'There was no way we will be able to win', Sasuke thought.

He looked around himself. Everyone was badly injured...well except for one person...or demon...

Standing on top of the tower...the former Red King looked down at them with a small smile...victorious.

"Those who defy the gods should be punished."

Looking at Kyo and Kyoshiro, he felt the hope in him fade away...

Shaking his head he stood up...

"We will not let everyone's sacrifice go to waste", he shouted. The sudden outburst made him cough. Cough out blood.

Everybody looked at him. Suddenly, every one of his friends got up.

A smile on their face, even with those fatal wounds, which showed fierce determination.

Suddenly, a roar filled the whole battleground.

Everyone looked at Kyo.

Every emotion...anger, sadness, love, hate, pain, loneliness echoed in that roar. It came from the depths of his soul. It was heart wrenching and everyone, except the Red King, of course, cringed.

"You'll die...I'll never forgive you for what you have done...You'll pay for it", he roared.

"Do you know that you're dead meat?", Kyoshiro broke into Sasuke's thought process.

"What?"

"You've got, I say, ten seconds to escape"

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"The auditorium." Kyoshiro told in an amused tone.

"Oh..."

"She's gonna kick your ass. And I doubt that Haruko will be of any help."

"..."

"At least hope that she likes the substitute."

"..."

"Oh...by the way..."

Ten seconds were up...

"SASUKE!"

Sasuke sighed and walked towards Yuya. He was not in a good mood. After a long time he had thought about the past. All he wanted was a good fight. Hopefully, being with Yuya might fulfill his wants. Trouble followed Yuya like a shadow.

"Yes, Yuya?"

She couldn't speak. Her face was red as she stared at the destruction. Turning towards Sasuke, she asked in a whisper,

"Why?"

"Your life is more important to me than this stupid program."

"Yuya...everything is under control. The play ground is all set to take the auditorium's place. Its actually looking better. Why didn't we think about this earlier? And thanks to Sasuke that we've been able to come so far.", Haruko spoke in a rush. She was worried about what was happening with Yuya these days, but seeing her safe and sound now, her priority was keeping Yuya calm for the show.

"God knows, what else will happen", Yuya spoke in a whisper. "In this rate I'll be dead and buried before my show ends."

"Nothing is going to happen to you", Sasuke said. He was frowning. "Don't you trust us all? Don't you trust Kyo for protecting you?"

Yuya looked at him, and gave her brightest smile, "Don't worry about that. I trust you all more than myself."

Sasuke stared. He remembered that look so well. In that very instant he felt like she remembered her past. He stared at her in such a way which made Yuya wonder what was going on in his mind. Sasuke shrugged and walked away. Haruko took Yuya's arm at followed Sasuke. As they reached the college's playground, Yuya stopped short,

"Oh my god!"

"I know...", Haruko sighed with relief. She knew that Yuya would like the set up.

The whole ground was transformed. Tables and chairs were set up all over the ground, and a huge stage was being made, almost completed. Lights were ready to be set up. Huge umbrellas were being put up on the tables. Flowers were up as decorations. It was beautiful...

"Who are those people?"

"Kyoshiro hired people to bring all these up."

Yuya stared.

"Rich."

"Oh..." That explains things.

Turning towards Kyoshiro,

"Don't say anything Yuya-san. It's our fault for whatever that has happened to you. Anyway, we are the sponsors for the show." He looked apologetic. Yuya narrowed her eyes, but then sighed deeply and gave a small smile,

"Thank you so much. Everyone of you. Thanks for your help and support."

"Don't say that. We all are your friends. We all know that you'll do the same for us." Kyoshiro felt pain when he looked at her. Unknowingly and knowingly, he had caused her so much unhappiness in the past. He didn't even get a change to explain things about that fateful night when he killed her and Sakuya's brother, Nozomu. He will never be able to forgive himself for that. He was so grateful to Sakuya for her love and her forgiveness, but he couldn't rest in peace till Yuya forgave him. He had caused her more pain than anyone. And before she could find proper happiness with Kyo, she was killed by Nobunaga. He wanted them to be together so badly that it almost became physical. When ever he brought up the topic with Kyo, he couldn't say anything and Kyo never bothered to say. Even to Kyo, he had caused so much pain, that he bowed his head in shame. He knew the pain Kyo went through and it would not be possible for Kyo to forgive him that easily. Not without Yuya.

"Kyoshiro?" Yuya whispered softly.

His head snapped up. She smiled. Instantly, he felt a bit better. He knew then that he would be forgiven by them. He moved his hand slightly and held a soft hand which belonged to his wife. Tightly.

Everything will be alright...

"Your hiding something from me. Who do you think you are fooling?"

"At least I can try."

"Very funny."

"What do you want to know, Haruko?"

"Listen Yuya, I'm not forcing you to tell anything. If you dont want to tell then don't."

"That's not it, Haruko. It's just very complicated. Probably when everything is is back to normal, then I'll be able to explain without getting confused myself. But the way things are going, my life will never be the same again."

Haruko just stared. After a moments silence,

"Haruko...I'm in love..."

"You're what!"

"...with Kyo...", Yuya continued. Her face turned red. She remembered what she had done yesterday. She had spent whole of her morning and half of her afternoon making love with Kyo. Now, when she thought about it, she felt so embarrassed. But there was something else too. She felt complete. It was as if their bodies were made to be together. Being away from him made her whole body ache. It was not right. But it was necessary.

"Wait a minute. Are you saying that you are in love with that guy with scary red eyes?"

Yuya just nodded. She was frowning over something which was going in her mind, not really paying Haruko any attention.

"Does he love you?"

That made Yuya pay attention to her.

"I don't know"

"You don't know!"

"I think he likes me."

"Think! Likes! Are you out of your mind!"

"What's the problem with me loving Kyo?"

"Heart break. Sadness. Pain."

"You needn't worry about that", taking a deep breath, Yuya said in a whisper, "Haruko, I told you it's complicated. Don't make it more difficult for me"

"What about the the guy in your dreams?"

"They don't feel important anymore. Do you know that the dreams are very infrequent now, but more clear."

The look in her face indicated that she didn't. Then she sighed and gave a smile.

"At least it's not Shuichi"

"What! Why would I love Shuichi. He's just a friend...God...Haruko...how could you think that I loved him...?"

"For God's sake Yuya...I know you don't love him...but he sure likes you a lot." Haruko wanted to say more but didn't know how to explain.

Thinking about what Haruko had said, Yuya rubbed her lower back...

"You okay?"

"Huh!"

"Is your back hurting you?"

Yuya blushed hard... "It's nothing...",'God how can she be so observant', she thought,'even though yesterday was my best day of my life...it left me...sore', Yuya blushed harder.

"Can you believe that today the show starts...finally", Yuya was very excited about it. She knew that everything was perfect and it will continue to be perfect. The guests had arrived and were seated. To Yuya's delight, they all were looking forward for this program.

Though there were few who didn't like it...

Sasuke, Kyoshiro, Bontenmaru, Benitora and Akari were not very enthusiastic. And they had a reason too. What if there was an attack tonight. They had decided to call off the show but didn't. But the show was important to Yuya. They had a huge argument, that Yuya's and hundreds of people's life would be in danger. But Yuya didn't budge. Even though, she was having second thoughts. But those thoughts flew right out of her head when she saw how happy those children were.

Mahiro stayed with Sakuya and Muramasa. Sakuya was also worried. She couldn't see the future...everything was a blur...making others worry more...

Everything went according to the schedule...just what Yuya wanted. The only problem was the weather. There was a possibility that it would rain.

Soon, evening descended and everybody got up to move over to the school ground for refreshments. Every child was sent back to the orphanage...a precaution by Yuya's friends. Yuya didn't argue.

Suddenly, strong wind blew and everything got dark. More than hundred men, wearing black cloak appeared. As soon as they appeared, the stage blew apart. There was so much smoke, Yuya couldn't see anything. When she could see, she saw five of the uninvited guests surrounding her.

"No!"

As soon as she saw them, they were gone. Gone down. Instead of them, Sasuke was standing. His sword was out and blood covered the blade. Smiling, he said, "Finally some action. Stay here"

Yuya was horrified...

"Sasuke...the guests!"

He didn't answer. He and the others were too busy fighting the intruders. Yuya stayed were she was. She couldn't move...Haruko and Akari were helping the guests to escape. What the hell was Haruko thinking. Then she saw a man fallen and bleeding...suddenly furious, she ran towards him and checked his wounds. To late. She saw few of the attackers coming towards her from all sides with huge weapons. She covered the man's body with hers when she felt the ground tremble. She heard screams of pain and felt cold, and open her eyes.

Ice

She was surrounded by ice. As if she was in a tomb of ice...

"Long time no see Yuya"

As she sat up she noticed a white blond haired man standing a feet away from her looking down at her.

Two swords

Eyes closed

A small smile on his face

Akira