I watched quietly as the eco-freak walked off with the giant bird.  That 
was good, two less to deal with.  From what I had seen, she was a major player 
in this bunch, and dealing with her was more than I wanted to take on at the 
time.  I surveyed the remaining individuals.

	Soshi.  Blinded, and still suffering from his wounds with that demon.  He 
would be an easy target if caught unaware, although if prepared his barriers 
might pose something of a problem.

	Akari.  She was barely worth mentioning, she'd be no problem at all.  Her 
powers of light and healing wouldn't do more than tickle us.

	Kenchi.  He'd be the second to go down, right after Soshi.  His ability to 
manipulate minds with his eyes would definitely be a hindrance to our hit, and 
would have to be dealt with immediately.

	Judou.  The wildcard.  Our client told us that he was a magical being, 
capable of transforming into a crow or a raven or something.  A mystical Tengu.  
I wasn't too surprised, given my line of work.

	"This isn't our usual case."  To my right, my associate stirred.  I shot 
her a glare and shrugged.  She quieted, and appeared to prepare herself for 
what lay ahead.  

	A quick look at my other two associates proved they too had steeled 
themselves.  I looked at Itami, and I nodded.  "I know they're not all magical 
girls, but we're getting paid a hefty price.  They've got two magical type 
girls, and the others are fairly powerful.  Even a familiar masking as a human.  
Let's just get the job done and get out of here.

	The sound of me cocking my gun finalized my statement with a metallic 
echo.  I made sure to look at H, Aika, and Itami one last time in the eyes (well 
I *really* tried to look H in the eyes, but got side tracked), before I gave the 
signal.  

	Itami pulled out a large sniper rifle and pointed it at Soshi.  The 
bastard never even saw it coming.

	My name is Yoi Kurasaka, and I'm a Magical Girl Hunter.

- = -

Magical Wings of Hunters
Chapter 1: Blood Bath
By ColdFury

Created by...

Oh... you want Wings of Fate?  Sorry, let me check my notes.

- = -

	My life is like a dream.

	I don't mean that in a prophetic, or even all that profound matter.  
But... the way things were at the time, I couldn't help but feel a sense of 
surrealism.  I was standing at the mouth of a forest, with my old college 
friends.  The five of us possessed magical powers, given to us by experiments we 
performed in the arcane arts.  And Shuukou, my dear friend, was going off into 
the forest with the head of a Tengu settlement.

	I couldn't help it.  I giggled quietly to myself.

	Kenchi, I think, picked up on my state of mind, because I saw him smirk 
quietly out of the corner of my eye.

	Judou tilted his head at me curiously.  I had tried to keep the noise to 
myself, but I suppose he did always have good hearing.  As I watched him, I 
couldn't help but note that with his head cocked to the side, he looked so... 
avian.

	How could I have not known?

	And why didn't he tell me?

	Judou's cheeks flushed slightly, and I realized I'd been staring.  I 
turned away, and found myself face to face with Soshi.  His blank, pupil-less, 
white eyes seemed to bore into my own.  I felt my momentary mirth fall to the 
wayside.  My own failure stood before me.  The group counted on me, on my gift.  

	But in the end I had failed Soshi.

	What kind of a healer was I?

- = -

Wings of Fate
Chapter 13: Hope Springs Eternal
By ColdFury

Created by Ardweden and John Evans

- = -

	There was a pregnant silence as we watched Shuukou disappear into the 
forest with Judou's uncle.  Apparently, the other part of the clearing wasn't 
private enough for them.  I wondered what they were talking about as I turned 
back to Judou.  Kenchi must have been rubbing off on him, because he answered my 
question as soon as he saw the look on my face.

	"I don't know.  But given her connection to the earth, he's likely trying 
to get a feel for us through her.  Respect for similar natures or something."  
Judou shrugged.

	Pacing nervously behind us, Kenchi let out a rather audible sigh.  "This 
has been an unusual few days."

	Soshi turned to face in Kenchi's direction, who stopped moving 
momentarily, probably creeped out by Soshi's blank expression.  "None of us have 
had what anyone would call normal days in quite sometime Kenchi.  Bemoaning the 
natural consequences of our actions will do us no good at this time.  We must 
busy our minds with the task at hand, which is to convince Judou's relatives to 
help us."

	I felt Judou brush past me as he peered at Soshi curiously.  "What are you 
implying, Soshi?"

	"We have among us someone who is quite capable of giving them the extra 
push they might need to assist us in our time of need."  Soshi's face was as 
plain as ever, the white eyes only furthering the impression of his lack of 
compassion.  

	I shrunk behind Judou momentarily, unable to withstand the pressures of 
our predicament and of my own shortcomings.  Meanwhile, the boys carried on in 
their usual fashion.

	"Soshi!  I won't use my powers on him!  He might be immune!"  Kenchi's 
fists slammed into the hood of his car.  "And it wouldn't be right!"

	His anger was greater than I thought the situation called for, until I 
remembered that he, more than anyone, had reason to dislike Soshi at the moment.

	They continued on for a bit, Judou angered at the idea of manipulating his 
family, Kenchi either upset at the idea of using his power to such a degree or 
at the large risk of getting caught.  Soshi held his ground, and argued with 
them point for point. 

	I tuned them out, however, and I just studied for him for a moment.  
Soshi.  How much did anyone really know about him?  He was our friend in school, 
but for the life of me I really couldn't tell you why.  Judou, Kenchi, and even 
Shuukou had marginal amounts of respect for him and what he did.  But he just 
creeped me out.  I felt bad about it, but the others didn't really like him 
either, just a sort of respect for his capabilities.  So I always hid with that.  
I was just like everyone else, creeped out by Soshi.

	Only on rare occasions did I see him smile.  He always wore that smirk, 
with those blank, knowledgeable eyes.  Eyes that I forced myself not to think 
about now.  At times I wished that Soshi had let one of us, any of us into his 
shell.  He needed a connection with someone, more than ever before.  But he 
never bonded with any of us in college, and I doubted he ever would.

	Soshi.. why couldn't we have started out as friends?

- = - 

	We didn't belong there.  Judou was digging for something, and I was 
nervously looking around.  So far in our freshman year, he'd dragged me into 
more trouble than he was worth.  Well... almost.  He'd grin at me sweetly, and 
while I fought melting he'd slowly talk me into whatever prank he was carrying 
out next.  

	Not that I went along on all of his adventures.  Just one or two, really.  
I think he enjoyed the audience.  Nevertheless, there I was, quietly watching 
the hallway through a crack in the door, while Judou dug around under someone's 
bed.  Curiosity grabbed hold of me, however, and I turned around, trying to see 
what we were searching for.  "Hurry up, Judou!"

	Judou's eyes glimmered mischievously as his gaze met mine.  He stood at 
full height and held up a black diskette.  "Got it."  He smirked as he walked 
back to me.  

	Relieved I turned and opened the door, stepping to move out, only to 
nearly walk straight into a man whom I did not know.

	"And it would seem that I have you, Judou.  Breaking into a student's 
quarters.  Stealing my final programming assignment the night before it's due.  
This is grounds for expulsion."  The man stared Judou in the eyes for a moment, 
a smirk growing on his lips.  He then examined me briefly, and shook his head.  
"For both of you."

	I gasped.  I couldn't help it.  I didn't know the two of them better back 
then.  My whole life had been aimed at getting me to this university so I could 
get out to the world and help people.  To have that chance taken away... well,
let's just say I wasn't as cheerful as people seem to find me.

	Beside me, Judou put a hand on my shoulder to steady me.  I must've 
already been trembling.  The knots in my stomach now had knots of their own.  
Next to me, Judou spoke quietly.  "I was going to return them, Soshi.  I was 
merely attempting to make you sweat."

	To this day I could swear the beginnings of a smile formed on his lips, 
but nothing materialized from it.  "Instead you seem to be the one sweating.  
Your friend as well.  Ironic, is it not?"

	Grimacing, Judou's voice was tainted with sheer annoyance.  "Soshi.  Leave 
her out of this.  You and I both know you won't do anything about this.  It was 
a simple prank."

	Walking around us, Soshi inspected his room briefly, then turned to face 
us once more.  "Do we?  What if you've pushed me past the edge, Judou?  The last 
straw.  Why, beneath this calm veneer I could be seething with rage and 
frustration.  Why shouldn't I turn you in?"

	I looked up at Judou desperately.  For a full minute no one said anything.  
Judou and Soshi simply stared each other down.  Until then, I never had an 
experience more frightening.  Finally, Judou's shoulders slumped.  "Fine Soshi.  
How about this:  you don't turn us in, I owe you a favor.  No questions asked."

	The smirk widened ever so slightly.  "I accept.  And as for her?"  His 
eyes bore into me.  I shrunk back ever so slightly under his glare.

	Judou stepped forward again, moving so that he was partially blocking me 
from Soshi's view.  "Fine.  I owe you two favors.  But leave her alone."

	Again, there was a silence.  "Agreed.  Two favors, Judou.  Do not forget."

	I was so excited that my life wasn't about to come to a premature end, 
I don't know what came over me.  To this day Judou sometimes teases me about it.

	"Thank you!"  I ran forward and hugged Soshi with all my might.  For the 
briefest of moments, his face registered surprise, but he regained his control 
and simply stood there impatiently.  Realizing my impulsiveness, I quickly 
backed off.  Judou stared at me strangely, and I felt my cheeks redden with 
embarrassment.  Soshi merely stood there, his eyes still cold, not softer in the 
slightest.  

	It was at that moment I decided I didn't like Soshi.

- = - 

	I was dragged out of my reminiscing by the sudden lack of the boys 
fighting.  Startled, I looked around at them quickly.  No one had gone for 
anyone's throat; instead both Judou and Kenchi were watching Shuukou and Goranu 
emerge from the forest.  Soshi seemed to sense their approach and was silent as 
well.

	I have to admit that when I saw Shuukou's face, I was a little shocked.  
Her eyes were puffy, and the stains on her cheeks clearly indicated she'd been 
crying during her talk with the Tengu.  At first I was worried about what 
might've been said or done, but a quick look at Kenchi showed not worry but 
surprising relief on his face.  I may not trust him always, but he did seem to 
have his heart in the right place when it came to Shuukou.  

	A small part of me was jealous, but only a small part.

	Shuukou rejoined us, and I quickly hugged her, then asked her quietly, 
"You okay?"  She nodded and smiled.  She returned the hug with strength I feared 
was gone from her.  Whatever had been said in that forest had been good for her.

	Goranu held up a wing, and spoke to us again.  "After talking with my 
nephew and your friend, I have decided that I will present your case to our 
village elders.  You will come with me and be allowed to rest one night under 
our protection while we discuss the matter."  

	Then I noticed something eerie.  The Tengu speak without opening their 
beaks.  This was something I was wholly unprepared for, and it was making me 
nervous. 

	Judou bowed slightly, "Thank you, Uncle."

	Goranu shook his head.  "I'm not doing this just for you Judou.  If it was 
you alone at stake here, I might very well turn you loose.  But your friends, 
and the existence of our whole race, might be at stake.  So I will seek council 
with the other elders."

	Judou swallowed hard.  "I understand."

	I couldn't help feel sorry for him.  An outsider among humans and now an 
outcast among the Tengu.  This wasn't going to be easy for him.  I squeezed his 
hand quickly, and he looked down at me and smiled for the briefest of moments.

	That's what I do really.  I put aside my own feelings and make sure my 
friends are all right before I worry about myself.  I mean, it's what you would 
do, right?  As soon as our hand parted, I couldn't help but internally flinch.  
I had thought we were so close...

	We ended up following Goranu through the forest for at least two hours.  I 
stayed with Soshi to make sure he didn't walk into a low tree branch or 
something, but he managed pretty well given the circumstances.  At last we 
reached an outlet in the forest, and it was clear why.  Before us stood a 
mountain, I don't know the name, I was never good at geography, that rose upward 
for quite some distance.  

	Goranu stepped forward and pushed down on a specific rock at the base of 
the mountain.  A large grinding sound startled me, and to my astonishment a 
boulder rolled to one side, revealing an entrance to a cave.

	Kenchi was the first to recover.  "A cave?"

	Shrugging, Judou responded.  "You thought we lived in straw beds and Ewok-
style tree houses?"

	We entered the cave, and the boulder sealed the entrance behind us.  We 
walked through a great many turns and twists and forks.  It was quite clear that 
we were walking to a higher elevation within the mountain.  

	After more forks and than I could try to remember, we stopped at a series 
of doors.  "These rooms will serve as your accommodations."

	"Where are all the other Tengu?" Shuukou asked curiously.

	Goranu shifted uncomfortably then looked Shuukou in the eye.  "Hiding.  
They're rather ill at ease about the entire situation."

	A guilty silence hung over us for a few moments.  Goranu turned to leave.  
"I shall be back in the morning with a decision."

	After he disappeared down the torch-lit hall, the five of us stood there 
momentarily absorbing all that had happened.  "Five rooms.  That's nice at 
least.  No doubling up."  I tried to put a positive spin on our wait.

	"A shame."  Kenchi smiled that smile at me, and I couldn't help but get 
flustered.  As my cheeks flushed, Shuukou glared at him briefly and Judou 
snickered quietly. 

	Soshi spoke up and startled us all, "I wish to retire to my quarters, and 
suggest you all do the same."  He paused for a moment, as if he wanted to say 
something but didn't at the same time.

	I stopped him before he had to humiliate himself.  "This way Soshi."  I 
took him by the hand and led him to one of the open doors.  Behind me the others 
dispersed into their respective rooms as well.  

	As soon as Soshi and I entered his room, and I closed the door behind us, 
he felt his way to the bed (A real bed; I will never even pretend to understand 
the Tengu) and sat down heavily.  

	"There is one thing."  Soshi paused, gathering his thoughts.  "Have you 
determined why your power has no affect on the healing rate of my pupils?"

	He didn't look straight at me, his stare was off into a wall, but I still 
felt as if he was glaring down into me with his blank sockets.  I felt a sob 
catch in my throat, but I wouldn't let myself do it.  Not in front of Soshi.  I 
shook my head slowly, before realizing the futility of the move.  "No. I'm 
sorry."

	He nodded, and his shoulders seemed to slump ever so slightly.  "Akari... 
try again.  Please."  

	For once a statement out of his mouth didn't sound like an order disguised 
as a request, but more of a desperate plea.  I wanted to say no, to leave him 
alone, to get out of here and forget my failure from earlier.  "Of course."

	What can I say?  Friends first.

	I sat down beside him on the bed, and I gently raised my hands to his 
eyes.  Glowing white energy flowing from them, I closed my eyes and felt his 
wounds with my hands.  I fixed up a few earlier problems I was too exhausted or 
hurried to notice before, but then I summoned the core of my strength and 
focused on his eyes.  I tried to remember what they had been like.  

	What color were they?  They always annoyed me, I remembered that much.  I 
concentrated, and tried to do anything I could to try to heal them: 
visualization, massage, intense meditation.  Finally, after several minutes of 
effort I simply couldn't keep up the healing light any longer.  My hands 
dropped, and Soshi let out a small sigh before he could control himself.

	"Thank you for the attempt, Akari."  Soshi stood and bowed curtly in my 
direction.

	He looked so alone, putting on such a brave front.  I did the only thing I 
knew how.

	I burst into tears and hugged him for all I was worth.  

	I think I caught him off guard; his face actually expressed shock, a 
rarity in itself.  But then it was my turn to be surprised.  One arm wrapped 
around my back and patted me once lightly.  His eyes closed with effort, he 
whispered into my ear.  "Thank you."  

	After that he quickly disentangled himself from me and turned toward his 
bed.  I took this as a cue and made my way to the exit.  As the door opened, I 
stopped, and turned back to him.  "We'll find a way."  

	Without turning to face me, as his body might betray yet another emotion 
in such a short time, his head nodded just slightly.  "Indeed."

- = -

	I don't know how long I stayed in my own room, my head buried in my pillow 
to muffle my sobs.  All my life, I wanted to help people.  And Soshi... I may 
not have known him very well, but he was my friend.  I was supposed to be able 
to help him.  But I just couldn't.

	I probably would've went on all night had I not heard a knock on the 
door.  Rising quickly, I wiped my cheeks and put on my cheeriest smile.  "Come 
in."

	Judou walked in. I think he heard me.  I mentioned his extraordinary 
hearing before; it's probably part of his heritage.  He looked at my smiling 
face and shook his head.

	"You're not fooling me."  He sat next to me on the bed.  

	My smile cracked, and in a jumble of words everything tumbled out.  I 
buried my head in his shoulder and the tears just wouldn't stop flowing.  I told 
him all about Soshi's blindness and why it was my fault, how I was a failure, 
everything.  He just sat there and held me.  He listened intently as I babbled 
everything to him.  

	When I was done I slowly backed away, wiping the few tears remaining 
away from my eyes, he took my hand.  He looked at me with those eyes that had 
always been so mischievous, but now seemed eternally tortured, and guilty.

	"Akari, it's not your fault."

	"But--"

	"No.  Trust me.  What happened to Soshi isn't anyone's fault, even 
Soshi's.  And the limits of your power... you gave him back so much already.  No 
one holds you responsible for not being able to pull off a miracle, Akari.  
We're all only human."  He squeezed my hand gently.  "We'll get through this.  
And when we do, we'll find a cure for Soshi.  There's a large amount of magical 
texts in the world, I'm sure we can find a way.  Look how much we've gotten done 
so far."

	It didn't really dawn on me why I asked this until much, much later.  I 
suppose I was feeling down, and I felt I deserved it.  Judou was beginning to 
cheer me up, and the only way I could stay down was to ask him the one question 
bugging me throughout this entire ordeal.  "Why didn't you tell me?"

	Judou blinked, obviously unprepared for the shift in conversation.  Not 
that I can blame him.  I surprised myself with my quiet outburst.  But it was 
said, and I quietly waited as Judou collected his thoughts for an answer.

	He stood, breaking contact from me.  Perhaps the guilt was forcing him 
away from me.  Perhaps it had forced him away from me.  "I was afraid.  I 
was afraid you would reject me for who I was and think of me as a monster.  I 
know now that it doesn't matter, but I was still afraid.  I'm sorry."

	Suddenly, a lot more things made sense to me.  Slowly, I rose and gave him 
the first genuine smile of the night.  I hugged him and kissed him on the cheek.  
"I trust you Judou.  Remember?"  

	I swear for a moment I saw his cheeks turn just a tint of red.

	"Thank you, Akari.  We better get some sleep."

	"Good night, Judou."  

- = -

	We all sat quietly in Judou's room.  I don't think anyone knew quite what 
to say.  The honest truth was, if Judou's family didn't help us, we had nowhere 
else to turn.  Even Soshi didn't want to acknowledge this fact, I imagine.  The 
tension in the room slowly escalated, growing to a point where I thought I could 
scream any second.  Where was Goranu?

	"Nice accommodations," Kenchi remarked.

	"Surprisingly civilized."  Soshi added.  He didn't see the glare Judou 
gave him.

	Thankfully, the fight stopped before it even started.  We simply waited 
awhile longer in silence.  I never felt so much nervousness before.  What was 
Goranu going to say?  A quick glance confirmed that Shuukou was as nervous as I 
was.  She kept shifting and petting the potted fern on the nightstand next to 
her.  

	Finally, we heard steps outside the door.  The door opened slowly, and 
Goranu entered.  He looked each of us in the eye with a steady gaze.  No one 
dare spoke.  The repercussions of rejection were too great.  Finally Goranu 
ended with his eyes on Judou.  His talon still unmoving, I heard him speak.
"I'm afraid you can't stay here."

	Everyone drained of energy at once.  I nearly fell over where I stood, 
while Shuukou shrunk into her fern even further.  Kenchi looked pale, and even 
Soshi's face looked a slightly off shade.

	"However, we will confer with the elders in Aomori."  The old buzzard's 
eyes gleamed mischievously.  "I support you.  We just think there is little to 
be done here."  

	None of us dared speak, or we might betray our anger and desperation.

	"We'll be watching over you."  Goranu produced a small Tengu pendant from 
his wing.  "Judou.  This is a gift, from me to you.  It's magic may help you 
find the true nature of your heritage, if you wish to find it."

	Hesitating for just a moment, Judou grabbed the pendant and put it on.  
The small Tengu rested right in the center of his chest.  "Thank you Uncle."

	"You are welcome."

	I watched, spellbound as the two Tengu simply stared at each other.  Judou 
nodded curtly, and with that Goranu left.  As usual, Kenchi was the first to 
speak.

	"What are we going to do?!"  His voice betrayed his level of stress.  "We 
can't go back to the city!"  

	Judou shook his head.  "It's our quest.  Not theirs.  We have to make the 
journey ourselves."

	"But we might be killed," I added.

	It was Shuukou's turn to be determined.  "We will survive."

	Soshi nodded, "I have been... practicing on the way here.  I may be able 
to provide a certain level of... security we were previously unable to enjoy." 

	Exasperated, Kenchi let out a sigh.  "Fine.  Then what will we do?"

	Judou nodded, "We're going to Aomori."

*****

Author's Notes:

Wow that was tough & fun at the same time.  I'll definitely be signing up again.

Thanks to my prereaders: Ard, Phoebe, Dame, & Ravi.  And Kate, I know you 
would've if you'd had the time, I completely understand. ^_^

Big extra special thanks to Ria for putting up with a few hours tardiness.

And thanks to John & Arwen for writing such a fantastic starter.

Oh, and Yeah, I thought I'd be a punk and put the omake first.  It was a 
prereader-only gag at first... but it went over so well... Hee.

One last bit of Omake fun:

******

	"Where are all the other Tengu?" Shuukou asked curiously.

	Goranu shifted uncomfortably then looked Shuukou in the eye.  "Lord Zedd 
may be an evil bastard, but you can't beat the pay."

*******

That was a 5pt Power Rangers riff ^_^

Anywho, I'm outtie.  This was a (stressful) blast! ^_^

ColdFury
9/12/00