Two worlds brothers-conflict book 2

Burn

Eliza's legs hit the pavement with urgency, her lungs burn and her eyes water from the frigid air of four in the morning, her legs are numb and her head feels like it's going to implode; but still she keeps running. She's a mile away when she spots someone else running on the opposite sidewalk, in the same direction as her. The black hair doesn't tell her much but it's a woman.

Eliza pushes herself she's almost there. Her heart pounds inside her rib cage as she starts to see smoke. She and the mystery women join paths and run alongside each other.

The building is in ruins. It's barely standing up and smoke seeps our from the windows with great intensity. The other woman stops to stare but Eliza keeps running. There are two men outside in the ground, unconscious. Eliza turns them over

"Jasmine" she whispers as she sees her ash filled face, she shakes her but she doesn't respond "Jasmine!" Eliza calls again but with no response. The other body she doesn't recognize. The other woman does and calls his name, he doesn't answer either

"They're still alive" the other woman says, to herself or Eliza she doesn't know. Eliza turns to the building

"They're in there" she whispers and looks down at Jasmine. Quick as she can she takes off her jacket and scarf and wraps it around her nose and mouth. The other woman uses the mans tie, they look at each other and silently walk into the burning building.

Eliza can barely see inside and she starts coughing almost immediately. She knows the building but even then it takes her a few moments to orient herself. Once she does she starts walking to where they were meeting. Eliza walks carefully and quickly, her coat only catches fire once. When she makes it the room is practically collapsed. She'll have to be very careful, one wrong move and everything would crumble.

"Be careful" the other woman sneers at her and dives in, Eliza bites her cheek from hitting her and follows her lead. They find the leaders easily enough, but what they see almost makes them cry out. All three leaders are butchered. Their faces practically blown apart. The Islander has his leg hanging from a tendon. The woman doesn't puke which impresses Eliza, instead she takes the Spider and starts climbing back out. Eliza grabs Kazuo as firmly as she can and almost cries out as his hot flesh burns her own. She grits her teeth and starts pulling.

Eliza almost cries out when Kazuo's eye threatens to pop out of his skull, luckily it stays inside and she continues. Once outside, Eliza and the woman break deeply and arrange the bodies as respectfully as possible before turning around and going back in. However they're surprised when a man emerges with the Islander on his back. He lays him down and covers his face. The three of them doesn't say a word before going back inside

By the time the clans arrive in full force, nine of the twenty people who were inside are recovered. The man and woman kneels beside their leaders as does Eliza, she strokes Kazuo's hair and hums quietly to him as the building behind her finally crumbles. Everyone is in an uproar, trying in vain to go into the collapsed building. The heirs all stay kneeled and don't lift their eyes from the leaders until they are given clothes to wrap them in.

After they're wrapped they help carry the leader into the car and go back to the other heirs. The woman has golden eyes that seem very familiar to Eliza, the man has the most electric blue-green hair she has ever seen. The bow at each other and holds each other's wrists in solidarity

"My deepest regret for your loss" they say in unity, they turn around and get into their cars and drive away.

The smell of burning flesh fills the car but no one says a word about it. Back in Yamaguchi territory all lights are on and all doors are open. Every member waits nervously in the court yard. The car pulls in and Eliza emerges with Kazuo's body in her arms, the few women there start to cry and the men how their heads to hide their tears. Even the Lions are crying. Akito stands at the very front of the crowd his face grim with sadness and worry but there's also relief in his eyes.

Eliza walks into the main house and lays Kazuo in his bedroom. The healers arrive seconds after and they start to work. Eliza leaves them to it and goes back outside where the crowd has dispersed and started preparations for the funeral. Eliza goes into her house and is immediately hugged by Sasha, tears stream down her face. Eliza hugs her back and Akito steps forward. Eliza grabs Sasha's asks and holds in a lock, her hand at her throat, the others take a step forward but Akito raises his hand

"I'll only ask this once Sohma" Eliza says in a raspy but steady voice "did you have anything to do with the fire?" Akito steps forward and Eliza tightens her grip on Sasha's neck. Both their eyes are as cold as steel as they stare each other down.

"No" Akito says firm but soft as well, Eliza let's go of Sasha who coughs as she breaths again but the girl doesn't run instead she turns back around and squeezes Eliza's hand. Tears start to roll down her cheeks and her knees finally buckle, Akito catches her and holds her in a tight embrace

"I'm sorry" Eliza sobs "I'm sorry... I had to ask... I couldn't live with myself if..." Eliza is barley elocuente in her words but Akito understands

"It's okay" he says and holds her closer "I understand sweetheart I do"

"I'm sorry" Eliza cries harder and holds Akito for dear life. Eventually she wears herself out and wipes away her tears

"I have to go help" she says taking a Kleenex from Yuki "the ceremony is at sundown. I have to go help" they all nod

"Hey" Akito says pulling her aside "are you okay?" Eliza takes a deep breath and squares her shoulders

"I have to be" she says and walks out the door.

Akito and the Lions help in getting the ceremony ready. They all offer Eliza their fists in solidarity when they see her. The clans have become one in the face of adversity. It would make Kazuo glad Eliza thinks and holds back a new wave of tears.