Chapter 35

Racing along as quickly as he could, Hei peered at the scenery around him with a veil of cynicism shading his outlook. He was making his way to Kurozuka Cave as his unknown foe had demanded, even threatened. Whoever he or she or they were, he would never, ever forgive them for dragging his lovely wife into it.

He knew her powers had grown since their marriage, as had his, but they still weren't fully developed yet. Honestly, he didn't really know what she would be capable of when they fully matured; she was the first outsider in their line of love matches. He should have done a better job of protecting her, teaching her, to make sure something like this didn't happen.

Rationally he realized the enemy this time was not November, but he needed a face to focus his anger on and he was conveniently his lifelong nemesis. Thinking of the unknown was too frightening; that there was someone out there who was capable of such heinous feats while they had been completely obvious to his or her existence.

The journey to Kurozuka Cave was a long and laborious one; even for a clan leader as the trail leading to it was steep, curving around the dark and dreary mountain side. The stone from which the path had been chiseled out of was hard and unforgiving, a shade of jet, nearing on black. There was no known history on how this land had been shaped thus far. If someone knew, it would be the Demoness of Kaidei and her ancestors, but it was not information that was shared.

Not particularly caring about the history surrounding his current destination, he focused his thoughts on getting up there safely. After winding round and round the mountain side, there was a plateau near the middle of the mountain where he would stop. That level ground was the entrance to the cave; the only entrance that anyone knew of.

Keeping the akusha level with the sloping ground was a taxing task – one which required a great deal of skill, concentration and power. If he wasn't careful, the vehicle could be run aground if he wasn't angled far enough. Conversely, it could be flipped if he angled it too much. After much considerate navigation, another hour later, he reached the entrance.

Parking the akusha, he stepped out of it to glance around. There was no one here waiting for him as the note had suggested. Scanning the premise for any sign of Misaki, he found nothing. In fact, the area looked completely uninhabited and unvisited as he was certain it normally would be. What kind of trap was this?

Something about the situation set his nerves on edge and he remained on guard as he slowly approached the actual cave itself. His enemy was expecting his entry into it; was that it? The note did say Kurozuka Cave, not its entrance. Staring into the abysmal darkness which greeted him, a shiver ran down his spine.

He was still contemplating his options of whether or not to actually make his way inside when a rumbling noise could be heard from behind him. Turning around in surprise, he watched as a familiar akusha driven by a familiar face approached him – November! Though he had been ready to give him the benefit of the doubt for Misaki and Kanami's sake, every ounce of hatred he felt for the man resurfaced at the sight of him during such a critical time of crisis.

Just as Hei had spotted him, November saw him in that same instance. A low growl escaped from his throat even as he parked his akusha. What the hell was Hei doing here?! Though he didn't actually think so at the time, it could only mean one thing as the note was quite clear on where to meet.

He had just exited the vehicle when Hei came charging towards him, his blade held at the ready. If he thought he had the element of surprise, he was dead wrong. Though he didn't particularly like using it, he thought to bring a wakizashi along with him. Lightning-quick, it came out from its sheath to counter Hei's overhead slash.

November managed to push him back, but Hei repeated his attack the moment he regained his footing. A sliver of rationality remained in November's mind with the thought that he did not want his means of departure to be destroyed. After all, he knew full well how destructive their battles could be when they were drawn out.

Side stepping around his flurry of attacks, November remained on the defensive until they had cleared away from the two akushas, which happened to be parked side-by-side. Since he wasn't fighting back, it only served to anger Hei further as he had the distinct feeling that he was being looked down upon; that even with his maturing powers, he was still not a match.

"Damn you!" Hei shouted. "Stop slinking around like a coward and fight me!"

"Coward! You're the coward!" November retaliated, still having a hard time believing the evidence in front of him.

This time it was November who initiated, furious that he was the one being called names by one who had sunk so low he would harm his own citizen, just to harm him. The blade held in both hands, November rushed forwards with a downward slice of his weapon; an attack which Hei easily avoided.

He would have to be careful as this was the first time he had fought against November who wielded a physical weapon. All their battles prior, he had relied on his ice blades; Hei didn't even know that he knew how to use a sword. Though he was no doubt a better swordsman, another consideration to factor in was the length as November's was more than double his.

They continued to fight back and forth, neither giving any space to the other. Though November wasn't as adept at using his weapon as Hei was, he still proved himself to be a formidable foe. A sudden underhanded swing had caught him off-guard and nicked his forearm which he had brought up to block his face. The favour had been returned during another skirmish where he managed to thrust the tip of his blade into November's upper arm.

By some unspoken communication, neither of them relied on their magic. This was a fight to the bitter end and whoever won it, it would be by sheer skill and determination alone; a battle of wills. It lasted long enough that the needs of their bodies and minds were synchronized. Fighting with every ounce of spirit at their disposal during each encounter, they rested the equivalent lengths of time when they paused for a break.

"Argh! I'm going to kill you!" Hei declared with heated passion.

"You took the words right out of my mouth! You're the one deserving of death!"

"Why you! I told her not to trust you, but she didn't listen to me!"

"So you'll snatch her from beneath my nose to prove your point?" countered November. "Give her back!"

"Snatch her? You're the lying, thieving bastard who did it twice!" shouted Hei, his eyes hardened into a glare even as he was doubled over trying to catch his breath.

"You barmy blackguard! How could you stoop so low! If one hair is harmed on her head, I'll slaughter you!"

"Ha! Acting righteous are we? Your shitty lies won't work on me!"

"Give me back Kanami!" November yelled furiously.

"Give me back Misaki!"

Their last words were shouted in unison, causing the other to pause and stare wordlessly. Shock was evident on their faces, not sure what to say at this point as they were clearly speaking on opposing wavelengths. Hei was here to reclaim his wife who he thought November had snatched. November was here to reclaim his beloved who he thought Hei had snatched.

"Eh?" they suddenly exclaimed together.

"… You didn't snatch Misaki?"

"What?! Why would I do that?"

"Then why are you here…?" Hei inquired.

"Because you snatched Kanami!" he declared vehemently.

"What?! I did no such thing!"

"But the note…"

"Kurozuka Cave? Mine too…" Hei answered.

"Then who?"

As if on cue, they were treated to the resounding sound of maniacal laughter which originated from the depths of the cave itself. The two men looked at each other in confusion, so certain the other had been at the heart of their current problems because of their presence alone. The bad blood between them was no secret; a barrier between them which would always exist.

The sound of laughter continued to assault their ears as they awaited the arrival of their actual enemy. It lasted for several minutes as the incessant noise began to grate on their nerves, until he finally made his first appearance. Both stared and stared some more, but there was no recognition to register in their minds; he was a complete stranger.

"Gentlemen," he greeted congenially. "I thought you would never ask that question! I'm quite pleased by the welcoming entertainment you have provided me though."

The man who emerged from the cave was of average height and lean build. With a deep v-hairline, his ebony locks were cropped short with one long strip of it on the right side which reached down to his cheekbone, revealing unnaturally pointy ears. His features were startling as he had fathomless black eyes which calmly gazed upon them; jagged dark brown scarring on the left portion of his entire face which contrasted greatly with the rest of his pale skin.

Even his style of dress was bizarre as he appeared to be wearing a black jumpsuit with a fitted body, but baggy pant legs. On top of that, he wore a loose, long-sleeved crop top which had a high collar and flared sleeves. Dark green trim lined the edges of the top and formed some kind of pattern along the front. All in all, he didn't look like he belonged in the Mato world.

"Where's Misaki?" Hei demanded.

"Yeah, where's Kanami?"

"Tsk, tsk. Manners gentlemen… I haven't completed my introduction yet."

"I don't give a damn who you are!"

"Ah, but I've gone to such great lengths to provide this entertainment," he answered lightly.

Having heard more than enough, November formed an ice blade in his hand and hurled it at his enemy. How dare he refer to Kanami's disappearance as entertainment? The man didn't move even as it was directed straight at him when finally, they heard a snapping sound and the ice blade vanished into thin air.

Both clan leaders looked on in surprise, unable to figure out how he had managed such a feat. It was one thing to break the pointed ice which was how Hei typically countered, but for it to disappear completely? He knew something, clearly overconfident about his abilities even as he faced the two most powerful clan leaders.

"I'll say… My introduction? Unless you don't care to see them again?" he threatened.

"… Fine," they both answered resentfully.

"Excellent. Well, really there isn't much to say… But my name is Wei. I want you to remember that much before I kill you."

At this he began laughing again; an irritating noise that they wanted to eliminate, but they couldn't act as he still hadn't told them where he was hiding their beloved women. Gritting their teeth, they had to bear with this farce when there was nothing they would love more than to impale him with their weapons.

"Kanami!" November barked, unable to stand it anymore.

"Ah, right… The lovely Kanami and Misaki… But of course, I wouldn't want them to miss anything when I terminate your lives before their very eyes."

Hei growled at the way he referred to his wife. She was indeed lovely, but he was not worthy of saying her name or even laying eyes upon her. Whatever secrets he kept hidden, he would overcome them – kill him and take Misaki safely back to Midnight Castle where everyone was awaiting her return.

True to his word, Wei acted. He waved his hand a couple times before it rested by his side once more. Hei and November had no idea what to expect and could only wait. Suddenly, Wei stepped to the side away from the entrance of the cave. Squinting their eyes, trying to make out something from that blackness, they could finally see something gradually emerging from within.

The torture was in the unknown as his grand reveal was happening inch by small inch. A tiny gray speck was what they noticed first, growing in size as the minutes ticked by. Eventually they began to hear sounds originating from within – sounds that happened to be the voices of Misaki and Kanami discussing the unexpected visibility of light.

The two were trapped within a spherical prison; this information conveyed to them when it was halfway out of the cave. Shouting at them, attempting to inquire about their well-being, neither clan leader was heard. In fact, they seem undisturbed despite their changing situation. While Hei and November could hear them, the reverse was not true.

"What did you do?" Hei exclaimed.

"Why nothing at all. They're quite safe inside."

"Why can't they hear us?!"

"Patience gentlemen," Wei stated with a smirk. "I shall allow you a few final moments with them… Before you die."

A throaty low growl rumbled at the back of their throats as he continued to toy with them. Though they couldn't understand what type of power he possessed, it didn't change the fact that he was the one who held their women hostage. If it was a fight that he hoped for, that was what he would get. The non-negotiable price for harming Misaki or Kanami was death.

With their fingers curled into fists at their side, they could only wait while Wei acted as he saw fit. Their spherical containment continued to materialize from the cave until it was completely free from it. Inside, they seemed comfortable enough as the two sat side-by-side, holding hands. Still they were discussing the light they saw as previously they had been trapped within the cave's perpetual shadows.

"Now gentlemen," Wei said graciously, snapping his fingers.

The sheen of gray on their prison disappeared, flooding the two women with full daylight after being contained in completely darkness for hours on end. When they cried out in pain at the brightness, Hei and November rushed forward, calling out to them. Wei remained off to the side, allowing them their moment together as he had promised.

"Misaki! Misaki, can you hear me?" Hei asked desperately.

"Kanami! Are you alright?"

Misaki blinked over and over again, swearing she could hear Hei's voice. Beside her, Kanami had her eyes tightly squeezed shut to block out the blinding light. It took several minutes before their eyes began to readjust to the sudden changes in their environment. When things began to stabilize, they slowly peered around.

They found themselves inside a thin-walled enclosure, elevated above the ground, where Hei and November stood on the other side of it. Glancing at each other in surprise, they finally turned their attention to what was happening outside. They were saying something and it took time for their ears to readjust from utter silence, struggling to make out what was said.

"Misaki! Are you okay?"

"Hei, what are you doing here?" she eventually replied.

"Are you okay?" he repeated.

"I'm fine! What's going on?"

"Kanami?" November asked from beside Hei.

"I'm alright. You? July?"

"July's still at home. I've been better… After I deal with this situation."

November's gaze hardened before he cast a side glance at Hei and Kanami gasped, thinking he meant to harm him. But suddenly, the two men outside glanced somewhere farther into the distance. This action drew their attention away from them and that was when they noticed the presence of the third man.

"W – Who is he?" Kanami asked in a whisper.

"No one you need to worry about."

Since they were staring at him, Wei took this as an indication that their conversation was over. Before any of them could say or do anything, he waved his hand and the two couples were separated, settling the women in their bubble snugly beside the parked akushas. Though the friendly expression remained on his face, Wei began stepping towards them.

"Hey! Who are you and why are you doing this?" Misaki protested from within the sphere.

"Since I have graced your husband with that information, it is only fair to do the same for you. Wei, at your service. As for why…"

Hei and November should have known from his dramatic pause as the man began laughing hysterically in that nerve-wracking fashion of his. A quick glance at Misaki indicated that she winced at the noise, covering her ears from the cacophony he created. Beside her, Kanami looked equally disturbed by the unfolding events before her.

"It's all quite simple," Wei explained casually. "They're in the way, so I need to eliminate them."

"No!" Kanami cried.

"Oh yes, very definitely yes."

Misaki began pounding on the barrier, but nothing happened. When she tried to teleport herself outside of it, nothing happened either. Though he could hear her in the background, Hei had his focus solely on the enemy. Beside him, November had also tensed, his entire being on guard. They had witnessed a small demonstration of this man's powers earlier and finally, his playtime was over.

He sneered at them while he rolled up his sleeve. Then he pulled out a short curved blade with a pointy tip, six-inches in length and set within a wooden handle. It was an odd weapon of choice when November held his wakizashi at the ready in front of him and Hei next to him with his split-blade knife.

Quickly they discovered that he wouldn't act as they expected. Rather than preparing for their attack, he calmly brought the knife to his exposed arm and made two clean slashes across it. Blood freely flowed from his wounds, but he wasn't the least bit concerned. His arm dropped to his side, allowing the blood to trickle down onto his hand. Only then did he square off in front of them.

"Now then… It is time for you to die!"

AN

It's the grand reveal! Anyone think the big baddie would be Wei? The hints were the Alice/Amber connection along with the whole "red theme" (you know, for the blood he's always spilling)... I know some of you weren't even thinking of that at all, but rather the inevitable fight scene... So I hope that was satisfying to a certain degree. There's obviously more coming...

haha, this chapter was amaaazingly hard! But not for what you would think. The fighting prose was easy to write, but it was the hurled insults that threw me off. I don't make it a habit of running around insulting people, so I couldn't think of what they should call each other... You know the "lying bastard" and "barmy blackguard" part... XD You can google it yourself if you want to find out what that actually means.