In Times of War

DISCLAIMER: Man, if only the rights to owning the cast of FAKE came in one of those 25 cent slot machines, I\'d be rich! But, I haven\'t found one of those machines so I guess I don\'t have any claims to any of em\'...gomen! +<~0~>+
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This fanfiction is based more on a serious level than a humorous one. I was listening to some Inuyasha music today, Taijiya Sango to be exact when I suddenly became inspired to write this story. Usually, my stories are crazy and humourous but not this time. I\'m sad to say but you will not find any jumping JJ\'s or flirty Dee\'s. Instead, you\'ll get Lord\'s and Lady\'s of high titles. All the characters are very OOC...with a slight character trait here and there, and may not seem normal. You have been warned fair and square. If you have a problem with it, quit your bitchin\' cuz I ain\'t listening *^-^* To all others who enjoy reading fanfictions for the heck of it, I applaud you and bid you a safe journey into Times of War.


In Times of War: Struggles Within

Told By: Kito_San Yang


\"W-Who are y-you?\" Ryo stammers as he backs away from the dark figure. Unaware of where he was backing up, strong arms came from behind him and wrapped their length around Ryo\'s body. Holding a blade against Ryo\'s throat, the soldier smirked:

\"Whoever you are, I applaud your skill. He\'s ours now...\" the soldier replies calmly.

\"I don\'t think so.\" The dark stranger replies as he charges towards the Xavian soldier. Before his eyes, a couple more soldiers drop from the sky, forming an attack group. Smirking, the soldier pushes Ryo behind him and takes a stance. Holding his blade in front of him, the soldier patiently waits for the green-eyed man to strike. As quick as lightning, the Leian soldier swings his sword in harmony with the Xavian\'s. Soon, Dee is surrounded by men of Xavia and engages in battle with all of them. The clash of swords echo through the night as Ryo runs to Bikky and Carol. Aiding them to consciousness, Ryo, Bikky, and Carol watch in amazement as the figures engage in battle. Finding this the perfect opportunity to make a run for it, the three gather their strength and rush towards the sanctuary of the river.

Coming across the rushing river at the edge of Arlan Forest, the three stumbles across a small pier that safely guides a raft towards the other end of the riverbank. In the middle of the river, wooden bamboo gates stood tall, posing as walls for the raft to flow through. Quickly pushing Bikky and Carol onto it, Ryo grabs his dagger from his robes and slashes the ropes that holds the raft to the pier.

The men continues fighting, oblivious to the escape of Ryo and his apprentices. Soon, the battle leads them into the depths of the forest, causing each men to carefully dodge the mazes of trees. As the raven-haired man continues to fight off his enemies\' advances, one soldier starts shooting at him. Drawing his attention to the sounds of opening fire in the forest, Bikky tries to grab Ryo\'s arm but fails. The river was flowing too fast.

\"Ryo! What are you doing?!!!\" Bikky shouts as he stretches his arms out to Ryo. \"Hurry, grab on!\" The young man continues to watch his master as the raft starts to guide them to the other riverbank.

\"Gomen nasai Bikky-kun...this is where we last meet.\" Ryo whispers as he glances lovingly at his young student.

\"W-What? Quit talking non-sense! This is the only safe escape route!\"

\"Ryo-sama!\" Carol gasps as she realizes that Ryo is going to leave them.

\"They\'re after me...and me alone. I won\'t involve you two.\"

\"Demo, Ryo! You can still make it!\" The silver hair maiden ushers.

\"Take care of him Carol-chan...I love you two...\" Ryo says as tears stream down his face. Smiling one last time, Ryo smiles sadly as he watches the youths slowly flow to safety.

\"Ryo!!! RYOOOOO!!!!!\" the Guardian of the Priest cries as he struggles to break loose of Carol\'s hold. Fighting the arms that imprison him, Bikky screams and shouts: \"I\'m your Guardian d-dammit...h-how am I suppose to do my job if y-you w-won\'t let me?!!!!\" Slamming his fists non-stop on the raft, Bikky lets out an anguish cry which causes Carol embrace him tighter.

\"Y-Yamero Bikky!!!!!\" Carol cries as she hugs him from behind. Shaking, Carol continues to hold Bikky as the young man breaks down and cries. Tilting her head up, Carol takes a glimpse at Ryo one last time as tears cascade down her cheeks. \"We\'ll be back Ryo-sama...I PROMISE!!!!\" With that last statement, Bikky and Carol were swallowed by darkness.

The gunfire continues when suddenly an explosion occurs. The impact knocks Ryo off balance and sends him flying into the river. Before he falls in, Dee jumps after him and grabs a hold of him. Using hisrd ard as an anchor, the brave warrior tries to guide them to the riverbank while Ryo struggles to hang on. Unable to compete agains the force of the raging rapids, Dee and Ryo both are swifted down the waterfall. Cursing, Dee holds Ryo tightly as they plunge fifty feet downward.

Splashing into the deep pool of the Arlan River, both men slowly sink downward. As both men plunge into the water, Ryo loses consciousness as his body slowly sinks deeper. Swimming to the fair-haired man, Dee quickly gathers Ryo into his arms and kisses him. Forcing some of his life into the Priest\'s body, Dee slowly ascends them to the surface. Closing in, Dee breaks through the surface and ends the kiss. Looking around his surroundings, Dee glances for any signs of the enemy. The only sounds that broke the silence were the beautiful chirping of various birds.

Remembering the dead weight in his arms, the green-eyed warrior notices Ryo curled against his chest like a kn. n. His heart quickens as he slowly caresses the Priest\'s pale cheek. Snapping out of his daze, Dee carries Ryo from the pool and settles down to make camp. Stripping the unconscious man of his heavy robes, Dee makes a fire and slowly dries the wet garments. Taking off his heavy black armor and propping it against a rock, Dee becomes interrupted by the shaking moans of the dark-eyed man.

Gathering a trembling Ryo to him, Dee locks his arms around the smaller man, sharing the warmth of his body. Exhaustion taking over, the warrior lays back against a tree as the songs of grasshoppers lures him into deep sleep.

The Castle of Xavian

Staring at the falling sakura blossoms, Liotta loses himself in his dream world as he continues to enjoy the beauty of his country. If only he had the freedom to explore his homelands. Soon his thoughts are interrupted by a soldier. Turning around to meet the eyes of one of his comrades, Leo signals for the soldier to begin as he turns around to face the world.

\"Sthe the mission in obtaining the Priest of Visa failed.\"

\"Just as I thought.\"

\"During the battle, Nigel accidentally dropped a grenade, causing an explosion in the forest. At the impact of it, most of the soldiers were knocked out due to the force. The Leian, however, was able to flee from the scene along with our Priest.\"

\"......\"

\"My Lord, what shall we do?\"

\"I presume the Leian was the legendary Black Wolf?\" the Lord of Xavian questions as he continues to stare into space.

\"Yes my Lord. Indeed it was.\"

\"Send for Drake.\"

\"Yes sir.\"

A couple moments passed by as Liotta continues to stare outside. He notices two people approaching the sakura tree. They apparently are lovers of some sort. Footsteps break his concentration as Drake makes his presence known.

\"You called my Lord?\"

\"Yes.\"

\"How may I be of service?\"

Without a backwards glance, the blonde man replies: \"Eliminate him.\" Nodding his head in a confirmation, Drake takes his leave. Exiting the grand doors of the palace, Drake makes his way down the corridors, heading to his chambers. At the sound of footsteps residing, Liotta fingers a cold chain against his neck. Gazing at his necklace, Liotta loses himself in the past.

\"This is a token...of my love for you.\" A young man whispas has he drapes a necklace around a young woman\'s slender neck. It was a simple chain with a small pendant. Made from beautiful crystals of Angel Dust, the pendant was shaped into the form of a blooming sakura blossom. Splashed with swirls of pink that seemed to never end, the pendant layed small and fragile. To others, it may have meant nothing...but to them, it was their whole world.

\"Sakura...it\'s beautiful.\" The young woman trembles as she is gently caresses the pendant.

\"Yes...for a blooming yet dangerous love.\"

Focusing his gaze to the outside world, Liotta watches silently as a village girl flirt with one of his soldiers. There they were, acting as if they were newly wed couples. Unaware to the world, the two lovers share a kiss under a sakura tree. Blushing shades of red, the two lovers hold hands as they take a stroll, enjoying nature\'s beauty.

How I envy them. If only...

\"Liotta love, I\'m going into town.\" A strained voice echoes behind Leo.

Turning to his wife, Liotta softens his gaze as he stares lovingly at her.

There she stands, the Queen of my Heart. Will she ever forgive me I wonder?

\"Is something wrong dear?\" Alicia questions Liotta sweetly.

\"Whatever are you going for?\"

\"I need my freedom once in a while. Staying cooped up in this place can drive a person mad.\"

Slowly walking to the front of his desk, Liotta leans back against it as he folds him arms together.

\"Is it that bad?\" he asks as he stares deep into her eyes. Eyes widening, Alicia stares at her husband in shock. Bowing her head in defeat, Alicia feel tears sting her eyes as she hears her husband\'s melancholy voice. Shaking uncontrollably from her emotions, anger slowly seeps into her heart.

How can he not know? He\'s the reason we\'re suffering...the reason why we\'re falling apart. If only...if only he chose me back then.

\"Things wouldn\'t be this way...had you but left with me.\" Raising her tear-filled eyes to him, Alicia gives him a heart breaking smile, refusing to let her tears fall. Guilt strickened, Liotta moves closer to her and caresses her cheek. Sadness replacing whatever emotion he last felt, the Lord of Xavia gets down on bended knees and lowers his head. Waiting for his wife to release him from his guilt, Leo closes his eyes and prays for redemption.

\"May you forgive me...\" Throwing his pride on the line, Liotta Grant, the successor to the throne of Xavia waits for the promising release of his burden. Shaking her head back and forth, Alicia slowly backs away from her husband. She didn\'t want this...never did she want to see her proud husband beg for forgiveness. Liotta Grant is a man of honor! He would never bow to anyone...yet, here he is, doing that exact same thing. Refusing to believe the pitiful image in front of her eyes, Alicia covers her cry of anguish and runs away...from the man she loves. Tears falling and wetting the carpet Liotta holds his position, praying for Mercy from God...if there was one.

\"I have no need of this anymore...\"

\"What are you talking about?\"

\"This token of love you claim you have for me...\" Grasping the cold chain from around her neck, the young woman breaks the gleaming necklace. Trembling from grief, the tattered necklace falls lifelessly to the ground as silver tears stream down her face.

The Camp

Something warm was calling for him. He could feel it. Opening his midnight-black eyes, Ryo winced as the glare of the sun left him blind for a couple of seconds. Adjusting his eyes to the bright sky, Ryo sat up and was greeted by the warm petals of blooming flowers. Standing upright, the fair-haired man recognized he was standing in the same field of flowers from his first dream. In a flash, a Sakura tree appeared within small distance before him. Figuring it was safe to approach it, Ryo ran to it.

Petals of Sakura blossoms filled the air, as if welcoming Ryo into its arms. As the holy Priest reached the base of the tree, he was greeted with an image in front of him. A man laid his head upon a woman\'s lap, has hand cupping her cheek. The woman stared in shock as tears dripped from her face...only, they weren\'t normal tears. Her tears were of blood.

\"Please...don\'t love me...A-A---\" a silent voice echoes over and over. Cupping his hands over his ears, Ryo drops down on weak knees and screams a scream of a thousand deaths. As if on cue, a flash of light appears before Ryo. Bewildered, Ryo looks up as tears stream down his face. Recognizing his savior, the Priest of Visa smiles happily as he extends his arms out to the blazing light.

Jerking awake from his dream, Ryo is greeted by the sound of fire wood crackling and the sight of his robes drying. At the sight of black, Ryo\'s pupils enlarge as he notices a black cape covers his semi-naked body from the cold. Slowly coming back to reality, Ryo glances at the scenery around him and realizes that it isn\'t near the temple but at the riverbank of the waterfall. After a couple of seconds, the dark-eyed man remembers the incident of the waterfall and his first kiss. Blushing a deep shade of red, images of this man giving him oxygen causeo\'so\'s heart to quicken.

What am I thinking? This is not the time to brood about a man I just met. Not just any man...the man who will forever change my destiny.

Remembering the place and time, Ryo wonders how they ended up here. Clearing his vision, Ryo looks up slowly and stares at the profile of this stranger. Could this man be trusted? Of course not...no one is trustworthy, except for Bikky and Carol. Tears forming in his eys, Ryo ponders if the two youths esd sad safely.

\"Have no worries, they\'ll be alright.\" a voice whispers, breaking the silence.

\"Eh?\"

Glancing at the fair-haired man across the fire, Dee leans back against the tree.

\"Those two young ones...they\'ll be alright. The boy will protect the girl.\" As if bored with the topic, the stranger closes his eyes and starts to sleep.

\"Of course he will...Bikky is a great guardian.\"

\"Don\'t agonize over what you already know. Just rest.\"

Rest...that sounded good. Yes, that\'s what he would do.

To Be Continued...


Oy, minna-san! Hajimemashite? Genki-desu, arigatou! Anywase, of course I don\'t speak Japanese! If I could, I\'d be living the \"Lifestyles, of the Rich and the Famous! And be always complaining, always complaining!\" (Good Charlotte, please don\'t sue me...I have no claim to your lyrics!) Well, bravo for another chapter up and running...this one\'s running pretty good, sorta. Anyways, I want to thank ALL OF MY REVIEWERS! You guys are totally AWESOME and you all KICK MAJOR ASS!