After getting lost in the passion of taking a lot of Nanami's life source, Akura-Ou realizes that she is the scarf girl from his past. When it's revealed that she now only has six months to live, his want to get his body is further invigorated. He believes that if he can retrieve his body, he will be able to give her the sustenance in order to live. Doing that though, would mean that she would live on loving Tomoe and not him.


Through the Darkness Itself

Chapter 3 - Another Chance


I sat on the back porch of the Mikage shrine in silence. The waning moon hung high in the light polluted sky. It was strange. These eyes hadn't seen the stars in five hundred years and yet, it wasn't missed. I'd walked the Earth this last year in a mortal shell, experiencing things I'd never imagined. Seeing all the sights it had to offer. Witnessing the lack of demonic presence.

Unfortunately, having to also meet its strange people.

My ears honed in on the quiet footfalls of the onibi-warashi rounding the corner of the porch. A feminine voice whispered to her partner about serving tea to this shrine's god of marriage. I listened intently when Nanami's name was mentioned by the male will-o-wisp.

"Servants…" I said in a low tone.

The ensuing screams would normally have been satisfying, but after three days in this stuffy shrine, scare tactics had lost their luster very quickly.

"Lord Akura-Ou! Ah! Yes! Eh—!" "Ahna! Sir! Um!"

The two shook and rattled the platter of tea in their tiny trembling hands. I lidded my eyes at the pathetic sight and waited for them to gather their words before giving my inquiry.

The male stood slightly in front of his shivering friend as he mustered up his courage. "What c-c-can we do for you, uh… sir?"

I eyed them critically for a second before asking, "Where is Nanami?"

A heavy moment passed before the female will-o-wisp squeaked out from behind the tea cups. "Lady Nanami is currently with Lord Tomoe and Mizuki… sir."

"Where?" I repeated.

There was a hesitation before they revealed the three of them were in the dining room. I exhaled as I stood up and the two cowered against the wall when I passed by. Not giving them a second glance, I rounded the corner and went inside to go to the dining room. I had been avoided by Nanami indirectly by the fox and snake taking up her attentions. I was beginning to grow fed up without being able to get closer to her without excuses being spilled in to my ears from her self-proclaimed protectors.

I slid open the door to the dining room and was met immediately with a threatening growl and frustrated huff.

"Akura-Ou," Nanami called out in surprise.

Two sets of suspicious glares were aimed at me, but all I could see was the heavenly gaze of brown. I blinked and broke away from her curious stare.

"Is there something you need?" the white snake asked with a snide hint in his voice.

"Yes," I cut out with an equally snappish undertone. I purposely returned a firm gaze to Nanami which made Mizuki tsk under his breath and Tomoe snarl.

Their passive protests halted when Nanami stood up from her seat at the low table. "Alright," she announced.

"Wait," Tomoe looked at her incredulously. "You're not going anywhere with him. Especially not alone!"

"That's right! Nanami, here, why don't I accompany you?"

"No, I shall go with you."

Fire blazed between the two creatures who frowned at each other with clear disdain.

"It's okay, I'll be fine guys," Nanami assured.

When she stood in front of me, her petite figure overshadowed by my own height, she rose a brow as if to ask if we were leaving. Turning around and exiting the room, I led the strange woman away from the two bitter fools in the dining room. Victory was finally mine after three long days.

We walked the halls of the small shrine before I opened a door to the outside porch, adjacent to where I had been previously sitting before. Sitting gracefully along the edge of the wooden porch, I waited for the young woman to join me. She hesitated, but sat down next to me with a noticeable distance.

"What is it that you want, Akura-Ou?"

I glanced at her from the side. She was looking out to the grass, avoiding making eye contact with me. Her hair was tied into a ponytail, revealing the pale skin of her neck. Closing my eyes, I sat comfortably taking in her scent that wafted over. The memories of her skin surfaced again and I couldn't help the smirk that showed just as she decided to look over at me.

"What?"

A laugh rumbled in my chest and I opened my amber eyes to study the change of emotions flicker behind her's.

"You know what I want, scarf girl," I teased.

The ensuing blush that bloomed across her cheeks was fantastic. I let a sharp canine poke out of my widening grin.

"Naughty, naughty, Nanami. You know that isn't what I meant."

"Then—what do you mean?"

I looked up to the sky. I felt her eyes still on me, so I let the tension build a bit more before responding.

"I had been referring to my previous offer, woman. It still stands."

She pursed her lips and looked down at her lap. Wringing her fingers together, she stalled the inevitable and I couldn't help the rising need to tease her more. Even though I desperately wanted nothing more than to leave the girl to soon die, I couldn't. At the same time I felt the need to leave, a stronger will to stay had me anchored to this horrific place. Resting my palms on the wood floor behind me, I leaned back and sighed.

"You know," I began, "I may just recall my generosity. I have given you more than enough ample time to mull it over."

Her breath hitched and her thin fingers stilled. I narrowed my gaze in pure jocular.

"Haven't I?" I added softly.

Nanami swallowed. "Yes, but… You haven't told me exactly what you wanted."

"Oh, yes. That would probably either make or break this deal, now wouldn't it?"

She gave a small frown before looking up to meet my eyes head on. I admired this annoying part of her. This meager strength. Her mortality.

"Akura-Ou, what do you want in exchange for helping me?" she asked boldly.

I tilted my head to the side, looking at her determination in its raw form.

"Nanami," I breathed. She clenched her jaw, not willing to shrink away and I smiled eagerly. "I can save you, but in exchange, you must stay by me."

Her confusion was on point. Perfectly timed. I went on, seeing that she was starting to take in the information. "If I give you life energy, you must separate from the fox and become mine."

"No!" she immediately said. "I refuse! I can't!"

"Can't you? I'm sure you must remember how it was when you gave me energy." I reached out to stroke her cheek, amazed still at how incredibly soft it was under my touch. "Imagine," I said, "how it would feel if you were on the receiving end."

She pulled away.

"I can tell you—,"

She furrowed her brows.

"—that it is—,"

And flitted her sight futilely to focus on anything but me.

"pleasurable."

"Stop it," she commanded with a quaver. "I—I love Tomoe. I wouldn't betray him in the way that you're saying."

What a wonderful set you've walked yourself into, little Nanami.

"Oh, but—haven't you?"

Her gasp and wide eyes told me all I needed to know. She shakily stood up and began a quick dash to where we had come. I let her almost out of ear shot before I announced, "My offer stands, for more night."

A quiet, choked sob resounded and I knew she heard me. Smiling to myself, I leaned my head back and felt the tips of my hair brush the knuckles of my hands. I chuckled and bared my teeth when I exhaled slowly.

Yes, I wanted to leave this place and its weak land goddess. Yet, I couldn't. She was just too much fun. So much, in fact, that I wanted to play with her as long as I could. The waning moon's dim light shined upon my mirth.

Tomorrow, I thought with an building excitement. She'll accept.


[A/N: I've finished In the Midst and now am trying to complete this and the Bee and Puppycat fanfiction At the End of the Universe. I'm glad this is getting good reception so far. A few want this to end melancholy? I guess the ending I have in mind is pretty saddening. I'll let you all judge that when we get there. This is a smaller update, only for the reason that the next one will be bigger. *Nudge*Nudge*Wink*Wink* Yeah, so look for that either by the end of this month or halfway through December.

Still in character? Or are there some hmm moments? Let me know. Addio~