Tiachi was gone. Toma was still tense. She looked at Riadon.
Rai stood there, thinking. His face showed pain and anger.
Toma put her hands together. "Thank yo, earth." she said.
A spirit appeared before her. "You still must pay the price," it said.
Toma nodded, "Sorasuke, You may take your debt."
White wisps appeared arround Toma. The spirit lifted her hand. The white wisps touched Toma.
They began to turn red. Toma's face began to mix with pain.
"You have collected your debt," Toma said in a dark tone. "Now leave."
The spirit and the wisps disapeared. The sword reappeared in Toma's hand.
Toma went to her knees.
"Toma," Rai yelled. He ran over.
Toma looked pale. "I'm fine," she said, smiling.
Rai sighed. "When will you stop making me worry," He said.
Toma kept smiling, then frowned. "You're hurt," she said.
"It's nothing," Rai said.
"Nothing my foot," Toma said, sitting up. She dug in her bag. She pulled out bandages. She began to wrap his shoulder.
"So, what just happened," Rai asked.
"I thought I explained it," Toma said, exasperated. "To use the technique, I must give blood, and slicing my hand wasn't enough."
"Oh," Rai said, "Have you done it before?"
Toma shook her head. "I just heard of it recently," she said.
There was a silence.
"Toma," Rai said.
"What is it?"
"Can you help me get my sword," He asked.
Toma stopped.
"Toma?"
"Of course you don't know." She said quietly. She began to shake.
"Toma, what happened?" Rai asked urgently.
Toma looked up. Tears welled up in her eyes. "I'm sorry," She said, "Rai, I overheard Byakuya nee-san say that Yamamoto will destroy your sword in a week!"