The Ryos Flame

As the dagger stabbed into the Draite's hand. The beam dispersed and the Draite screamed in pain. Kehario opened his eyes in suprise to see Miyako had been able to damage her. -Miyako.....- He coughed a little as Miyako pulled the blade out and fell to the ground, motionless. -S-she saved me...- The Draite looked down at Miyako and growled.

"Insolent wench..." She raised her hand up slowly and extended her claws above her head. "Die...." She slashed her claws downward at Miyako's head, with an intent to kill her in one blow."

Kehario's eyes widen as she prepared to land the finishing blow on Miyako." STOPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPPP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" In one swift motion, he grasped his sword and jumped up. He glared anrily and dashed towards the Draite as he held his sword with two hands at an angle. "GET AWAY FROM MIYAKO NOW!!!!" She looked up and stopped just inches away from Miyako's as Kehario charged. As he got close, the Draite gripped her scythe tightly and attempted to block the onslaught.

Kehario took a sharp side step to the right of her as she stood up,then dragged his sword sideways, slashing through the Draites stomach.
 
Miyako had been ready to accept her death. The claws were descending. Miyako wasn't happy about dying. She had wanted to take care of the demon killing so many humans. But at the same time she could go to the peaceful realms that awaited her if she had protected one person from demons.

"Stop! Get away from Miyako Now!"

Sleepily Miyako looked up just in time to get a face full of demon blood as Kehario's blade dug into the demon's stomach. She turned her head away and coughed a few times. Had they really won? Was it too early to go to sleep? The day seemed to have taken so long. Tiredly she reached up and rubbed at the demon blood with a dirty sleeve. "Kehario?" She asked, coughing a little as she tasted demon blood drip into her mouth.
 
The Draite sputtered and coughed up blood, cursing with its last breath as it fell limply to the right side of Miyako. Kehario looked down at it with angry eyes for 3 seconds longer, then turned to look at Miyako. Her face was covered slightly with demon blood. He knelled down on his left knee and his left knee and placed his sword gently on the ground on his right side.

Kehairo lifted Miyako's upper body and rested her back in his right hand, using his forearm to support her head. "Are you okay?'' He asked, tearing the edge of his shirt. He wiped her face gently and spoke softly as he tucked her hair, which covered her left eye, behind her ear. " I was so afraid....that you would die."

As he held her, the miasma began to disappear and the villagers slowly awoke.
 
As the miasma disappeared into the air, Miyako felt herself become more alert of her surroundings. The gentleness that he used to clean her face and pushed her hair out of her face frightened her. She twitched each part of her body to make sure that there wasn't any kind of serious damage that shock had kept her from realizing. No, everything was find there. Why would he be treating her so gently? Hadn't she told him that she was no country flower that could get trampled.

"I'm much harder to kill than you might think master swordsman," she said with a small laugh as she put her arms back gently to keep herself up and off his forearm--holding her up couldn't be easy on him even if he was strong. "Thank you though. I haven't done my duty yet. You have given me another chance."

Her face became serious for a second, "Don't you ever jump in without a mask like that again you oaf! A cloth mask would have slowed the effects of the miasma at least a little and maybe we wouldn't have had to be so lucky. Next a mask you giant oaf!" Her words had meant to be taken seriously only she started to grin like a mad-woman halfway through and shook her head. "Nevermind, we'll figure it out later. A good first battle I suppose always has mistakes on both parts."
 
Kehario smiled and chuckled a little at Miyako."Yes, I can see you did just fine on your own against the demon.* He said sarcastically with a chuckle. Although she scolded him afterwards. She was right, it was crazy of him to jump into the miasma without a mask or anything to slow it down. But, all he could think about was protecting the villagers and Miyako. He felt his heart race a little. Strange. He looked up at the villagers then, back down at Miyako. " I will be more careful from here on out. Sorry, that I have made you worry."

The villagers stood up and looked around. A few men rubbed their heads, while the woman stood mumbling to each other. Most likely about what had happened to them. Kehario smiled and looked back down at Miyako."I understand you are strong, but when you were in danger, all I could think about was, that I didn't want you to die. I don't know why, but I just had this urge to keep you safe." His eyes lowered to a slant as he held her closer. He was still injured from battle, but he ignored it as he focused on Miyako.

A man who looked about in his 60's walked over to the two. He held his right hand on his can for support and his left on his back, as he slouched over a little and spoke, weakly."Are you.... the two.... who saved......us?"

Kehario looked up at the man and smiled." Yes, my name is Kehario Teirs, sir."
 
She blinked up at him and blushed a little as he pulled her closer to his body. She felt her body shudder a little and then the old man came over and distracted her from the young man that was acting so strange. Pulling away from Kehario, Miyako shifted to sit with her legs crossed and her head bowed.

"Miyako Hamasaki at your service sir," she said as she looked up from under her disoriented bangs. Not many people welcomed female warriors. They thought they were unnatural, especially the old men and women of villages even if she'd just saved them from a demon. She pushed herself up and wavered a little as she felt the miasma's last effects hit her. She stumbled over to lean against a building and closed her eyes.
 
Kehario blushed as he held Miyako close to him. He hadn't noticed he was holding her so close, until after he spoke to the old man. When Miyako lifted herself up out of his arms, the old man chuckled at them both. It's a pleasure to meet you both. I am Genma, chief and elder of this village. You two must be tired after that battle. Come, you can rest in our village for the night. We will feed you and give you shelter. It is the least we can do to thank you." Kehairo's blush disappeared as he listened to the man's offer,

"Thank you very much sir, we could really use it." The old man smiled then turned away and headed towards the others." You may come when you are ready." Kehario smiled then looked at Miyako." Looks like we can rest easy tonight."
 
She opened her eyes to look up at the old man and then at Kehario, a small smile gracing her face before she slid to the ground, putting her head in her hands. "Could you ask them if I can just sleep here?" She joked, though part of her was serious. She didn't want to rise from the spot at all. She wasn't being ran out of town. She'd just saved Kehario which had let him save her from death. All of it was just so much for one day that she wasn't sure she wanted to move from that spot at all. But the better part of her knew that she had to get up--she had to get away from the spot where the demon had been killed. She had to get away from the unholy spot or it would seep into her and make her one of them.

Slowly Miyako pushed herself up from where she had been sitting. Rolling her shoulders she headed towards the gates that led out of the town. "I'm going to run and grab my pack. Go ahead and get to the food and feasting. I'll be back shortly," she told him with a half-smile.
 
Kehairo looked at Miyako as she spoke. He blinked twice, then chuckled. "That wouldn't be right to just leave you out here, and besides, you need to get your wounds h-" Before he could finish, Miyako stood up and headed for the exit of the village.

I'm going to run and grab my pack. Go ahead and get to the food and feasting. I'll be back shortly," she told him with a half-smile."

Kehario stood up and didn't think to question Miyako. Instead, he walked over to the village chief and bowed in respect."Excuse me sir, I will return shortly." The old man looked back and noticed that Miyako was gone then laughed. It filled in with the chatter and laughter of the people. "I understand completely, Kehario. You wish to spend some alone time with Miyako. You two play nice now." The old man joked, looking at Kehario with a smile.

Kehario blushed madly and could not speak. instead, he only turned away and headed for the exit to find Miyako. The old man smiled with his eyes closed." Ah, to be young."
He turned around and resumed his conversation with the villagers. Kehario headed out the gate and began looking for Miyako.


 
Miyako stood next to her pack, arm supporting her against a tree. She was finding it very hard to bend over without feeling dizzy and about to fall over. She shuddered as she bent, her arm the only thing keeping her from tipping over completely. Slowly she sat down and started to pull out some ointments and started to look herself over. Her back felt like one big bruise. She would have to get one of the village women to put the ointment on her back to make sure that she didn't have a large bruise there the next day.

She pulled out the kimono that she'd been wearing earlier that morning and sighed. It was a bit dirty, but it would have to do. Just as Kehario found her she was pulling the shirt-type garment she had worn during the fight revealing a scared stomach and arms--dagger cuts, sword cuts, and a star burst scar in her upper left arm where an arrow from a competition had flown high and hit her. A breatband covered any crucial piece of flesh that she wouldn't want anyone to see. She didn't seem to notice Kehario as she stood and pulled the ointment up with her. She covered bruise after bruise that she found on her front before rolling the legs of each pants leg up and started to do the same for her legs. Most weren't from that days fight but from the burial detail she had partaken in earlier.
 
Kehario was sure that Miyako was heading for the tree where her bag rested. He was worried that she may get attacked by random beast or bandits that lurked in the night. As much as she didn't want to show it, she was hurt and badly. Kehario's mind wandered off into thought about Miyako. She was very strong and determined. He admired that. But, she was also very stubborn. Miyako was honestly in no shape to be traveling alone. But he wasn't exactly healthy himself, after the battle.

Soon, he came up to the tree where Miyako sat. She was looking down at the kimono she held in her hand. She also had an array of ointments around her. Kehario looked at the items for a bit longer then up at Miyako. She was raising her shirt above her head revealing her scarred stomach and bruises, She also had them on various parts of her arms. Kehario's eyes lowered and he suddnely blushed and turned away, looking in the other direction. He wanted to talk to her, but he would wait until she was finished.

He looked down at the ground as flashes of her injured body played over in his head. -She fought so hard....Miyako- He said softly, in his head.
 
Bending over, once again supporting herself with her hand against the bark of the tree, the young woman picked up the kimono and shrugged it on. Being careful of her back, she packed the ointments and the like up and turned to head back to the village. She came to a stop when she saw Kehario standing there, looking the opposite direction. She could feel her cheeks flush as she paused. "Kehario," she said softly before looking anywhere but at him. She didn't want him thinking she was loose--would let any male she came upon see her naked and more, but at the same time she couldn't bring herself to be completely mad at him either. "How much did you see?" She walked to stand next to him and look at the village that was starting to liven up.

She would have to refill their water bottles while they were there. And get Kehario an extra pair of clothing, and a pack to put it in. Her money supply slowly dwindled in her mind as she refused to look at the young man.
 
Kehario continued to blush. He couldn't believe that he saw Miayako's body. It wasn't as if he knew she was removing her clothing. But, still he saw her. When she called his name he jumped, slightly. "Yes. Miyako?" He said, shyly. He didn't know what she would say or ask. But, he was more than sure, that she would be angry with him. After all, if she was, he couldn't blame her. As she stood by him, she asked him how much did he see. His blush spread even more until the thoughts of her damaged body played in his head.

He thought about telling her that he saw her bruises and cuts. But, instead he answered the question differently. "You sacrificed yourself to save me. I will protect you and keep those damned demons from hurting you again, Miyako." He looked at the village for a few moments, then over at Miyako.
 
MIyako was staring at him, her mouth opened in a small 'o'. She could see his blush, she even registered it in her mind but her thoughts were on his words. She tilted her head to the side and considered him for a few more moments. "Kehario, there are two things that you need to know about me if we are to keep traveling together," she said, a small smile going onto her lips. "I won't get mad at anyone that sees me naked for it was my own fault at letting them catch me or being in such a place that anyone could walk upon me. Second off, what kind of person do you think I am? I go out on my own to revenge total strangers when I have lost no one. I could have stayed in my village and gotten married off to the gods know who and lived a relatively peaceful life and let males run off to risk their lives against this disaster. Instead I went out and fought and learned to shoot and track. I left my peaceful life and have more scars on my body than any women I know of which will most likely leave me an old woman without a husband in the end--a burden to whatever family I have left. But I left that life willingly. If I have to I will sacrifice myself over and over to save people I don't know--to save people I do know. That is the kind of person I am. I fight so that others can survive. You were going to get hurt--my nature, my person would not allow that to happen if I could do anything to make it otherwise."

She stopped and reached out to touch his shoulder companionably. "Now stop blushing. If you are blushing when we return the village may think that we are what we are not, or worse. They will already think me strange with my fighting and my change of clothing. No need to scare the poor villagers more."
 
Soon after Miyako had spoken, Kehario's blush disappeared. He looked at her as she stood to the right of him, placing a hand on his shoulder. Her face seemed to glow under the moonlight and the wind swayed her hair swiftly, slightly covering her face. Miyako was such a strong woman and the more he spent time with her, the more he felt the need to protect her. He let her words of wisdom sink in his mind for a few seconds longer before speaking.

"Yes, that is very noble of you to do. Fighting without a second thought to protect others. Bearing scars for complete strangers. Some of which can easily turn on you the second they are saved. But, in my honest opinion, if you are willing to sacrifice yourself to save the life of another so that they may live. Then you are a beacon of light in those people's darkened lives. But, even with those scars that rest on your body, you are still a very beautiful woman. I believe that you will someday, make a wonderful wife and bear beautiful children."

Kehario took a few steps forward, then stopped." Miyako, never talk so lowly of yourself as if you are nothing. You are more special than you think you are."
 
Miyako stared after him, stunned by his words. Her? A wonderful wife who would bear beautiful children? It wasn't that she hadn't heard that told to her before--she had, by her mother and her older siblings when she'd been called ugly by one of the other village girls who was spiteful. But she'd never been told it by another warrior unless they were being condescending--but Miyako had a feeling that that wasn't how Kehario meant it. She pulled her hand away from him and pushed the hair in front of her face out of her gaze, looking anywhere but at him. It was her turn to blush a light pink.

"Obviously you are coming down from the Warriors peak and it's making you a little bit fickle in the brain Kehario," She said, trying to brush the feeling of joy and pleasure from his statement away. "Me? A wonderful wife? I'd be out there fighting for the rest of my days against the evil in the world. I would not have time to be a wife if my soul keeps after such delights. And what man would want a woman that enjoys killing demons and enjoys the battles and fights? What man would want a woman with more scars than him; more stories of war? Only another warrior would not mind those and there are few men willing to fight with a woman as a partner." She gave a shrug and grinned at him. The sound of music from the festival and the noise of laughter and voice trickled towards them in the growing darkness.
 
Kehario listened to Miyako and chuckled slightly.

"Whatever the case may be, it is true. You have a sparkle in your eye that most women do not have. That, as well as your kind nature, gives you a good look. You can deny it as much as you want to, but in the end, I will keep stick to my words and not look back. As far as me tearing down my guard as a warrior. You have my trust. I will protect you in any way I can as well." Kehario felt Miyako's hand leave his shoulder and he walked ahead a few more steps then stopped and turned around.

He held out his left hand and smiled." Lets head back to the village, the others are waiting Miyako." The fireworks and music filled the air as the villagers celebrated their freedom.
 
Miyako looked at hand extended to her and then up at Kehario's face. He sure was a strange creature, Miyako thought before stepping forward and nodding. "To eat and sleep is what I'm planning. You should enjoy yourself this evening Kehario," she said, not having the guts to take his hand with hers and show him just how calloused and rough those hands were from hours of work on the bow and arrow and a little with a staff. She smiled back at him and then led the way quickly towards the village, her head ducked, her loose hair covering her face from being seen.

Just as she stepped into the village she was grabbed by the arms and dragged towards a house by a group of giggling young women. One stayed back and smiled at Kehario brightly. "I'm here to show you to the festivals after you get a change of clothes. The Elder says that you are to be given a set of festival clothes so you aren't in those dirty old things. Please come with me. Your companion will be given clothes more suited for her as well."
 
Kehario had a puzzled look on his face when Miyako had refused to take his hand and be escorted back to the village. -Maybe she is still un-trusting of me. Well, I can't blame her for not trusting me just yet. " I will rest, but I have other things that I must do before I rest. I will complete my task after the party. Kehario followed close behind Miyako, watching as her hair fell to in her face.

He began reaching to remove it, then jerked his hand back and looked at the village instead. The music grew louder as they made their way closer to the village. The villagers could be heard now. Kehario followed right behind Miyako and entered the village. Women laughed and danced, while the men danced around, drunk. Kehario laughed a little bit. "They are having a blast I see."
 
The young woman looked over her shoulder and nodded. "The Draite had been terrorizing the village for a while, coming in, killing a few of the people, and then running off again. We are most grateful to you and your companion. Now sir if you'll come with me we will furnish you with new clothes. My name is Minako," the young woman said as she looked up from under her lashes and took Kehario by the arm and started to lead him through the houses to one that was brightly lit. "Do not worry about worry about your companion. She willb e dressed for the party as well as we can fit her. Before you know it, we will have taken her and changed her into a beautiful woman from the hard warrior that she is."

Miyako fought every step of the way. She didn't want clothes from these people. She wanted a nice little glass of water and somewhere to lay down. But instead she was dragged by the group of women away into a house on the other side of the vilalge from Kehario and then tortured into a new kimono with a beautiful sash that tied in the back.
KM072LRB-brocade_kimono-cb_bmb-peacock-600.jpg

Soon enough Miyako found herself pushed out into the festival by the same group of girls that were giggling over her frightened look. Miyako looked around for Kehario at first, her hands clutching each other in front of her. If there was one place that frightened her the most it was festivals in which she knew no one. If she had been sitting with Kehario or her family it wouldn't have been quiet as frightening. Demons were not as frightening as standing there alone in the middle of a festival. "Kehario where did they take you?" she muttered to herself as she scanned the crowded village center.
 
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