Tsukihime Tsukikage no ken

by Android Chaos

Set 3 years after Tsukihime and Melty Blood, a tale of vengeance, struggle and love unfolds with a new central figure after a personal tragedy.

1. Chapter 1

Tsukihime: Tsukikage no ken

By Chaos Greyblood

Prologue

The day my friend died

Disclaimer: I own nothing Type-Moon has, especially Tsukihime or Melty Blood, or anything related. This particular fanfic will revolve around a special character and a tale about personal redemption, love, despair and a struggle that may well change the way things are viewed forever. Details shall be revealed in the Author's note section at the end of this prologue.

It was a rainy day in this Thursday and just like in these past few weeks, I still feel terrible; perhaps it looked like I was getting nowhere with things that were going on so far. My friends and classmates tried cheering me up, and though I appreciate their efforts and attentions towards me, I feel like there is this void that still feels empty. This big vacuum only sucks up the good things that are given to me, never satisfied and they never seem to pop out again. I wasn't the same in doing many activities either. I didn't do my homework with the same drive as before, my studies were lagging and my Kendo practices didn't have the same energy; my master was concerned that I was losing focus for what had happened to me 5 weeks ago and I needed to get over it because otherwise, I might fail the test to become a 2nd. Kyu kendo student and I may fall behind the others. My friend Yasuhiko told me the same thing and that I need to get over it or this will wind up hurting me in the long run and I acknowledge this, but I still have the emptiness that threatens to eat my psyche alive, and me with it; a change is expected tomorrow in a two-hour practice session, since there is a chance that today's class may be cancelled due to the rain and my master had a personal appointment he had to attend to. Having nothing to do as school ended for today, I gave the usual 'see you tomorrow' to my friends and went for a walk.

I held the umbrella barely over my head, covering it just enough so that the raindrops don't drench it with my shoulders. It was going down hard by the minute and though I was wearing a big jacket with my uniform, I would end up a bit wet if this rain continued to go on as it was for at least 1 or 2 hours. I didn't stop for anything important; I just looked on the electronic stores, see people and children passing by, only looking to where I was going and nothing else. Finally, I reached the cemetery, just like I did for these 5 weeks and went to the grave of my dead friend. This particular altar had a picture of an 18 year old, dark-browned hair and green eyed young man, whose face had a sincere, calm smile and he was dressed in the same school uniform I was wearing, since we went to the same school as Yasuhiko and me. The tombstone read: "This is the resting place of Sakamori Genya, a great student, friend and beloved son. 1984-2002" Yes, this is Genya, my longtime childhood friend, whose altar was right in front of me and I was just as devastated and crushed as I was when he died and the day of his funeral. I balled my hands into fists as tears furiously came flowing from my blue eyes, cursing the day Genya's life was stolen by an unknown assassin whose only purposed seemed to be to kill us. I had the guilt of being incapable of helping him, of being defenseless and for being weak as I watched his body caked in this blood, his eyes were devoid of life and his body was so cold and still, even as I clutched it to my arms as though I would bring him back with everything I had. Most of all, there was the guilt for being the one who was spared, the one to suffer the most for Genya's death and letting the killer get away with a good laugh; it was crude and sickening and it turns my stomach every time I remember the pain, the despair and the ugliness of how that event transpired that gruesome day.

I was mourning my loss as my mind raced with the thoughts of guilt and death and hatred to the killer who took Genya's life and shattered mine in the process when suddenly, I hear a voice that rang just behind me. It was something I never expected to hear and it was female at that; she sounded with the voice of a teacher admonishing a young student for a thing that seemed insignificant and nevertheless the pupil felt bad for having done it.

"You're not planning to grovel on your friend's grave, are you? Do you think he would be happy if he saw you like this? Tears won't bring back the dead and you should know that."

I snapped back at reality as I rose my head back in place and heard the voice. Who was it that is talking to me right now? And, how would she know that I was here?

I didn't turn around. At first, I felt angry because someone has just intruded in this particular moment, just like that, nonchalantly as if she was a know-it-all. I answered. "How would you know? Have you actually felt that someone dear to you die in front of you? That you wanted to do anything to bring that person back as it lies in your arms? You even know what's it like??"

Just as cool and bluntly as before, she spoke. "Then what you're saying is that you felt powerless, that you could have prevented it somehow, but not all things are up to you. Life can be cruel sometimes, but that's how it works; it's all part of living and dying and you can't change that."

"How did you get the nerve to…"? My eyes were fiery with anger and frustration at that moment just as I was turning around. How could this stranger tell me those things in that crass, harsh manner? I was going to let her know a piece of my mind when suddenly I stopped cold right on the spot. That stranger was a woman after all, and an undeniably beautiful one at that. Her face was calm and tempered as steel, her crimson hair was a long cascade of red that reached to her thighs, her azure eyes were as blue as the sky and clear as ice and her skin had the same color as alabaster. She was clad in a long sleeved dark tanned blouse, long white skirt and brown walking shoes and she held a black umbrella above her head. At her side was a little girl whose clothes seemed to be on the gothic style, though it was white and it wasn't just some dress; she had white silvery hair, red eyes and she also had cat ears for some reason that's just beyond me. I stood there, frozen and immobile as a statue as the eldest woman continued with her point of view.

"I'm sorry if this seems very harsh for you at a difficult time like you're having, but you should not only accept the facts, but also use this experience to make you stronger, make you a better person and go on with your life. I'm sure that perhaps that is your friend's last wish, so hold back your tears, relax, and take a deep breath. It may do you good."

It was a slow process, but there was nothing I could do or say about that. So I took her advice, dried my eyes to cut back on my tears and breathed deeply. For a moment there, I felt better and I was amazed that the anger was now gone, but now a bit of confusion took its place. How would this woman know about it? Who she was, really? But before I could even utter a word, her expression seemed to have soften up a little and spoke, now with a soothing tone in her voice, her harshness gone and acting like an elder sister does for her little brother. "A cup of tea is just the thing you need. You know one nearby, right?"

"There is one where we used to hang out after each practice every day." I said, my timbre wasn't somber or frustrated as I lifted my head a little to face her. "It's only a block and a half east from here; we can go there."

"Ok, let's do that."

So I walk again, this time accompanied by the crimson haired woman and her young companion. She looked to me like a 19 year-old female at that time, though I didn't dare ask her, since we have just met; in fact, I don't even know her name, but I have this feeling that she may have watched me for some time. I don't know exactly how long, but judging what she said, she spent her time like an owl who knew how to wait patiently for the mouse to come out of its hole. It didn't take long for us to reach the tea shop "Kokoro", which means feelings in Japanese. It's aptly named like this because it gets lively with many people there, especially with friends and special occasions and in holidays, and it's very relaxing to boot. Today it seemed very quiet, but it was okay, since it was fitting for a day like this one. We went to sit to the table that's in front of the first window of the shop and checked the menu. The young lady in front of me decided she would drink black tea, while I go for green tea; the little girl didn't need anything in particular, so she said nothing. I tell them I'd pad the fee today, packing 5500 yen, like I always do, in case I wanted to buy something while returning from school and for paying the bus fare.

While we waited for the tea, I took the initiative and got the conversation started, going straight to the point. "How long have you been watching me?"

"What makes you say that?" She replied, trying to feign ignorance, which obviously didn't work on me.

"What you first said to me gave it away. You might've been around the cemetery for a certain time, I suppose."

"At least your perception is sharp." A half smile crept on her lips, but it gone down just as quickly as it popped out. "It was for at least two weeks. These recent weeks, mind you. What about you?"

I hesitated for a moment, but I went ahead from there. "5 weeks. I've been visiting my friend's grave these past five weeks, and I've been still in mourning from that time on, in case you were about to ask me." At that last part, I raised my eyes and looked at hers directly, having an idea that she knew that too.

She shrugged her shoulders and asked the next question. "When did he pass away?"

"On February 14th. It was on Friday night after our kendo practice." I answered, the darkness creeping on me again as I talked. I gathered my courage as I changed the subject for a bit and asked another question. "May I ask what your name is?"

Just when she was going to answer, the little girl interrupted and looked at me a bit sternly. "It's customary that a man says his name first, you know."

I cleared my throat for a bit, expressing that perhaps I may have went a bit forward, but it was for the sake of precaution more than anything. I agreed, though, and so I introduced myself.

"My name is Keiichi. Keiichi Ishida. Doozo yoroshiku."

The lady nodded in approval and replied. "My name is Aoko Aozaki. Doozo yoroshiku." Then she gestured towards the little girl. "And this is Ren, she is my companion."

"Yoroshiku onegaishimasu." Ren replied. It's good to know she had manners as well. I replied in the same way and just now, the tea came and we drank peacefully. At least I knew who she is now and it feels as though a big weight got off my back in that moment, but I wasn't sure why or how. What I knew is perhaps I may trust this woman named Aoko, but nevertheless, I should still keep my guard up. We just finished our second helping of tea when Aoko-san came up with an idea.

"We could talk about your friend more freely, and just so it happens I know the perfect place where we can do so." She seemed to smile as she told me this idea.

"I don't mind, but just where do you want to go?"

After paying the bill and leaving a small tip, we got up walking again and this time, Aoko-dono guided me to this place. Minutes passed and just from 40 meters away, I could see a tree that stood on top of a grassy hill, which wasn't very far from the city. She took her time as we walked up the hill and taking a small glance to my side, I saw Ren looking up to the woman as though she were a big sister of sorts for her, although her quiet expression didn't give it away at first if I didn't take a look at her eyes. We reached the top of the hill and Aoko-san stretched out her arms and relaxed herself as she sat in front of the tree and gestured me to do the same. Ren also sat on her side as well.

"I come here from time to time, but I never get tired to seeing everything from this hill." She mused as she looked the distance of the modern civilization in front of us several meters away. "Since it relaxes me, it's been my favorite spot for quite some time." Then she turned her head to see me. "What are you feeling right now, seeing the city from here?"

A few thoughts floated in my mind as I took a good look at it, and there was nothing but ease and tranquility, much to my amazement. Somehow, this hill had this relaxing effect when you sit on the green, soft grass and you stop to think about many things. Your troubles seem to go far away and there's nothing else, only the hill, the tree, the stones, the sky and the person sitting here. I answered that I actually felt good just being here, under the tree branches as it covers us from the rain. Oddly enough, the grass felt just right, nothing wet on my pants or anything like that.

Aoko-dono approved my opinion and from there, it's her turn to go straight to the point. "Tell me about your friend. Tell me exactly how it happened, as you remember it."

"Is it necessary that I do it now?"

"If you don't release your burden now, it'll hurt you worse in the long run. Not to mention that you'll grow old really fast if you keep your face growing long, with you moping around like that."

Again, she was blunt in her opinion, but she was right. I haven't really recovered from Genya's death and I felt that there is this stigma that's hitting me hard in my gut and threatens to burst right through me like some kind of parasite. I gathered enough courage that I can need to pass a big exam from school and bit the bullet. It was now or never.

"It would seem strange for you that a friend dies on Valentine's Day." I began. February 14th was exactly that, but in Japan, it was the date in which the girls give us hommei chocolate, especially girlfriends and childhood friends. One week later, it was the turn for us boys to give them gifts. It is called White Valentine, but I'll stop for now. I keep going. "It was exactly a fine day, since we got to school and it was quite a sight. Gifts kept coming and going, back and forth throughout the school during recess. Genya was particularly popular at our school and he received lots of gifts. We were gonna celebrate it in a big way after our kendo practice that night, as we would gather in the tea shop and have a good time amongst friends. I was very happy that day and it seemed that nothing could go wrong…"

February 14th. 6:55 pm.

"Slow down for a bit, Keiichi. You're going to blow someone away if you go ballistic like that." Genya told me, though he had his big brother smile on his face.

"I can't help it, Genya." I spoke; my spirits very euphoric for what we were gonna have tonight. "We have been preparing this party since the semester got started and I gave my share for this as well. This is will be a night to remember and we get to drink tea, give and receive gifts of our own and have fun! What more could we want?"

"Getting the next grade in kendo might be our feather in our cap." Genya replied. "You and Yasuhiko have greatly improved these past months and sensei has nothing but good things to say about you two."

I nodded as I looked at him. "Yeah, but that was because you helped us brush up our skills and showed us how it's done. You've been there for us and that's something we'd wait to repay someday."

"Don't forget sensei's teachings. He's pleased that you followed his instructions and advice thoroughly. You'll be 2nd. kyu soon, and a couple steps more to become black belt."

"Yeah, and you'll be black belt in the next 3 months. You can be sure we'll be at the ceremony, and so will Misa-chan." My smile grew as I imagined that day with great anticipation and I knew that Genya would also feel happy when my day to become a black belt in kendo would come. We were on our way to the bus stop that would take us to the 'Kokoro' when Genya suddenly stopped in his tracks, as though he heard or felt something nearby.

"I feel… There is a foul feeling up in the air, and it has a stench of blood."

"Blood?" I was taken aback when Genya said that. Was it possible that someone was committing a crime? I was wondering about that at that time when he told me that we should check it out quickly, as we couldn't leave someone wounded and stranded to their fate. Genya had a keen sense about that sort of thing and at the first hint of trouble he saw, he'd come to someone's rescue and do what he could to help that person out. I followed him closely until we reached an alley and what we saw was very horrible and appalling: There were two people, probably a couple, whose two bodies were covered in blood and they were violently bitten and beaten until they dropped dead. Around them, there were six maniacs that rounded up like buzzards and they were licking the blood of their victims. Who would do such a terrible thing like that, I asked myself as the horror made me sick inside and Genya was mortified, and though I wasn't aware of it at that time, it looked like he knew something, but I didn't care to figure it out. All that mattered was that these innocent people were murdered by those guys and Genya wasn't gonna let it slide just like that.

A tall, dark stranger stood up from the top center spot of the circle as he noticed our presence; his face was covered in shadow, but his mouth was pure crimson as he licked his lips clean with his tongue, full of glee like a drug addict enjoying today's fix after paying his coke with blood money.

"What do a couple of human insects want with guys like me? I didn't order two boys for dinner, but I think me and my buddies are gonna have our fill today."

Ugh! What is this guy actually thinking?! He actually wants to try to do the same with that couple??? I was definitely freaking out at that thought as him and his underlings were closing in on us and I was losing my cool really fast and I would've gone right at them and probably lose my life in vain had Genya didn't utter a word that at first it didn't make sense to me at that time.

"A Dead Apostle..." He whispered very low.

"Huh? Did you say something, Genya?" I stopped just before I started to run at them head first. "You know something about them?"

Genya turned to see me, his face had a serious look as he stared at my eyes and started talking. "The five guys that are with him are ghouls, a kind of vampire that consists of a human being infected by nosferatu. They're feisty, but not very smart, so I believe you can handle them."

"What about their ringleader?" I asked, trying to calm myself down. "He looks dangerous."

"Make no mistake, he is a threat." Genya warned me. "You're out of his league, so leave me and two of the ghouls to me. You take on the other three. I'm confident you'll be able to beat them, Keiichi."

"How do I do that?!" I exclaimed, no sooner I saw Genya get his bokken ready and heads to meet the enemy. "We only have our bokkens!"

"Hit them hard at their necks, their heads and go for the ribs when you attack! Move and counterstrike! Parry and attack! Remember what I taught you, Keiichi, and whatever you do, stay calm and focused!" Then he started to attack two of those so-called ghouls in order to have the leader shorthanded and I went for the other three. I couldn't believe the fact that these guys were actually vampires. It had to be some kind of sick joke! But the evidence was there: The blood spattered alley, the dead couple, the fangs I just saw in them and the evident bloodlust that made the air around me stink with death. I'd remind myself to ask Genya about them, but there was no time for that, for a blue haired ghoul advances rapidly towards me. Moving with my hips, I dodged to the right side and hit his back, on the middle of the spinal column and he hits the floor, but his friends attacked on suit. I dived in low to avoid their pounces and raised my guard, looking for their next move when in a strange moment, I began to see some sort of black energy emanating from them and some kind of large dots on their bodies. I couldn't help but wonder what was the meaning of that, and then I felt a hard blow as one of the ghouls kicked me in the chest and knocked me down with a punch on my left cheek. I was feeling the bruises when the blue haired guy leaped at me. Counting on my reflexes, I catched him on this torso with my legs and threw him away, they I rollled to the side on the floor various times as they tried to stomp me clean and I used a foot sweep kick to knock a bald guy off balance and I made me some room to fight.

Genya was faring better than me at the moment, having already disabled his first attacker and he was doing the same with the second one. As he defeated him, the leader began attacking in a wild, yet methodical matter and each attack was close in reaching Genya by his torso, but he parried each attack with striking accuracy, hit his ribs with the bokken, then the head and kicks his chest hard, but I knew it wasn't going to be as easy to defeat that guy. I too saw his energy, but it was bigger than that of his underlings and I had a chill coming down my spine, as if I could feel something terrible might happen. I would have to help him soon, and though Genya was the most skilled student of the kendo school we were in, this guy he was fighting against was a real danger and I wasn't going to take that chance. I began to think about those bright dots I saw in the bodies of the three ghouls and realized they could have similarities with the teaching of the nine strike points in kendo. All of them had dots on their necks, their heads and where their hearts are; if I could strike them hard on at least two of their spots, I could beat them. No, scratch that. I can and will defeat them, then I would help Genya finish the other guy off. Putting on a brave face, they laughed mockingly at me, saying that the little bug was just showing his stinger and they were gonna squash me like a bug and have a feast with my blood. Sorry, freaks. Not tonight or any night! I let out a battle cry as I moved faster than them, dodging and blocking and attacking just like I was taught to do and the first guy that tried to catch me I drove my right knee to his stomach and leaped in the air, striking the left side of his neck hard, close to his artery and then I knocked him down good by attacking his head and so he went down, as though I hit him on his vital parts of his body. I followed suit with the other two, having broke the bald guy's neck as if it was just made of glass and I finished the punked haired one by cracking his head while he was on the ground. I stood there victorous, but there was no time to rest. Speaking out Genya's name loud, I rushed in and blocked the leader's attack by hitting his right arm before his fist reached Genya's nose. I made it in time.

"I knew you could defeat those three, and you got here in impecable timing too." Genya smiled as he saw me stand by his side, the bokken on my hands and its tip full of blood.

"Genya, I hope you'll be able to explain this to me after this is over." I breathed. I never knew I had to make such efforts to defeat three people in actual, real combat like the one I had in this night. I saw that Genya had gotten hit a few times, but it was nothing mayor. But the other guy was what I was worried about. He looked like he took some of Genya's hardest attacks, but he appeared unfazed. Just what the hell was he made of, anyway???

"Well, well, the worms evolved into killer moths, huh?" The guy just said as he gave himself a devilish, evil grin as though he was winning the battle. "I thought you were just spineless, foolish maggots, but now I changed my mind: It's gonna be a pleasure taking your blood!" Finishing that sentence, his grin grew and he bared this teeth, anticipating what will happen next.

"You won't do such a thing tonight, Dead Apostle!" Genya warned him as he went into his attack stance, standing with his legs firmly apart like an oak tree and pointing his bokken towards our foe. "I'll make sure that the only blood spilled here will be yours. Give up while you're still walking and we'll make sure your soul is set free from its slavery!"

I still had to understand what was about this Dead Apostle thing, and if the guy in front of us was such an individual. I could look at him a bit clearly now. His hair was as black as the shadows and his heart, with a large mushroom hairstyle that covered his eyes; his skin was pale white, his mouth large and he was tall, probably a bit more than Genya by half a head and he wore black clothes down to his shoes. I could also see that his energies was steadily rising more and more by each passing second and the chill keeps on creeping on my back. I had to be brave, I had to. We have to defeat him now, otherwise we'll be as good as dead.

"Since you two are getting serious, I will be serious too." Smiling and opennin his arms, he concentrated on incresing his energy higher and higher until we could see a black and red aura of death that made him glow in the night. He was now ready and his grin indicated it as much. "So, are you ready to die?"

As we looked at each other, Genya was already telling me his strategy and I knew it by instinct. We agreed and dashed towards the Dead Apostle, with Genya going for the left and me attacking from the right as we crossed our paths in order to confuse our enemy for a moment. One moment was all we needed to crack his ribs into many fragments his body could hold and bring him down hard by smashing his skull in unison. Unfortunately, fate always seemed to have a twisted sense of humor and as if he knew we were coming, the vampire lashed out with some kind of blast and knocked us on our backs and attacked again with a few beams of black energy as we began standing up. Genya and I barely avoided the attacks, but a couple of them graced us by the arms and torso and we had a little blood coming out of the rashes we just recieved. The guy just laughed as he used his attacks on a widespread manner to cut our attacking routes in order to limit our options. We couldn't reach him with our bokkens and he struck back in return. I collided with some trash cans as I felt a sharp pain in my back and with incredible speed, the Dead Apostle ran right at me before Genya could do anything to stop him and clutched my neck, threatning to crush my larynx and severing my every breath as I struggled to get free.

"It's time to take the weakest link out of the game, so now, it's good night for you, maggot!!" And so he laughed as he tosed me up in the air as I heard Genya scream my name, fearing the worst, and I felt a powerful blow getting on my body as the dark beam blasted me clear when I saw the vampire skip to my right and shot me. I was sent flying away from the scene and the last thing I saw before I blacked out was Genya going for it all in his attack while the Apostle turned to face him.

"G-Genya..."

Darkness took me and covered me in its ebony quilt and the world was devoid from me. I was unaware of the passage of time until I woke up from what it seemed like an eternity. I was covered in junk as there were trash bags scattered around me and my body was hurting all over. That pain indicated that I was still alive somehow and I felt as though I was flattened by a steamroller. Shaking my head loose from the pain, I suddenly remembered Genya and the Dead Apostle and I tried to run back to the alley, but I tripped, suddenly aware that my ankle got sprained and I fell on my face in a puddle of mud. I gathered my strength as much as I could and I hobbled my way back to the alley; I had the hope that Genya was there, having defeated the vampire, though he must've been in the same shape I was, but what greeted me was something I would never forget. Something that would leave a great scar in my life. Seeing the trail of blood, I rushed in, forgetting my injuries to see what happened, tripping and pacing rapidly and when I reached the spot, I saw Genya. Battered, brusied, caked in his blood and fang marks on his neck. His eyes were closed and his mouth showed he had suffered and breathed his last as he lied on the pool of his own blood. The bodies of the three ghouls I've beaten were also there, but I didn't care about that. My best friend from childhood was lying there, dead, his life taken from that bastard as I imagined him laughing out loud and grinning like a psychopath as he gloated about his latest kill and I couldn't do nothing to save Genya. My friend has just left me alone, at that horrible night and I did nothing but watch him say goodbye.

"GENYA!!!!!!!!"

My scream just had cinched the most horrible night of my life.

Remembering that moment, I felt a single tear falling from my face and silently splashed to the ground just beneath me under the shade of the tree. Aoko-dono sat there, attentively listening to every word of that dreadful day, the day one of my most dear friends was lost to me on that fight in the alley, his blood staining my arms and his body lifeless, cold and still.

"That must have been truly horrible for you." Aoko spoke gently. "I'm sorry for having you recall such a murder like what happened that night."

I shook my head, stating that there was no need to apologize and I didn't cry anymore. Somehow, I was beginning to feel better the more time it passed as I was getting over my grief. I think I simply had to get it off my chest and express what I felt completely; it's just that I didn't know how to do that or my mind was blocking the trauma, thus trying to protect me from its effects, but held me back at the same time. "It's alright, Aoko-dono. I'm glad I have someone who listened to what I wanted to say. I think sooner or later I had to get over this and do my best to get on with my life."

"I think you are already on your way to recovery." She acknowledged as she nodded. "Everyone has to face what troubles them the most and take them on face to face; you did just that and that's why you feel better right now."

"I have to confess two final things." I replied, deciding to look at her in the eye. "First off, about what I saw in those so-called ghouls that night. I recall having seen their aura and some kind of dots on their bodies and when I struck on those spots, it seemed as I killed them or something. What's weird is it's not the first time it ever happened to me."

"So you're saying you can see the energy or chi from living beings?"

"That might be it, though I didn't stop to think or remember about it all the time. I thought it was just temporarily, as though I was very focused on what is around me." I put my fingers on my chin as I began thinking about it, as if I could dig up the answers from the deep corners of my mind and access my memories.

Then, as though it had occurred to her already, Aoko-dono spoke to me and gave me a direct order. "Try looking at me normally, as you are doing right now."

"Look at you? You mean like this?" She nodded and so I looked at her from top to bottom. There was nothing.

"Now, try to focus on me. Pretend I am your enemy and try to see through me."

I did my best what she told me as seconds began passing by; her energy was beginning to grow steadily and slowly, as if she wanted me to see it. As it turned out, she showed it to me as she was concentrating herself when she closed her eyes for a few moments and then I saw them. There were seven dots on her body: On her head, her heart, her stomach, on her hands and finally her feet. I was amazed, surprised really. I never saw someone who had so much energy in his or her body and yet has a capacity to have so much more!

No sooner I finished focusing my sight and stopped sensing her energy, Aoko-dono had reached the answer with these simple words.

"So you have such a skill. It's amazing that it's very much alike… those eyes."

"Might I ask what you mean, Aoko-san?" I had asked, very puzzled what she had said just now.

"You said you are an Ishida, right Keiichi?" She stared talking. "I had heard about your clan from a long time ago and frankly, it's a surprise that I find someone such as you here in this city. That must mean your family must have a certain renown concerning what happened to you."

Now this was awkward. Sure, my family was an important clan that passed on the skills of kendo, sword mastery and such, but what did it have to do with Genya's death? I asked her about it and this is what she had told me.
"I think it is right that you should know this, Keiichi." Then, she began explaining me about my family's true purpose and my skill, as she called it. She told me what she knew, saying that the Ishida clan was one of the families that protected Japan from various threats from the darkness such as demons and vampires for some centuries, always keeping its front as a respected family of swordsmen that taught about honor, duty and the spirit of the sword. Each generation of the Ishida had different powers and abilities that they utilized to destroy the dark creatures and sent them back to their netherworld as the freed the souls of the people they convert or infect with their energies or by draining their blood and transferring that of demons and nosferatu. Then, Aoko-dono told me I have the ability to see life and death in all living beings.

"Let me see if I can understand this, Aoko-san," I began speaking, though I was kind of skeptical about the facts she told me. "You're saying that I have one of the abilities used by my family and this power is used to protect people from the vampires. Does that explain what I just saw in you just a moment ago?"

She replied to me with no hesitation. "Yes. And yours is actually a unique power unlike ever seen before. Few generations of the Ishida actually had that skill in the years past and they have trained in body and mind to perfect their use and refine their sword skills." Then she pointed her finger just between my eyes. "It's not possible for you to dismiss this as a mere coincidence, Keiichi; I can also understand this: When you focus your mind on your objective and all that's around you, you can observe their aura very clearly and the large dots you see in them show you where the energy does flow and thus, originates it. To put it simply, your ability is called the Eyes of Life and Death because you can see both things in living beings, and that's the reason why the ghouls you stuck down while defending yourself fell easily."

It was getting crazier by the minute and I admit that at first I didn't want to believe any of it, but a quick reflection of my life, the battle with the Dead Apostle and Genya's death had buried whatever layer of doubt was creeping into my head. And if I take into account a few experiences of my kendo lessons in the past when I saw the dots of my fellow classmates and my sensei, I guess you could say that it wasn't a coincidence after all. Then I remember a few things my sister told me when I was younger…

"Keiichi, you must know that you have a great gift that's not seen often in our family." She spoke to me as she began to smile and took my hand while we gazed at the garden in our house. "As your sister, I have the ability see the thoughts and feelings of many people and I use this to know what an enemy is thinking and to protect the people around me." Then she looked at me in the eyes. "Yours consists of seeing the life and death of all beings: The trees, the rocks, the ground, the plants, and most of all, you and me. You must remember that such a skill must never be misused for personal gain or to attain a goal by impurity or abuse; when the time comes, you'll be able to learn to use your ability in order to protect those you care and most importantly, you'll be able to strike down the creatures of darkness that seek to enslave humanity itself."

The memory was fading as I heard a voice. Aoko-dono spoke as though hearing her took me back to the present and from there, my perception about the matter began to be clear.

"Are you alright?"

"Oh, I'm fine. I just… remembered something important." Then I decided to tell her about what my sister told me a few years back and I finally understood what Aoko-san explained to me. I just wasn't trained to use my powers fully yet, which may explain why it was so strange that I could see dots and energy from living people. I gave myself a frown as I realized that if had I have mastery of my ability, Genya would be still alive and the Dead Apostle would have simply ceased to exist, but Aoko-san assures me it was not my fault and that I did my best to help him. I understood completely.

I finished telling her everything. I had called my friends and told them what happened; then I was taken to the hospital to have my wounds healed. After my healing was completed 3 days later, the police called and wanted me to declare about the crime and I told them what I knew. At first, they didn't believe me; however, they had reports of similar incidents of people dying due to having their blood drained by some kind of creature and I overheard two officers commenting of such circumstances that happened 3 years ago.

Afterwards, they thanked me for cooperating and I went back home to rest. Everything went back to normal; well, not everything, if you take in mind how I was since Genya's funeral. We were all devastated, including her sister, her parents, Yasuhiko. Misako and me; I was one of the people who shed the most tears that day and I came by the cemetery ever since, thinking of a way to avenge his death and find the bastard responsible for it. Everything else leads up to this moment.

"The second thing I wanted to confess is probably that I want to avenge Genya's murder. I want to find that guy responsible and make him pay for what he's done. I just felt so powerless, so defenseless… I don't think I'll be able to rest easily until that task is done."

Aoko-dono frowned at this and so she spoke to me. "Though I can't exactly condone your purpose, you must realize that filling your heart with vengeance won't always make it right. You have to learn to clear your mind and your heart, take in consideration the people who care for you and never lose sight of yourself. If you approach this from a very personal, selfish point of view and take the easy way out in the wrong angles, you might share Genya's fate or even worse, you might become the very same enemy you're going up against."

Though I accept this in my mind, my heart was stubborn, as every beat wanted me to take revenge on the killer and show him what suffering really is. I sighed, knowing that I had a lot of work to do. Aoko-san had softened up a bit and we relaxed ourselves, lightening the mood.

"For now, I must do a little errand before I go home, but I have an idea that may help you." Then her expression began to be sisterly as though she was comforting me, which she was doing just that. "I'll be in the city for a while, probably a week and a half, so let's meet again here on this hill and talk about everything you may want to know. I'll do whatever I can to guide you, but the rest of it you must do this by yourself. Do you understand, Keiichi?"

I nodded, smiling a bit. "I do, and I want to thank you, Aoko-san. You have helped me a lot already and it's wonderful to know that though we just met today, I feel like I can really trust you and that it'll be great to have someone who can help me understand all of this and figure out what I can do. It's like a huge weight has just gotten off my back."

"I have this effect on young boys like you." She grinned for a bit as she mused something I heard for a bit. "You remind me of him so much… He was just like you."

"Who do you mean, Aoko-dono?"

"Oh, don't worry. I'll tell you another time." Then she stood up, cleaning her skirt for a bit and the little girl called Ren stood by her side and smiled, knowing that she had seen something good and worthwhile. I kneeled for a bit to see her and spoke. "It was a pleasure meeting you too, Ren. I hope we can talk and get to know each other."

She also smiled as he nodded her head and said simply 'Hai'. I was very curious to know about who she is and what does Aoko-san mean to her.

"So, from tomorrow, which time would be perfect for us to meet?" Aoko-dono asked me.

"Oh, about 1:35 pm, I believe. I finish school days at 1:00 pm, so we have time."

"Then at 1:35 pm it is. I'll see you tomorrow, Keiichi."

I made a deep bow as I replied. I thanked her again and I watched her walking away little by little until she and Ren went out of my sight. I took a look at my watch and I was surprised that so much time had passed since we first began talking. It was 4:45 pm and counting.

"Oh, no! Ayako must be very worried and she's waiting for me at the apartment! I should give her a call right now and get to a bus stop right away! Oh, she's not going to let me forget this for a long time!"

As I ran down the hill, fumbling my cellular phone in my pocket and holding my umbrella above my head, my mind felt light from the burden I just released and my body never moved so quickly, so free. I had taken my first step and I was already anticipating to know more about my powers and to answer any doubts I might have. Aoko-san seems to know many things and I look forward to know more about her as well. I look up at the sky for a few moments. Somewhere up there, I knew Genya was smiling at me and I nod as I felt it. What I didn't know at that time was that everything would begin from this day onward and my life would change forever.