know I won’t do that to you Chi," he said giving her his best ‘I’m innocent don’t kill me look’. "I was just wondering when Suoh’s was going to settle down and do his part. You know the blacks are decreasing in number, the elders want us all to stop fighting and concentrate on breeding."

Suoh snorted. "The blacks stop fighting? That’ll be the day."

"That’s also the reason your numbers are so small," said Chi relaxing, she didn’t move off Rouin’s chest. "You fight too hard, I’ve never heard of one of your kind dying in anyway but in battle."

"Someone has to fight," said Suoh lowering his gaze. "Besides I could never bring myself to betray Inari by mating with another. Therefore, I will never have any children…"

"But Suoh it’s your duty," said Rouin. "There aren’t enough of us as there is, you can’t just abandon your responsibilities even if you’re in love with someone that’s not a ryu."

"Stop up!" snapped Suoh hands balling up into fists on his lap. "You think I don’t know that, that I haven’t thought about it?! I have and I do want cubs!" shouted Suoh snapping his head up. "But I want them to be mine and Inari’s and that can never happen!"

Everyone was silent a long time as Suoh bowed his head. "It can never happen," whispered the ryu. "They barely tolerate me being with him as it is. To them I’m his whore and he’s still engaged to Aphrodite."

"Onii-chan," said Sunoo softly going over to him and embracing him from behind.

Suoh smiled and patted her hand. "It’s okay, I don’t care what they think of me." He looked at Rouin and Chi and grinned. "You two will just have to make up for me."

"I’ll do my best!" said Rouin saluting Suoh while still under Chi.

"Baka" said Chi bashing him on the head.

Rouin lay dazed under her for a few minutes, then without warning bolted right up to his feet catching Chi in his arms. "We’ll see you two later!" shouted a grinning Rouin running off with the protesting Chi in his arms.

"I think Rouin likes pain," said Suoh frowning and crossing his arms.

"Is that why he likes Chi?" asked Sunoo.

"Must be," sighed Suoh leaning back to look at the sky deep in thought.

* * * * * * * * * * *
"Rouin put me down! Put me down this instant!" shouted Chi slapping his chest.

Rouin stopped, put Chi on her feet, then backed her up against a tall rock to kiss her passionately on the mouth.

"You’ve got to… stop doing that," panted Chi once they’d parted.

Rouin grinned and moved in to kiss her again. "Have I never told you I love you?" asked Rouin wrapping his arms around her slender waist.

Chi smiled and ran her finger though his wild black hair. "Everyday since the day you made me yours."

Rouin grinned and buried his face against her neck to breathe in her scent. He moved back and dropped to his knees to rest his head against her stomach. Chi cradled his head. "What are you doing?" she asked in amusement.

"Listening," said Rouin closing his eyes.

"You can’t hear anything, Rouin. It just happened a few days back."

"No I can," said the ryu lightly stroking the dip in her back above her tail. "I can hear your heart beat giving it life’s blood, smell its scent mixed with yours, feel its ki faintly under yours."

Chi closed her eyes and sighed. "I love you too Rouin." She opened her eyes and looked down at the smiling black.

"That’s the first time you’ve ever said that to me," said Rouin standing up.

"Baka," whispered Chi smiling softly.

Rouin grabbed her chin and gave her a long kiss on the mouth.


Standing off to the side a group of demons with crosses on their foreheads looked on as the two ryus kissed and embraced each other.

"That one," hissed one of the demons, the leader. "The master wants the black."

"What about the red?" asked one demon beside him.

"She’s worthless, kill her," grinned the demon.

The other demons grinned at the idea of slaughter and moved to circle around the two unsuspecting ryus.


Rouin pulled back from their kiss and petted Chi’s red hair looking into her large brown eyes. Chi’s eyes widened and she inhaled sharply.

Rouin turned his head to look over his shoulder and hissed in pain as a Meikai demon brought a large curved blade down on his bareback, drawing a long line of blood.

Chi screamed and grabbed the surprised Rouin turning to protect him with her body. A blade pierced through her back and tore out her chest. Chi’s mouth dropped and her eyes looked blankly up at the sky as she arched her body. She close her mouth and clamped her teeth together as the demon yanked the blade out of her, blood ran down her front, back, and mouth.

"Chi!" Screamed Rouin catching the red ryu as her legs gave out. "No Chi! Chi!" he screamed hysterically holding her tightly against him as he sank to the ground.

The Meikai demon circled around the two holding their weapons ready to strike as the leader stepped forward with a black metal band in his hand.

"Chi!" cried Rouin closing his eyes tightly as tears streaked down his face. "You can’t leave me, please…." He opened his eyes as a hand softly brush one tear off his cheek. He looked down at his smiling bloody mate and took her smaller hand in his big one.

"Rouin," she said with soft brown eyes looking at him tenderly. "I love you always… Rouin. I’m happy I got to… to meet you. I hope I’m as lucky… in another life," she said softly and leaning her bloody cheek on his chest. The air slowly left her broken body as she held perfectly still in his arms.

"…Chi…." Whispered Rouin softly looking blankly ahead, not even seeing the Meikai demon coming towards him with the black band. He bowed his head.

The Meikai demon looked down at the black ryu. "This is suppose to be the strongest of the ryu race? Ha, what a joke," he said reaching out a hand to fist it in Rouin’s black hair. The demon’s eyes widened in shock as he looked at the black ryu’s face, blood, the ryu wept tears of blood.

"I’ll kill you," said Rouin so softly it was barely heard, but so cold it sent shivers down the spines of all the demons around causing them to grip their weapons tighter.

"I’ll kill you!" roared Rouin blasting the demons back with the shear power of his scream of rage. Rouin gently lay Chi down and stood up facing the demons, face so cold he froze them in place.


Suoh and Sunoo snapped their heads up to look in the direction they’d heard a deafening roar of rage. The roar echoed all over Dragon Springs, no doubt reaching the ears of all the ryus and gods at the springs.

"That sounded like Rouin," whispered Sunoo.

"Rouin," said Suoh jumping up and running off to look for the black ryu.

At the hall of challenge Aresism, Inari, Volcanus, and several other gods lifted their heads at the sound of a ryu’s deafening scream.

"What was that?" asked Volcanus.

"Suoh," gasped Inari running out of the room many of the other gods hot on his heels. Part of the agreement at Dragon Springs was that after the tournament the gods wouldn’t threaten any ryus so long as they remained at the springs, it also required that they provide protection for the ryus while they breed. Since they met at the same place every season due to the agreement the location of Dragon Spring was know by all, meaning the ryus would have had to deal with other enemies and have been vulnerable to attacks. At the moment Inari and several others were serving as that protection, they had wards set up all over Dragon Springs to alert them of invaders.

"What could have happened?" asked Volcanus. "None of the wards alerted us."

"Probably a fight among the clans," said Aresism.


Suoh watched with wide eyes as Rouin killed. The shear brutality, rage, and pain written on the black’s face froze Suoh where he stood, he’d never seen Rouin like that it scared him.

The tall black tore into the demons like an animal, their blood covered him as he killed them slowly, crippling them so they couldn’t run away and returning to slash and pummel them to death. Minutes ticked by and other ryus appeared they were also frozen by Rouin’s bloodlust, unable to move, look away, or even join in.

Suoh spotted red hair out of all the blood and gore, he gasped as he realized what had happened: Chi was dead.

The killing stopped and Rouin stood among the dead, blood coated his naked form, Suoh couldn’t tell if it was the ryu’s or his enemies.

"Chi," sobbed Rouin sinking down to his knees. The ryus around Suoh whispered to themselves seeing the dead red ryu and Meikai demons. The red ryu clan moved to collect their fallen member, but Rouin was all over them swing his fist wildly and screaming for them to leave her along that she was still alive. He began to fight the red ryus, which were too heart broken with the lose themselves to fight back much; most let the pain-filled ryu hit them. One ryu went down hard as Rouin punched him across the jaw.

"Rouin!" shouted Suoh running towards the ryu and grabbing his arm as the tall black was about to attack another red. "Stop it Rouin!"

The black turned on him with a hiss and slugged Suoh across the face. Rouin froze as he realized who he’d just hit.

By this time the gods had reached them and had seen Rouin tear into the red ryu clan.

"Suoh!" shouted Inari running forward.

"Stay back!" said Suoh and turned back to the trembling Rouin.

"Suoh…" whispered Rouin lifting his bloody hand to touch the ryu’s bruising cheek. He pulled his hand back as he smudged the ryu’s white face with blood. He looked down at his bloody hands again and began to cry brokenly. Suoh caught and held him as Rouin started sinking to the ground. Rouin embraces Suoh so tightly the ryu almost couldn’t draw breath. Suoh didn’t complain only hugged Rouin back and whispered comforting sounds to the tall black rubbing his back while Rouin cried into his shoulder whispering Chi’s name.

"It looks like there was a fight among the clans," said Volcanus watching at the red ryu clan took that moment to collect the fallen body of Chi.

"No," said Inari shaking his head. He pointed to a dead demon lying on the ground. "They were attacked, by the Meikai."

The gods all exchanged worried glances with each other.

Aresism walked through the dead demons and spotted a severed hand holding a smooth black band. He picked it up, tore the hand off it, and turned to the other gods with it in his hands. "This could mean trouble for us all, we need to discuss this with the others right away," he said in a grave voice.

* * * * * * * * * * *
Inari stared longingly in the direction of Dragon Springs. He didn’t want to leave Suoh, not with what had just happened, but the ryu needed to comfort his friend and he need to discuss the current turn of evens that had taken place at Dragon Springs.

"Aresism," said Enma. "What is it that you deem so important to call us all here today?"

"This," said Aresism tossing the black band into the center of the room for all to see.

"A ryu collar? What is so important about that?"

"It was found among the dead remains of the group of Meikai demons that attack Dragon Springs."

A loud roar ran through those gathered at the news.

"Silence!" boomed Enma’s voice. "Aresism are you telling me the Meikai has figured out how to collar ryus for themselves?"

"Yes, it would appear so," said the war god with a frown.

The gathered gods broke out talking again Enma just looked at the black band with shocked eyes.

"What’s going on?" asked Inari to Volcanus.

"Don’t you understand, Inari," said Volcanus in a grave voice. "If the Meikai starts collaring ryus they could have a dragon army as big or bigger then ours soon. This will greatly turn the war in the Meikai’s favor."

Inari’s eyes widened at the news. If that happened the Meikai could attack the Reikai and Ningenkai as easy as they’d been attacking the Meikai and Makai. The death toll would be staggering not to mention the war would be escalated to a point of chaos. Inari was snapped out of his thought as Enma spoke.

"Which ryu were they after, what happened at Dragon Springs?"

"We believe they were after Rouin Ryu, a very powerful black, perhaps the strongest of the ryus at this current time. Only one ryu was killed a lesser red, several Meikai demons were killed by Rouin Ryu."

"So…" said Enma leaning back. "They planned this out carefully then. They tried to capture the strongest of the ryus first before we became aware of the dangers and could try and stop them."

Aresism nodded his head. "No doubt the orders for Rouin Ryu’s capture were sent directly from the Meikai King himself, Yakumo. Such a man would only want the best for his mount."

"How did those demons get past your guard?!" demanded Enma. "Why weren’t you watching Dragon Springs?!"

Aresism bowed his head. "We were, but none of our wards alerted us to their presents, we knew not what had happened till we came about the scene ourselves."

"So they’ve even found a way to cross into our traitor without us knowing," said Enma with a worried frown. "This is not good."

"No it is not," said a deep powerful voice.

Everyone turned their head to see the Golden Ryu, Ryuujin, standing at the hall entrance.

"Ryuujin, this is not a good time, we are discussing important matters," said Enma.

"I have come here to discuss an important matter as well," said the Golden Ryu, Inari had never seen the king ryu look so cold before. "Namely the breaking of our agreement."

"What are you talking about Ryuujin?" demanded Enma getting frustrated with all that had gone wrong.

"The agreement was in exchange for the tournament you would provide a safe time and place for us to breed. We have kept our part Enma, but you have not. A ryu has died this day that should not have."

The Lord of the Dead was silent. Ryuujin was correct the agreement had been broken, they now stood on uneasy ground with the ryu clans as a whole, this couldn’t be allowed. Now that the Meikai could collar ryus he needed much better ties with the clans, not worst. "What do you want Ryuujin?"

"You will call off the tournament for the next 1,000 years, but ryus shall continue to come to Dragon Springs to breed with ‘proper’ protection," said the ryu with burning golden eyes.

"You can’t be serious!" shouted Aresism. "1,000 years, we need more ryus to fight-"

"Silence Aresism!" boomed Enma. He looked down at the golden ryu. "Very well you shall have your 1,000 years off from the tournament, but in exchange all your kind must move out of the Meikai lands and to one of the other three worlds. If a god wishes to collar a ryu during the next 1,000 years he or she must catch him and defeat him in the hunt. Are we agreed on his Golden Ryu."

The Golden Ryu stared a long time at Enma then nodded its head. "Yes, we are in agreement, Lord of the Dead," said Ryuujin turning around and leaving the hall.

Once he was gone Aresism loudly voice his opinion of the deal.

"Enma do you realize what you just did?! 1,000 years, we get nothing out of this deal, we spend man power protection them and we can’t collar a damn one!"

"Silence Aresism," growled Enma angrily. "You don’t realize just how thin our dealings with the ryus have become because of this. If the ryus break all ties with us, we’ll have just about as much ground with them as the Meikai does, which would put us in the same place as the Meikai to hunt them one at a time on their terms. A 1,000 year cancel of the tournament is a small price to pay."

"But we need more ryus now, not less," shouted Aresism.

"I am aware of this," said Enma. "But, if we can keep a loose hold of the ryu clans and keep them as far away from the Meikai as possible we may be able to keep many of them out of the Meikai’s hands. We can’t let the Meikai build an army of ryus there would be no stop to the killing, the only way to end the war would be for one or both sides to be completely destroyed. Do you want to risk the Reikai and the Ningenkai, Aresism?! Because if the Meikai wins they could destroy the Reikai forever and take control of the Ningenkai!"

Everyone was deadly silent as Enma finished. For the first time the gods realized they could lose everything because of this war.

* * * * * * * * * * *
Suoh slowly stroked Rouin’s black mane as the taller black ryu slept with his head pillowed on Suoh’s lap: he’d cried himself to sleep. Next to them Sunoo scrubbed at them both with her once white robes trying to clean off all the blood that had dried on them. The little white ice ryu’s eyes were all red from crying over the lose of her good friend. Suoh would have told her not to ruin her good clothes on them, but he sensed that his sister needed something to keep her hands going while she mourned- that if she just did nothing she’d end up crying herself to sleep as well. Sunoo was such a delicate creature she knew nothing of war and killing. Suoh silently mourned for the lose of her innocence way of thinking this day.

The dragon twins looked up as a golden figure stepped into the clearing, Ryuujin.

"How is he?" asked Ryuujin softly.

"Bad, he’s fallen asleep now," said Suoh.

Ryuujin nodded his head and looked at Sunoo. "Sunoo, would you please hand out this order to all the ryu clans," said the Golden Ryu handing her several different colored messages sealed with wax. "The colors go to each clan they represent."

Sunoo bowed and took the letters. "Yes, I will Ryuujin," she said leaving on her task.

Ryuujin knelt down next to the two blacks and placed a hand on Rouin’s shoulder. A soft golden glow surrounded all three ryus. Suoh’s breath hitched in his throat as something in his stomach burned hot. He looked up at Ryuujin with scared eyes, this felt similar to that day so long ago when Ryuujin had healed him, as if there was something still inside him.

Ryuujin smiled and patted Suoh’s head. "I’ve healed his wounds."

Suoh looked down at Rouin to see that Rouin’s wounds had indeed disappeared. He ran his fingers through the taller black’s hair. "Ryuujin… about that time-that time you-" the ryu was silenced from finishing his sentence as Ryuujin pressed a finger to his lips and shook his head, their was a kind of sadness in his golden eyes.

Suoh felt his heart squeeze, what had Ryuujin done to him? He began to shake as he held Rouin.

"Don’t be afraid Suoh, whatever happens is fate. I told you once that you would play an important rule in the future. Whatever happens know that good may come of it, there is a bigger picture and we all have our roles to play, do you understand?"

Suoh swallowed his fears and nodded his head. "Yes, Ryuujin. Whatever happens I shall not regret it, I’ll live my life to the fullest."

Ryuujin smiled and petted the small black’s head again. "I’m afraid Rouin has also lost his home this day, no more shall dragons live in the Meikai. That was the deal in exchange for 1,000 years without the tournament. Will you take care of him and help him find a new dwelling?"

Suoh nodded his head.

Ryuujin smiled and nodded his head. "There is something very twisted about your and his fate, so broken I can’t see where they end or being, so dark is the path of the blacks. I am so uncertain now Suoh, more uncertain then I have ever been in all my years about anything." The black ryu looked at him with worried eyes, Ryuujin reached up a large hand patted Suoh’s head with a smile on his lips. "Suoh, do you love Inari, love him enough to regret nothing?"

Suoh looked shock and blushed lightly. "Yes, yes I do."

"Do you love the ryu clans, enough to give your life for them?"

Suoh blinked his red eyes in confusion. "Yes, I always have."

"Good, that is what I wanted to know," said Ryuujin. "Just remember to follow your heart Suoh and watch over Rouin. Only through you will he some day regain the part of his soul he has lost his day."

"I don’t understand," said Suoh.

Ryuujin smiled and stood up. "In the darkness of your path, Suoh, I can see: a golden light, the awakening of the darkest fire, eternal sleep in arms of ice, the salvation of the brightest soul, the power to topple the worlds, and the bringing of death to the doors of those untouched by it. I don’t know what it is I see when I look at you, but I know I see hope mix somewhere in that darkness. Others walk it with you, I believe Rouin walks very close to your path indeed. He maybe be one of the visions I see when I look at you, perhaps the brightest soul is he, for his spirit was the strongest I’d ever laid eyes on before this day. Now it is gone and will not return until he is given a new reason to shine brightly again."

"And what of the rest? The golden light and the Darkest fire? The power to topple worlds and the bringer of death? What of they Ryuujin?" asked Suoh.

"I do not now, the fates will not show me. All I know for sure is that you are key to it all, the darkness circles around you. What happens to you could very well determine the fate of many others. I’ve known this since I first laid eyes on you, on Rouin as well. Only time will tell me what it is I see in your eyes."

"You bring me many riddles and few clues Golden Ryu. How can I be Rouin’s salvation? I want to help him."

"Saa," said Ryuuin. "That is something you must learn on your own. The future is unlit, walk the path that your heart leads you Suoh and fear not the consequences. The heart never lies," said the Golden Ryu bowing before turning and leaving the two blacks together.

"Rouin…" said Suoh. "I understand not. How can I replace what you’ve lost this day… I feel so helpless," he said burying his face against the sleeping black’s mane and holding him tight.

* * * * * * * *

Suoh and Rouin stood in front of a tall mountain in the Ningenkai.

"This one should do," said Suoh.

Rouin numbly nodded his head he seemed emotional drained since Chi’s death. Suoh was very worried for him. "Why don’t we start transferring your horde to this den from your old one? Get you settled in."

"What do they call this mountain?" asked Rouin in a dull voice.

Suoh turned back to look at the mountain in front of them. "Hiei, Mt. Hiei."

"Hiei… it’s a good name."

TBC