Chapter Thirteen: The Temple & The Priest

It was a long trip. Made even longer by the fact that they had to drive instead of take the train. It was Naoe's brilliant idea and Takaya figured it was a way for the older man to torture him. The last time he was in this sleek, black vehicle he was being ravished. This time, however, he was plastered up against the window – and not in the same manner – trying to avoid any contact with the driver. Nagahide and Hanairo resided in the back seat. Haruie rode her bike and followed behind them. Sometimes she would play games by passing them and then slowing down until Naoe would pass her. Takaya had to admit he was pleased Naoe was humoring her.

They left before dawn and not an easy feat considering they were up half the night. Hanairo made breakfast and they ate in the car. Everyone in the vehicle was relatively quiet for most of the trip until they stopped for gas and a "stretch break". Hanairo got a second wind and started chattering incessantly. She even convinced Naoe to let them listen to some of her CDs. She, however, was not allowed to touch the player. Not long after that Nagahide and Hanairo fell asleep curled in each other's arms. Takaya found it sickening as he always did. Jealously clawed at his stomach as well as resentment towards them and, of course, Naoe.

He glanced over and studied the man's profile. He had such a beautiful face. Very classic in it's look with a strong nose and jaw as well as those lush lips. Oh and they were toxic, those lips, and he recalled – his cheeks flush – the wickedness of his tongue. Damn that man. Damn him!

Grunting in annoyance he tightly crossed his arms and legs. Resting his head against the door of the car, he snuggled into his sweatshirt and closed his eyes. He, too, could use some sleep.

"Lord Kagetora?"

He opened his eyes slowly and glared at the reflection of Naoe in his window. "What?" he snapped, trying to tighten the ball of his body for protection.

"Would you like to stop again? You seem… uncomfortable," he asked tentatively.

He snorted. Understatement of the century! Being in Naoe's presence was agony. Did the daft idiot not know that? He was queasy, jittery, flushed and nervous all in one: a true "bundle of nerves". He felt ridiculously stupid falling for Naoe's pretty words of love. What had made him start to believe them? It was crystal clear that night that Naoe did not want him. But, what in gods name did he want? What did either of them want? His head started spinning and he groaned.

"No!" he half shouted then became suddenly embarrassed as he saw, out of the corner of his eye, Nagahide stir. Cheeks flaming he said, "No… I'm fine. I'm trying to sleep." At that he covered his head with the hood of his sweatshirt and pulled the strings effectively burying his face and blocking out the site of Naoe. He could not, however, get rid of the sounds of him moving in his seat or licking his lips or clearing his throat or even stretching and the slightly erotic images those sounds conjured up.

Takaya never was able to sleep.

Three and a half hours later they were driving through the city of Toyama towards the outskirts and the ocean. The forests and bay rose to greet them. They drove down a gravel path towards the temple. The ancient structure was tucked deep into the forest and perched upon a cliff over looking the ocean. It would have been utterly romantic if not for the ominous dark cloud hanging overhead.

"Truly, Naoe-kun, are we there yet? I really have to pee."

"Soon," the older man said his tone soothing.

"Okay," his sister sighed wriggling some in her seat. "But… please hurry. I don't think I can last much longer."

Nagahide chuckled and was about to comment when Hanairo shot him a dark look. "Say one thing, muffin, and I shall turn your testicles into sashimi!"

The teen refused to comment but still looked smug, a smile gracing his lips.

"Are we there yet?"

A chorus of sighs echoed through the car, but the female who asked the question grunted. "I just wanted to know 'cause I have to relieve my bladder! Sheeze."

Naoe drove slowly up the crushed-shell drive; the temple appeared before them out of the forest like a lost city. Ancient with battered wooden pillars and old shingles it looked like a piece of history. The parking lot over looked a large courtyard. Parking the car he said, "We're here."

"Oh thank god! I have to piss so damn bad!" Hanairo literally jumped out of the car, almost got herself run over by Haruie, and dashed towards the entrance.

A short, squat, elderly, man appeared in the doorway holding a golden staff with eight rings. He wore dark brown, red and white robes. He stood at the doorway atop a small flight of stairs. He addressed Hanairo first with a cautious smile. "Miss… may we help you?"

"I need a bathroom!" she all but shrieked dancing about the yard.

The old man could not suppress a smile. Gesturing with his hand to a younger monk behind him he said, "Seta will show you the way."

"Thank you!" she beamed and disappeared with the teen.

The monk turned and faced the rest of the Uesugi.

"My name is Kaito. Welcome to the Hokudasuto Shrine. I am the head monk here."

Bowing Naoe addressed the monk. "Hello. My name is Tachibana Yoshiaki. I spoke with you yesterday on the phone."

"Yes of course, Tachibana-sama, welcome. We are honored with the presence of the Tachibana clan here at our shrine." The monk bowed and smiled softly.

"Thank you. It is indeed an honor to be here. My family has heard the name of Hokudasuto many times. It's a shame we were unable to come here sooner. It's a beautiful temple."

The old man chuckled gesturing for Naoe to come up the stairs. "We may be isolated here, but we welcome visitors with open arms. Are these your associates?"

"Yes." Naoe turned on the bottom step and gestured with his hand towards the other Uesugi. "This is Ohgi Takaya, Chiaki Shuhei, Kadowaki Ayako and the young lady who was in a great rush to use your restroom was Yakata Amiee."

He smiled softly. "How nice. Please, this way and out of the cold. My followers will show you to your respected rooms so you may freshen up and relax. In an hour we shall meet for the evening meal and discuss our business."

"That will be fine. Thank you." Naoe bowed.

The man nodded ever so slightly and turned, staff jingling, towards the door. Hanairo appeared a moment later and bowed to the monk. "I heard you mention dinner. I'm a chef; and not to toot my own horn, but a darn good one. If it's possible I would love to help prepare dinner."

Smiling he said, "Yakata-sama… you are our guest. We could not allow you to do so."

Frowning slightly she said, "Well, may I watch? I would love to just observe. Maybe learn a new trick or too."

"I think that could be arranged."

"Yay!" she beamed clapping her hands.

Shaking his head Kaito walked past her. She paused and waited for Nagahide to come up the stairs followed by Haruie and Takaya. Naoe stayed behind to offer instructions to the younger monks carrying their things. Nagahide handed her a patchwork purse and smiled, wrapping an arm around her waist as they followed the monks inside.

"It's nice you get to help prepare dinner. I think you'd be bored if you didn't get to stick those delicate fingers in fish guts."

She chuckled. "I know, right."

"Did you remember to bring it?" Takaya asked his tone serious.

They stopped in the hall and she nodded.

"What did you remember to bring, Yakata-sama?"

Smiling softly she reached into her bag, fingers brushing a small glass bottle with a cork top, and pulled out a small device. "My camera of course. I want to take a few pictures of the grounds since I know I'm not allowed to take pictures of the inner temple."

Monk Kaito nodded and gestured towards a waiting area. "Very good, Yakata-sama. If you go through this room and the first door you will find the kitchens. Please… amuse yourself with fish guts."

There was a collective round of laughter as Hanairo disappeared in the room. Everyone watched her depart. They were then shown to their respective rooms where they would rest for an hour or so and then meet for dinner. Unknown to the monks it was going to be a dreadfully long night.

Takaya lay on his palate in a rather plain room. One battered, wooden table with two simple cushions, a tiny lantern and a bamboo plant was all that occupied the small space. He knew that it would be like this, sparse and barren. Most monks tended to live in such a manner. Naoe, however, did not. Then again, he supposed the man could not be called a monk. His "family" was more into ghost hunting.

A soft tap echoed off the door causing him to sit up. "Enter."

It was Hanairo, beaming and bounding towards him, followed by her constant shadow, Nagahide. Haruie blew in with that confident air of hers with Naoe at her heels. The room, Takaya thought, sizzled with desire and heat. Thankful he was the only one to think so. Naoe slid the door shut and knelt by the table, Haruie on his left Nagahide and Hanairo on the right followed by Takaya.

"Well?" their teenaged lord asked gazing directly into Naoe's dark eyes.

"I've only got four tea bags," Naoe said softly placing the items on the table.

"Three take sugar. The one takes a lot of milk. Not terribly complicated. I think I stuffed a few Sweet & Low's in my purse," Haruie added tapping each bag and sliding them towards their new owners.

Hanairo, lacking a tea bag, spoke earnestly. "I have tons of honey. It's all buckwheat though, my brother. I can't find the clover. I promise I'll keep looking for it."

Takaya sighed and nodded. To any casual listener their conversation was truly only about tea. To the five people sitting around a rickety table it was a secret code and plan of attack.

"There are four main monks that guard the jewel and have power."

"Three and the head. They are strong, but not terribly. Lesser monks also occupy the property, but are no threat."

"I've sensed a lot of spiritual power, but can not find the jewel. Let me keep looking?"

He placed his index finger against his chin and nodded. Closing his eyes in thought he spoke softly. "Tomorrow morning I better have clover honey for my tea. Perhaps check their kitchens; maybe you'll spot some. Tomorrow, I think, is also a good day for tea since all you brought is black tea; I don't want the caffeine and wish to sleep tonight." At that his tiger eyes flashed and the group nodded. A moment t later they departed leaving Takaya alone with his thoughts. The Uesugi would start their full out investigation tomorrow at dawn. Originally they were to start tonight. Hanairo was to knock the monks out with the sleeping potion she had brought. A dash in each monk's soup would suffice then they would be able to search for the eye uninterrupted.

He had changed his mind, however, not long after they arrived. Hanairo was still unable to find the jewel's hiding place and if the best aura tracker could not find it then Oda's men certainly would never be able to discover it's whereabouts. One night of rest would be okay, he supposed. But while his men slept this evening he would conduct his own investigation. What they did not know would not kill them.

She awoke with a start panting wildly, sweat pouring down her face. And he slept on. Shivering she pulled her knees to her chest wiping perspiration on the blanket. And still, he slept on. Glancing to her right Nagahide slept peacefully. Hair spread around him like a chestnut halo, face calm and quiet. Her nightmares never woke him. He was not always such a sound sleeper. It varied from body to body. This body, this Chiaki Shuhei, was dead to the world when asleep. Unfortunately she only allowed her pain to surface at night when her defenses were weak.

That man had destroyed her and they both knew it. She could still vividly recall the snapping sound of bone as he broke her fingers one by one. Then the searing pain as he removed those fingers with a dagger. Thankfully, after the second, she had passed out. But the smell of vomit and blood mingled in her nose and burned itself there. She would never get over the smell. Then he completely removed her hands and cauterized the nubs of her wrists. Burnt flesh mingled with that smell imprinted itself on her brain. Her eyes swam with tears as she watched him make a mix of ink and the ash of her hands. The evil seal required the mix in order to work. He had started etching it on her forehead, but her eyes bothered him, he said. So he plucked them out. She watched, in agony as he squashed one like a grape then continued his work on the seal.

"This way no one can have you. You will forever be mine. Mine. Mine."

That was all she really remembered. That and the shouting as the Uesugi attacked. He had paused on the curse mark and ran to give orders to his men. That was when she had used what was left of her spiritual abilities to, literally, blow her heart apart in her chest. Once her body had died her soul was able to escape, but just barely. Pure, dumb luck was the only reason she was still alive now and not thrust in total darkness for all eternity.

Trembling uncontrollably she wrapped her arms tighter around her body trying to ward off the demons that were tormenting her. She would never be free of them. No matter where she was, what country, what city, what place, he always haunted her, but not nearly as much as someone much, much closer to her heart. Someone her demented heart and soul craved.

Slipping from their soft pallet on the floor she pulled a gray hoodie over her head. Grabbing her slippers she left the room. Padding quietly down the guest hallway she slid the door of Haruie's room open. The woman slept soundly on her side facing the door. Appeased by this she walked to the next room. She looked in on Naoe who was also deep in his personal dreamland, and moved on. She paused before the final door; quietly she slid it open and went in.

She tiptoed over to the mass of gently moving blankets. Kneeling she gazed at the sleeping figure. Short, inky strands spread across the pillow a stark contrast on the white. Dark lashes fanned against pale cheeks like splotches of soot. His mouth was open softly emitting tiny puffs of air that tickled a thread on his blanket making it dance. Ever so gently she reached out and brushed a strand of hair away from his eyes. Delicately she traced her index finger along the side of his face stopping at the edge of the blanket.

Damn you. She thought glaring at the sleeping figure.

It was a well-known fact that even though they possessed different bodies somehow, someway, they would look something like their former selves. The hair color might be wrong, the skin tone, even the eye color, but something in the shape of their face made them look the same as they did four hundred years ago. For her, her eyes always came through. Regardless of the body she chose they ended up being blue. With her beloved brother it was the fall of his hair, the shape of his mouth, the tone of his voice and of course, his tiger-eyes.

She brushed her knuckles against his cheek and sighed deeply. I will put an end to this madness. Briskly rising to her feet she escaped the room and sprinted down the hallway. Well out of reach of any of her comrades' spiritual tracking powers she leaned against a wall and sighed. She placed her hand at her throat and tried to calm the emotional tremors coursing through her body. She had work to do. She must find that jewel!

Taking several deep gulps of air she closed her eyes focusing her thoughts, not on her brother and the crime she would soon commit against the Uesugi, but on the auras float around her like annoying particles of dust. Every living creature – both human and animal – has an aura. Before her original death she could not see them as clearly as she did now. They were threads of light dancing around a room. They followed a person like a tail disappearing after several hours. Those with stronger spiritual powers had thicker threads, which lasted days instead of hours. If she focused hard enough, however, she could loose sight of the threads and instead focus on great bursts of colored aura floating from a dormant place.

Blocking out all noise and light she tried to find that flare of power she was sure was in this temple. But where was it? Where had they hidden it? Even if they had buried and sealed the jewel there would still be bursts of power that regular trackers would not be able to see, but she could. She was, after all, the best.

Taking one last deep breath she opened her eyes. They glowed like a felines. She no longer saw walls or floors, plants or animals all she saw was black. Often she had thought of it as standing in the night sky, but without the light of the stars. She spun in slow circles searching for the power she felt whisking around her consciences. Finally after a few moments she saw it, a bright flare of red power shooting up in the darkness like the flame of a candle. There it was, that marvelous jewel of power.

Blinking, her eyes returned to normal. Sighing heavily she made her way through the temple silent as a thief. The closer she drew to where the jewel was housed the stronger and brighter the aura she saw became. She wondered through the halls and ended up in a large courtyard, which opened to the forest. The faint sounds of the ocean wafted through the breeze to her ears. A small tool shed was tucked into the trees and, smiling darkly, she headed towards it. How did I miss this? She stopped at the latched door and stared at it. She could see the small bursts of blue aura surrounding the red. Seals… powerful ones too, she thought with a smirk.

Raising a delicate hand she blasted the seals with her own spiritual power. Angry electricity shot back at her, but she was undeterred pushing harder with her own spirit. Finally the blue lights snapped apart and scattered. Grinning to herself she reached for the handle. The door creaked open and she entered cautiously. Every single square inch of wall and ground space had been covered with paper seals. No wonder I couldn't sense the power at first. A tall, wooden table was all that occupied the tiny space; atop that a glass case.

She made her way towards it and gazed down at the golden trinket lying atop a silk pillow like some sort of trove. The center was a perfect circle of jade; so dark it was nearly black. Wrapped in an intricate, gold, knot design, almost like an Egyptian eye, it seemed to wink back at her whispering of its power. She could feel it flowing from the glass box like water. A power strong enough to end it all.

Staring at the box she slowly reached out with her index finger and touched it. The box lit an intricately woven seal over every inch of the vessel warning all that dared touch it. Frowning she pulled her finger away and gazed down at the angry blister forming on the soft pad. Well, well, well… clever little mortals.

"What are you doing?" a male voice roared.

Slowly she turned and smiled sweetly at the monk, Seta, standing in the doorway. "You are slow. You should have tried to stop me when you first arrived ten minutes ago, sugar."

His eyes widened momentarily and he raised one hand to form a sign. "I will stop you now. I knew you and your friends were after this jewel for evil."

"Not them," she grinned darkly, "Just me."

She thrust her hand out and grabbed at the monks spiritual threads. He froze in the doorway; his arms clamped at his sides. The golden staff he held clattered to the ground.

"W-what… is this…?" he gasped struggling to move.

"You will become my puppet." Wiggling her pinkie his arm rose in the air, demonstrating her power over him.

She walked towards him; her eyes as cold as the frozen pond they mirrored.

"Release me!" he shouted as she stopped in front of him.

Chuckling she said, "I can not open the box… but I know you can." She held up her finger to show him the angry welt that had formed. With a tiny shrug she stuck her finger in her mouth.

"Will you kill me?" he breathed, his voice harsh and strained from struggling in the invisible bonds she held him in. Eyes wide he gazed at her.

Cocking her hip, popping her finger out of her mouth she smiled at him a dark, wicked, dangerous smile. "Oh yes." Her eyes bored into his and then she winked popping her finger once more in her mouth she walked past him and out the door.

He turned his head ever so slightly to watch her leave. His breath left his body in a huge 'whoosh' as blood bubbled from his mouth. He fell to the floor with a sickening thud, eyes as cold and lifeless as a doll.

Authors Note: Well, well, well… what do you think? Haha! This chpt was meant to expose a lot of the plot twists I had in my head. And I think it did… well sort of. It also gave you some true insight into Hanairo. You saw it briefly back in chpt 6… and did you really think it went away? Chapters 14 and 15 are both pretty short. Lots of action. I hope I write it well. I might… depending on my mood… condense them into one chpt. But I've not decided yet. I'm not all together happy with this chpt… I feel it's missing a lot of things I see in my head. Hmm… I'm not sure how to explain it. I have a feeling ppl will stop liking Hanairo from this chpt on, but, oh well. I don't want her to be one of those "normal" OC characters. I mean, A: she's in MoB. Everyone's fucked up. Haha! Truly, tho. B: she's in MoB! I can't have her be all happy as well as everyone else. There has to be a lot of substance to her as well as issues. I'm really trying my hardest to make her fit as if she was actually in the anime or manga. I really hope I'm succeeding in that. The next chpt is going to have a Takaya flash back; it's going to be a bit disturbing. So… be warned. Also… I swear… chpt 16 will have all the Naoe x Takaya smut you guys have been asking for. Thanks to all of you who reviewed and even simply read my story. I know my updates are ridiculously slow these days… but I am still plugging away. Promise. So… until next time – Happy Reading! Ana

Next Chapter: Unlimited Power

"I can feel it. It's amazing!"