Hey everyone. So here it is, chapter 3. Phew. I'm already making progress on chapter 4. A couple new chars on the way soon, so look forward to that. In the meantime, enjoy the new chapter :)
Disclaimer: Love Hina is owned and created by Ken Akamatsu. BMW is a registered trademark of Baverian Motor Works Company, Germany.
Pandora's Box
Chapter III:
Speak with the Dead
Five days ago
It's nighttime in the city of Sendai. The weather that night was dark, dreary. Overcast skies stretched over the city like a dark gray blanket, perishing the memory of there ever being a starlit sky. In the far end of town, a black BMW coupe slowly drove between the many old run down warehouses in the shipping district. Dirt ridden slushy snow covered the road in between the warehouses.
The driver finally came to a stop in front of the building she had been searching for. She put the vehicle in park and turned off the ignition. Her hands were shaking. She was anxious, nervous…afraid. She knows she isn't used to having these feelings, but for Mei, this is but one of many new experiences she has had this past week.
At this point, Mei could think of nothing else but Reiji Noriyama's safety. She took in a couple deep breaths in an attempt to calm herself down. She shook her hands around vigorously to try to stop their trembling. Once the trembling subsided somewhat, she reached over and grabbed the black back pack in the passenger seat. Putting the strap over her shoulder, Mei slowly stepped out of the car and shut the door. She was wearing a military style, black leather trench coat and black leather gloves. The tread of her infantry boots dug into the slush at her feet. Removing her data visor, she turned to look at the warehouse in front of her.
The back seat of the car was filled with blankets and medical supplies, just in case Reiji had been treated less than kindly. However, if there were to be trouble, the trunk was filled with enough weapons and ammo to stop anything dead in its tracks.
'Kageyama' was painted on the side of the warehouse in large red kanji. Moving back the sleeve of her coat, she looked down at the red digital readout on her wrist. It displayed 2056 hours.
'It's almost nine.' She thought, taking another deep breath as the nervousness began to creep its way back. She felt a tightening in her chest, a trembling in her legs. After a few more long breaths, this subsided once more.
Finally, she stepped forward and walked toward the narrow wooden door near the corner of the building.
She entered the darkened warehouse cautiously, extremely mindful of her surroundings. She looked all around her, scanning intensely about the wooden crates and boxes, checking for any snipers or a possible ambush. Suddenly, as she approached the center of the warehouse, a single overhead light came on, shining down upon a shadowy figure. His head was tilted down, his long black hair casting his face in shadow. He wore a black silk shirt with a grey cashmere vest. As she got closer, Mei could almost see a sinister smile on his face underneath the shadow that engulfed his features.
'Nakata.' She thought as she narrowed her eyes.
She stopped 20 feet away from him, still cautiously looking all around her every few seconds.
"Don't worry," Nakata calmly said as he slowly raised his head to look up at her. "If this were an ambush, you'd be overwhelmed by now." He then walked up to her with relaxed and swaggering steps. Nakata looked down at her face only to be met with her expression of distrust and scorn. He then looked to the back pack over her right shoulder.
"Is that a present for me?" He said musingly, forming a sly smile.
He then reached out his hand for it.
"Reiji first!" she said, pulling the bag back from the touch of his outstretched claws.
Withdrawing his hand as he saw her serious unwavering expression, he said, "Very well." He then gave a snap of his fingers and another light came on beyond the first, about 30 feet from where they stood. Beneath it was a man laying face up on a long shabby wooden table. A brown blanket covered his body up to the top of his chest.
Mei looked carefully at the man on the table from where she stood and confirmed it was indeed Reiji. She then looked guardedly back to Nakata.
Forming a sentimental smile, he said,
"What's wrong? A deal's a deal, right Mei?"
She paused for a moment as she looked suspiciously at Nakata. Then she pulled the strap from over her shoulder and handed the bag to him.
Taking the bag with a grateful smile he said, "Grazie" in his native Italian tongue.
Walking past him towards Reiji, she said to him "Andare all'Inferno" with a look of disgust on her face.
Narrowing his eyes as he looked back at her with a widening smile, he said quietly,
"You first."
Mei quickened her pace as she neared Reiji who was lying still on the table. Showing a grateful smile, she placed her hands on him and gently shook him as she said,
"Reiji? Reiji, wake up. It's time to go. Reiji!" Receiving no response, she gave a curious look. "Reiji, come on! Get up!" Still, he didn't stir. Then she felt her heart freeze as she noticed that his chest wasn't moving. "Reiji?" Her voice started to break. She put her hands on both sides of his face. His skin was ice cold. "Reiji…" Tears started to form in her eyes as she slowly took him into her arms and lowered her head to his chest. Her breaths became shaky with tears. She then turned her head back towards Nakata and said in a whisper, "What have you done?"
Turning to her as he slid the strap of the bag over his shoulder, he said,
"I did as we agreed."
Glancing at Reiji's lifeless face and looking back to Nakata, she said,
"I never…agreed…to THIS!"
"I gave you my word that I would free him and I have. He is free. Free from his earthly tether, his mortal coil. I have set him free."
Mei began to shake with both anger and sorrow as she looked back to her Reiji's still, lifeless face. In her mind, she remembered his smile as he met her, the warmth in his eyes as he said 'I love you', the passionate expression he showed her as she rested her head on his warm chest, the sound of his heartbeat to her ear. She remembered the sensation of his soft silky hair moving between her fingers, the feeling of his tender loving arms embracing her. She will never experience these things again…ever. And the one responsible for this…
She gently and quietly laid him back down on the table. Hanging her head, she slowly pulled the blanket up and over his face. After a long moment, she raised her head.
"Nakata…" She said clearly as she slowly reached into the inside pocket of her coat.
Nakata simply raised his eyebrows in curious anticipation.
Pulling out a compact injector gun that she kept out of view, she continued.
"…You're dead." She then held the gun against the inside of her wrist. "…I'll kill you…I'll kill you…" She said in a quiet voice that flowed with painful sorrow. She pulled the trigger, shooting the serum into her veins. As her heartbeat raced and her muscles flexed with raw power, a terrifying rage erupted from within her. She then turned and leapt at Nakata in hyper-speed.
"I'LL FUCKING KILL YOU!!!!!!"
Her clenched fist was raised high and ready to take his damned head off. Suddenly, one of his vampire minions appeared from behind him and jumped at her. Mei parried his clawed hand with her left arm and grabbed him by the throat with her right hand, digging into his flesh with her fingers. Coming down, she slammed him on the concrete floor hard, causing cracks to spider web out all around them. She then tore the minion's head right off and tossed it into the darkness.
Rising to her feet, Mei shed her heavy trench coat, revealing a grey battle-suit. She looked up at Nakata only to be met by his indifferent taunting smile. She clenched her fists and let out a long loud battle-cry that echoed throughout the entire warehouse. Nakata simply widened his smile and gestured in the air with his hand.
Another vampire appeared, flying towards her. Using her rage fueled speed, she caught him by the chest and pelvis and tore him in half, his blood pouring to the floor at her feet. Another came at her. She punched through his chest and pulled out his heart, crushing it in her devastating grip. Another came. Performing a forward roll, she grabbed his left leg and tore it from his body. Then with the leg in hand, she beat the vampire mercilessly until there was nothing left but a pile of broken bones and twitching entrails. Two more jumped on top of her and pinned her down by her arms. She grabbed them by the spines, digging her fingers in and crushing the cords. Then she slammed them both together hard and threw them away from her in opposite directions like they were ragdolls.
When the enemies finally stopped coming, she looked around her and saw nothing but piles of steaming ash. Mei realized that during all the commotion, she had lost sight of Nakata.
"NAKATA!!! Where are you, you monster!?" She called out.
All she heard in response was laughter echoing around her. The vision that she scanned her surroundings was colored red with her blood boiling rage. Her serum enhanced eyes desperately searched for his form in the darkness. "Come out here and face me, you son of a bitch!!" She screamed.
"I'm a monster?" His voice echoed "What about you, Mei? Look at you. Your blood soaked hands, the murderous look in your eyes, even the carnage-loving grimace on your face. Admit it, Mei: You are every bit a monster as I am. Now, as much as I'd love to stay and spend more quality time with you, I have a schedule to keep. Arrivederci, dear Mei. Until we meet again. Hahaha!"
Frantically, she ran towards the exit door and kicked it off its frame, sending it flying into the night. Running outside, she looked up just in time to see a dark humanoid shape flying up into the skies above. With a powerful leap that crushed the asphalt at her feet, Mei shot thousands of feet up into the air in an attempt to pursue.
"NAKATAAA!!" Mei screamed, reaching out for him.
He was so close. Inches, her hand was just inches away. Her fingers could almost touch him. Then gravity began to take hold, pulling Mei back to the earth. Mei's eyes watched him disappear into the black horizon. She was helpless to stop his escape, just as helpless as she was from stopping her own descent. With an acrobatic twist of her body, she righted herself and landed hard on the pavement below, shattering it and sending the pieces flying in all directions.
She then lowered down to her knees and slammed her fist down on the ground repeatedly in anger, causing the ground to quake and rumble. She lifted her head and screamed to the heavens as loud as she could. Screaming again and again, her calls slowly turning to sorrowful cries as the tears began to pour down her face.
"REIJIIIII!!!" She called into the night.
Coming back to the here and now, Mei hung her head as she sat in the chair by the fire.
'If Reiji and I had never met…if we'd never met, he would have lived a long and happy life. The day he met me, was the day that sealed his fate. In a single act of innocence, I unwittingly condemned him to an act of such terrible evil.' Her mode then changed to anger. 'I wish I could have tracked that damned vampire, but the bastard found the tracer chip I left in the fabric of the bag. Otherwise, I'd probably be dancing over his pile of ashes right now. Nakata…you son of a bitch, where are you?' She then thought about what Nakata had said. "I'm a monster? How dare he? I am nothing like him."
"A monster? Perhaps. But then again, others may disagree…" A voice retorted as the door behind her became unlatched and slowly opened with that creak that was irritatingly loud and long. She knew who it was, without even having to look away from the fireplace.
"Hiro Mishima. Given your presence here, I'd say that Keitaro and Motoko have arrived." Mei said indifferently, still staring melancholically into the fire.
Closing the door and slowly walking towards the fire, Hiro said,
"Yes. Right now they are in their individual quarters, preparing."
"'Individual quarters'? You've separated them? Hmm, I see. I suppose you expect me to go through your 'trials' as well?"
"It is your choice, whether you want to seek redemption or not." Hiro said, leaning against the wall next to her, folding his arms while watching the fire with her.
"My 'choice' huh? Don't you mean ultimatum?"
"Call it what you will."
"I call it self-righteous bullshit."
"Mei, if you want to justify and honor the things you hold dear in your life-"
"Like what?!" Mei yelled as she stood up and gave Hiro a hateful glare. "What do I have left? Huh?! I have nothing!! My Mother died in childbirth! My sister died in a fall! Aunt Yayoi abandoned the family, abandoned me! My Father sacrificed himself for my sake! And…" Her voice began to shake with sadness for a moment. "And my Reiji was murdered by a vampire." She then sat back down and cast her eyes blankly to the fire once more and continued in a low sullen voice. "So I ask you again. What do I have left? There's nothing good for me left in this world anymore."
Hiro looked away silently for a moment. Then he looked back to Mei and asked,
"And whose fault is that, coward?"
"What did you say to me, you werewolf halfbred bastard?!" Mei growled as she stood up and glared at him once more.
"You heard me. It was you chose the path that you walk now. Not me, not anyone else. You. All the choices you made in your life have been yours and yours alone. And all you can do is blame others when things don't go your way? You're nothing but a coward!" He said to her in a harsh tone.
Infuriated by his words, Mei shouted 'Bastard!' and swung her fist at his face with all of her might. Calm and cool, Hiro simply grabbed her fist with one hand, looking at her with an emotionless expression. She struggled to free herself from his grip, but he just held her fist firmly as he brought her closer and lowered his face to hers.
"Did you know that Yayoi cried all night after our wedding when you didn't come?" Hiro revealed in a sad tone.
"What?"
"Of all the people that she wanted to have at our wedding, you were the one she wanted there most of all." Mei let out a gasp at his words. Hiro then continued. "To her, you were more than her niece, you were like her little sister or even the daughter she could never have. She held you in such high regard, Mei. She still does. During that night as I held her in my arms and comforted her, she told me how close you two were. Yayoi said that after Rei's tragic death, you pushed her away when all she wanted to do was help you, prevent you from walking down the painful road of hatred and revenge. I tried to help you as well, because you are family, despite our differences. We both extended our hands to you and all you did was slap them away. Yayoi abandoned you? No. You turned your back on her, just like you did with Rei." He said as he looked deep in her eyes as if he was looking into her soul. All of Mei's struggling up to that point had ceased, as a memory of what Motoko had told her when she spared her life flashed into her mind.
"You spent all your time training and paid no attention to your own sister. Do you know how lonely she felt? Do you know what it's like to reach out to your sister and be ignored? To feel inferior?"
She lowered her head in disgrace and fell back down into her chair as Hiro released her hand. There was nothing she could say to defend herself. She knew his words were true. Taking a deep breath, he continued.
"Reiji's death is almost as much your fault as it was Nakata's."
"What did you say?!" Mei said becoming angered again.
"Think about it. If you had only reached your hand out to the ones who would have helped you, then Reiji might have lived." He told her.
"It was all that vampire scum's fault! I'm going to kill him, and anyone who stands in my way!"
Hiro looked at her for a moment.
"Is this the part of you that Reiji loved?" He said.
Mei froze at his words. Hiro continued.
"Is this how you want to honor his memory? With more vengeance and blood?"
Mei became silent again. Then after a long pause, she spoke.
"You know…I've betrayed so many people, including those who cared so much for me. In a way, it is like I killed him. Perhaps in my pride, I thought I could handle it alone. I'm the one who should've died, not him. I probably deserve to die more than anyone."
"Then why has fate chosen to let you live?"
"I've never really believed in fate. After all that has happened, after all I have done, why should I deserve to live after so many have died, especially those by my hands." She held her hands out and looked at them. "These blood-soaked hands, this battle-scarred body. I have been painstakingly forged my entire life for the sole purpose of taking lives. 'What is my purpose in life other than to take it?' I used to think that way…before I met Reiji. Reiji made me think that maybe I don't have to be an assassin or a soldier. He made me think that maybe it's okay to be normal. To get married, have a family. Live a normal life. So why? Why would fate so graciously bestow the hope of such a beautiful life only to rip it away from me? What is the point of having something so wonderful only for it to disappear so abruptly? Maybe Nakata was right. Maybe I truly am a monster like he said."
Her weeping began again as she covered her face with her hands. A moment passed, then she felt two gentle hands move her own away from her face. Wiping some of her tears away, Hiro showed her a gentle smile. She looked up to him with a confused expression as if to ask 'Why? After all I've done, why?'
"Your sins are heavy, Mei. And you are steeped in blood. But you're not a monster."
"How can you say that?! After everything I've done to my family, my friends…and to you?"
"Because you're showing remorse, Mei. No monster could ever do that. Believe me, I know that better than most."
"Hiro…" She said weakly as she stared at the man knelt before her.
He then slowly stood up, looked down to her with a tender expression and said,
"Mei, it's your choice, but you should do these trials. It may answer the questions you have, and even ones you will have. But don't do it for vengeance or hate. Otherwise you will fail and Nakata will win. Think about it."
Hiro left the room, leaving Mei alone as she quietly thought about his words. Several minutes passed before Mei wiped her tear streaked face. She then looked to the fire once more. 'He's right. Being a ninja for so long, I couldn't afford to trust or put faith in others, or in myself. All I could do was run away. And so many suffered for it. Whether it's fate or not, I'm alive and I've been given one last chance. I have to take it.' She then clenched her fist before her. 'I will take the trials and complete them. For you, my Reiji. Then I'll destroy that vampire, so you can finally rest in peace.'
In an unknown place, there is a dark and vast chamber. In the pitch blackness, all that can be heard is the sweet melody of a Japanese flute. The song was long and beautiful, filling the chamber with its calming melody. The quiet sound of mechanics came from above as a circular hatch slid open revealing a glass skylight window. The silver light of the moon poured down in the middle of the room, revealing a Sakura tree in full bloom, despite the winter season.
Sitting atop one of the branches was a beautiful Japanese woman with long flowing black hair. She was dressed in a deep red kimono that was loose around the shoulders and chest, exposing a seductive show of cleavage. Her skin was as fair as the white powdery snow that falls upon the highest mountain peaks. A wooden Japanese flute held carefully between her slender fingers, she continued to play the melody that was known only to her, filling the room with the streaming emotions of her heart.
She suddenly ceased her flute playing as she opened her eyes and looked to the darkness before her. Two silver doors showing the design of a crescent moon opened to the room, filling it with the light of a hallway lined with mounted burning torches. A lone man stood in the doorway before her, casting his shadow into the room. She gently tucked the flute inside her sleeve. She then gracefully raised her hand into the air and gave a circling gesture with her finger.
Several paper enclosed candles lit up all around the room. In the light, we can see that the chamber itself resembled the lavish Feudal Lord's quarters of some ancient Japanese castle. At the head of the room was a platform, atop of which was a traditional daybed with red satin upholstery and embroidered pillows.
With an amused smile, she looked at the man whose face was now revealed to her by the dim light surrounding her.
"What is your report…Nakata?" She said in a beautiful yet commanding voice as she stretched out over her branch like a cat.
Nakata knelt down on one knee and lowered his head.
"My Lady Kitsune Ketsueki. We currently have six vampires turned to humans. In their human forms they have retained their loyalty. Two shall be stationed outside each of the three temples, ready for when the full moon shines three nights from now."
"Excellent." She said, resting her chin on her hands as her smile widened. "Keitaro and Motoko. What of them?"
"My Lady. According to our information, they disappeared from Hinata Sou this afternoon in the company of Hiro Mishima."
A dissatisfied expression suddenly befell her at the speaking of his name.
"And where have they gone?"
"We assume they have gone to the White Wolves base, which we have not yet been able to locate."
There was a long silence.
"Nakata." She said.
"Yes, My Lady?"
"When I asked your master, Hell Valca in Europe, to loan your services to me, I expected results to come with your shining reputation. So far I have not seen many. Though I have lived long, I do not like slow progress."
"F-Forgive me, My Lady!"
"Find them. They are the only ones that can stand in the way of our plans."
"Yes, My Lady."
"And Nakata?"
"Yes, My Lady?"
"Don't try my patience any further. You do not want to see me when I am irritated."
"Y-Yes, my Lady."
"Now go, waste not another second of my time."
Nakata quickly got up and left the room in post haste. As he walked out into the hallway, she waved her hands and the silver doors closed shut and all the candles in the room went out, returning her to her comfortable darkness and the light of the moon above.
'I don't know what I was thinking when I asked for Valca's help. All he ever sends me are short-sighted, half-witted errand boys. I wouldn't even be in this situation if that damned Hiro hadn't been hunting down my forces. All I have to replace them are Nakata and the twenty men that came with him. Certainly a poor substitute for the formidable men and women that I've lost. Given, Nakata is intelligent and resourceful, and he has indeed accomplished much since his arrival. But…Ah, perhaps my feelings stem from my distrust of westerners in general. Ever since Japan has opened her doors to western influence all those years ago, I've seen our way of life become all but extinct. I can remember centuries ago the smiling venders in the street market of my village, selling their fresh fish from the river and the vegetables they had just harvested that morning in the farms. The peaceful country roads that ran through the green hills and valleys that seemed to go on forever and ever. The stately majestic castles that exemplified harmony with the very nature that surrounded them. The skilled diligent sword smiths that provided the finest samurai with blades that could cut the very souls of their enemies.'
She then formed an almost sorrowful expression.
'What do we have now? Crowded shopping malls and supermarkets. Highways and skyscrapers that obscure the night sky. Automobiles that pollute the air with both their irritating noise and poisonous exhaust. The manufacturing of firearms that had long since removed the honor from battle. Japan does not need these things. The ethnocentrism and self indulgence of the western world has spread through this country like a virus. And it breaks my heart.' She then looked up to the almost full moon above, her expression becoming calm and warm. 'Soon. Soon the ancient power that we have sought for so long will finally belong to us, the Vampire Lords. Then the world shall truly be ours. Only then will I truly be allowed to bring Japan back to its former glory.'
Meanwhile in Hinata, we see Kanako and Naru wearing parkas and gloves, standing in the middle of a field just outside of town. The bright moon in the middle of the sky above was becoming obscured by passing clouds. In front of Kanako was a floating glowing computer monitor and keyboard. As Kanako calmly typed away staring at the screen, Naru who was shivering and rubbing her hands for warmth said,
"So…what are you doing, Kanako?"
"I'm accessing the GMN or 'Global Magic Network' so we can get a list of all the families in Japan that use Onmyou magic."
"Yeah, I understand that, but…Why do we have to do it in the middle of this cold windy field?!!"
"The GMN can only be accessed through the planet's energy lay lines. And one just happens to run right through this field." Kanako said as she continued to type.
"Yeah, but can't we do this, like say, inside a nice warm building? Where there's hot tea and sweet bean pastries?" Naru said, her teeth chattering.
"The closest building on the lay line is 20 km from here. It would take too long to get there and I want to find my brother now." Kanako said, not taking her eyes off the screen.
Naru just groaned in defeat as her head hung down and her shoulders slumped forward.
"Got it!" Kanako suddenly called out as she pointed to the screen.
"Really?" Naru said, getting closer and looking at the screen. "Wow, that's a lot of names."
"Looks like there are about fifteen or so names on the list." Kanako said, narrowing her eyes as she looked down the list.
The list of names on the screen, read,
'Aoki
Asakawa
Furano
Goto
Inoue
Kurata
Kuwatani
Matsumoto
Mishima
Mochizuki
Nishio
Ohno
Suzuki
Takagi
Ueda
Yukino'
Kanako pressed a button and the list of names along with their prefectural locations magically appeared on a sheet of paper in front of her. She took the paper, waved her wand and the monitor and keyboard disappeared. Looking the names over, she said,
"Well, Naru. It's a long list. We might as well start at the top and work our way down. So that starts us off with Aoki, Asakawa and Furano. Aoki should be in Fukuoka prefecture, so let's head there."
Kanako raised her wand in the air.
"Alright, let's get to work!" Naru said, becoming excited. "Achoo! Um, but first, Kanako, can we get a hot cup of tea." She gave her nose a rub.
Kanako lowered her wand and let out a sigh.
"…Fine."
Kanako waved her wand and a long bulky broom appeared. She hopped on and bade Naru to get on behind her.
"Kanako, you want me to get on that thing?" Naru said, looking it over apprehensively.
"Haruka's place is closed today and obviously you don't want to walk all the way across town to the next closest Teahouse in this cold wind, do you?" Kanako said, folding her arms and showing her a mischievous smile.
"Well…alright."
Naru then carefully sat on the broom behind Kanako and put her arms around her for safety. The air around them on the broom instantly became warm and comfortable. A feeling of relief came over them as the cold bitter wind was cut out.
"Just don't go too high, okay?" Naru said, nervously as they slowly levitated off the ground.
Kanako just turned her head forward with a satisfied smile and simply said, "Okay."
Kanako then grabbed the head of the broom with both hands and her smile widened. They both then quickly rose up into the air.
"Ka-Kanakooo!!! Not so hiiiigh!!!" Naru screamed with freaked out tears in her eyes. They then darted through the sky towards the far edge of town. "KANAKOOOOO!!!!!!" Naru's voice cried as it faded into the distance.
Back in Motoko's room, the yellow flames quietly rolled in the marble fireplace, filling the room with its warm glow. At a long cherry wood table sat Motoko. She was just finishing her dinner which had been provided by Yayoi a little while before. Using her magic, Yayoi had teleported an exquisite feast of traditional Japanese cuisine directly to Motoko's room. The feast itself had been carefully prepared by their finest professional chefs that were on staff in the kitchens of the complex. The food itself tasted amazing and was served with such beautiful and professional presentation.
Even so, all of this was lost on Motoko. She simply ate the food in silence, a blank expression over her features. Once she was done with her meal, she took the white linen napkin beside her and gently wiped her mouth. The bottle of fine expensive sake that had been provided with her meal was left untouched.
She stood up from the table, slowly walked over and sat down in front of the warm fire. She tried to keep her mind sharp as a blade yet still like calm water like she was taught throughout her early training. But self-doubt kept disrupting the perfect harmony of her mind, self-doubt and worry. She wanted to prepare her mind for the trials yet to come, preparing for the inevitable yet unpredictable. However, her worries and anxious thoughts just kept coming. Thoughts of Keitaro, thoughts of herself, and thoughts of their uncertain fate.
Suddenly, the quiet of the room was broken by the sound of a young woman's sultry smoky voice.
"Such a shame, Honey. This is a damn good brand of sake too."
Motoko recognized that free spirited voice instantly and the realization of who it was sent fearful shivers down her spine. She jumped up from her chair and looked to this person who was standing next to the dinner table.
"Aw, what's wrong, Honey? You do miss the quality time we spent together, don't you? I know I sure as hell do."
Motoko opened her mouth, but she could not speak as she looked at this person standing before her.
When she finally found the voice, she shakily said,
"Ho…H-Hotaru?"
"Heh, the one and only, Sweetheart." Hotaru said with a smile.
"B-But…you're dead." Motoko said in a weak fearful voice, slowly stepping back.
"Yup and I got you ta thank for that, Motoko girl, now don't I."
Hotaru pulled out a cigarette, lit it with a flame from her index and forefingers and plopped down on the couch to Motoko's right, crossing her legs. After taking a long drag, Hotaru pointed to Motoko with the lit cigarette between her fingers and said,
"You know what your problem is?" She then took another quick drag. "You and your fiancé, actually. You both take things too seriously."
"I…I've completely lost it." Motoko said to herself. "I'm going crazy."
"No you're not." Hotaru said, casually flicking the ash from her cigarette.
"I can't talk to dead people."
"Oh, yeah? What do you call what you're doin' right now, huh?" Hotaru said with an amused smile, holding her hands in the air as she looked at her.
Motoko put her hand to her forehead in shocked uneasiness and slowly sat down on the far end of the couch next to Hotaru.
"Anyways," Hotaru continued. "Like I was saying, you and your boy-toy, Keitaro? You two take things way too seriously. I mean, who cares if you took a couple lives? You did what you had to do, right? I sure don't blame ya."
"Life is precious and I took several lives."
"Yeah!" she said with a laugh. "I was one of 'em. But I ain't condemning you for it."
"That doesn't mean that I don't have to answer for your death, Hotaru."
"You see, there you go again." Hotaru said, taking another drag. "Gettin' all serious. You know what my motto is? Do what you have to do and never look back."
Motoko stood up from the couch.
"I've taken lives, Hotaru!" Motoko yelled as she began to pace back and forth. "I can't expect someone like you to understand that." She then put her hands to her temples as she closed her eyes and turned away. "Just go. Leave me the hell alone! Stop haunting me!!"
"Oh, whine, whine, whine. 'I did this, I did that. Boo-hoo. Leave me alone to wallow in my sins.' My God. Do you realize how pathetic you sound?"
Motoko then stopped and immediately looked to Hotaru with eyes aflame with anger.
"You know something, Hotaru? Yes, I am wallowing in my sins, but at least I acknowledge them. And you know what? I am going to do whatever I have to do for redemption. And when I'm done, I won't look back. You can count on that!"
Hotaru sat silent as she looked at the fiery resolve in Motoko's eyes. Hotaru then formed a smile and said,
"Atta' girl. I knew I liked you for a reason." She then stood up. "That look of determination is what I find most beautiful about you, Motoko. Don't ever doubt your own resolve. Promise me that, okay?" She then showed her a wide smile.
With a nod and a smile, Motoko said,
"Yes."
Hotaru then looked above her as if becoming aware of something. She looked back to Motoko and said,
"Well…time for me to go, Motoko. Take care of yourself, Sweetheart. And remember your promise."
"I will. Take care, Hotaru."
Hotaru gave a wave of her hand as she showed Motoko a loving smile. A second later, she was gone.
Having now returned to the quiet of her room, Motoko thought to herself,
'Did that really happen? Was Hotaru really here? Heh, who knows?'
Motoko walked over and sat back down in her chair by the fire. The experience she had just had could not be easily explained, but there was one thing she was certain of. There was no longer any doubt in her. She is ready to face what she has to face with no looking back and no more regrets.
Meanwhile, Keitaro sat beside the fireplace in his room. He was leaning forward in the comfortable chair with his hand to his forehead, his head tilted towards the floor. Swirling thoughts filled his head. So many concerned thoughts of Motoko's well being passed through his mind without end. He then wondered if he really is ready for these trials. Would he even be able to survive them? Is he strong enough to face his own demons?
On the table behind him, the plates of curry rice, fried pork cutlets, salad and steamed pork buns were left unfinished, appearing to have had several bites taken from each and then left alone. He didn't feel very hungry. Even so, he knew he had to eat something to keep his strength up seeing as he hadn't eaten since lunch and it was now quarter to 9. It is an odd feeling he's experiencing right now. Despite how calm he is, he could still feel his heart racing in his chest. Is it fear for his Fiance, fear for himself? Or was it simply a fear of the unknown? A tough challenge does stand before him, a challenge that he knows next to nothing about.
Shadows dance on the wall behind him from the flickering flames, moving this way and that and back again. But slowly, some of the shadows began to move on their own. They reached out, forming sharp slender fingers, steadily closing in around Keitaro's shadow. The water in the pitcher and glass behind him turned to blood, overflowed onto the tabletop and poured down onto the floor. In the traditional Japanese painting on the wall, an old man carrying a bucket of water slowly turned with a malicious smile and pointed his finger in Keitaro's direction. The walls of the room changed. A black grimy filth spread out and branched along the walls surfaces until they were completely covered in pitch colored sludge. It was then that Keitaro felt a terrible shiver go down his spine as he realized something was horribly wrong.
Keitaro quickly stood up and turned towards the darkness that now enveloped the room. His eyes saw the shadows on the wall converge. They then moved out and away from the wall, materializing into several dog-like forms. Keitaro took a few fearful steps back as he saw these things taking shape. There were ten of them, growling and moaning, their sounds filled with pain and anger. The black shadowy forms finally took the shape of wolves, closing in step by step around Keitaro. Their angry eyes showed red in the light of the fire. Seeing the terror in his eyes, they raised their heads and howled a call so loud it brought pain to Keitaro's ears.
Their black paws began to scrape at the wood floor as they reared their teeth and barked angrily at him, getting ready to attack. Keitaro had never felt such terror as this in his entire life. It sent ice flowing through his veins, completely paralyzing him in fear. Each of the wolves lowered down into the pouncing position. Then, all at once they leapt at him with their mouths wide open and their sharp teeth ready to partake of his flesh.
Then out of nowhere, there was a bright blinding light that filled the room. Keitaro shielded his eyes as the light was so bright. With a whine of pain and agony, each of the wolf shaped shadows disappeared. The light finally faded from the room. Keitaro lowered his arms from his eyes to see Yayoi standing there before him holding a luminescent paper talisman in the air. She then flicked it into the air and it disappeared with a flash.
"M-Miss Yayoi? Wha…what just happened? What were those things?"
Yayoi narrowed her eyes at him.
"Those were the enraged spirits of the soldiers you killed. Even in death they still thirst for revenge." She then took out four paper talismans and placed them on each of the four walls of the room. "It's a good thing I sensed their presence when I did. These talismans should keep you safe from now on."
"Thank you, Miss Yayoi. If you hadn't shown up, I don't know what I'd have done."
Yayoi simply remained silent and turned away from him. As she pulled out another talisman, preparing to teleport away again, Keitaro called out,
"Wait!"
Yayoi looked back to him with unfeeling eyes.
"I…" Keitaro paused. Trembling, he fell to his knees and lowered his head in a pleading bow. "I'm…I'm sorry."
Yayoi's eyes widened in surprise. She was not expecting this at all.
"I murdered your friends and fellow clan members, Miss Yayoi. It is obvious the call of vengeance from those poor spirits is echoed by their friends and families. If the ending of my life will silence those cries once and for all then I offer it to you, to your clan."
Yayoi formed a look of bitter gall.
"You selfish son-of-a-bitch." She growled, causing Keitaro to look up at her in confusion. "Do you honestly think for a second that I'll let you take the easy way out, Keitaro Urashima? Why should I grant you such simple absolution after you left so many in pain and despair?! Ten victims fell to your blade. Their wives, their sons, their daughters. They all cry daily for your blood. You deserve every ounce of suffering that they pray for." Yayoi then looked away and formed an expression of sadness. "But revenge…never really solves the problem. The pain still remains. Your death will not bring them back to their lost nor will it alleviate the void that you have created in their families lives." She then raised the talisman in the air. "You could at least have the courage and conviction to earn their forgiveness as well as keep your promise to Motoko."
With that, she disappeared in a white flash. Keitaro remained on the floor with his head hung down at a loss for words. The quiet sound of crackling embers filled the room as he sat there motionless for a long time. Keitaro then raised his head and looked above him.
'She's right. She's…absolutely right. Sacrificing my life for their families isn't noble. It's just running away. It solves nothing. A simple selfish solution is not a solution at all. Motoko has faith in me. I can't let that faith be in vain.' He looked to his open hand before him. 'I wish to earn forgiveness. Even if it means there's a possibility I might never be forgiven, I will still keep trying.' He then closed his hand. 'That I vow.'
Inside a two bed hotel room in the town of Oto in the Fukuoka Prefecture, we see Kanako and Naru taking off their coats and laying them on their beds. Her cellphone to her ear, Naru said,
"Yes. We're okay. Don't worry, Shinobu. We'll find them. Just try to get some sleep, okay? I'll talk to you tomorrow. Okay. Goodnight." Naru closed the phone, slipped it into her pocket and turned to Kanako.
"Well Kanako, I brought everyone at the apartments up to speed on the situation. Have you been able to sense Keitaro's and Motoko's presence here?"
Kanako had her eyes closed in concentration as she held a glowing crystal ball in her right hand. She then opened her eyes and said,
"No, I can't sense them in this region. This is the town where the Aoki family resides. It's safe to say that they are not responsible for their disappearance."
With a look of disappointment, Naru said,
"I see. So what now?"
Kanako looked to the clock on the nightstand which read 11:34pm.
"It's best that we get some rest for now, Naru. We'll get an early start tomorrow. The next name on the list is Asakawa, located in the Kanto Prefecture. I just hope wherever my brother and Motoko are, they're safe."
Placing a hand on Kanako's shoulder, Naru said,
"Me too, Kanako. Me too."
In Hiro Mishima's private quarters we find Hiro himself sitting silently in his luxurious fur lined chair. On his face was a look of deep contemplation. Yayoi appeared behind him. She quietly walked up behind him and came around to his side. She lovingly rested her hands on his weary shoulders. Leaning down, she gave his cheek a loving kiss. Hiro formed a pleasant smile as he looked to his beloved wife. He then raised his hand up which she took in hers.
"Tell me, my wife." He said in a quiet voice. "Tell me what you sense with your power."
Kneeling down beside him and holding his hand to the soft skin of her cheek, she said,
"My Love, I sense the dark forces quickening their pace. They have established their presence outside all three of the sacred temples. Each of their movements is commanded by a single woman draped in the color of blood. The woman plays a melody of vendetta with her flute."
"I see. So Lady Kitsune Ketsueki is behind this. It has been a while. She must be desperate, seeking the help of the western vampires. That would explain Nakata's sudden presence in Japan." Hiro then rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "We don't have much time. With the full moon's arrival in three days, my forces will be at their greatest strength. But if the vampires get their hands on the ancient power, that will account for nothing."
"Do you think those three will be ready in time, my love?" Yayoi asked, looking worriedly to the fireplace at the far end of the room.
"I have faith in them. I believe they will succeed in their trials. They must."
"Are you referring to the prophecy?"
"Yes. Many years ago, you described to me what you foresaw."
Yayoi's gaze fell as she remembered her words that day.
"'On the night of judgment when the full moon is high, three warriors of light shall rise and keep the soldiers of darkness at bay'. But Hiro-sama. I have my doubts that Urashima is one of them."
Hiro looked to his wife, gently touched her cheek and showed her a reassuring smile.
"You shouldn't, my Yayoi-chan. Believe in him as I do."
"But…" She then recalled her conversation with him earlier, his willingness to sacrifice himself for the greater good without hesitation. "I'll try, Hiro-sama."
"We must not fail. The vampires are relentless. They will not stop until all the whole world is covered in darkness."
At that moment, atop a hill near one of the sacred temples sat Nakata overlooking the ancient shrine. A wine glass filled with blood was in his hand. As the moon, almost full, shown its light from above adding a glimmer to the glass, he raised it as if in a toast to the temple before him as a smile stretched across his face.
