"Forbidden Love"
Here is the tale of love, betrayal, redemption, deception: Good and Evil. However, it is not like most stories though it may seem. It doesn't have a happy ending that would satisfy your tastes. Therefore, I warn you: Read this at your own risk!
"I hate you!" were the last words I remember exchanging with my mother and father. Now here they are at my funeral mourning over my ungrateful corpse. For those of you who are wondering, yes I am dead. Not a classic opening to a story, but I am not an ordinary girl and this is not an ordinary story. You see, I am a vampire hunter. However, you shouldn't get your hopes up, because this isn't what leads to my demise. It was my naïveté and the sweet words of a stranger that got me here. His name was Rido Kuran and I loved him in every sense of the word. So much so that I was blinded and am now in the predicament that I am in. I believe it is better to start from the beginning so you can fully understand my situation.
"Miyu, you have no time to lollygag!" my father exclaimed to me.
"Now dear don't rush her. You know Miyu is trying to look her best to impress Artemis," my mother began to snicker.
"Hm, too bad Luna wouldn't even let him out of her sights for a second," my twin sister, Yukinari, scoffed. As you could probably guess, this is my family. We are apart of the Kawabe clan of vampire hunters. The two people mentioned earlier: Luna and Artemis, are my sensei or teachers. Artemis is my personal favorite. Consequently, he also becomes my most dependable weapon.
"Hurry up slowpoke! We don't have all day! You know how cranky Luna is whenever we're late!" Yukinari knocked harshly on my bedroom door. I could tell by her tone that she was very annoyed. My routine was always monotonous, never a variation in it. I could never be on time, even on a day as special as this.
"Okay, okay!" I exclaimed from within my room. Moments later I emerged from my room ready and anticipating the day's assignment. A while ago, Artemis pulled me to the side during training.
"There is a task that I have for you, that only you can complete, understand?" his grip on my shoulder tightened. "However, I will not reveal anything until later. Wait patiently and I will tell you," with this he let me go and I continued training.
"It's about time!" my father scolded as he pointed toward the door, "Yukinari already left! Hurry if you want to catch her."
I ran in the direction that he pointed.
"Be safe," he whispered. At the time, I didn't realize how serious his tone was.
"Okay dad. Bye!" I called from behind me as the door shut. I ran as fast as I could toward the large dojo. It was in the form of a traditional Japanese mansion.
"You're late slacker!" I heard an irritated voice charge in my direction. Too exhausted to fire back, I cut a glare to the owner of the voice. It was that of Luna, looking down at me with a sarcastic grin and behind her stood my sister sporting the same look. Luna's attitude had a stench that could kill. It was never hard to detect when she was angry or jealous and this was one of those times.
"Don't be so harsh, Luna," a sweet voice came to my aid. Its tone gave me hope.
"You're always saving her from my wrath Artemis! You should stop being so sweet on her!" Luna sighed angrily.
"One day, he won't be here to save you Miyu. You might want to watch out," she whispered just before stomping off. Yukinari, being the follower that she is, kept close behind her like a sick puppy. I wanted to launch a dagger into her back, but I decided against it.
"Come Miyu," Artemis's voice was smooth and imperceptible. It perfectly accessorized with his physique. He was about 6 feet even, with short dark brown hair. He had skin the color of chestnut, but what made him even more irresistibly beautiful was his eyes. As I recall, they were the color of honey. I haven't forgotten them even to this day. When he approached me, his smile wasn't as bright as it usually was. It seemed to have that same expression that my father had when I left this morning. We walked in silence for a while until Artemis finally spoke.
"Miyu, you have been an excellent student. It has been an honor to teach you," his voice began to die down. I loved his compliments, but this time they seemed to be like a speech one says to honor the dead.
"Sensei, is there something wrong?" I asked trying to close the gap between us because he was walking rather swiftly.
"It's nothing, dear Miyu," he said just above a whisper. I knew right then that there was something wrong. He's never referred to me as dear before. I knew he was trying to keep something from me, but I held me thoughts.
"Here we are," he stopped in front of an immense pair of double doors. Their semblance gave me the impression that the contents were dangerous. Little did I know that the results of those contents would lead to my demise and a struggle that would last over ten years. I gasped at how finely detailed they were. There was a sign above in large bold letters that seemed to form a message. It read: "The Chosen are entering in, Only when time permits. The strongest and brave are no match, unless a pure heart is intact." Artemis opened the door and stepped aside to let me pass.
"This is your new special assignment Miyu," Artemis sighed and closed door once I was inside. At first it was dark and bewildering, when suddenly I heard singing. Immediately, the lights came on and I was shocked to see a room decorated with the finest silks, and emerald jewels accenting every piece of furniture.
"We've been expecting you Miyu," suddenly two people in shrine master clothing approached me. "H…how do you know my name?" I asked preparing myself to defend against an attack.
"We don't intend to cause you any harm upon you, Miyu," the woman spoke. She had jet black hair that fell down her back elegantly as it swayed when she walked. Her skin was pale and beautiful like the moonlight, and her eyes the color of coffee.
"My name is Kikyo and that is Miroku," she pointed toward the man who stood in the corner. He looked at me and everything in me stopped. I felt like he was reading me. His gaze was intense and nearly caused me to faint.
"We have been given the task of being your guardians for your special assignment," and after that moment everything in my life took a spiral to chaos.
"You are to keep an eye out for this man," Miroku held up a picture. Even though it was just a small picture. It spoke more words than I could fathom. The picture seemed to call out to me.
"This is Rido Kuran," Kikyo spoke plainly; "You have been chosen to complete this task by your sensei, Artemis. He believed you to be most fit for the job." She paused and looked at me to make sure I was with her. I simply nodded.
"He has been plotting to attack Cross Academy. I'm sure you are familiar with it. If indeed you do come into contact with him, do not look into his eyes. Run quickly," Miroku warned as his gaze intensified. Suddenly, I felt my body go limp and I became unconscious. I opened my eyes to see a boy a few years older than me.
"So, you must be Miyu Kawabe," he sighed while patting my head. That's when I realized where I was. The room was dim in light and I was laying on a soft surface. I directed my gaze over toward where the arm had reached. My heart nearly jumped out of my chest when I saw him. His face resembled the man from the picture! I began to move away quickly for fear had gripped my heart.
"No need to be afraid," he smiled. I suppose he sensed my fear. "My name is Kaname Kuran. This is my room," he made a motion for me to look around the room. It was a grand room indeed.
"Why am I here?" I asked still on edge.
"You're here because I wanted you to be here," he began to get up. I reached for his sleeve but something about his disposition made me hesitate. Instead, I kept to myself. I looked around some in the room. A few hours passed before the boy ever came back so I got up and jumped out the window. Luckily, with being a vampire hunter, my body is comfortable with at such heights. I began to explore the campus. It wasn't much because it was a small private school. However, I wandered into an abandoned building. The aura was intense with hunger; it was a feeling all too familiar to me. The lust for blood by a vampire. I stood my guard when a cool breeze blew through my body. That's when I turned to see the chilling eyes of the man I had grown to love. They were different in color; one blue and the other burgundy. His fangs were gleaming in the moonlight. My heart rate quickened as he stepped closer to me. My legs froze so I couldn't turn and run. He was barely inches from my face when he went toward my neck. That's when I found my lost nerve. I began to push him away as I stepped, but he constantly stepped closer. I rushed past him as best I could and I was free.
That night I found an open dorm to take refuge. "I can't believe I was so close to him," I whispered clenching the pillow. Sleep overcame me as I dozed off. Immediately, I dreamed about those same two eyes. Their intensity caused a fire to burn in me. I needed to see him again. I believe that is why they warned me not to look in his eyes. I didn't see him over my next few months of residency. Then came that night when I met him again. The moon was full and the stars were few that night. I had been back to the same abandoned dormitory time and time again. I would never see him, but I would see his servant Timothy. Timothy was a humble guy. He would always have messages for me from Rido. His notes were subtle but sweet. From somewhere and somehow, he would be lurking in the shadows and see me and always compliment on my appearance. That night, I made sure to present myself extra well for him.
"You look absolutely beautiful," his voice was low and husky as it rang in the foyer of the dormitory. At that moment all thoughts of my family and everyone escaped my head. The only thing that mattered to me was Rido Kuran. In those few months in which I was infatuated with the mystery of Rido Kuran, I had been given notices from Artemis and Luna, mostly Artemis. Sadly, I ignored them, even threw most of them away. My mother and father had tried to coax me into coming back home but I ignored their plea and told them that I hated them. The sad reality was that I had fallen in love with my killer and I didn't know it. Now I sit here in a mansion reeking with annihilation of others due to greed and a lust for blood. I once, hated that smell but even now as I sit enchanted by my lover's spell I can't help but recall my days before I was driven to this. One day, in an attempt to escape his grasp, I ran home to my family. It was late, but I didn't care. I needed to talk to someone.
"Miyu is that you?" my mother asked unlocking the door. I threw myself on her for I was weak. I was covered in livid scars delivered by Rido.
"Is that Miyu?" my father came running down the stairs. The privation of my appearance left my parents confused as to whether I was a pauper or their daughter. I wanted to cry, but I couldn't. Rido's bellicose behavior drove all the want for tears from my eyes. That's when I noticed something seemed out of place.
"Where's Yukinari?" I asked ignoring my parents' questions. That's when I looked at my parents to see them grinning deviously at me. Everything went dark and blood stained. I screamed and collapsed. Rido's even invaded my reality. I can't escape him! In the midst of my collapsing I could feel strong arms lift me. I didn't know where they were taking me; I honestly didn't care. I just knew that they weren't Rido's and this gave me relief. Suddenly, I saw the same different color eyes and I woke up screaming and kicking. I was immediately embraced by warm hands.
"Miyu, calm down. No one is going to hurt you while I'm here. I promise," his voice was soothing. I pushed away to see Ryusuke Inoue, the man I was arranged to wed before I was given my assignment. Before I went to Cross Academy. Before I fell in love with Rido Kuran. Ryusuke was more like the best friend that you couldn't live without, but when the announcement came that we were to be wed, I quickly neglected the thought not thinking about the pain it caused him. His sister, Hiyori, came rushing in the room with a warm, wet towel and some clothes. That's when I looked down to notice that I was in a ragged state. Thankfully, they didn't find out my secret. I tried to abandon my life since it seemed that I didn't have one anyway. My sister has disappeared and I never heard from Rido Kuran. I believed I was safe until I fell ill. I went to the village doctor to find out that I was pregnant. My life was ruined. Sadly, it was too late to dispose of my problem because I was already 6 months in. I lived with the Inoue's until the baby was born. Suddenly, Rido's beauty seemed to dwindle away along with my love.
I left the Inoue's with my newborn baby and ran to the place where this mess all began, the dojo. I ran to find the dojo charred as if it were burned. Luckily, it still kept its foundation. I searched around the dojo to find the double doors, when I was snatched into a dark corner.
"What the-," was all I could say before I was silenced by a small hand.
"Be quiet, unless you want you and your baby to die!" the voice whispered harshly. Just then I saw shadows of what seemed to be mindless zombies walk past. I turned to see Kikyo. She was slightly bruised from what seemed like battle, but I was happy to see her nonetheless.
"What happened here?" I asked realizing the state of the dojo.
Kikyo shot me a dirty look just before hissing, "You did Miyu! You let your guard down and you allowed Rido Kuran to nearly take over everything that your ancestors strived to build up. You must fix this!"
"So Artemis and Luna- ," I began to whisper.
"Don't you dare mention that treacherous name to me!" she growled. "Luna and your sister are traitors. They fell for that damn Rido and lead him here to the village," she bit her lip to fight her tears.
"And Artemis?" I asked my voice quivering.
"I'm glad you came back. He figured this would happen so he left you with this," Kikyo presented me with a pure silver staff with the words "Artemis" engraved in the side.
"What is this?" I asked now fully crying.
"This is Artemis. The last of his strength and love was put into this weapon. You must use it to defeat Rido once and for all," her words were slow and intense. My body shook as I took the weapon and analyzed it.
"Fight for his life! Fight for his honor! And last of all fight for his love," she whispered.
I gripped the staff as I gave my baby to Kikyo.
"Tsumiko…her name will be Tsumiko. Tell her that I loved her, for the short time that we were together and that mommy is proud of her," I smiled as I placed a kiss on her sleepy forehead.
"I will," Kikyo whispered just before disappearing.
"My family, friends, guardians, and lastly Artemis, I will avenge you. On my life I swear to avenge you!" I screamed as I ran for Rido's base of operation.
"Ah, so you've come back to me," he smiled at me in a disgusting manner.
"You bastard! I'll f***ing kill you!" I charged him when I was interrupted by my twin sister intercepting my strike.
"So it is true. You did betray our clan, huh Yukinari?!" I exclaimed struggling against her force. Just then, I noticed she had a similar weapon except it was a black scythe which read "Luna" on the blade.
"You and Artemis were inferior and therefore didn't fit well into master Rido's plans," she said in a drone-like manner. I imagined that my staff became a katana that would defeat Yukinari's weapon and that's when it transformed.
"If you wish it, it shall be granted," Artemis's voice rang in my ears. With more confidence in my heart; I charged toward Yukinari, amputating her and her weapon which killed her. "It should not have ended this way dear sister," I sighed as I set my eyes on Rido Kuran.
"Now it's your turn," I growled angrily as my katana transformed into a pistol. I shot 5 shots, yet Rido was too fast for me. He appeared before me as quick as lightning and stared into my eyes. I lost myself completely in his gaze when I suddenly felt like I was being stabbed. My eyes instantly searched for the source and I then realized that Rido had just killed me. Before I died he said
"The first law of nature, self-preservation."
That is when I remembered a law from my training.
"Vampires are lustful creatures, but there is one stipulation. They are not to involve themselves outside of the race or else be sentenced to death."
As I thought on this I began to shed tears. Of course he wasn't capable of love. He was a monster. A vile beast of which the world has shunned and I believed that he was something more. However, he was tawdrier than I imagined. I died not in anguish, but with hope because ten years later, my daughter would have succeeded in the deed I could not complete.