His return to GensouKai center was both unspectacular and causing quite a ruckus. He had walked all the way, needing the time to think. Dressed in far from representative clothes, a sword strapped to his back and looking unlike anyone remembered him with his sudden growth spurt, Kurikara had made it as far as the outer walls when he was finally greeted by none other than Sohryu. To his surprise, the dragon wasn't in his regal get-up either, wearing a dark cloak over a simple gray shirt and black pants. His hair was bound back, without ornamentation, and at that moment Kurikara was reminded of the young dragon who had stood against him.

Two fighters, on different sides.

Blood dripping from a sword.

Sadness. Such absolute sadness.

And the knowledge that something had been broken now; a friendship... trust.

"Kurikara," the highest of the shikigami said softly.

"Sohryu," he replied evenly.

Touda was with him. And there were the others in the back. He felt their power and he tilted his head a little, feeling different patterns than before. So much time had passed, but so little had changed for him.

But for everyone else, the changes had been massive.

"I have come to inform you about my decision."

Sohryu nodded. "Well?"

"GensouKai is my home and I love it. I would die for its defense. I went to the Floating Desert because of that love. I watched my family and friends die for my belief in my home. I will not let it fall to pieces now, knowing there is something I could have done to prevent it. I accept your offer to be under your command under one condition, Sohryu, Protector of the East."

Sohryu's eyes had narrowed. "What condition?"

"You fight me and you win."

There was a yell from the others and he recognized Suzaku's voice, felt her fiery temper erupt, and Kurikara smiled a little. Yes, a fire shikigami through and through.

Sohryu just regarded him calmly. "I win and you will accept your place?"

"As long as it doesn't mean submitting into slavery like you, yes."

There was a fine smile on those young features.

Young?

Kurikara frowned. Yes, he had forgotten how young Sohryu was. Like himself.

"Tsuzuki has nothing to do with this."

He snorted. "I'm surprised he isn't running for the twelfth himself," he taunted.

There was a hiss from Suzaku and her eyes glowed a golden red. Yes, temper. And oh so protective.

"Like I said: Tsuzuki has nothing to do with this. You challenge me to a fight and I accept Kurikara RyuOh. If I win, you will be at my side, you will be loyal and you will trust in my decisions as the head of the Council and the representative of the Emperor."

Kurikara nodded. It didn't mean he couldn't argue. He knew from Touda how much Rikugo and Sohryu argued on a weekly basis.

"If I lose...?" Sohryu prodded.

"You'll have to find someone else."

"You would leave GensouKai's fate open like that?"

"Prove to me you are my equal, Sohryu. Without the Emperor's power, without the help of a thousand men."

Sohryu smiled again. "Very well."

There was a fleeting look of surprise on Kurikara's face, then he smiled. "Very well," he echoed. "The traditional way?"

The taller shikigami's smile was wry. "By any means necessary."

The battle had started out traditionally enough. Both in light-weighted battle outfit, hair bound back, brandishing their swords, and the first few blows had been nothing to think about. Both had assessed their opponent. Then a round of more forceful blows had followed.

Until...

Kurikara had no recollection when they had both changed into their battle forms, their dragon shapes, and had taken the fight to the sky.

Blood had rushed through his body, adrenaline riding high, and he had bellowed his challenge, taunting the blue dragon, who had swiftly attacked.

Swiftly and precisely, leaving Kurikara briefly shocked at how fast Sohryu was. Their last confrontation had been over the decimated, burned and shattered remains of a battle field where too many had died in the name of the Golden Emperor. At that time Kurikara had faced a young dragon filled with a power he couldn't contain, a power that had poured out of him as he fought, as he banished the fire dragon into the Floating Desert.

Today Sohryu was fighting without the Emperor's 'gift'. This was just him, his skill and tactics and power. This was Sohryu.

Claws slashed too close for comfort and when Kurikara evaded, he was suddenly caught up in a sinewy, long tail, the muscles contracting, trapping him. He snarled and slashed at his opponent, managing to tear into one of the six wings. Blood sprayed from the leathery flaps, but instead of letting go with a bellow of pain, Sohryu snarled and snapped for the fire dragon's neck.

Kurikara hissed and briefly let his fire aura flare, finally hearing the satisfactory cry of pain as the water element was burned and had to let go. He dove after the blue form and tried to catch him, deliver a new blow to bring him down.

The chase was leading them through ancient valleys and ended in a steep canyon that was as old as this realm. Sohryu had led him here and Kurikara, lost in the chase, hadn't seen the walls closing in until he was almost inside a box. He rumbled in annoyance and went up when he was suddenly caught. With a cry of surprise he started to lose balance and crashed, one wing caught underneath him, then he was on his feet and lashing at his attacker.

The ground shook with their fury. Stone exploded out of the high walls as heavy bodies crashed into them, as tails took out chunks, as claws left deep grooves. Blood stained the lifeless earth, wounds opened and Kurikara buried his claws in Sohryu's shoulder with a satisfied howl of triumph. Retaliation was quick and just as painful for him.

Where do you take your power from? he wondered breathlessly. When have you become so strong?

The sinewy form of blue scales and leathery hide was riddled with wounds, two wings useless, but the remaining four were strong enough to balance him. Kurikara knew he looked little better, his black body bathed in blood from where the sharp talons had sliced into him.

So strong. Without the power of the Emperor to assist him. How!

He had no time to ponder it all. He just attacked again and was met head-on by his opponent. A vicious struggle ensued, burning the ground, grinding stone into pebbles, and Kurikara screamed in pain when one of his wings was caught at a bad angle. Fiery agony shot up his side and he gasped, doing the only thing he could.

He changed.

Covered in blood, the human form swayed on his feet, clutching his sword, facing a suddenly human Sohryu, too.

Stupid honor, Kurikara thought painfully. Sohryu wouldn't allow himself to remain in his battle form if his opponent switched shapes. Likewise carrying a sword, the Protector of the East looked far from healthy, too.

He advanced on Kurikara, whose right arm was killing him. Dislocated, he knew. Of all the shitty things to happen...

"Can we end this now?" Sohryu asked softly.

Blood. Everywhere. On their clothes, on their skin, dripping from open wounds. Kurikara knew he wasn't up to a sword fight. He wouldn't be able to parry a thrust from a baby right now.

When did you get so strong? Why? I'm the dragon king... I'm a fire dragon... you were always my equal, but never able to beat me on your own. Why now?

An answer nagged at his mind, but he was too tired to listen to it.

"We end it," Kurikara whispered. "You won, Sohryu, Protecor of the East."

He should be kneeling.

Right now he was doing his best not to fall flat onto his face.

Sohryu let his sword fall from bloodied hands. Kurikara could do no such thing without losing his precarious balance. But his pride forbade him to ask for help.

There was a whisper of wings and Kurikara raised his head to see the spectators arrived. He smiled dimly. Sohryu was still just standing there, bleeding, just like he was, and the blue-gray eyes reflected his pain.

"Don't expect me to bow to your decisions unquestioned," the fire dragon whispered.

A tiny smile stole over the pale lips. "I never would."

The world was turning darker and Kurikara knew he was losing his precious hold on consciousness. So be it. He had lost. To Sohryu. And he was now a Divine Commander.

He gave a little laugh that sounded more like a cough, then he knew no more.

Rikugo sighed as he looked at his fellow Protector. Kochin had just left, announcing that her charge was healing, smiling at Rikugo on the way out.

"Keep him in bed. If all else fails, call Terazuma," had been her comment, then the musician had been gone.

Rikugo only shook his head and studied the pale features, the multiple bandages, the healing wounds. Sohryu looked about as bad as Kurikara, who was sleeping in another room.

"Don't look at me like that," Sohryu growled.

"Like what?"

"Like you're still my teacher, Rikugo. You're not!"

The astrologer smiled and chuckled a little. "No, I'm not. I heard from Kochin you are healing."

There was a mild grunt.

"Kurikara's wounds have been taken care of. He looks just as bad as you do, just in case you're wondering. I hope you both have it out of your system now."

The blue-gray eyes narrowed. "This wasn't a brawl!"

"It wasn't?"

The glare was powerful and Rikugo smirked. The other dragon huffed.

"Tell me why you are here?" he wanted to know. "Aside from rubbing it in, that is."

"I'm not rubbing it in, Sohryu. I just wanted to check on you and report about Kurikara. It was a harsh fight."

The expression shifted a little, Sohryu leaning deeper into the pillows. "He's strong. And he's growing into his powers now. Physically as well as mentally."

"I noticed."

There was a moment of silence, then Sohryu closed his eyes and massaged the bridge of his nose.

"Satisfied?" he asked softly.

"With what?" Rikugo wanted to know, mystified.

"You said it had to be Kurikara. It is now. Are you satisfied?"

"Yes," he answered honestly. "You know just as well as I do that we need him. His strength is our strength as the twelve. But I'm not satisfied in seeing you in this state, Sohryu. I didn't Foresee this."

There was a soft laugh. "Neither did I. His challenge took me by surprise."

"All of us. You should rest now and recover. We'll take care of whatever problems arise."

Sohryu looked at him, still smiling a little. "Thank you. And you were right. It was the right decision."

Rikugo's eyes danced with mirth. "I should get this in writing. The great Sohryu has agreed I was right."

"Get out," was the snarl, but there was no anger in the tone.

Rikugo gave a little mock-bow, which got him a new growl, then he left the chambers, smiling to himself.

Kurikara picked at the bandage that encased his left arm and scowled at it. He felt battered and battle-worn, like an old piece of leather that could still be of use but also just thrown away.

Damn Sohryu. That dragon was so much more powerful than he would ever have expected him to be!

Steps alerted him to someone approaching his place of peaceful contemplation. Well, what he considered contemplating. Right now he was going over the battle again and again, wondering where he had underestimated the Protector of the East.

"What do you want, Rikugo?" he greeted the other dragon.

Instead of a scowl it only got him a smile in greeting.

"Earth is the element of stability and of the body. It is wisdom, strength, growth and prosperity."

And it sometimes opposed water. A lot, Kurikara smirked, remembering the fights between Sohryu and Rikugo in the past.

Rikugo had always been their stability, their teacher, a gentle personality with an aura that could make anyone tremble in fright or respect. There was a lot hidden behind that pleasant façade, and by now he had ascended to become the Protector of the North.

"I was merely wondering as to your healing, Kurikara RyuOh."

Ah, to heck with the formalities. Kurikara scowled. "Leave the titles," he only muttered. "No hard feelings, right?"

Rikugo, hands still pushed into the wide sleeves of his robe, bowed his head fractionally, smiling. "No hard feelings. We both did what we had to do."

Defending your weakling master, Kurikara only thought darkly. Ready to be slaughtered.

"As for how I am, you can see it."

"Yes, I can. I can also see it in Sohryu. He's just as grouchy as you."

"I am not grouchy," came the snarled reply.

"Apparently."

Kurikara suddenly laughed. "So maybe I'm a bit... angry."

"Because he beat you while you thought he couldn't. Sohryu is not the dragon you faced in your last battle, Kurikara."

"I noticed. Last time he beat me thanks to the Emperor. This time... well, he must have practiced."

"Not all power comes from physical prowess gained in battles and wars." The black eyes held mild amusement. "Our strength is complimented and completed by psychic means as well."

Kurikara frowned. "What are you talking about?"

Sohryu was already a dragon of the highest order and he couldn't surpass the limits of his element. Kurikara was the strongest of the dragons, or so he had thought up till a few days ago. A fire dragon was a combination of all that was power. There was nothing more than him. Unless a fire dragon could control hell fire, but that was as incompatible as the next thought.

Rikugo sat down on the bench next to the one the dragon had claimed. "You hate and despise us for our choice to serve a shinigami master, but you overlook what we gain from it."

"Someone who keeps you on a leash?" Kurikara taunted.

"Someone whose psychic power enhances our own strength."

"Rubbish. Shinigami are weak creatures!"

"So how can they best us?"

"No one has ever bested me," the younger shikigami remarked acidly.

Rikugo's smile was as calm and placid as ever. "No. No one has."

"While you and all the others submitted to a mere human."

"He is far more than that."

"A dead human. An angel of death. Pitiful."

The black eyes regarded him curiously. "How can a shinigami master a shikigami if not by the strength he possesses? We do not enhance his power upon the bonding. His heart reaches out to us and gives us what we lacked."

"Nice words for slavery, Rikugo no Genbu," Kurikara only replied.

"If I found him unworthy, don't you think I would have risen against Tsuzuki already to claim my freedom? Don't think I would hesitate to free myself if the connection between us would weaken me. It hasn't. It gave the twelve the power to save GensouKai. You might want to start reading up on the last six centuries, Kurikara, before you judge any of us for our choices."

He rose gracefully and Kurikara watched him go. Rikugo, like all of them, was a proud being, a high shikigami, now one of the four Protectors. His powers were those of the mind and he wouldn't kneel just in front of anyone, since he didn't even kneel for Sohryu.

So what had Tsuzuki done to make this proud being his shikigami?

Picking at his bandage again, he mulled it over. Sohryu was strong. He had defeated him. He was now a Divine Commander.

Sohryu had defeated him.

Because he had a shinigami master?

Kurikara huffed angrily.

Shinigami were weak creatures, shadows of their former selves. Dead but unable to give in to death because of their past. Weak, pathetic, unworthy.

No such creature could possess enough psychic power to boost a Protector to such levels. No one had it.

It was late afternoon that he rose and left for the gigantic library. Rikugo had been right in one regard: he had to catch up on history and current events. And he would do so.

to be continued in Impact