The Shattered Sword

By FireDemon aka Ayakaishi Fei

22/5/03

Chapter Two: Living for the Present

Warning: Homosexual themes ahead. If the idea of one spunky young man blatantly hitting on another or two girls being more than just friends makes you squick then this isn't your type of story, so shoo - I value your innocent uncorrupted mind. If you're already perverted than by all means read and review!!!

Blue-grey eyes surveyed the slender figure, and Jayla cursed angrily.

Brown eyes glittered with madness, and the man caressed his dagger, never once taking his eyes off the blond haired warrior.

"Perhaps we shall taste blood tonight after all." He spoke softly, in an almost insane tone.

Jayla's hand fell to the hilt of her sword, and she raised a slender eyebrow, daring him to attack.

Kalina stared at the man her own deep green eyes filled with horror and then she swayed unsteadily staring at the dagger in his hand,

"Amio Tiarcha.[1]" She whispered softly, in a horrified voice, "Fired in the pits of hell."

Tao's eyes flickered to the second girl madness and recognition more evident the then before,

"Rea Tiarcha.[2]" He replied inclining his head, "You recognise my toy?"

Green eyes met his and she backed away her nails digging into Jayla's arm,

"Demon." She hissed.

"Queen of Demons." He replied pleasantly.

"What is he talking about?" Jayla asked the girl who stared at him with fear-filled eyes.

Sako crouched watching as her new master spoke with her old guardian. Causing trouble was one thing, but watching Jayla and her new charge fight Umeshi-sama, that was quite another.

Tao lunged forward his dagger gleaming in the pale moonlight.

"Jayla look out!" She cried.

Jayla dodged the blow, and hastily thanked the young trouble-maker for her assistance.

Tao glared at the girl and crouched into a defensive position.

~~~

Perrin D'Agsti had found his horse missing when he returned to stable it elsewhere, and had run to the front of the inn, only to see his horse being saddled by a young Kyantin.

He had been about to speak when a warrior, for he could faintly see the outline of a sword strapped to the back of the person, had spoken first.

He'd almost turned away in defeat when another figure, not a warrior this time, had stepped out of the tavern. Perrin had recognised the boy, for it could not possible be a woman, as mad and had forced himself to gather his courage before stepping out of the complete shadow he'd been hiding in,

"Would someone tell me what's g-going on and why you're s-s-stealing my m- mare?"

Tao spun out of his crouch to face the invader, madness darting across his face mixed with a different kind of recognition. He smiled lecherously,

"Stealing is such a harsh word darling, I prefer to think of it as borrowing with no intent to return."

Perrin ignored the endearment and kept his eyes on the dagger in the boy's hand, "D-demon - that mare is m-mine."

"Yours, pretty boy?" Tao's voice was faintly mocking, as if the boys stutter amused him, "Your horse is mine now."

"That mare is mine," Perrin repeated firmly, trying to imbue his voice with the power he knew existed within himself.

"And how do you propose to make me give her back, sweet-cheeks?" The Kyantin mocked, "Do you plan to sing me into submission."

Perrin drew his sword, his dark brown eyes glinting an unnatural amber gold as the light gleamed off his silver blade, "There are other w-ways to vanquish a f-foe Demon."

"Ah, the cub bares it's fangs," Tao crouched warily, his teeth gleaming in the faint light, "You wish to cross swords with me siren-boy?"

"I wish for my mare. Nothing more, nothing less."

Tao laughed, "A game then, if you win then the mare is yours, no further quarrels over ownership."

Perrin didn't slip out of his defensive pose, "And if you w-win?"

"Well if I win, then you're mine, to do with as I please. Satisfactory my stuttering pretty-boy?"

"That's not fair!" Kalina cut in, feeling it her duty to stop the demon, who was, by all rights, her underling.

"It's fair enough Rea Tiarcha - you will be the judge."

Perrin nodded his assent, "She will judge, and sh-she will p-pick the g- game."

A slow sensual, borderline insane smile crept across Tao's face, "Agreed. What is our game, my Queen?"

Kalina stared between the two in wide-eyed astonishment, they wished for her to pick a fair contest?

"Jayla - what should I do?" She whispered harshly.

Jayla smiled, "The game is our defeat of Inangus, if you wish to win you must first help us defeat him."

Kalina felt a small smile grace her face, "Do you agree to my terms?"

There was a hesitant pause from both of the young men, "I agree t-to your t- terms," Perrin finally agreed.

"As you order my Queen." Tao added, an insane glint in his eye as he watched the other boy hungrily.

Jayla looked around, her blue eyes icy, "Sako, you will accompany us also. We stop here for the night. After our defeat of Inangus Kalina will announce the winner of your contest, and we shall all go our separate ways."

"Then it is settled. We leave tomorrow."

~~~

Jayla watched as the sun peeked over the horizon, keeping her breathing level as she meditated on the graceful moves that formed her sword kata's. Each fluid movement flowed into the next, as if it were a dance rather than a combination of the lethal manoeuvres she used to kill her victims.

Brown flecked green eyes stared out from behind a mess of copper-tinted brown curls. Soft pink lips parted in admiration, and the once-mage stared in enraptured delight at the golden-haired warrior.

'Beautiful', her mind breathed. It was not sexual attraction, which held her so enthralled, but rather the sheer power of each stroke. Deadly beauty. Possessiveness rose unbidden as she saw the others stirring, this dance should be for her eyes alone.

She faked a yawn as she stood, "Hey Shay, have you made breakfast yet?"

Stony blue-grey eyes met hers and a dark blond eyebrow arched, "Have I what?"

Kalina laughed, "I'll take that as a 'no', would you like me to make you something?"

The warrior sheaved her sword, "I thank you, but no. Hurry up and eat. We'll need to leave soon."

Kalina squelched her disappointment, "As you like, Jayla."

The blond turned to the horses, ably saddling and fixing the tack of all three.

Kalina turned to where she'd seen the two young men sleeping earlier. The thief had a possessive arm around the bards waist she noticed, and he smirked, even in sleep. The bard seemed content in the half-embrace, although his face looked sad.

Glad she had no trace of the empaths gift she strode over to wake them.

The bard woke first, his amber eyes fluttering as he came out of sleep. He shifted in confusion, and yelped when he noticed the warm body pressed against him belonged to Tao.

Tao made a sound of pleasure as Perrin accidentally brushed a hand over his body in his struggle to get away, and pulled the musician closer.

"G-Get off of m-me!" Perrin yelped.

The thief's dark brown eyes opened, and his smirk widened, "And good morning to you too princess."

"L-let me g-go, you f-freak!" He squeaked.

"But what about my needs dearest, you've got me all excited." The thief practically purred his next words; "The least you could do is make this journey worth my while."

Perrin squirmed away, face bright red, "Can we g-go?" He asked sullenly.

Kalina stared at the two males and sighed, "Yes. Come on, Shay should have the horses saddled by now."

Tao pounced on the obvious as soon as they were within sight of the horses, "There are only 3 horses, and 5 of us."

Perrin had obviously followed his train of thought and turned pink again as he shook his head, "N-nu uh!"

Tao smirked, "Kitten and I will share so you two ladies don't have to be uncomfortable. Right Kitten?"

The bard eeped panickedly, "B-but..." He sighed in defeat, "B-but, n-no groping m-me. Ok-kay?"

Tao looked thoughtful, then his hand stole out to slide down the bards back and caress his backside, "You're just too pretty not to touch honey."

Perrin's face drained of colour, "K-Kalina?" He whispered hopefully.

"Leave him alone or you'll be riding double with Shay. And believe me her type of sword won't give you any pleasure whatsoever."

The thief's face took on an expression of slight amiability, "Good call. I guess you're safe then Birdie... For now."

Kalina sighed, turning to mount her horse. Jayla watched her new charge tenderly, though few would see the emotion behind her stony eyes as the girl leant down to pull Sako onto the horse behind her.

The crimson-and-black haired Kyantin looked ecstatic about the prospect of an 'adventure' as she had dubbed the expedition last night.

She cared deeply for both girls, they were her responsibility, and her family, and as such she would give her life to protect them. Even if Sako was a brat.

She turned to make sure the two young men she'd recruited were not having any difficulties, and had to suppress her laughter, because of her upbringing she found the picture of two men on the same horse to be utterly ridiculous. The pictures it inspired were of the sha'lu - the soul-linked young warriors who swore love-bonds and shared the horse when they rode off to christen their love with the blood of their enemies.

It seemed the dark haired Kyantin - Umeshi - had the same idea, given from his possessive grip of the bards waist.

Not that it was any of her concern. If the bard could not fend off his wandering hands then he deserved whatever pinches and caresses he received.

"Let's go," She smiled at the two girls, her lips barely curving, but both girls smiled back.

"As you like, Jayla."

Authors Notes: Heh, well, Tao's a scary stalker - although his actions will have to be explained at a later date. It's not really much of a romance at the moment, just a lot of random hints flying around. This story has changed so much from what I originally planned when I started writing it about 3 or 4 years ago (before I wrote shounen ai). Anyway, I hope you like this. At the moment I'm just having fun harassing Perrin and playing with random character relationship developments. By the way, Perrin is NOT a homophobe - he just doesn't like Tao... for now *cackles evilly*. Tell me if you want more, because I only write the stories that people are interested in reading.

Please Review!

----------------------- [1] Demon-Dagger [2] Demon-Queen