Yeah! I'm done with rewrites and can now look to continuing the series.
Here is the rewritten version of chapter 3. Please, please send C&Cs so
I know if you like the changes, and know what I can attempt to improve
in the future.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

               Fushigi Yuugi: The Return of the White Tiger
        Chapter 3: A Tiger's Ransom in Honor
                          By: Wesley Bridges

        http://members.xoom.com/Souldrake/

Disclaimer: Fushigi Yuugi is the creation of Yu Watase. All rights, and
characters not created
by me belong to their respective owners of Yu Watase, Pioneer Video, and
any other respective
owners. This fic is strictly for entertainment value, I'm making no
money from this. Don't sue
me, I have no life, and no money, so it wouldn't do you any good.

Main Plot Continuity: This takes place around Episode 13 in the original
Fushigi Yuugi series.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 The scene around the spring was more peaceful then Eki remembered as
she slowly
walked in to the circle of high rock formations opening up like a shrine
to the silver moon overhead. She paused for a moment and looked about
the edges of the spring, stopping when she spied Kagatsu sitting on a
large rock, staring as if in a trance at the clear water. Slowly and
quietly, Eki approached the rock where Kagatsu sat, climbed it, then
stood behind him, her blue hair glowing mysteriously in the silvery
moonlight.

     "Is there something wrong, Kagatsu?" Eki asked, almost nervously,
her eyes wide with concern.

 "No, nothing's wrong." Kagatsu answered monotone, as if he was not
fully there.

 "It doesn't look like nothing's wrong." Eki said, slightly annoyed.

 "Eki..."

  "Yes? What is it?"

 "We've known each other since we were little kids... but there's always
been things I've never been sure I should tell anyone... and things that
I've never fully believed..."

      "We all have secrets, Kagatsu, there are things about me I haven't
told you."

 "Yes, but some secrets can hurt others... and even more can come back
to haunt you. Then there are the secrets you want to just shout out, but
you can't do it, and you don't know why."

      "So, you have secrets you need to tell someone. Tell me then. I'll
listen!"

 "I can't." Kagatsu said heavily. "But... everything that's happening
lately... when I brought Akiya to Taisei...  they've all been related to
me. I... I don't want to think about what is going to happen next...
whether someone close to me will be the next target..."

 "Kagatsu..." Eki said in a concerned, but curious tone. "Why did you go
out to bring Akiya to Taisei?"

     "Huh?!" Kagatsu answered uneasily. "I... uh... I'm not sure. I...
just felt like going out for some reason, and I... happened to find her
along the way."

 "I would have gone too, you know. You didn't have to go alone. I... I
was worried when I didn't see you... how you were acting so
differently... I thought... you might have..."

 "Hey, I made a promise didn't I? I came back alive... It won't happen
again, don't worry."

 "It's not that... its... just... I... uh... I..." Eki's face turned as
red as tomato about to fall off the plant as she spoke timidly, trying
to force words to come out.

     "Are you ok, Eki?  You're face looks a little red."

     "Huh?!" Eki said, her eyes wide with panic. "Um... I'm fine...
really... Its pretty late... I should
be getting back home."

     "Alright. Good night."

     "Good night" Eki said then walked away.

 Soon after Eki left the circle of rocks, a scream reached Kagatsu's
ears.

     *Eki?* Kagatsu thought jumping to his feet.

     Kagatsu ran as fast as he could towards the source of the scream.
After he left the spring area he paused listening for another scream.
Another came, and Kagatsu raced off, hoping he wasn't
too late. As he reached the top of a sand dune, he saw seven men on
horseback take Eki and bring her to a wagon of some sort.

     "Heh, heh, heh." one of the men said to Eki as the tossed her into
the wagon and locked the door. "Now you two just sit tight and enjoy the
ride."

     Eki looked around the wagon to see Akiya bound and gagged just like
she was. Her eyes widened with surprise and the two struggled to sit up.
Suddenly, four men fell off their horses one after another.

     "Get back to the hideout with the girls!" the man ordered the wagon
driver, and the horses lurched forward and galloped away.

     Kagatsu stopped as the wagon quickly went over the dunes of the
desert out of sight.

     "You must be Sanshi," the man said to Kagatsu.

     "Where are you taking her?"

 "Ha, Ha, Ha," The man bellowed. "I'm sure you know where they're going.
If you want to save the GIRLS, then come to the den."

     "Girls? Who else have you drawn into this?"

 "Priestesses should not roam the streets of unfamiliar cities at night
without an escort."

     "Akiya... If you hurt either one of them, I assure you that you
will regret it."

     "Save your strength. Remember where I told you to go. Don't be
late, come alone, if you don't the blue haired one will die. The other
is needed for our master's business arrangements in the east. You do
remember the way to the den, don't you?"

 "The den of the Desert Lotus clan... I remember all to well." Kagatsu
said coldly.

 "Good," the man said, then rode off after the wagon.

*************************************************************************

     The next afternoon, Kagatsu found himself in the Grand Hall of the
Imperial Palace. Kagatsu walked down the carpeting and knelt down before
the Emperor sitting in his seat.

     "Do you know why I have summoned you here, Kagatsu?"

     "Yes, your excellency. Byakko no Miko and one of the seishi are
missing."

     "That's correct. When did this information become presented to
you?"

     "Last night, I was with the Seishi, Eki. I heard her scream as she
was going home. I saw her being drawn away in a wagon. I later learned
Byakko no Miko was with her."

     "I see..." The Emperor said skeptically. "Do you have any
information upon their whereabouts?"

     "Yes, your excellency. I know where they are being held. I have,
however, a request of you since it concerns their safety."

     "And what is this request?"

     "Please, I wish you to let me go alone. I was told their lives will
depend on that. I have dealt with their captors before. I feel confident
that I can handle this matter."

     "I appreciate your concern, Kagatsu, but I believe this task is
better suited for the three seishi to perform. They are more  capable to
handle any opposing forces. I see no reason to send you
alone, but there is ample reason to send you if you have knowledge of
their whereabouts and what to expect of them."

     "But, your excellency, the seishi are..."

     "The seishi have already informed me they are up to the task of
protecting Byakko no Miko. Last night she snuck out of the temple
without their knowledge."

     "But these people will keep their word. If they know I am not
alone, they will kill them."

     "I understand your concern, but it is the seishi's job to protect
Byakko no Miko, not yours. If you are that concerned, give the seishi
all the information you have and let them handle the
situation."

     "But..."

 "Is there something you wish to add to alter my opinion?" The Emperor
said firmly.

 *Say it...* Kagatsu told himself *Tell him you are a seishi! It will be
discovered sooner or later so you might as well come out with it!*

 "No, your excellency. There is nothing else."

 "Then you are free to go. Let the seishi handle this, Kagatsu."

     Two guards approached Kagatsu on either side of him. Kagatsu got up
and left the Grand Hall with a defeated look on his face.

     "You know, Kagatsu." A female voice said to him as he exited. "You
don't have to play hero all the time."

     "Who...?" Kagatsu asked turning around.

     A young woman, perhaps in her late teens to early twenties, walked
out from the back wall, her long white hair extended almost down to her
waist, except for on the sides where to braided strands formed large
loops, one on each side of her head.

     "Who are you?" Kagatsu asked.

     "We've met before, but I looked different then. The Emperor is
right, you know. It is our sworn duty to protect the Miko, you need not
feel so responsible."

     "It can't... be... Su... Su... Subaru?" Kagatsu said exasperated.

     Subaru nodded, smiling gently.

     "But... how?"

     "While we were discussing how to protect the Miko with the limits
of our age, Akiya began murmuring something in her sleep. She said, that
the combined powers of Koekie, and myself could actually reverse aging
without side effects. My ability changes physical appearance, and
maintains appearance in Tatara's case, but Eki's ability to restore
life, revitalized our conditions, making us much more capable of travel,
and protecting Akiya."

     "So, all of you are..."

     "Yes, we're all much younger now."

     "I see... but... there is more to this situation than I can explain
right now. I am involved. They have been targeting Akiya since we
entered Sairo. Eki was taken because of me, to get me to come to their
turf."

     "Why do they need you?"

     "Its personal. I need to go, alone."

     "Kagatsu. I understand that you want to go alone, because you are
responsible for this, but let me assure you, that we can handle this.
Just tell us where to go, we'll get Eki and Akiya back."

     "Subaru... I... I know I have no place asking, but please... give
me one hour. "

     "Huh?"

     "The place where Akiya and Eki are being held is not far from here.
If I am not back before
the temple bell is scheduled to ring, then arrangements will have been
made for you to receive
all the information of their whereabouts."

     "I don't know." Subaru said thinking about the request. "How can we
be sure you will give us correct information?"

 "I realize I cannot make up for what I did when I was younger. Times
have changed. I have changed since then. If there is any part of my life
has any worth, it would be my word. I will keep it at all costs."

     "Alright.... I'll convince Tokaki and Tatara to give you an hour,
but if you don't come through, you'll have to worry a lot more about
coming back."

     "Thank you." Kagatsu said, then left quickly.

     Subaru stood at the steps leading up to the palace watching Kagatsu
leave the grounds as the sun sunk low in the sky. She had her doubts
about Kagatsu, but something told her to have faith
in him. After he was out of sight, Subaru headed on her way to the
temple.

*************************************************************************

     "I'm home." Kagatsu said opening the door to a small house at the
western side of the city.

     "Well, have a nice long chat with the Emperor?" his father said
crushing some herbs with a mortar and pestle.

     "Yes, father, and a seishi."

     "You still haven't told them, have you?"

     "No... I haven't." Kagatsu said in a discouraged voice.

     "The priestess has returned, you even brought her here, yet you
haven't told her, you've been deceiving the other four seishi ever since
you came here. Why, Kagatsu, why?"

 "I never fully believed it was true! All my doubts outweighed what I
believed. But that doesn't matter now... They're back father... they've
come for me... and they've taken Byakko no Miko and Eki to get me to
come to them."

     "You don't mean... the Desert Lotus Clan?!"

     "Yeah." Kagatsu said dully.

     "You remind me of my father's stories of my grandfather."

     "How so?"

 "He was a member of an elite group of ninjas. Finally, after several
years he could no longer live with the deeds the clans performed.
Somehow, he got out of the clan and found a temple. He joined the order
and in return for hospitality, he agreed to defend the temple with his
life. The clan found him and assaulted the temple. He killed all of
them. Afterwards, the priest gave him two sacred katanas, in thanks for
the ordeal he went through to save the temple. Those swords have been
passed down to my father, and from my father to me... now... I shall
give them to you."


     "But..."

     "Now, now. I'm a doctor. I have no use for them. They'll do you
better. They don't have any strong power within them, but surely
combined with your seishi abilities, you can use your powers easier.
Take them and use them well, and who knows. Perhaps you will be blessed
with blades more powerful than these later."

     "Thank you, father. I will take good care of them."

     "I know you will." His father said handing Kagatsu a flat black
case from under the table where he worked.

     Kagatsu opened the case to see the two katanas in their scabbards,
their hilts ornately decorated and shaped into a dragon, with the mouth
gripping the blade, a large blue gem placed where the dragon's eye would
be. He carefully took the blade out of the scabbard revealing the
immaculate metal blade, almost glowing white with its highly reflective
surface. He put the blade back in the scabbard, then took the second
blade out.

 Kagatsu walked to the back of the house and opened the sliding door
leading to his room.
Once inside, he walked directly over to a small wooden chest in the
corner, and opened it carefully. Inside the chest, many books and
scrolls lay neatly arranged each in its own specific place. Kagatsu took
two scrolls out of the chest, then returned to where his father worked.

     "Father, before I go. Could I ask you a favor?"

     "What is it?"

 "Will you deliver this to the temple, so that it gets there just before
the bell rings after sundown?" Kagatsu asked handing his father several
folded sheets of paper and one of the scrolls from the chest.

     "Of course I will."

*************************************************************************

 As the sun began its decent below the horizon, Kagatsu mounted his
horse, a black stallion which he had from the meeting with Akiya and the
Konan Guards. Wearing a black cloak over his normal clothing, and his
normal katanas on the outside, Kagatsu rode off to the arranged meeting
place.

 After several minutes of travel, Kagatsu came upon a small formation of
rocks upon
a large slope which led to a house surrounded by a large stone wall and
heavily fortified with guards. He took the scroll out of a saddle pack
and opened it in the light of the setting sun.

 *The den is mainly underground,* Kagatsu thought as he refreshed his
memory with the map drawn upon the scroll parchment. *This formation of
rocks hides the secret entrance to the den, and the main entrance from
the house is heavily guarded. I wonder if there are guards blocking the
secret passage... would they expect me to remember where it was?*

     Kagatsu thought for a few more minutes when an idea came to him.

 *Hmm... according to the map I made of the place, the hall leading to
the main chambers
to the secret entrance is not very deep. I can just make my own entrance
which should buy me at least some time to try and find Eki and Akiya
before they know I've gotten inside.*

     Kagatsu drew his katanas and walked 50 feet towards the house from
the rock formation.

     *This ought to do.* Kagatsu thought.

     "Hasukii Suyaa!" he said forming a circle in the ground with his
katanas.

     A white light emanated from the ground where the circle was traced.
Soon after, the sand began to drain away revealing a hole to a hallway
of sorts some ten feet below the surface. Katanas ready, Kagatsu jumped
down into the hall.

     *It can't take them long to notice the sand and the hole here,*
Kagatsu thought. *I need to get to the cell area and quickly. I just
hope that's where they are being held.*

*************************************************************************

     The dungeon of the den was nearly empty except for one cell in the
very back and four guards patrolling the area. In the cell, a lone
youth, perhaps in his mid teens, sat with a defeated look upon his face.

     "How can you listen to him." he yelled at the guard. "He's lied  to
the whole clan every chance he gets. He's going to start a war!"

     "Shut your mouth or I'll have you whipped for defying Genshi." The
guard demanded coldly.

     "Don't you even find it wierd that he threw me in the dungeon?
After how close we've been? He's a different person! Just let me out,
I'll prove it to everyone." the youth demanded desperately.

     "You're not going to prove anything. Now just sit there and keep
quiet. You're lucky he didn't just have you killed."

     "Hey capt'n." another guard called to the one guarding the cell. "I
gotta piss, can you handle things without me for a bit?"

     "Yeah, Dasugi here isn't going anywhere. No one's coming to save
his hide."

     "Alright." the guard said, then left.

     Moments later, a thud was heard as if something hit the ground.

     "Hey!" another guard called. "Who's there?"

     "Go check it out." the Captain told him.

     "Yes, sir." the guard said, then left.

     Just as he disappeared around the corner going up the stairs, the
Guard's yell was heard, then quickly cut short. The captain and the last
remaining guard stood ready to fight. Silence filled
the dungeon.

     "Capt'n" the guard said quietly.

     "What is it?"

     "Look, by the stairs."

     The captain looked along the floor to the stairs where the light of
the two torches against the wall produced a faint shadow of a person.
Before the guard could react, two stars came from the
 "shadow." The first star hit him in his chest. The second, just  below
his neck. The guard fell down bleeding freely. Two more stars went to
the captain, but were deflected.

     "Whoever you are, you won't be able to take me with puny little
throwing stars. Come out and fight me like a man, or are you too timid?"
the Captain taunted confidently.

     "Timid?" Kagatsu said cutting the torches, extinguishing them.
"Timid I am not. I just do not have the luxury of time to meddle in too
many sword fights."

     Kagatsu appeared ten feet in front of the captain, katanas ready.

     "I will have to warn you, I cannot afford to take it easy on you."

     *I... I know that voice.* Dasugi thought in his cell. *Where have
I...* He strained to look out of the cage to the oncoming fight, but
could not see the other figure.

     "Heh. Its time for you to die, my friend." the guard sneered and
lunged forward.

     Kagatsu deflected the guards attack with one katana, then spun
around with the other causing a large cut in the captain's  shoulder.
The captain winced in pain, but turned around and launched
a second attack. Kagatsu parried the sword attack causing the guard to
loose his weapon from the weakened arm. Kagatsu sighed as he thrust the
finishing blow into the captain's chest.

     "Wh... who are you?" Dasugi asked from the cell.

     Kagatsu lowered the cloak showing his face.

     "Sa.. Sanshi? Is it really you? I thought you were dead!"

     "No... not yet, at least." Kagatsu replied unlocking the cell door
with the captain's keys.

     "But..."

     "I don't have time to explain things. Where are the girls being
held?"

     "Genshi has them in the main chamber of the den. Are you the one
he's expecting."

     "Yes. Come with me. I need you to get the girls out of here while I
deal with Genshi."

     "Genshi has changed." Dasugi whispered as the two snuck around to
the main chambers.

     "I know." Kagatsu whispered back. "He's the only one who knew I was
still alive, and now he's trying to kill me."

     "You're one of the few who can interfere with his plans."

     "Which are?"

     "I don't know for sure, but the girl that he says is from another
world is being held for someone in the east."

     "Of Sairo? or where?"

     "No, Kutou."

     "Kutou? What do they want with... maybe they want to make her
become Seiryuu no Miko?"

     "I don't know for sure. All I know is that they are dealing with
Kutou."

     "So, where are all the guards?"

 "Genshi has them all in the main chamber. He's got some plan to kill
you with your own
powers. I don't know what he means by that, though.

     "Hmm..." Kagatsu said pondering the situation.

     The two followed the hallway for several hundreds of feet until
they finally came to where it opened into the main chambers.

     "Stay here." Kagatsu said. "I will get the girls here to you. Get
them to the rock by the secret entrance. They don't know I have you
freed."

     "Alright. Be careful."

     "You too." Kagatsu said and walked through the arch leading to the
main chamber

*************************************************************************

     The main chamber was decorated much differently from the sand and
rock halls throughout the rest of the den. Tapestries, carpeting and
banners were everywhere, including several ranks of guards and clansmen.
On the sides, massive support columns lined the walls supporting the
large arches which made up the roof. In the center, through an aisle of
the crowd of clan members, was another youth, about Kagatsu's age,
sitting on a stone chair made to look like
an imperial throne.

 "A little late, aren't you Sanshi?" the man on the throne said, his
voice echoing throughout the chamber.

 "I had a little run in with some members of your hospitality staff. I
cannot say they made me feel very welcome, though. Its been a while,
Genshi."

 "Yes, it has. Times have changed now. I am no longer the timid imbecile
you remember
from younger days."

     "No, instead you are a manipulative, greedy, and uncaring bastard
no longer caring about honor."

     "I see your sense of humor hasn't changed at all." Genshi said
chuckling slightly.

     "Let's get down to the point, shall we?"

     "Ah, Sanshi, Sanshi, Sanshi. You never were one for chit-chat."

     Genshi snapped his fingers and Akiya and Eki were brought in from a
side room.

     "And what exactly are your terms of release?"

     "I want those wonderful swords of yours. With them, I will be a
much better ruler, don't you think?"

     "Very well, done." Kagatsu said removing the swords and scabbards
from his cloak. "Have your man bring them here. I will give him the
swords."

     Akiya and Eki were led by their captor to Kagatsu, who then gave
the captor his swords. The man then walked to Genshi and handed him the
swords.

     "Heh heh heh." Genshi laughed loudly. "What exactly did you expect
me to do with these, Sanshi? Now, I will send you to your grave with the
very power imbued in these swords." he added unsheathing the swords.
"Hasukii Suyaa!" he said as he swung the swords in a wide arc.

     Kagatsu couldn't help but smile at the failed attempt on his life.
The clansmen and Genshi all looked with surprise.

     "Now's your chance." Kagatsu whispered to Eki and Akiya, get out of
here. I have a friend waiting to lead you out.

     "But..." both chimed in protest.

     "Don't worry about me! Just go, hurry!"

     Akiya and Eki ran down the aisle and out the door. The clansmen
went to stop them, but Genshi stopped them.

     "Once he is out of the way, we can get them back." Genshi said.
"Now, Shenchi. You will tell me how to activate the enchantment of the
swords."

     "You are a fool, Genshi. You always have been. My swords have no
enchantment, no mystical power. The Hasukii Suyaa is an ancient
technique passed down by ninjas taught to me
by a man who's life I saved. If you want to use it against me, Genshi,
you're going to have to put
your other emotions aside, and be determined enough to kill me. Only
then will your chi be able to form the Hasukii Suyaa."

 "What are you planning?" Genshi asked skeptically. "You don't expect me
to believe you are just going to stand there and take it?"

 "My life has never meant a thing to me and you know it, Genshi. Go
right ahead. You should be able to get it in a couple tries."

 Genshi focused all his efforts into the next attempt. The swinging
sword blades formed an arc of black energy which then lurched itself
towards Kagatsu. Remaining calm, Kagatsu removed his cape and drew the
blades his father gave him, which were hidden underneath. He brought the
two swords in front of him and waited for the attack to come. When the
wave of energy was just about to reach him, a barrier formed around
Kagatsu and the attack disappeared.

 Kagatsu's right shoulder seared with heat as the attack vanished before
him.

 *What happened?* Kagatsu thought surprised. *The attack is gone... but
I feel... a new wave of energy swarming around me... almost as if... I
absorbed it...*

 "What kind of trickery are you doing this time?" Genshi demanded.

 Kagatsu focused his chi as he prepared his counter attack. He swung his
blades in two wide arcs, but the chi release was much more than the
amount he had put into it. The two arcs of light became a massive ring
of energy which widened around him... a blinding light filled the room.

 Outside, Eki, Akiya and Dasugi watched as a huge pillar of light shot
up from the house.
All around, sand began to shift and fall into large cracks which seemed
to begin from the pillar.

     "What's happening to the house?" Eki asked.

 "That burst of energy must be from the fight that's taking place...
but... surely it will cause the house to collapse

     "But if it collapses then...."

     "Yes, everything will fall into the main chamber."

     "Kagatsu!" Eki yelled in panic.

     "Eki, Akiya, are you two alright?" A female voice said from behind
them.

     Eki turned to see Subaru, Tatara, and Tokaki dismounting their
horses.

 *The Seishi?!* Dasugi thought, highly impressed. *Kagatsu knows the
seishi?! I wonder
how he managed that...*

     "We're alright, but... Kagatsu is in there... and he..." Eki said
her voice quavering.

     "Can... can you help him? Get him out of there, anything!?" Akiya
asked trying to control her emotions.

     "Tokaki, see if you can help Kagatsu." Subaru told he husband.

     "Instantaneous Motion." Tokaki said as he winked out of sight.

*************************************************************************

     Large chunks of ceiling were now falling all around. Kagatsu and
Gnshi stood facing each other swords drawn amongst the fray. Any
surviving members of the clan had long ran from the collapsing room.
Both Kagatsu and Genshi had suffered several injuries during the course
of their fight, but they continued immediately hacking and crossing
their swords.

     The ceiling rapidly decayed and soon, several huge pieces came
falling down on Kagatsu and Genshi. Each tried to keep the other from
escaping their fate for as long as they could. Kagatsu broke free and
jumped away, but a large piece of the ceiling caught his right arm
sending him to the ground. Genshi was not as lucky, having another piece
fall square on his back, killing him.

     The pain in Kagatsu's arm was more intense then he'd ever felt. He
lie face to the ground just wondering when the piece that finished him
would fall.

     Tokaki appeared in the room and scanned it, looking for any sign of
life.

     "Kagatsu, are you here?" He called.

     Kagatsu never thought he could be so happy to hear Tokaki's voice.

     "Here...." Kagatsu said weakly.

     "Kagatsu?" Tokaki called again.

     Using his left arm, Kagatsu waved a sword in the air catching
Tokaki's attention. Quickly going through the rubble, Tokaki made his
way to Kagatsu.

     "Well, this is a fine mess you've gotten into." Tokaki said

     "I'll... take the lecture later..." Kagatsu said enduring the
piercing pain in his right arm.

     "Alright then." Tokaki said trying to think of the best way to move
the huge chunk of stone off Kagatsu.

     Tokaki tried to lift the massive slab of rock. Pain raced through
Kagatsu as pressure was taken off of his arm. Tokaki could not, however,
lift it enough for Kagatsu to get his arm out.

     "How is that arm?" Tokaki asked

     "It HURTS!" Kagatsu yelled as another surge of pain came over him.
"Definatly broken. Be careful when you move the rock." he then added
getting control over the pain.

     "I was referring to the other one."

     "Oh." Kagatsu said sheepishly. "Its alright... I... could break
this rock.... with it if I could see it.... better."

     "I can see it fine, what are you looking for?"

     "I'm... not looking... for anything." Kagatsu said, then a thought
came to him. "Can you... aim my sword to the rock?" he said raising his
left arm.

     Tokaki did his best to aim Kagatsu's sword toward the rock that
pinned him down.

     "Alright, there. What do you plan to do now?"

     Using every ounce of mental strength he had left, Kagatsu
concentrated. The warmth of his seishi power rising within him overcame
the pain.

     "Ha...sukii.... Shiyan!"

     The energy release from Kagatsu's sword sliced neatly through the
stone. Tokaki then easily lifted it off of Kagatsu and Kagatsu rolled
out from his prison.

     "That was impressive. Maybe you're worth teaching a thing or two
to."

     Tokaki's character appeared on his cheek and he and Kagatsu winked
out of sight.

*************************************************************************

     "I hope everything's ok." Subaru said softly.

     Moments later, Kagatsu and Tokaki appeared in front of the small
group. Kagatsu held his right arm close to his body trying to keep it
immobile, but he couldn't hide the fact he was badly injured. Blood
covered his legs, almost the entrie right side of his body and his face.

     "KAGATSU!" Eki and Akiya shouted rushing over to him.

     "I'm alright." Kagatsu said weakly, then collapsed to the ground.

 Eki, Dasugi and Akiya rushed over to him, Akiya and Eki trying to push
Dasugi out of the way, but failing.

 "He's lost a lot of blood." Dasugi said slowly. "We need to get him
bandaged up and to a doctor as soon as we can."

 "I'll bandage him up!" Eki said getting some supplies from Subaru's
saddle pack.

 "I'll help you!" Akiya said.

 "I can do this by myself!"

 "Its alright, I insist."

 "Eki... Akiya... I think we'd better just concentrate on getting him
some medical attention." Subaru suggested heartily.

 "Okay." The two chimed carefully putting Kagatsu onto his horse.

 "I had a feeling something like this would happen." Tatara said.

 "Take it easy on him Tatara." Subaru said. "He was trying to help... I
probably shouldn't have let him go on his own."

 "I'll take Kagatsu home." Dasugi offered. "I know where he lives, and
he did mention once that his father was a doctor. It would probably be
best."

 "We should probably head back to, right?" Eki asked eagerly.

 "Yeah, it is pretty late. We could probably all use some sleep." Akiya
suggested trying to keep something back.

 "Alright. Tomorrow, we will need to finish making our plans on how we
are going to find the remaining seishi." Tatara said.

 The seishi and Akiya mounted their horses, then followed Dasugi back to
Taisei.

********************************************************************************

End Chapter 3.



--
"May the journey through the darkness give you comfort
 in the presence of the everlasting light"

     -The Mighty SoulDrake