damned_institute | Nightshift 33: Chapel

Time was ticking... And truly, as much as he did not care whether II was injured, he supposed it was the least he could do after the second practically carried him upstairs. Whatever this price that the inscription told of... well, he was used to taking risks.

He removed the bandages on his left eye and right hand to just see if this was not a certain way for dear Dr. Landel to screw with people and, to Luxord's surprise, the wounds almost seemed to reverse themselves out of existence. His hand, his vision, the pain under the other bandages... It was gone.

Interesting.

He was sure this "price" would come to haunt him sooner than later (randomly spewing blood, perhaps? Losing consciousness in the middle of an important battle?) but there was a Xigbar to assist. With little more than a "well, that was intriguing" and removing the rest of the gauze from his body, the Gambler plucked some cards from his sleeve and exited the chapel.

[To here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/402304.html?thread=32340096)]

MOMO didn't stop running until she was well inside the chapel, and even then a part of her feared that thing following. But, no, that was why Hijikata had wanted to stay behind, wasn't it? To make sure she and Okita arrived safely? Or as safely as they could, considering how the night had played out so far.

The Prototype closed her eyes, one hand gripping tightly to the back of a pew while the other remained pressed against her chest. She just hoped he'd be able to handle the creatures attacks better than she had.

[following after from here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/402304.html?thread=32728448#t32728448)]

It was hard to run. The blood made it difficult for his bare feet to get any semblence of traction. More than that, it was the idea of running that stung Okita worse. He made it into the chapel shortly after MOMO, slamming into a back pew and biting back a growl of pain when he instinctually grabbed it with his right hand. His injuries were superficial, but MOMO needed to be looked after.

Leaning his weight against the pews, he moved forward, not seeing anything but her at the moment. Distantly, his mind registered another person somewhere in the chapel, but he didn't feel a threat and he ignored them. Reaching MOMO, he touched her shoulder and moved to where he could see her wound. It needed to be dressed and everything he wore would only give her an infection. "MOMO-san, can you sit down? I'll find something to wrap your wounds with."

It was only when she heard Okita enter the chapel that MOMO forced herself to stand straighter, and she hastily wiped a hand over her eyes to brush away the tears. She needed to be strong right now, at least until she was able to properly see to her duties as a healer.

Only... it seemed their roles were reversed for the moment. Waving a hand absently, as though that would be enough to push the topic of her well-being aside, she shook her head slowly.

"No, I-I'm fine." She did her best to smile, although she wasn't sure how convincing it was. "Don't worry about me. You're the one who... I should be the one helping you."

Time was ticking. Hijikata wasn't with them yet and Okita felt panic start to rise in him. If his leader didn't come soon, Okita would go to him. He'd lost him before and after hearing stories of people dying in these halls, he wasn't about to lose him again. His attention drifted toward the door, but when MOMO spoke, he looked at her again.

"My wounds are superficial," he said, brushing off her concern with his own. Bowing his head as he took a look at her chest, he frowned. Not too deep, but enough for it to hurt and pose potential problems later. He had nothing to work with, unless she didn't mind his rags and...just the thought of what clung to his clothes was enough to push him closer to the edge. Best to put that out of mind for now. "Please, sit down. It will do none of us any good if you are incapable of attending to anyone."

He was right, whether or not she wanted to admit it. She wouldn't be able to do much of anything if she ended up passing out, or something similar. Besides, what harm could sitting down do?

"You're right, I'm sorry." MOMO sighed, but moved to take a seat on one of the pews. "But you should probably sit down as well," she added, before turning her attention towards the door. Hijikata had yet to join them. He'd said he would follow but he was still out there, as were the two that had gone after Homura--

The realian paled at that thought, her thoughts shifting to Junior. If he and that other man thought to bring Homura to the chapel, that'd mean they'd have to pass through the area with that metal-like enemy as well. And there was no telling the condition Homura would be in.

"Junior," she began, turning back to Okita, "He and that other man went to find Homura. If they try to bring him here, they're going to have to pass by that thing too."

Still no sign of Hijikata or Kaito. Could the boy have run into the metal man before they did? He'd run off to the pharmacy, that much Okita had ascertained through the fog, but they hadn't seen him when they came around the corner. Another one lost? Okita felt his stomach clench at the thought of it. Kaito was his responsibility. Heiji had asked him to watch over the boy and if anything had happened to him, he'd never forgive himself. Things were falling apart in his head and he closed his eyes, trying to push them all back together again.

It all crumbled when MOMO mentioned who the others had gone after. Almost as if he were hated by the Heavens. Homura. Homura had been taken as well. His suspicions had been correct and now - dammit! MOMO was right and Okita motioned for her to stay seated. "Do what you can to heal yourself and be ready for when the injured come in. I'm afraid you're going to find yourself busy tonight."

It would have been wise to get himself healed first, but then he'd pushed through worse before. Coughing up blood at the Ikedaya, having his chest nearly crushed by Yoshida - bites and glass were child's play. He wasn't coughing yet. The disease was...quiet for now. He had to make himself useful before he was put out of commission again. Giving MOMO his best attempt at a reassuring smile, he said, "I'll go get them."

If it killed him, he'd pull Hijikata out of there. He'd felt guilty enough for leaving him behind, but to leave both of his leaders in such a dangerous predicament? He couldn't call himself a man if he didn't head back. Starting for the door, Okita just hoped the addage 'the pen is mightier than the sword' was actually true.

[heading back out (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/402304.html?thread=32728448#t32728448)]

[From here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/402304.html?thread=32732544#t32732544)]

Miraculously, they managed to get inside the chapel without that creature coming after them, although he still felt worry for Hijikata and Junior and Okita. Damn it, hadn't Okita been injured too? What was he playing at?

He managed to slam the door behind himself as best he could while still holding Homura, and then turned, hoping that his trust in Martin Landel's arrogance was well placed. He scanned the darkness, spotting Momo with some relief and heading over to her, guding Homura.

"Hey. Junior's out there causing a distraction for us," he explained quickly to the girl. "Could you look Homura over?"

MOMO stood and moved a few steps towards the door before she stopped again, her fingers knitting into the fabric of her skirt. She wanted nothing more than to run after Okita but she'd been told to prepare for when the injured arrived, and that meant staying behind. And considering it was her failure to follow Hijikata's initial order that had gotten her injured in the first place, it would probably be in her best interest to stay put.

That didn't make it any easier, however, and it was with much reluctance that she finally moved back to her seat in order to see to her wounds. One of the blades from the metal man had cut through the material covering her arms when she shielded her neck, and that made her job easier. MOMO ripped the sleeve off completely, then pressed the fabric to her chest. It would've been easier to simply cast a healing spell on herself, but her thoughts were on the others. If she was going to end up having to heal more than one or two people, as Okita had already implied, then she wanted to save her strength for that. She wouldn't be able to forgive herself if she exhausted herself before being able to help someone who really needed it, so her own injuries could wait. She'd be fine once she managed to stop the bleeding, anyway.

All she had to do now was wait for the others--and she didn't have very long to wait. Although she was relieved that Homura and the other man had made it without having to face that enemy, her worry increased when he mentioned that Junior was acting as a distraction.

Still, right now it was important for her to focus on the task at hand. Junior would be all right; she just needed to believe that while she saw to Homura.

"Yes, of course." With little more than a quick glance towards the doors, MOMO stood and moved aside. "Just... have a seat and I'll see what I can do."

They had made it, though Homura didn't understand what supposedly made this room any safer than the others. He looked around as best he could in the darkness, and saw no monsters, but no answers either.

Kenren had yet to release him, and the demi-god went willinly enough to the strange woman. He wasn't entirely thrilled with the idea of being examined, however, and gave Kenren a questioning look. "I thought you said not to trust the doctors." Not that there was firm reason to trust the elder god. But Homura was willing enough to for the moment, and certainly if it would keep someone else from cutting into his head.

Kenren helped Homura over to the girl and into a seat, only then releasing his grip on the other god. He looked over at Momo, smiling apologetically at the girl, especially when he saw the wound that she was trying to stifle. His expression twisted and he bowed his head. "I'm sorry. I didn't realise you were hurt," he said. Damn, and he hadn't even introduced himself. He assumed that she was Momo, having seen her name on the bulletin but hadn't been properly introduced. "I can bandage you up if you need it," he offered. "No sense in letting the healer bleed out.

He looked back at Homura, grinning slightly at the other god. "She's one of the patients, not a doctor," he said. "It's... we have a lot of ground to cover."

MOMO shook her head quickly, wanting to brush aside the topic of her injuries as soon as possible. "Thank you for the concern, but that won't be necessary. It looks worse than it really is, so I'll be all right." Besides, she had something else she could focus on now that Homura was here.

Except this wasn't going to be as straightforward as she had thought it would. That much was proved by Homura's comment, and the realian couldn't help but give the two a curious look as the second man offered a reply.

"Um, right," she nodded slowly, her full attention shifting to Homura. For the second time that night, she was feeling as though she had missed something important. "I promise I'm not going to do anything to hurt you, so... May I take a look?"

Mere promises weren't much to go by, but Homura couldn't help thinking that this woman seemed sincere, if confused. He could pardon it easily enough, considering that he wasn't much better off. After a moment of hesitation, he nodded, carefully, unsure how long the medication would hold out.

"I know she used a blade on my forehead," Homura pointed to his newly inserted chakra, having no idea that he'd ever lost it at all. "But what's more concerning is the back. When I woke up, the doctor was doing something to the back of my head. She said I'd gotten injured, and that was why I couldn't remember anything.". Though if what Kenren had said was true, those words were a half lie--the woman herself had done the deed, purposely taking away those memories. Again the demi-god wondered about what he might have lost, and looked to Kenren.

"Taisho.". Maybe there was a way to learn without exposing too much. "You said I told you I was the Toushin Taishi. If you would, what else did I tell you?"

Worse than it is? THat didn't mean it actually wasn't bad, but Kenren was willing to go with it for now. If she started looking like she was going to pass out or something though, then he wasn't going to just stand by and let her. He disliked having to ask her to do this now as it was. Definitely disliked the necessity of it.

Kenren peered at Homura's forehead, noticing the chakra that was there now where it hadn't been before. He reached up to touch his own forehead where his own had been and now there was just a faint white scar.

He gave Homura a look that was half amused and half exhasperated at the use of his title. "Kenren. No point using a title that's pretty much defunct considering I'm dead in our world and had um... rather forcibly left the army by then." As well as taking a good portion of them out with him.

He moved to sit down on one of the pews, facing Homura. He tapped his lips thoughtfully. "It isn't a happy story," he said honestly. "And what I know I heard from you here because it takes place after I was killed for rebelling along with Tenpou and Konzen. You had a lover, her name was Rinrei. But they found out about you." His voice was solemn as he related the story. "She was sentenced to reincarnation in the lower world and you were made to become the Toushin Taishi in Nataku's stead." He looked back up at Homura, guaging his reaction befoe continuing.

MOMO released a breath she hadn't realized she had been holding once Homura nodded his consent. For a moment she feared he wouldn't allow her to look him over, and that likely would have lead to quite a few problems. She was also glad that the other man--Kenren, he had said--hadn't pressed her about her injury.

As the two men began talking, she moved around to have a look at the back of Homura's head. She couldn't contribute to the current conversation, after all, and it at least provided a distraction from worrying about the three that had yet to arrive in the chapel.

Working carefully, MOMO brushed his hair aside, looking for evidence that a doctor had done something. It didn't take long to find it, either, and the realian couldn't help but frown.

Something had been done, since there was a closed wound. That didn't explain what exactly they had done to him, but considering both Homura's comment about memory loss and Kenren telling about what she assumed was his life, it was easy to take a guess.

Homura's eyes had followed MOMO up until the point he couldn't see her anymore. He wasn't entirely comfortable with the woman's touch, something to be expected given what he'd been through. Still, even though he'd tensed when MOMO worked her fingers through his hair, Homura didn't try to stop her. Instead, he reminded himself that it was possible she was trying to help, and focused on Kenren's words.

It was almost a bigger mistake.

"What?!" Homura shot up from where he stood, all of Kenren's words sinking in at once. What he heard about the elder god's fate was difficult enough to comprehend, but the title of Toushin Taishi, and worse, Rinrei! "But that's insane! Rinrei did nothing wrong! Why would they punish her for something that was my crime? Mine!"

It wasn't true. It couldn't be true; the Heavens may have despised him, but Rinrei was one of their own, a full-blooded god! Certainly they wouldn't have gone so far at that! Homura meant to walk away then, to leave the room and find Rinrei wherever she was, to prove Kenren wrong. But he was hardly steady, and he didn't even make it a single step before he stumbled forward, dropping hard onto his hands and knees.

Kenren looked over him, a tired look on his face. He didn't want to have to deal with this and wasn't certain how best to do it. "Because they're cruel bastards who will never rest until they've taken away everything from you once they've decided on a grudge," he said, sounding utterly weary. "They took Rinrei out of your hands forever, and kept you their prisoner. It's no wonder you want to change the world." Kenren could sympathise with that goal. He would have settled for just saving the others though.

He stood quickly when Homura fell though, moving over to his side and crouching next to him, one hand resting on his shoulder and an expression of concern on his face. "I'm sorry. That was probably too much at once, but I figured you'd want to know the truth and not some comforting lie."

MOMO couldn't quite follow along with the conversation, given the fact that she didn't recognize the various names and terms (and a part of her had to wonder if she was even meant to hear it). She wasn't expecting the sudden reaction from Homura either, but she had enough sense to quickly pull her hands back, for fear of accidentally scratching him or causing the wound to reopen.

Unsure of what to say or do, she merely looked between the two men. It was only when he fell that she moved to kneel at his other side.

"Homura, please." The realian glanced briefly to Kenren, wishing she had understood more of what he had said. Maybe then she could've said something more useful. "I'm sure that was difficult to hear, but you... You shouldn't be moving too much right now."

Whether or not they wanted to deal with it, or wanted him to stay still, Homura was still reeling from the impact of Kenren's words. Could it really be true? Rinrei, his beautiful Rinrei, taken and reincarnated for nothing! Would even the gods be so cruel as that?!

"No. You're wrong." Homura had no proof of it, but neither did Kenren. He had just seen Rinrei, only minutes ago. She had been laying beside him, smiling at him, gentle and content. He took in a shuddering breath, able to see it all so clearly. It wasn't true. This was some sort of trick.

"I have to find her. I will find her." At that moment, Homura didn't care that Kenren knew, or that he might tell. He had to make sure Rinrei was safe, had to protect her like he vowed. He'd start with the woman who shared the same honey-colored hair. She seemed to be responsible for bringing him here. He could make her tell him the truth, and then he would find Rinrei.

She wasn't taken by the gods. She couldn't have been.

Kenren sighed softly, running a hand through his hair and squeezing his eyes shut for a moment. He supposed that he shouldn't have expected Homura to believe it straight away, he just hadn't adjusted to this new version of him. The loss of his memories truly made him seem a different person. He seemed so fucking young right then.

He squeezed Homura's shoulder, wishing that he had better news for him. But he couldn't lie and pretend that nothing was amiss. That would be a huge disservice to him.

"Then don't go running off to get yourself killed," Kenren said firmly after a moment, his voice hard and commanding. "You said you had a visit from her earlier in the week, when I had a visit too. But finding her again means working to escape from and destroy this place first. And you're no good to her if you're dead." Harsh maybe, but for now he had to understand.

The Prototype decided it was best to leave the topic of Homura's past and 'Rinrei' to Kenren, since he seemed to know what he was talking about. For now, she'd focus on her duties as a healer.

"You're in no condition to go anywhere right now." Especially since that odd metal man was still outside. Junior and the others were still out there too, but for how much longer? And what was taking them so long, anyway..?

Shaking her head, MOMO tried to bring her focus back to the current situation. "Listen. There's nothing I can do about your memory, but I can tend to your physical wounds if you'll let me. It's important that you be in good health, right? It'll certainly help in trying to leave this place, so... Will you let me? Please?"

He couldn't exactly argue with MOMO just then; Homura couldn't walk on his own, much less face the men he'd seen in the halls and gods only knew what else. The words of both made too much sense to argue with, and Homura formed a fist in frustration. Part of him wanted to slam his hand down, just to do something, anything at all. Twin senses of confusion and powerlessness overwhelmed him, and Homura closed his eyes tightly, trying to will it all to stop.

A week, mere moments, or countless years. He didn't think he could ever understand it. It seemed too perfect a loss to even be real.

Homura pushed himself back on his knees with a sigh. "I'm sorry." He wasn't sure exactly who he was apologizing to, but it seemed appropriate. "Please continue, Miss."

He turned his head away from MOMO to let her continue her work. Now facing Kenren, Homura spoke softly, not quite able to bring himself to meet Kenren's gaze. "Do you know how much...how long I've forgotten?"

Kenren pulled back when MOMO came up beside them, giving her enough room to work in taking care of Homura. He didn't want to get in the way of treating his injuries.

He met Homura's gaze squarely, moving to sit on the ground, legs stretched out in front of him, much more comfortable than crouching for the rest of the conversation. "How much?" he repeated, frowning thoughtfully. Homura had known Hakkai and Sanzo, but he didn't know when exactly this version of Homura was from. "I guess... you said five hundred years after our deaths. So I'm guessing about that much time. Maybe a little more." That was a huge amount of memories to lose.

Thank goodness they had seemed to get through to him. MOMO wasn't sure how long Homura would stay seated this time, so she wasted no time in getting back to work.

The only injury she could find was the one that had already been closed up. Of course, merely stitching skin back together didn't mean it had been taken care of properly. And considering it had likely been the doctor who created the incision in the first place, well, it was safe to say she didn't quite trust the doctor's work.

MOMO frowned and checked once more, before finally letting her fingers rest near the base of his neck. Before she could move on, Kenren's reply caught her attention and she couldn't help but pause.

How exactly did someone lose five hundred years worth of memories? How did someone gain five hundred years worth of memories to lose, even? Then again, she needed to remind herself that they were from a different world than she was. And, at any rate, now wasn't the time to worry about that."

"I, um... Sorry to interrupt, but I'm going to try a healing spell now. I need you to tell me once you're feeling better or if you begin to feel uncomfortable, Homura, okay?" With that said, the realian took a deep breath and closed her eyes as she concentrated on beginning and maintaining the Medica spell.

Five hundred years. Homura had known he would die one day, completely naturally. It had been his only comfort for a long time, a far off day he only hoped would draw closer with each breath he took. That had changed after he met Rinrei.

Five hundred years.

Answers only led to more questions, however. Had Rinrei just been taken? Or had Homura spent too much of that time without her? Had he ever been able to find her as a human? It should have been possible. Reincarnation still meant she would live, though not as a god. And even if she didn't remember him, there was a chance that her soul might not be completely cleansed.

He'd never told her he loved her.

Homura wanted to ask Kenren so many things then, needed more details than he had. But the Taisho had already said what he knew he'd learned from Homura. He didn't think he would have said too much, even with reason to trust Kenren. But then, he might have told the man everything. There wasn't much he didn't confide in Rinrei.

Questions would have to wait, however. MOMO had begun doing her work, and Homura, not entirely unfamiliar with spells, closed his eyes. She was showing him great kindness, and certainly the least he could do was give her his undivided attention. It wasn't entirely easy to determine when the work was done, thanks to the pain medication. But underneath his skin, Homura's skull began to heal, the bone slowly knitting itself together where the hole had been put. His skin began to mend, and even the dull throb that the drugs hadn't been able to take away began to vanish. Homura waited until the pain he could feel was gone, and decided it would be enough. He could handle anything that remained.

"That's fine. Thank you." Homura didn't move yet, not wanting to do anything that might disrupt the woman too badly. Perhaps one of the strangest things for him was the slow realization that wherever he'd ended up, Homura had ultimately made friends, and with good people at that.

"Thank you both." So he said it again, bowing his head this time.

Kenren nodded to MOMO respectfully, smiling at her. "Thanks for your help," he said genuinely. "We appreciate it." And he knew she must be worried for Junior since the two seemed to be friends, and Kenren couldn't deny the stab of worry he felt thinking about the fight going on outside with that creature. But Homura had needed medical attention and hadn't been in any shape to fight or even walk.

He kept an eye on the chapel door while MOMO worked, wary even now, despite not expecting anything to attack in here. He noted the odd fountain over at one end. It hadn't been there the other day and he suspected that was the miraculous 'healing fountain' people had mentioned, the one with the price attached.

He turned his attention back to Homura and MOMO when he heard the other god speak, smiling slightly at his words. "No worries. You're a friend after all and nearly no-one deserves to be subjected to the kind of things they do here." He wasn't going to say no-one because really, Li Touten? Would totally deserve it. He moved over to MOMO's side, ready tohelp her if she needed it. He knew that powers took their toll on people.

It hadn't taken long for MOMO to realize just how much more difficult it was to maintain a spell when she was injured herself. Regardless, it wasn't in her to give up easily, no matter what the cost to herself was, and she held on until Homura spoke up.

Moving her hands away, the realian sat back and gripped her knees tightly, willing herself to remain steady. Falling over or passing out wouldn't impress anyone right now, and there was still the question of what condition Junior and the others would be in once they were able to join them. She was determined to remain up and alert until she could see them again, and she hoped with all her heart that they'd arrive safely.

It took a few seconds for her to realize that Homura had thanked them a second time. She didn't quite trust herself to speak without her voice giving away the fatigue she was feeling, so MOMO simply offered a smile and a short nod as an agreement to what Kenren had already said.

The drugs still were making it hard to balance, but already Homura felt so much better than he had. He didn't risk touching the back of his head just yet, but he did turn, slowly and much more steadily, changing his position so he could face them both. Sitting on the floor didn't bother him at all; Homura a bit too used to it for that.

What did bother him was that MOMO seemed to be straining. He wasn't entirely sure why, but he could tell. He'd seen Rinrei act that way a few times, when she wasn't quite ready to return to the other gods (and who could blame her), but when Homura had in one way or another tired her too much. He understood some of the reasons, but just as with his own lover, Homura didn't think it entirely wise.

"You're tired, aren't you?" If what Kenren said was true, then he and MOMO both were suffering as much as Homura was. And clearly what she had done for him was the ultimate cause of her fatigue now, so Homura refused to let her suffer in silence. "You should lay down if you need to. Rest while you can."

He almost reached out to touch her cheek, even lifted his hand to do so. But Homura thought better of it, and after a moment's paused put his hand by his side again.

Were they really friends, like the Taisho had said?

Kenren rested a hand on MOMO's shoulder lightly when the girl pulled away, squeezing it lightly for a moment. "Thankyou," he said, giving her a warm smile. It was always good to have a healer and MOMO had demonstrated her skills admirably. "You need any help?" He wasn't going to point out that she must be feeling weak, but he wasn't going to just ignore that either.

He caught the way that Homura reached for her and then pulled back, filing away that bit of information with interest. It was kind of fascinating, seeing how Homura acted now, without the bitterness that Kenren had seen in him previously. His smile gentled a little as he looked at Homura. "So, anything you want to ask me?"

Looking up to Kenren, MOMO gave him a smile in return. "I'm just happy that I'm able to help." Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath then shook her head slowly. "And thank you, but I'll be all right."

There didn't seem to be a point in denying that she was tired, now that it seemed both men had noticed. Still, as good as laying down sounded, she wouldn't allow herself to do that just yet. She was also curious about the way Homura had lifted his hand, but she chose not to question it at the moment.

"Thank you both, but I'll be all right," MOMO repeated. "I'll rest for now, but I want to be up when the others get here."

That they noticed his discomfort went unnoticed by Homura, who instead was just relieved that MOMO did agree to rest. Part of him felt guilty when she mentioned the others, who must have been the ones involved in the fight. His injury had hurt, but now he wondered if the girl would push herself too far because she had healed him. It didn't make sense to the demi-god, especially since he'd already been treated.

But then, the ones returning may not be so severely injured. Homura had no experience in the area (that he knew of, at least), so he had no way of telling. Still, something in him wasn't going to become to hopeful.

Then Kenren addressed him, asking Homura if there was anything else he wanted to know. It was a silly question, of course. Homura wanted to know everything he could, and that should go without saying. But the demi-god shook his head slowly, thinking better of it. "I...There's already a lot for me to deal with. I think for now, it'd be better if I tried to understand what you've told me. It's a lot."

It was everything, if what he'd said about Rinrei was indeed true.

He'd keep an eye on MOMO, but she did seem to be alright for now. He wouldn't make her feel uncomfortable by demanding to know how she felt. He smiled back and nodded, moving away so that he could sit with his back against one of the pews, stretching his legs out comfortably and resting his hands behind his head. Damn, he felt tired.

He looked over at Homura and nodded. "It is a lot, yeah. And I'm afraid I don't have most of the details for you. But find me anytime if you need something and I'll do my best to help."

Junior hurried into the chapel just as Hijikata suggested a weapons trade with the creature, and hoped that whatever Hijikata was thinking might do them some good. It didn't seem like the kind of thing that could be reasoned with, but so long as they followed close behind...the longer they took, the more likely the redhead would charge back out. He glanced around, hoping that Kenren had been right about this place being safe, and only spotted people he recognized.

Good, MOMO was okay and Kenren had gotten Homura in here safely. At least something was going right tonight.

"Okita told me to get inside," he said, heading over to them. It'd probably be best to give them a run-down of what was going on. "Whatever the hell that thing is, it has Hijikata's sword, and he's got one of its weapons. He was trying to reason with it for an exchange when I left, so hopefully they'll be close behind." Except Junior didn't believe his own words. He glanced back at the door, hoping to see them coming in at any second, but knew it would probably take a little bit longer. That thing...it wouldn't die. Even if it traded weapons with Hijikata, there was no way it was just going to let them walk.

He suddenly really wanted to go back out. They'd probably still need help, and there was no way he was leaving them behind. Trying to quell that urge, the redhead shook his head and looked back over at the group, trying to give them as much of a smile as he could manage. "It's great to see you're all alright."

In all honesty, MOMO appreciated the concern, but she was also glad that neither Kenren nor Homura pressed the issue. For now, she'd do as she said and try to rest while waiting for the others to arrive.

It seemed she had no sooner closed her eyes when somebody else finally entered the chapel, and the realian couldn't help the relieved smile that came once she heard Junior's voice. Unfortunately, the news he brought regarding the situation in the outside hall didn't sound too promising. It raised the question of how Hijikata and the creature had gotten a hold of each others weapon, and MOMO had to wonder how effective reasoning would be.

Still, it was in her nature to remain optimistic. Junior had been able to escape, so hopefully Hijikata and Okita would be able to do the same once the weapons were sorted out. Aside from worrying, there was little she could do for the two men as long as they remained in the outside hall. And, since Junior was here now, she wanted to confirm that he was all right.

"Thank goodness." MOMO pushed herself up and moved to the redhead’s side, doing her best to ignore the dizziness that came with the movements. "You were all taking so long... You didn't get hurt, did you?"

[from here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/402304.html?thread=33042816#t33042816)]

Okita hit the chapel doors and rather than going to the others, he sank to the floor beside the first line of pews, watching outside. He was bleeding, it hurt like nothing else, but he was still watching Hijikata. At the slightest hint of trouble, he'd be back out there even if it killed him. Ignoring Junior and the others for now, he crouched by the door and waited while his heart pounded in his chest.

He was dizzy from blood loss, but the pain helped to keep a little of his focus intact. It was time to calm down and look at things like a strategist. If only he could get his head to wrap around the facts and factors, the players and the consequences. He just needed a moment to think without the smell invading his senses, without the pain and the blood...oh dear. It really was getting everywhere. Focus. Trying to keep out of the way of the others, he stayed and watched and waited for Hijikata to follow him through.

Homura looked up when Junior came over, but noted that no one else seemed to follow him right away. Had things gone so badly out there? Or were they still fighting, slowly making their escape one by one? Talk of trying to get a weapon back made sense to the demi-god, but still, the situation didn't seem as optimistic to him as it did to the others.

Especially when the chapel doors opened again.

The first thing that hit Homura was the smell. He didn't know why, of course, but the man who came in utterly reeked. He found it hard not to wrinkle his nose at the odor, but Homura at least tried to be tactful. He didn't even cover his mouth, though the urge certainly was there.

MOMO was looking over Junior, but since he seemed fine, Homura pointed to the one who had just entered. "He's one of your friends too, isn't he?" Your friends. Perhaps Homura's as well, but as it stood then, he had no recognition of the other man. Regardless, these people were important to the ones who had helped him, and Homura didn't want them unnecessarily hurt, especially if the man was to injured to get to them on his own.

[from here (http://community.livejournal.com/damned/402304.html?thread=33041536#t33045632)]

Hijikata wasn't too far behind, catching the chapel door and pulling it shut as he entered. He took a deep breath, than another, fighting to keep himself from showing weakness by leaning against the door or wall for support. Others were hurt more seriously. He would remain in control.

He looked over to the side of the door where Souji crouched, worry taking over. It wasn't far; he didn't stumble in the step it took to kneel by the younger man's side.

"--How bad are your wounds?" he asked, frustrated again by the dirtied cloth that hid Souji's new injury. His imagination was worse than reality, he was sure - almost sure.

Nightshift 33: Chapel

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