LOVE'S HONOR

From: diannasilver@hotmail.com (Dianna Silver)

Chapter Thirteen

(How . . . touching.  I suppose I should have expected the 
Red Tyger to have the charisma to sway his clan,) came the 
silent words as violet eyes scanned over the scene.  A 
slight breeze ruffled short-cut brunette hair; the teenaged 
girl tossed her head to get the stray forelock out of her 
way.  A faintly hungry expression glowed deep within her 
eyes as she watched the highland lord gracefully mount up on 
his white horse.  Were her heart not devoted to her poor, 
captured love, she'd be tempted to see if Lord Touga's 
reputation was a deserved one.

That thought, however, made her blood suddenly run cold.  
Nervously nibbling on her lower lip, the young woman turned 
her gaze to watch as the rose-haired lady dressed in mannish 
attire climbed up onto the saddle perched atop her 
buff-colored mare.  (Please, by all that's holy, *tell* me 
where the sword is kept!  I've waited so long to hear, and 
every day *he* suffers so . . .)

How long she had played at this, she could no longer say.  
Months, at the very least, and with each cycle of the moon 
her despondence had grown.  All of this was so far beneath 
her!  But for love, she'd endure even the fires of Hell if 
it saw her beloved safe.

"Shiori!  Stop standing there mooning and mount up," came a 
somewhat strident voice.

(Wakaba . . .)  The girl addressed narrowed her gaze, 
suppressing a growl.  Were there not so much at stake, she 
would have put the plain-appearing brunette in her place 
long ago.  "I was just getting to that," Shiori responded, 
plastering a fake smile on her pretty face.  Swinging 
effortlessly up onto the saddle, the violet-eyed servant 
took a moment to glance back at the ancestral home of the 
Kiryuu prince.

The clanmembers were still gathered there, some talking 
amongst themselves while others stared at their 
soon-to-depart lord.  Though most had been initially stunned 
at the news -- and a number of the older warriors had tried 
to argue their lord's decisions -- the gorgeous redheaded 
chieftain had calmly explained his reasons for his choices.  
All knew that ties of blood were the most binding of all, 
and to have their neighbors in such an alliance at a time 
when there was danger from the south made even the most 
obstinate of the Kiryuu reconsider.

And Nanami was there as well, looking as brave as possible 
as she waved farewell to her older brother.  Behind her, 
like a protective shadow, stood the other highland 
chieftain; Lord Kyouichi had been talked into accompanying 
his foster brother back to Kiryuu Keep.  Though Shiori was 
under the impression it was to somehow help Lord Touga in 
his bid to convince his clan of the correctness of his 
choice, she also had the idea that it was to also have 
someone there for Nanami to turn to should the Ohtori move 
into battle before expected.  (Poor girl's probably going to 
need it,) Shiori thought.  After all, none of them had a 
clue what it was with which they were messing.

But she knew.  She glanced down at the golden ring on her 
hand, the symbol of her promise.  Fear spiked through her 
again as she thought about the horrors her beloved could be 
facing at that very moment, horrors possible because she had 
yet to discover what she must.

Eyes the color of the sea looked upwards at the overcast 
sky.  Though the day looked to be off to a gloomy start as 
far as the weather was concerned, Utena still had a smile on 
her face.  They were about to embark for the Rose Arbor, and 
that alone brought a thrill of excitement.  Perhaps, at long 
last, her quest neared its end.  Turning in the saddle, she 
lowered her gaze to take in the sight of the scarlet-maned 
lord astride the horse she remembered was called Blizzard.  
How wonderful he looked, hale and whole again, an echoing 
smile on his handsome visage.  Then she thought of Ryu, his 
absence once again poignant as she saw what remained of her 
companions gathering around her.  Her smile wilted.  "My 
lord, did you send poor Ryu back home?"

Touga nodded, his own expression becoming somber.  "Aye, the 
Kiryuu warriors that are his escort left just after sunrise.  
They'll see to it that he makes it home to his mother."  
Considering that the young man had fallen trying to protect 
his lady, it was the least he could do.  He was confident 
his men could get the remains there despite the distance to 
the Tenjou holdings in the southern kingdom.

Utena nodded in an answering response, the plump plume 
decorating her soft hat floating on the breeze stirred up by 
her movement.  Touching a foot against her mare's flank, the 
rose-haired warrioress moved closer to the highlander.  
"Your people took your news well for the most part," she 
remarked.

"There are some who aren't happy, mostly those who continue 
to hold a grudge against the Saionji," Touga responded.  "I 
may never convince some of them of the good of this.  The 
others, however, can see the advantage of us being able to 
present a united front against anyone seeking to harm us.  
Aye, some may resent having to share resources with them, 
especially in a year where we may come under attack, but 
most know that we have better odds if we have the Saionji 
firmly on our side.  I have faith that while we are gone to 
recover the sword, my sister and Saionji will be able to 
further convince the clan that this is a good idea."  Of the 
two clans involved, his foster brother's clan had been more 
accepting of the situation, especially after receiving the 
news that their lord was once again a sovereign prince, 
beholden to no one but himself.

"It would probably be in everyone's best interest to hasten 
on our task," the lowlander girl responded.  "Do you still 
feel the Rose Gate's location?"

Closing cobalt-blue eyes for a moment, Touga searched within 
himself.  There . . .  "That way," he replied, twisting in 
the saddle and pointing to the horizon off to the northeast.  
The echo of the vision was still there, urging him forward 
to . . . something.

Violet eyes narrowing slyly, Shiori gave her fellow 
handmaiden a swift glance. Determining that Wakaba was too 
involved in some silly conversation with Tatsuya to notice, 
the short-haired brunette nudged her mount so that the 
dark-colored palfrey took a few steps closer to where the 
pair of nobles were talking.  Mentally repeating a desperate 
prayer, the older girl strained her hearing to catch what 
they were saying.

(Aye, that's the direction,) Utena silently agreed.  "Aye," 
she repeated out loud, a hint of a smile tugging up the 
corners of her expressive lips.  "As you know, it's a 
three-day ride to Grove.  From there, to the east into the 
depths of Greenwood Forest, we will find a trail that will 
take us into the wilds and, at the end of four days, the 
Rose Gate itself."

(Grove.)  Touga frowned slightly, calling the fortress there 
to mind.  Essentially the southeastern outpost of the 
Arisugawa lands, it lay on the very edge of civilization.  
From there, in the direction of the rising sun, were only 
the savage wilds and the Fey, along with all the other 
dangers in the woods beyond the control of mortal man.  
Glancing at his frail-seeming companion, he could only stare 
in wonder as he realized that she had made this trip once 
before, when she was even younger than she was now.  "So all 
we need to do is travel to Grove and then follow the trail 
that leads eastward for four days?"

"Aye, that's all we need do," Utena responded.
     
It took all of her will to not let her emotions show.  
Unable to believe her good luck, Shiori suddenly felt 
practically giddy with joy.  Grove!  They were going to 
Grove, *his* capitol, though the fortress would be so empty 
without his dear presence there.  Who would have known that 
the sword would have been so close?  Not only that, but she 
could possibly appeal to the Golden Panther for assistance; 
after all, that one had a stake in the situation.  A hint of 
a sly smile crossed the handmaiden's lips.  She'd much 
rather deal with the Arisugawa then deal with the somewhat 
frightening Ebon Phoenix.

Hearing his pink-haired companion's words, the Kiryuu prince 
mentally nodded in acknowledgment, then twisted in the 
saddle to glance back at his younger sister and the somber 
man who would soon be her husband.  Saionji and he had 
talked far into the night about the situation between the 
clans and this journey of his.  He was confident that his 
childhood friend would do everything in his power to keep 
both  groups safe and to assist Nanami.  (And, God willing, 
Saionji and my sister will be able to come to an accord.  I 
know they'll be good for one another so long as they manage 
to do so.)  Noticing the younger Kiryuu waving -- and 
looking like her world was coming to an end -- Touga smiled 
and waved back, hoping to reassure her.  Then he turned away 
and gave Blizzard the signal to start.  With the wind in his 
hair, the highland chieftain set off in the direction from 
which the Rose Gate was calling to him, the rest of the 
party traveling with him following in his wake.
________________

The water felt good, the cool liquid washing off the dust 
from the dirt track they were following as it splashed 
merrily back into the mirror-like lake.  Cupping her hands 
together, Utena drew out more water, this time drinking it 
from her careful grasp.  Nearby, Wakaba was refreshing 
herself in much the same manner while in the near distance, 
the sounds of men's voices revealed where the Kiryuu prince 
and his escort of a half-dozen men were preparing a hasty 
noon-time meal.

"Ah, that feels wonderful," the spunky servant happily 
sighed, crouching back on her heels as she glanced about the 
surrounding forest with her brown-eyed gaze.  They'd been on 
the move since an hour after dawn, and Wakaba found it quite 
the pleasure to get out of the saddle for a short while.

"Indeed it does," Utena agreed before taking another drink 
of water from her cupped hands.

"So tell me, my lady," the ponytailed girl asked, turning 
her attention to the noblewoman that employed her, "what are 
you going to do should you achieve this quest?"  In all 
honesty, Wakaba could easily see how taken her lady was with 
the dashing highlander -- the men of the rugged northlands 
were quite attractive, especially a certain green-haired 
prince -- and she couldn't help but worry about Lady Utena.  
From what she'd been able to hear from the other servants, 
Wakaba knew that Lord Touga wasn't exactly known for his 
loyalty when it came to women.  However, he had passed her 
lady's tests, which had made Wakaba wonder if she ought to 
rethink her position on what sort of man the scarlet-maned 
prince truly was.

"Well, I've agreed to return to Kiryuu Keep and be a guest 
of Lord Touga's hospitality for a while," Utena replied, 
getting to her feet and brushing off her trews.

"But what about your holdings, my lady?" Wakaba asked, 
realizing just how deep the other girl's infatuation must 
run.

"My stewards have handled things well for over a year 
already," the lowlander noble responded.  "A few months more 
wouldn't hurt anything.  After all, I went into this 
expecting it to take quite a bit of time."  Glancing about, 
Utena suddenly frowned as she realized that the gregarious 
servant was the only other person about.  "Where's Shiori, 
Wakaba?  Did you see where she went?"

Startled, the brunette frowned as well, scanning over the 
forested area with her brown gaze.  "No, my lady," Wakaba 
replied, racking her brain in an attempt to recall just when 
was the last time she'd seen the older handmaiden.  Shiori 
had remained mounted, mentioning something about needing the 
privacy of some bushes.  "Perhaps she finished seeing to her 
needs and returned to the camp while we were washing up?" 
she suggested.

That certainly made sense.  Feeling a small sense of relief, 
Utena walked back over to her mount and untied the reins 
from the small tree to which it had been tied.  "Then let's 
return as well."  Taking her palfrey's reins in hand, the 
slender noble retraced her steps back to where the men were 
eating, her faithful servant following along with the other 
mare in tow.

"I still don't exactly like it, my lord," one of the Kiryuu 
warriors was saying between mouthfuls of the roll he was 
eating.  Though most of the escort were young men in the 
prime of their life, the one speaking was one of the older 
men, a veteran of many a raid and battle.  "You could have 
used your sister to gain more land or more wealth, but 
instead you offer her to our former enemy.  Have you 
forgotten that it was the Saionji who started the conflict 
between us?"

Before the Red Tyger could respond to his follower's words, 
one of the other Kiryuu spoke up.  "No one's forgotten about 
that, but it's over and done, Hikaru."

"There's no excuse for not only rescinding their servitude, 
but also giving them half our wealth *and* Lady Nanami," the 
battle-scarred man growled, scowling at the black-haired 
warrior that had spoken.  "They only got what they deserved, 
and now it's been utterly undone.  Thieves and murderers 
shouldn't be rewarded."

"I would rather help a neighbor I know than watch them fall 
to someone I don't know.  Give me the familiar over the 
unfamiliar any day," Michiyo said, speaking up.  The 
sandy-haired man, one of those who had survived the ambush, 
gestured toward the general direction in which the Saionji 
lands lay.  "They were desperate then, their lands not 
supporting them as well as ours support us -- "

"They stole our cattle, our crops, our daughters," Hikaru 
countered with a growl. "And they killed our brothers and 
our followers -- "

"And we broke them," Michiyo replied.  "But now we face an 
even greater threat, and we need allies such as the Saionji.  
They know these lands as well as we, and they are steadfast 
warriors.  We face a common possible foe from an area beyond 
our homelands.  If they should fall, then our own chances 
are that much more tenuous.  They were in that ambush as 
well, and in that moment, it didn't matter who was Saionji 
and who was Kiryuu.  All those that fell were defending all 
of us."

Touga leaned back against the rough bark of the tree behind 
him, back propped against it as if it were a sturdy chair.  
Taking a bite from the slice of cheese he held in his hand, 
he continued to watch as his clansmen talked amongst 
themselves about his earlier announcements to them.

"He's got a point," remarked one of the other Kiryuu, a 
young warrior around the same age as their redheaded lord.  
"If the Ohtori are determined to come up here, then we stand 
a better chance fighting with the Saionji then standing 
alone."

"And if they're as impoverished as our lord says they are, 
they won't be as strong of help as they could be," another 
of the younger clansmen added.  "We've more then enough to 
sustain ourselves though the summer is embroiled in warfare.  
We help feed the Saionji and not only will they be at their 
best, they'll owe us besides."

"They were our *enemy*," Hikaru reiterated, sounding 
frustrated.

"They paid dearly for it already," the sandy-haired Michiyo 
replied, his voice sounding every bit as stubborn.  He'd 
seen both the Saionji and their lord in action and he knew 
he'd much rather have them fighting at his side then against 
him.  "Now it's time to put that behind us and stand united 
against the Ohtori should the Phoenix come calling.  Once 
the crisis is over, the marriage will keep them on our side.  
They will be kin by blood."

That had the younger Kiryuu nodding in agreement.  One of 
the unwritten but sacred traditions of life was that bonds 
of blood were the most honored of all.  In an uncertain 
world, family was all you could rely upon for assistance; 
kinfolk looked out for one another, and the most despised 
person was one who turned on his own family.

"They killed our men," Hikaru stubbornly insisted.

"And we killed theirs, but they've also lost many to the 
disease and starvation their war brought to them.  Once Lord 
Kyouichi and Lady Nanami are wed, they would be fighting 
their own brothers should they take up arms again, and no 
sane man would do so," the raven-haired Kiryuu man 
responded.

That brought another round of head nodding by the other less 
seasoned warriors, though the older man looked like he was 
becoming disgusted at the younger generation.  From what the 
others had seen of the green-haired lord, it would be 
unlikely that the Saionji would be despicable enough to 
attack those who had become family -- at least as a whole, 
and so long as the Kiryuu gave them the aid brothers were 
expected to extend.  No more Kiryuu should die at the hands 
of their neighbors, making the world a slightly safer place.

Touga opened his mouth to take another bite of his cheese, 
but movement caught his attention.  Turning his head, he 
smiled as he saw the boyishly-clad noblewoman return with 
her servant.  "Ah, there you are.  Lunch is awaiting you."  
Then the smile faltered, becoming an expression of 
puzzlement.  "Where is your other handmaiden, my lady?"

Utena grimaced in worry.  Looking about, all she could see 
were the Kiryuu clansmen.  "Shiori's not here with you, my 
lord?" she asked, equally confused.

The Red Tyger shook his head in denial.  "No, and I've not 
seen her since she left with you to take care of your 
needs."

"But I thought she had returned . . ." the lowlander 
warrioress replied, her expression turning to one of deep 
concern.

"We've seen nary a hair of her, my lady," one of the Kiryuu 
said, his words echoed by all the others.

"Then where is she?" Utena asked, glancing to the equally 
worried appearing Wakaba.
________________

Hooves thundered down the deer track that wove between the 
massive trunks of ancient trees and the thick underbrush 
that grew in the shadows of the giants.  Glancing back over 
her shoulder for what had to be the millionth time, Shiori 
looked for any sign of pursuit, her violet eyes searching 
for a hint of movement behind her.  So far, there had been 
none, and she was beginning to think that she had indeed 
slipped away from the lowlander woman and her highlander 
acquaintance.  Considering that she had ridden for quite a 
distance within a streambed, it should be quite a while -- 
if ever -- before the Kiryuu discovered her palfrey's 
tracks.

The masquerade was over.  Somehow, she *had* to get someone 
to get their hands on the magic sword, but she knew she 
could far more trust the Arisugawa chieftain then she could 
the beautiful but eerie Ohtori prince.  If she could somehow 
convince the Arisugawa to get the sword first, then maybe 
the return of her beloved would be even more guaranteed.  
After all, no one messed with the Golden Panther if they 
could avoid it.

Lord Akio had come close to snatching the lowlander girl, 
but in the ensuing battle, Shiori had been equally at risk 
as the rest.  That fight had opened her eyes, made her 
realize that she was expendable after all.  Thoughts of the 
Ohtori prince getting his hands on the sword he so badly 
wanted and then killing her beloved anyway spurred Shiori 
onward, sweat beading on her brow beneath her brunette 
bangs.  Getting the Golden Panther involved would surely 
force the dark-skinned lord to release his captive once he 
had gotten what he wanted.

That sword would need to become the property of the 
Arisugawa chieftain before Lord Touga and Lady Utena came to 
claim it . . .
________________

There was no sign of her at all.  It was as if she had 
vanished off the face of the earth.

Her heart heavy, Utena twisted in the saddle and looked 
behind herself once more.  Somewhere, out there in the dense 
foliage of the evergreens, was her handmaiden.  Inwardly 
cursing at the necessity of continuing on without Shiori, 
the young warrioress turned her attention back to the path 
ahead.  What had happened?  Where could she be?  Why was 
there no evidence of where she had gone?  A hundred such 
questions filled her mind as she rode on behind the equally 
silent Red Tyger.

Next to her, glancing at the rose-haired maiden in concern, 
the normally exuberant Wakaba was silent.  She could tell 
from her mistress's face alone how disturbed she was at the 
sudden disappearance of the older servant.  Bad enough 
knowing that the dashing Lord Kyouichi was being wedded to 
the younger Kiryuu, but seeing her lady in such a state made 
Wakaba's heart ache.  "I'm sure she'll turn up somewhere, my 
lady," the handmaiden softly said hoping to cheer the other 
girl up.

"I hope she's all right.  How I dislike having to leave her 
behind," Utena responded, her voice sounding weary.

"Everyone tarried as long as we dared," Wakaba reminded.  
"And no one looking found any sign of her, though the Kiryuu 
did their best."

"I know, Wakaba," the lowlander noble sighed.

"I'm very sorry, but it couldn't be helped," Touga said, 
turning enough in the saddle to look back at the two riding 
behind him.  "The longer we delay -- "

" -- The greater the risk that Lord Akio could prevent us 
from achieving Love's Honor," Utena finished, nodding.  She 
understood the risks and the reasons, but she still worried 
about her lost lady in waiting's well-being.

"Correct," Touga responded, though he continued to mull over 
the mysterious happenings.  A thought came to him, one that 
made a cold shiver run down his spine.  "Lady Utena, how 
long has Shiori been in your employ?"

"For only a few months, my lord.  She came stumbling in 
during the winter snows, begging for assistance and saying 
that she had escaped cruel treatment from a former mistress.  
I couldn't turn her away," the kind-hearted maiden 
responded.  "And since none came to demand her back, I kept 
her in my custody."

(Only since the winter?)  Touga echoed, still feeling that 
chill.  "When in the winter, my lady?  Do you recall?" he 
asked, his voice taking on an undertone of demand.

"If it pleases, my lord, Shiori was found a week past 
Midwinter's Day," Wakaba spoke up, answering in her lady's 
stead.  In all honesty, there was something about Shiori 
that put Wakaba on edge almost every time they were in one 
another's company.  When no one else was around, Shiori had 
carried herself as if she were better, as if she were a 
noble instead.  From the look in Lord Touga's dark blue 
eyes, he must suspect that there was more to the now missing 
woman than was first believed.

"Aye, that's right," Utena confirmed, then blinked in 
surprise as the color seemed to drain from the handsome 
lord's face.  "Whatever's the matter, my lord?"

Half a day wasted, looking for the girl.  Half a day in 
which they were delayed.  The Kiryuu prince inwardly cursed, 
hoping that they hadn't somehow given the others also 
seeking the sword an advantage.  "I hope 'tis nothing, my 
lady, but I fear the girl may have been a spy for those also 
looking for what we seek."

"What do you mean?" the lowlander asked, a feeling of dread 
coming over her.

"Somehow those men that ambushed us knew you were traveling 
with Saionji and me.  And now your lady in waiting, one that 
you know not where she comes from nor have you known her 
long, goes missing."

"Perhaps those also seeking the power took her?" Utena 
suggested, fear showing on her beautiful face.

"Were they in a mood to be taking people, they would have 
taken you," Touga pointed out  After all, only he and the 
rose-haired lady knew that he now possessed the Champion's 
brooch.  "No, to be safe, we must assume she has ridden on 
to notify those to whom she reports."  Once the girl told 
them the latest news, what would Ohtori do?  Would he swoop 
down to make another attempt to grab the key Touga now held?  
Would he take the chance to strike swift and hard against 
the Saionji and the Kiryuu, knowing that the latter was 
being watched over by Lady Nanami?  Would he do both, 
splitting his forces between two objectives?  Turning his 
gaze once again solely to the path they followed, the Red 
Tyger urged Blizzard on to a faster pace.  If they were to 
have any reasonable chance at all against one wielding dark 
powers, then he must be confirmed as the new Champion.  He 
could not fail this, nor could he allow Ohtori to gain more 
of an advantage than he already had.  "Come, my lady!" he 
called out to the one riding in his wake.  "We must hurry.  
Already we have lost half a days's travel."

She didn't want to believe it, but she had to admit that 
what her scarlet-maned companion feared could be true.  
Frowning in both worry and dismay, Utena tapped her heels to 
her palfrey's flanks, urging the mare to a speed that 
matched that of the Kiryuu prince's mount.  They needed to 
reach the Rose Arbor, swiftly, before Lord Akio's plans 
could be carried out.
________________

Emerald eyes swept over the sight, the corner of a mouth 
twisted up into a grin.  At long last, he stood here before 
the Rose Gate with a way to get beyond the massive stone 
doors.  It was easy to come here -- it always was -- for he 
retained the ability to walk within shadow and the feel of 
this place was always in the back of his mind.  Unlike his 
other, weaker half, he still had some of his lingering power 
though he too was encased in mortal flesh and bone.

The gateway was impressive, a pair of smooth pink-veined 
white marble doors upon which were carved the stylized 
insignia of a rose within a circle.  In the center of the 
right-hand door, a large handle with a circular depression 
at its top protruded.  Around him were the shadows of the 
deep woodland glade, this entryway seemingly out of place in 
so wild an area.  But he knew where this would lead, back to 
that place where he truly belonged.

Nimble hands opened the pin of the tarnished silver brooch, 
swinging it away from the blackened disk of metal.  The 
slender rod jutting outward, those same fingers then held 
the brooch steady as he set the piece of jewelry into the 
circular depression, the pin sliding into the deeper stone 
sheath meant for it.  Before now, the way had been barred to 
him, the dark reflection of the Champion's brooch that was 
his only link -- aside from his physical appearance -- to 
what he had once been not good enough to unlock the gate.  
But all that had changed now, the way being opened by the 
claiming of the true brooch.  Hearing the faint *snick*, his 
smile grew a bit wider as he gave the handle a turn, his 
skin dark against the white stone.

It rotated to the left, as he expected it would.  Letting 
go, he could hear the sudden sound of running water, though 
he knew one couldn't see the waters that flowed.  Slowly the 
Rose Gate began to move, transforming, the marble grinding 
against itself as the twin panels swung outward and up 
smoothly.  Behind them, two gates of sharp-tipped metal 
grilles slid past one another, one to each side.  High 
above, the petals of a large stone rose reached up toward 
the boughs of the surrounding forest; he looked up at the 
sight for a moment, the wind playfully ruffling his long, 
pale-lavender hair, then lowered his gaze to the now open 
entrance.

Stairs greeted him, a flight made of the same marble as the 
gateway, the thorny vines and fragrant blooms of a rainbow 
of roses entwined about the bannister of the stairs that 
zigzagged upwards through the thick forest.  He took a 
moment to breathe in the sweet scent of the flowers; she 
always did love the things, and he had loved them because 
she had.  The smile still on his gorgeous face, Lord Akio 
began the walk up the long flight of steps.

An archway awaited him, the graceful curve and rose emblem 
at the top of it shattered.  Though broken, the two halves 
still rested against one another, the massive lanterns 
hanging from each post illuminating the area around the base 
of the arch.  He passed through the shattered entry, emerald 
eyes scanning over the place beyond.

A sea of roses stretched out before him, all red, the color 
of blood.  Narrow pathways crisscrossed the area between the 
well-tended bushes; the fragrance was almost overpowering.  
In the center of the scarlet sea a lone figure stood, her 
dark purple hair and brown skin making her stand out from 
the ruddy hue surrounding her.  At the moment, she was bent 
over slightly, watering the flowers in her care.

Seeing her there made some intense emotion stir within him, 
but whether it was love or hate, Akio couldn't say.  Both 
were merely sides of the same coin, after all.  Regardless, 
he could no more remain unmoved at the sight of her then 
could this flesh and blood body of his stop breathing.  He 
wanted to rush to her, but was uncertain whether he intended 
to hug and kiss her passionately or wring her neck when he 
reached her side.  Instead, he merely walked calmly toward 
her, determined to remain in control as he made his way 
between the lush foliage of the bushes.

The slender figure, clad in a regal gown of a hue that 
matched the surrounding roses, straightened; a stray gust of 
wind danced over the area, tossing blood-red petals into the 
air, rippling Akio's mane of light hair even as it tossed 
about the long, straight strands of the woman's locks.  
Though the gold-accented bodice of her dress fit snugly, 
showing to an advantage her feminine charms, the skirt of 
the gown was full, voluminous, obscuring the shape of the 
rest of her.  Atop her head, like the rays of a brilliant 
sun, a tiara of golden points glittered from among the deep 
violet of her hair.  Turning to face the newcomer, she 
smiled.

Akio noted the expression of happiness even as he realized 
that the leaf-green eyes staring back at him were devoid of 
any and all emotion.  She was just as he remembered, save 
for the lack of light deep within her large, beautiful eyes.  
So she too had changed by what she had wrought, but in what 
manner?

He had returned; of that she could not be mistaken.  The 
same dusky skin and magnificent form, the same 
heartbreakingly gorgeous face, the same silvery-lavender 
hair -- though he looked older, more . . . worldly.  Her 
heart should have been leaping in utter joy, but she no 
longer had a heart -- that object had fled with her soul.  
And he seemed different inside as well, changed in a manner 
she couldn't quite describe.  (My poor beloved, how 
mortality has affected you.)

Akio stopped before the graceful woman, looking her over 
with eyes as well as mind.  (A shell, a projection . . . 
Gone is the soul within?)  Looking into her vacant eyes, he 
knew that to be the case.  What he faced now was merely a 
doll, an automaton.  Holding out a brown-skinned hand, he 
spoke a single word, "Anshii."

"My dearest beloved," the tender of the roses replied, 
reaching out and resting her graceful hand atop his.  "When 
I sensed the presence of one brought by the brooch to this 
place, I had prayed that it would be you to climb the 
stairs.  Welcome home."  Still the smile remained upon her 
lips, the leaf-green gaze equally devoid of life.

"Long have I waited for this moment," Akio responded, 
changing his hold upon Anshii's hand to lift the back of it 
to his lips in a greeting that was more sensual then 
respectful.  She may be a heartless doll, but if enough of 
the true Anshii remained, she would react as he expected.  
"To return whence I belong and see you once more, to have a 
chance to mend what was done."

Anshii remained standing there, unmoved by the tall lord's 
gesture, her hand still held in his loose grasp.  "The 
sundering can be fixed?" she asked, her voice carrying the 
same flatness of emotion as her eyes.

"Aye, but there are things I need, Anshii."

The faintest stirring of emotion, the tinge of a look of 
hopefulness.  "What do you need, beloved?"

Akio mentally smirked.  How well he knew her, that even this 
shadow of what she once had been would leap at the chance to 
undo what had been done.  A look of heartfelt pleading on 
his handsome face, the pale haired noble replied, "The 
sword, Anshii."

Another subtle undercurrent of what passed for emotion, this 
time it was uncertainty upon the rose tender's otherwise 
vacant face.  "But the sword . . ."

"Come now, Anshii.  You've been holding it for me.  Look at 
me.  You know who I am, who I was."

Still she hesitated, uncertain.  The sword was for her 
Champion, and the one standing here had the look and feel of 
her lost beloved -- yet there was still something that 
didn't seem right.  She had always trusted him before, so 
why was this moment any different?

"Everything can be restored, but to do so, I need the 
sword," the Ebon Phoenix reiterated.  Staring at her 
tenderly, he added, "Knowing the whole of you, I love you."

She returned his gaze.  He was mortal now -- powerful and 
still wielding some magic, but still mortal.  Should 
something happen to him, he could be lost forever as was the 
fate of any other born into the physical world.  By her own 
hand, he was now less then what he had once been.  If there 
was some way to take it all back . . .  "And though you know 
the whole of the world, I love you," Anshii softly said in 
reply.

He held out his arms to her.  "The sword, Anshii . . ."  He 
saw the surrender in her posture, read the tinge of 
acceptance there on her beautiful face, and made ready to 
catch her slender form.  Her eyes closed as a brilliant 
light suddenly appeared over her cleavage, a mystic breeze 
swirling around them as magic awoke in response to her will.  
Anshii arched backwards, falling, even as the golden hilt of 
a ruby-adorned sword emerged seemingly impossibly from her 
heart.  Catching her with one strong arm, Akio reached over 
and grasped the golden wire-wrapped handle.  With practiced 
ease, the Ebon Phoenix drew the glittering blade from its 
living sheath; the shining silver-colored blade cut through 
the air as Akio swept the weapon down and outward, reveling 
in the familiar heft and weight of the sword.

At long last, he once more held Love's Honor.  He would be 
able to finish his plans.  Glancing down at the 
expressionless face of the still-bent woman he held, he gave 
the hollow projection a smile.  He leaned down and gave the 
red-gowned rose tender a lingering, passionate kiss as a 
sweet reward for her cooperation.

It would only be a matter of time now before he could turn 
the power of the sword into something he could wield, and 
with it, he would hunt down and eliminate his weaker half.  
Then all that would remain would be himself, the Phoenix, 
rising remade from the ashes of what he once was.