o o o
Taka grabbed Rima's wrist just in time before she unsheathed the sword and rallied. She had never endured a stand alone skirmish with a pureblood. Merely following the Toya search party's example and maneuvering the mountains over the last few days wasn't the finest or benefitting proposition for a man or lady to clash swords with a warlord. He was massively daunting and revered by the Ming as well. The pureblood was not to be taken lightly by any creature. She should know better.
Rima relaxed the grip on the sword under his glare of warning and obediently turned in the direction of the luminous silver-blond-haired guild leader of the vampire hunters. For a reclusive and extraordinary pureblood, the lord wasn't threatening looking, overbearing or roguish. He was mesmerizing. Several thin braids wiggled down his silver mane that wafted in the wind as he stared peacefully at the sky with eyes shimmering like the ocean in the setting sun.
Rima slouched in the bush she shared with Taka. "Why is he here?"
Taka held his breath and began shaking his head at their inescapable demise that was becoming imminent. "I want to believe he missed the sweet buns and fish cakes of the Kurenai nest, but I know Lord Shoto doesn't care about modern relishes. We had better flee and inform the crowned prince."
Rima frowned and watched him noiselessly collect his sword before he inched out of the bush. "The crowned prince has a higher ranking. Why can't we take him for questioning?"
Taka grabbed her sleeve and restively began tugging her out of their hideout. "We can't—no one can." He hissed.
"What's the big deal?" Rima growled in deep-seated annoyance, "He is just a pureblood."
"And you seem to forget you're an aristocrat vampire," Taka chided and ceased his motions. He released a shuddering sigh. "He was the one responsible for exterminating half-pureblood vampires. Lord Shoto was the Commander of the Armies for 8,000 years. The daimyos and warlords of today were once under his command. He taught them how to wield swords and fight. No one under the sun and moon can meet Lord Shoto eye-to-eye or point swords at him. He cannot be beaten, not even the king defies him, you understand? He reared the most dangerous daughter, the general of the army, who grew arm-in-arm with the king and died because she revolted against the imperial Kuran. He doesn't surface casually. We should prepare ourselves." Taka dragged her along out of the corner.
Rui floated out of the trees, fluttered his wings rapidly and swirled around the tall pureblood gaping in the empty field, as he usually did, at the blue sky as if he were waiting or expecting a mirage to appear. He suspected the pureblood had the unspoken, unnatural ability to discern what only his eagle eyes could see. He'd been meaning to ask his sire and lord about why he turned to the clouds and watched the sun slather its blood across the blue and black, but he realized no one dared to make a nuisance of such observations out of fear.
He reverted to his physical form and landed on the grass behind his father. Rui scanned the perimeter and rounded back unhurriedly. "Is it wise to let them get away? They're taking off to tell the crowned prince about your sudden appearance."
"There comes a time when we must urge the needle forward ourselves to justify the lack of proper tools," Lord Shoto purred without looking away from the winding clouds.
Rui contemplated the stern lord who stood rapt in thought. "I didn't think it was possible, you're a lot more anxious than the other day."
His observation did not surprise him, but Lord Shoto finally broke his gaze from the clouds to stare at his last and only son. A measure of warmth embodied his normal chilled expression as a lustrous smirk outlined his lips.
Rui knelt on the ground, "I know I'm assuming, but I have to confirm what I believe is true."
Lord Shoto smirked at the sky again, unsaid humor in the circumstance roused his blood.
"You don't care if Lord Toma wins the throne. The second you endowed him with the butterfly regalia, you showed me your real goal. You haven't returned to the fortress since the Oracle Dragon appeared. You've been tracking the huntress. You've never given another person out of the fortress the faintest consideration of your time. You sent a spy to leak the camp where she was enslaved, even had me secretly disguise myself and give Takuma Ichijo sister's journal to her. No pureblood or vampire on earth can absorb the Light of Heaven, only a Kuran can. It'll tear a person's soul and shatter his or her body. Lord Toma has unknowingly signed on to be your scapegoat. But, if all this planning lures the person you've been waiting for - the board is set for the queen."
"That is quite the speculation, Rui," Lord Shoto humored his son with an engaging smile, "Little Nine's effort to balance the rank system ceased after she died. She knew I wouldn't let her death be in vain."
"I hoped you'd let me handle it. After all, I owe sister my life."
Lord Shoto remained standing still while admiring the warm morning twist under the ravine of chittering birds and soothing wind. "Rui." He said out of no where.
The pureblood hunter picked his head up and looked at his father's silhouette.
"You're Little Nine's youngest blood-born brother. She raised you and loved you like her own child. You are not qualified or obligated to take on her duties. That is why, Rui, I've kept you on the sidelines, close and tucked safely under my sleeve. You're more precious to Little Nine than the king and your adopted brother, Kiryuu. Your life isn't meant to be staked against the Kuran."
"Yes, my lord." Rui whispered submissively.
Lord Shoto narrowed his eyes. Rui was perceptive, indeed. He was certain the planning and tracking of the huntress was the strategic significance of an inception he perceived thousands of years ago. The signs were unmissable. The Oracle Dragon had appeared for the first time after Little Nine's death, honoring the second challenger of the purebloods and the echelon. Should the Hidden Dagger appear as promised, the regalia would recognize its owner automatically, and the hunter army in waiting would rise, ready to confront the Kuran.
o o o
6,000 Years Ago
Like fluid white light curdling the narrow hole next to the ceiling, the white butterfly waded in the dark chamber and landed on Isaya Shoto's table. The silver-eyed pureblood Commander of the Armies gaped at the irregular visitor, but he did not appear surprised or pleased. He indifferently returned to dip the quill in the ink.
"You've got the wrong place. This is the house of the eagle, we eat butterflies like you." The lord accorded without losing focus on what he wrote in the parchment.
The butterfly fluttered from the edge of the table and unfolded into a luminous slender silhouette. Neat arms folded out in salutation toward the great pureblood as the dark-haired female bowed. Lord Shoto continued to jot his thoughts without addressing the unknown creature.
" 'Lord Shoto.' " The luminous white-cladded individual whispered with a fluty eloquence that was far too soft to be cheerful, too cool to be respectful and inviting. Wind heaved within the locked office, stirring the sheets of parchment on the table, only to be swallowed back in focused silence after she began to speak, "You're a pureblood of incredible acumen, tact and ability. An eagle like you is never on the losing end of a battle. I'm sorry to hear the last three years were incredibly unjust without your ace."
The quill in his hand did not tremble, but he finished his last thought before he prudently flattened the object on the table. He glared at the treaty he had crafted.
"I bring what you've been searching for." The hooded figure held out a gold bag.
Lord Shoto scrutinized the item distrustfully. "What is that?"
"Her ashes." She whispered.
Lord Shoto shot up, a chasm of fire enshrouded his frame, frizzling as he circled the table in surprise.
"She asked me to pass it on to you. She said, you'd know best what to do with it."
Lord Shoto gaped at the bag and accepted it wholeheartedly, a whisper of agony trickled in his impassive eyes. "Where… Where did you get it?" He whispered sorrowfully, "The dragon on the battlefield left no remains. The new king was no where to be found either."
Behind the hood, she examined him sadly and lowered her gaze empathetically. "You loved your daughter very much." She discerned, "Someone I love is in grave danger too. I risked coming here to convey her final regards. Your efforts are not in vain. Don't regret her passing." Out of her right sleeve, pale fingers waved in the cool air. A subtle white shape transpired from the narrow tips of her fingers, winding and collecting into pure white light. The butterfly of white fluttered toward the bag in his hand. "I give you half of my soul and pureblood essence, my powers."
He gaped heedfully at the shimmering butterfly resting on the gold bag.
"I can only give you half," She regretfully lowered her arm, "The other half lies with him. Take it as my sincerity to repay her back by continuing her life work. The next time you'll see me, I will have become very weak, breathing on a drop of my pureblood powers."
" 'A drop of pure blood?' " Lord Shoto scowled and recited the inherent meaning, " 'A half pureblood?' "
"The Oracle Dragon will return. It'll mean I'm nearby. With only a drop of my pureblood powers, I'll be incapable of upholding her wish. Let the half of my soul aid her mission."
Lord Shoto studied the hooded female. Her long dark hair curled down her shoulders and back, and her red lips morphed opaque in the distance by a hazing glow radiating from the material of her clothing, seemingly twinged in silver, gold, pearl and cream lustrous thread, the sequence of which, he realized were not a native to the country.
"The new king is alive, I take it?" Lord Shoto cautiously observed the strange creature. Although, she was unrecognizable and her features indistinguishable in the frame of the hood, he reasoned her integrity against his daughter's ashes. Little Nine trusted her to pass her last words, convinced she would deliver her remains to the frightening pureblood the land feared. "Three years has passed yet his body hasn't been recovered. The Kuran imperial house has arranged a story about his recovering in the family crypt, that's why no one can see him. Can you tell me something I can actually believe?"
"I don't know about your relationship with the new Kuran king. He was never in the crypt. Time is different where I'm from. For five thousand years I sealed him and watched over him." She indicated the bag of ashes in his hand by a gentle nod, "At her behest, I released him today."
Shock nipped his blood. His eyes starkly widened. "You…come from the dimension." Lord Shoto forced himself to vocalize, magnetizing forward in awe toward the opaque woman, "The Light of Heaven and that blade are connected to where you're from. It took her there. Why couldn't you save her?" He bitterly demanded.
"The Imperial Lord assigned the first Kuran to create life for vampires here. He had no intention of helping her. It's taboo for a vampire who isn't a Kuran to enter. She wasn't meant to cross the dimension using the Oracle Dragon. You can tell my life-force is dwindling, I could only assist her to the best of my ability."
Lord Shoto tearfully regarded the bag containing his daughter's ashes.
o o o
Kaien gritted his fangs and felt blood sear the abrasion on his knuckles. The rock shimmered a dewy red in the sun. He panted out of rage and frustration, the festering knick of heat thumbed into the blood stream of his pale eyes, his chest was numb from heaviness as he reared angrily toward the field. His legs charged with unhesitant tenacity across the fleshy grain of green shrubs until he stepped upon the mossy grassland. His footsteps louder than the tossing breeze. The bowing pureblood immediately shook out of his disciplined posture and protectively faced the fast-approaching hunter.
Lord Shoto scanned the amalgamation of shock and anger upon the hunter's mien. He turned amusedly in his direction to regard him peacefully. "Kaien, you've come."
Kaien shoved Rui out of the way and stopped until he was finally against Isaya Shoto. "Is this your doing?" Behind the glasses, his eyes narrowed accusingly with each ragged breath.
"What is?"
Kaien gripped the sturdy pureblood at the shoulders and clenched his fangs. "I told you to leave Zero and Yuki alone." He growled.
Lord Shoto placidly unhooked Kaien's fingers from one shoulder followed by the other in a distant, expressionless manner. "I left him alone. He chose to side with the Kuran. Fate has her punishment for him."
"Not fate," Kaien charged, incensed, "You — working in the dark, controlling everything and everyone."
"Me?" Lord Shoto examined the perspiring hunter behind the curtain of his lashes before he averted to muse the skyline, "All I did was come out for a stroll."
Kaien glared at the guild leader in violet rage. "What'll you do to Yuki?"
"How fickle you are, you wonder about the Kuran, you fret over the little huntress, it's never simple with you." Lord Shoto angled a cold look over him. The stare managed to sober Kaien of his rage, who blinked and straightened his posture. "Remember our deal, Kaien? If it is as I predict you will return to the guild and realign with the Seven Distinguishable's. All you need to do is watch him break her heart, a Kuran can't help but save himself."
"News of Haruka Tsunamasa's death has spread across the country," Rui interrupted from the shadow of his looming father, "The person who beheaded him was the crowned prince."
Lord Shoto sighed at the sun, the corners of his eyes tight and narrow. "Little Nine's generosity runs in the lineage of hunters. Stand aside if you want to maintain your dignity as a hunter."
"Don't hurt anyone," Kaien heavily rasped, "Zero and Yu—"
"You loved Lord Tsunamasa very much. You're not one to defend the Kuran either." Lord Shoto scathingly reminded.
Kaien didn't reabsorb his tearful expression at the remark, his shoulders trembled after a sob tinkered out of his hanging lips. He roughly shook his head at the ground, as a means to wring away the grief of losing his dearest and beloved friend. "I will make it up to Haruka." Eyes shimmering with tears, Kaien peeled off his glasses and wiped them dry with the back of his blood-stained sleeves.
Lord Shoto turned to gesture to his son. "Now is the time, Rui."
The silver-haired hunter nodded and bowed before taking flight in the form of an eagle.
Kaien contained his sobs after a while and oriented himself next to the impassive pureblood once he was able of verbalization. "Leave the children alone. They are too young. Yuki has endured enough! She deserves to live a gentle and serene life, she has no one left now-" He choked and broke into sniffles.
The mighty lord on his left hadn't blinked or appear to have taken breath. He stared in a daze into the white sky.
"Leave her out of your plans."
"A plan is what fate is not. The secret of nature is often cruel."
o o o
Takuma gaped in reeling fascination at the soldiers cladded in silver armor. A lavender flag inscribed with the Hiou sakura emblem hoisted high in the sky, fluttered and swayed in the gusty breeze. The fluid stream of marching troops flooding the courtyard initially left Takuma in a surprise, and over the hour he grew acquainted with the drumming, humming, and passionate chanting of the Hiou troops from beneath the glinting silver helmet that cut starkly from the center of the forehead and nose in the harsh sun. Their glacial pink-red eyes were outlined in black charcoal. Their constant chanting carried well up the terraces and above the waterfalls into the mountains. Each pureblood beat his weapon, stomped his boot. By now Takuma was able to distinguish the hymns were not about saving the world. They were declaring themselves to war and praising their matriarch for trusting their abilities for sending them to accomplish an esteem task in their lifetime. Whether they returned home or not, being called to war was both an honor and a reward.
The Kuruizaki-hime, boldly powerful and with head high, appeared proudly before the massive army. Victory ignited her eyes, her lips decoratively swarmed higher against her canine fangs, it might have been an indescribably dazzling sight for the troops showered her with teary bellows of wonder.
Takuma hesitantly recoiled from the banister of the terrace he hovered and found himself shaking his head out of confusion. She wasn't a woman who changed her mind quickly. If so, Kaname must've leveraged an insatiably satisfying offer for the picky matriarch. He looked on at the pureblood through narrow eyes and clenched his jaw distrustfully.
Something is not right.
Arms curled around his torso and breasts pushed against the middle of his back.
"Ah!" He gulped and thrust out of Ai's embrace. "Can't you restrain yourself?" He scolded.
Ai musically batted her lashes and tilted her head, "Does that mean you want me to act on my urges at a different time, say in the bedroom?"
Takuma grumbled in annoyance under his breath, "No — You will meet someone who will love you, however, it won't be me. The war is all I can think about." He returned to inspect the growing army.
Ai bent her elbows on the banister and hunched over to peer below. "This is merely a small sum, what's so great about them? The majority have yet to descend from the mountain."
Takuma had lost count of the troops and was slightly baffled to learn there were more experienced purebloods that hadn't arrived. He scrutinized the thumping and rallying banner men.
"Now is your chance to consider me in a new light." Ai delicately crossed her arms to pin him a playful stare, "I helped Kaname get the troops. My mother was never going to ally with the Kuran without getting her half and then some." She cupped her lips to whisper.
Takuma cautiously retreated a footstep as the information distilled. "How did you help him?"
"We're a matriarch scorned for marrying a human over a pureblood. We won't stoop down to the ridiculous standards of the Kuran king. My mother believes if I became the pureblood queen, our clan will submerge the mocking patriarchs of vampire society. The king loved the idea more than she did. I hate to break it to him later, but there's a sexy noble vampire I want to lay with, so for now I have to pretend to agree to marry Kaname."
Takuma strongly despised the description following 'sexy noble vampire' and made a rigid whip of the head to glare at her and grit his fangs silently. He groomed his reaction by turning around on his heels and rummaging his temples vigorously, the pads of his fingers white from pressure. "He'd sooner bury himself alive than marry you."
"I don't care. I will break the marriage contract as soon as the war ends." Ai shrugged.
Takuma lowered his hands against his sides to scowl. "What're the chances the Kuruizaki-hime knows of your deceit, won't she kill you?"
"The Hiou crest is bound to be mine. She'll imprison me, but she won't kill me." Ai replied with a guaranteeing and firm nod.
He almost forgot that when it came to purebloods they seemed to get away with anything if he or she was the heir to a clan. Takuma continued to scowl at Ai, "And you're willing to be imprisoned to help him, what gives?" He accusingly demanded.
"My sexy, protective Takuma," Ai chuckled and grinned at the distrustful blond. "Why, because of the Master Plan," She replied softly, "You and I are set to run away and make a houseful of children."
"I should definitely prepare a will. Everyone is out to get me killed." Takuma bitterly munched out. "Now that it's common for others to make plans for me without my saying so. Heh — I've earned the unquestionable rank of becoming Kaname's soon-to-be interim-crown-holder who gets to stamp his seal and put on his pants. Am I running away to have kids before or after I drink tea in my new silk bed, because the Grand Council will hang me by the ankles to be eaten by vultures and bats in the town square."
"I won't let some old pests touch you."
"You've never met the Grand Council. You've never set foot out of the mountains!" He cried.
"This is why you and I need to share a blood bond." Ai gestured between them, "Come drink from me. I can give you my Blood Summon. You don't have to dread living in the palace."
He covered his eyes in despair and sagged to his knees. "Stop trying to get me killed."
"I just told you to drink my blood." Ai licked her fangs and approached gaily.
He jumped up and skated back hastily, "Haven't you paid attention? Yuki is in constant crisis over the blood bond she shares with Kaname. She gets black veins and succumbs to seizures."
Ai guffawed at the vampire, "Why are you stuck to Kaname when you don't know a thing about purebloods?"
"I know plenty, like there's no cure to her blood infection."
"Fool, it's not an infection," Ai sneered in sheer annoyance at Takuma's ignorance.
"It's an untreatable medical conundrum!"
"Love isn't a medical problem!" She spat, "No wonder she has no clue with buffoons like you around. Lower vampires get sick if they're not in constant communion with the pureblood they love."
Takuma had opened his mouth to charge back but pursed his lips and gaped into her enraged pink-red eyes.
Ai huffed, "I know love when I see it. Blood Summon can balance and calm the reaction. Judging by the likes of you, it's likely she doesn't know how to summon Kaname. Am I right?" She shouted.
Takuma blinked and contemplated the news in the clouds, "Oh. So there is a technique to summoning a pureblood?"
Vexation fanned across her porcelain features. Angrily Ai spun out of the terrace and marched into the hall. She reached Yuki's suite and rammed open the doors like a throttling tornado. Red material lay scattered, cut in pieces across the floor and tables. Ai clenched the glittering garment toothily and realized Kaname had previously provoked her by making her sew her own wedding dress. In retaliation, Yuki fancied her time by shredding the material to a million pieces.
Takuma appeared moments behind Ai. Scanning the vacant suite frantically, he mumbled, "She was just here."
Ai dropped a piece of the cloth to murmur, "He warned me not to let her go anywhere today." She opened the terrace doors and sought the arch gates of the Hiou Mountain.
"I'll go look for her." Takuma began jogging out of the suite.
Ai made no mention or movement of having heard him. She stared guardedly toward the Kurenai nest, her full lips fastening into a thin line and her eyes narrowing in suspicion. Dark foreboding arrested Ai to her feet, her hands lax and cold against the banister and her glare hooded upon the marching troops.
Takuma grew dismal by Yuki's absence. He searched the Hiou courtyard as best as he was able with the couple thousand troops marching non-stop and decided to recede out of the premises by heading for the nest farther down the hill. He didn't have to walk far to encounter the wise and sentient grandmother great queen.
Fumiko wiped a straggling tear from the corner of her eye and held Takuma nonchalantly beneath her lashes. "If you're looking for Kaname, he's speaking to Shigeu in private."
Takuma straightened from his bow and whispered, "As a matter of fact, have you seen Yuki around?"
Fumiko glanced her sides secretly, "Why would she come here?"
"She's not in the Hiou Mountain, maybe she wandered here?"
Fumiko sullenly ruminated, "If she were here, it would be her bad-luck. Kaname proved to us he can be a just leader, free of personal attachments as an unparalleled authority of the Kuran legacy. He earned Shigeu's respect and managed to gain support from the Hious. The only thing left for him to do is to defeat Lord Toma. After today I doubt Yuki will respond to us favorably, to you as well. Since she didn't return to the Hiou Mountain, she has made her choice."
Takuma gauged her meaning in perplex but he resolved to remain silent.
"He went after her when she had gone missing for a year. I don't think she'll let any of us come close again." Fumiko motioned to her guard and glided past Takuma's bowing form.
Takuma beadily examined the parting crowd. He paused on the coiled heads in discussions over what they had witnessed. Some rambled in disbelief, while others raggedly shook their heads and sighed, wordless. He steered through the nest and listened for answers, gained solemn descriptions from samurais, until he teemed with the unsuspecting, unspoken fragility of Kaname's motive. Others may construe it as a distinguished move, but Kaname did not make a stake without being secure in his end result.
Losing Yuki was never his goal.
Why did you behead her father, betray her and soothe the king's will?
o o o
Keenly the crowned prince heeded the interim-leader of the Toya clan, Taka's observation of the uncanny yet intimidating presence of the guild leader and lord of the hunters, Lord Shoto.
"It's no coincidence — mere paces from the groove Lord Toma disappeared into hours ago. The one assisting him is none other than Lord Shoto!" Taka relayed in sterile vigor and conviction, "Normally a pureblood of his caliber would bet his armament with the Kuran imperial army. But what did he do? He remained silent for months. He could've provided aid. Instead he chose to amuse himself by rigging Lord Toma against you for the crown. If Kazuo Kuran heard of this, he would rise from the crypt!"
From the beginning Kaname had a niggling qualm regarding the unseen Lord Shoto. The pureblood was raised to the highest rank in his grandfather's army, made Commander and the terminator of the aristocrat vampire population. The pureblood who was hard to find was actually minutes away from where he stood.
Rima stepped behind Kaname, "We should confront Lord Shoto. Lord Toma can't defend himself if Lord Shoto backs out."
"What makes you think he will?" Taka queried, "They've schemed against the crown, we mustn't let Lord Shoto distract us."
"Everyone is terrified of him. So, I'll go and demand he give us answers." Rima said.
Taka earnestly pulled the orange-haired aristocrat vampire of the Toya clan behind him and away from Kaname's crimson scowl. "Forgive her, Kaname-sama, she doesn't understand the peril at hand. Lord Shoto won't be surprised if we confront him."
Kaname liquidly turned around, his red eyes frosty and narrow, the pupils disappearing within the slit of his eyes. "I will go alone."
Rima tried to shove past Taka but the older and generous vampire nudged her back out of precaution. Taka pressed a hand on his heart in salutation, "Allow me to escort you."
"It's been years I laid eyes on the guild leader. I've forgotten what he looks like." Kaname replied.
Kaname's silhouette dismembered into soft black flakes and dusts before encompassing in a behemoth herd of bats. The pureblood's instant transformation had the standing members of the Toya search party linger with their mouths open, speechless by his haste decision to go alone. Kaname flew for another few minutes before the grove came into view. He soared farther down the greenery and landed in the vast pulchritude of an open field. The grass rustled beneath his boot as the bats formed into a pair of stalking legs and collected into the long frame of his torso, chest, and broad shoulders. His face finally encapsulated in dots of black and red. Finally silk black hair trickled against his pale cheeks in a fluster of wind that skipped over him and swirled the silver long braids of the incrementally tall pureblood ahead.
Lord Shoto made the formal turn around to spare him a practiced and even glance. "What an honor, the Kuran crowned prince has delighted me with his presence."
Kaname stood immobile for a series of minutes. His dark eyes hollow in the pulsating breeze that skipped and fluttered the long bangs of hair over his eyes. "And the lord no one ever sees has suspiciously surfaced here of all places."
Lord Shoto gestured toward Kaien in front of him, "Can't I meet a friend in private and have a heart-to-heart conversation? His dear friend was just killed."
"The one thing we can be certain of in the world is death," Kaname curtly muttered, "You were my grandfather's Commander of Armies, his official Right Hand, you're very familiar with sentencing others to death."
"The entail of every battle is a story of death—Death of a system, a belief, a person. A new battle of power is about to surge. I hear you acquired the Hiou troops. Many hundreds of years have passed since the imperial army and the Hious fought side-by-side, I congratulate you on the achievement."
"What's there to congratulate? I haven't won yet." Kaname reared back. "Lord Toma believes he is a better successor to the throne. Not many Kuran enemies live under the sun. I'll use this battle to weed out the ones who think the Kuran can be undermined and deceived."
"The Seven Distinguishables work for the king. He can whisk them to your aid when desired."
"What makes you think Lord Toma is so outstanding I'll require the Seven Distinguishables' help?"
Lord Shoto smirked gracefully, "He has seen wars before you were conceived. As I was speaking to Kaien, I learned he's been hiding after the battle in the village. He's finicky with weapons, but he has great magic. My old tired eyes can see you can use the Hious to your advantage and outsmart Lord Toma. I eagerly wait for your win."
"The Kuran will remain the imperial house and the owners of the Light of Heaven," Kaname stoically implied, "If hunters don't see it yet, they need to remember one important fact. The hunter was also created from a pureblood. It never bode well for the hunters to tarnish purebloods that endowed them with immortality."
Lord Shoto immaculately nodded, "Indeed, the pureblood archetype came from the original Kuran. The powers of a Kuran is not his or her supernatural abilities, it is his or her soul. No animal or human can mimic or eradicate it."
"My grandfather trusted you tremendously," Kaname assumed based on his depth of knowledge.
Lord Shoto icily smirked, "I happened upon the inscription on the handle of the Light of Heaven once, hinting the king's name, soon came your name. I'm convinced you'll become the Kuran king sooner than you think. That's why I was never worried about Lord Toma."
Kaname's gaze shifted toward the moon-like pale likeness of Kaien Kurosu. The hunter maintained a low profile and studied the moss grass in an uninterrupted obligatory manner. "Let's say I accept your words and defeat Lord Toma, will it be a victory for the hunters?"
Lord Shoto met his chilling gaze with astoundingly pleasure. "Your victory is my victory."
A haunting silence engulfed the field and neither pureblood averted from each other.
o o o
Wind wailed against her ears, carousing breeze wrinkled the neat bind of hair free, wringing the short bangs over her temples. She searched the mountain and the striking pillars of trees panning the Hiou household. Little by little, inch after inch, her feet led her from the gates of the mountain and out toward the main road. Her sandals dragged upon the dirt from heavy footwork and her dizzy red-brown eyes gaped high and low, searching the invisible wind and blinding sun. She stopped abruptly, as if her legs could not manage her weight and carefully knelt on the road. The loud rasps reeling from her lips were rough and strained. It was a moment later, Yuki realized, the tightness in her chest and the sight of black-brown spots dribbling on the dirt near her feet.
She wheezed from the smell of blood tears. Furrowing her brows, she rubbed her face in her hands and shot up to her feet, wide-eyed and gasping. As she tried to make a step, she wavered and stared glumly into the dirt. A hand knotted on her forearm, another caught around her elbow. She blinked for a number of seconds at the pale, cold hands.
Yuki tipped her head up in puzzlement toward the hovering man. He had been calling out to her insistently, shaking and tugging her up, but she could not assimilate her surroundings.
Aidou stopped and sighed out of exasperation, "Isn't it best you get out of here? The king is very close." She was miserably searching for something in the wind. He shook her again. "Are you listening? Come with me. I'll take you to our camp."
She couldn't return to the Hious and wait for him. She couldn't bear the sight of him. She couldn't consider the notion of looking at him — as divine, beautiful and loving as he was — He had betrayed her. He outwitted her and took advantage of her emotionally. After years of pretending to be patient, kind and doting, he chose the monarchy. The endless plan to leave the crown was a lie.
Her legs trembled and she had begun to sink on the ground. Aidou energetically seized her by the elbows and determinedly led her out of the main road. He had horses ready from the early morning and debated whether she was in the state of mind to ride alone. Yuki stared at the reins he'd passed and robotically launched herself on the saddle without hesitation. The motion came seamlessly and her fingers clenched the leather reins, her feet rested in the straps and her back straight.
The wind picked up, and her eyes stung from the dust. She glanced over the shoulder at the large boulders shimmering from water splashes in the sun. Yuki turned away from the Hiou Mountain and nudged the horse forward. Next to her, Aidou testily glanced at her but urged his horse faster to direct the way.
Several hours passed and the sun was low, nestled between the mountains. They had stopped to rest in a grassy land. Aidou nervously remained seated on her left, poking the noiseless fire with a smoking branch. She hadn't spoken much, and he grew to realize that when Yuki was upset or traumatized, she did not speak. She was very slow at grasping large changes, especially on an emotional level. Aidou shook his head. He was not trying to discredit her process. She had just seen her father get killed, the sight would scar anyone for life.
Aidou reached down and squeezed the hand listless in her lap.
She did not seem to notice his touch. Her eyes remained blank and unblinking, dwelling on the fire.
"We're not far from the Aidou camp. We're out in the open, I'm worried raiders may come up. Why don't we head straight to the camp and you can rest there?" Aidou suggested. The firelight cast gold, black lines across her profile. She did not mouth a word or stir. However, as he began to collect their belongings and saddle again, she followed his example like a well-trained, silent shadow.
I believed in him.
The stars above revealed a fiery trek in the darkness, and the white moon curled behind the motionless clouds, overlaying shadows upon the road and fields. Another cold wind drove invisible spears into her back.
" 'I only trust you. You want to abandon me, don't you love your Ouji?' "
Tears burned into her eyes. The red film dripped down her cheeks.
" 'Haruka Tsunamasa will be executed by none other than me.' "
It had taken her years to withstand being in his company and loosen the noose of fear from her want and need for him. She had run away and tried to quell her desires using blood liquor and live in distraction, if not distance. Nonetheless, he had stayed near, even when she did not fathom his level of sincerity and care. But why go through the trouble of being kind and gentle if he was to turn on her? Why win her trust and affection, only to destroy the most important person in her life?
Yuki would have challenged him if he were human, or a mere vampire. She would have condemned and retaliated. For some reason, she was at a complete loss. The idea of his betraying her was unforgivable… unforgettable. If it were someone else, Yuki would have killed them.
I trusted him. I hoped he'd be a pureblood unlike any other, a better king.
She looked up to him as someone with valuable potential, as one of the pillars of hope.
This is my fault.
Yuki clenched her jaw. She let him come close, put her faith in him, listened to his sweet words and allowed herself to be seduced. It might have felt natural and instinctual to seek comfort in Kaname, now Yuki couldn't pretend his kindness existed solely for her well-being. He played her, wound her up, made her heart safe and race, filled her with love and bound them together.
" 'I won't have less than two thousand sunrises and sunsets with you.' "
Blood infused tears slowly and diligently trickled down her cheeks, stinging the white of her eyes. He had years to ruin her and leave her to die in prison and at the Toma camp, was it a new method to torture her, or he had a change of heart?
Why did you betray me?
Kaname.
o o o
The Toya search party darted toward the dark contour, immediately bending forward in the ground to greet their lord. The crowned prince examined the various members and turned to glare over his left shoulder at the distinct and freezing thunder of blunt wind. Raising a gloved hand, he notched the index up to indicate the men forward. Among the band was the spirited and noble Lord Ichijo who appeared behind Kaname after a solemn bow in greeting and raised his height, but kept his head lowered, loud enough for the pureblood to hear.
"The Hiou troops are ready, which column shall I assign them?" Lord Ichijo asked.
"They will follow Takuma. You should be with the rear guard." Kaname advised.
The lord wrestled with the order and shifted his weight, the cracking of branches under his feet left the movement riotous.
Kaname turned half way around to stare at him. "You don't want to?"
"I don't think I should leave you alone." Lord Ichijo mumbled in somber concern, "Takuma can make mistakes on the battlefield. Let me stay with you."
"Lord Shoto laughs at us, I also believe one of the warlords must stay with you." Taka commented from the row of Toya search party.
The columns were designated days ago. Kaname peered at the dusk sky, his vision filled by the silver sledge of the Hiou Mountain, glistening from the final rays of the sun. Their rival was breathing down their necks and Kaname expected some sort of enraged overkill on behalf of Lord Toma. After seeing Lord Shoto, he had never been certain of anything than the fact the two were playing with the Kuran monarchs. Kaname didn't sense hunters in the vicinity or any undercover agents thereof. What kind of alliance had they formed without Lord Toma needing men? He'd lost quite a number before, and he must have estimated with the Hiou's assistance, they were outnumbered by thousands.
The sound of marching echoed meters away. The familiar scent and tempo of movement had Kaname securing the buttons of his gloves around the wrists stoically as one of the newcomers lined next to his shoulder.
"We need to talk." Takuma alertly grabbed Kaname at the forearm.
"There's no time." Kaname calmly answered without looking, "Lord Toma is watching us, and Lord Shoto has made a large investment on our losing the battle. Takuma, our column is the target. Wherever we go, he'll be on us."
Takuma had been breathing hard and executed a dry cough in his fist, he turned back, red-faced and starry-eyed. "Before we make any moves, you need to know something. Your actions earlier—"
Kaname's gaze chiseled in austere beams of hell-fire and smoke, gritting, "We will talk later."
Takuma paled, holding his breath, but his grip on Kaname's shoulder tightened desperately.
If I share the news now, he'll lose concentration and run out in the middle of an attack.
The blond abided and took an understanding step back. "Yes. Later."
Kaname was not surprised by the voluminous number of Hiou troops that awaited him. He would ride with Takuma, Lord Ichijo, and the Toyas to Kyoto. With the king watching over them, they were protected by his vast powers, in addition to the Hiou party, they were strong on land as well. From his horse, he studied the armed purebloods. The imperial army led by Asato Ichijo waited some miles farther. He clenched the reins and felt a strange pull inside his chest.
Blood tears crisscrossed his vision, Kaname blinked several times to clear his vision and glimpsed back at the Hiou Mountain. She should be highly irritated about sewing a dress, but he couldn't wait to alleviate her mood by surprising her with the wedding dress inside the home waiting for them in the flourishing mountains watched over by the old human man.
Inside the deep pockets of his jacket, Kaname reached for the silver hunter's rod, Artemis. He still remembered her words on the day of his investiture.
" 'I'm willing to share her with you. A leader needs a strong weapon to rule. ' "
Kaname removed his hand out of the hidden pocket and glared in to the darkening road beyond.
After the war is over, we'll live a happy life together. You'll keep wanting to run around the world, and I'll keep remaining a fool that can't say no to you.
Kaname raised an arm, the troops hollered in response. He pointed forward, and the thumping of banners and feet turned louder. Chanting resumed as Kaname prompted his horse into the road.
o o o
In silent approval, Shigeu listened to the shouts of the Hiou troops down the road. A litter of men caroling from the Kurenai men's village stumbled awkwardly upon noticing the raven-haired pureblood ordinarily alone.
"Ou-sama," The head of the medicine village plummeted to the ground, bellowing, "Are you in need of herbs? It would our honor to serve you. We'll have everything you need right away."
Shigeu merely turned to glance in an uninterested and unconcerned manner, he wanted to wave them away but reflected on the need. He resorted to say, "Kaname stayed here after his grave injury, you were instrumental in his healing."
The head of the village blushed under a winding bow, "You praise me. 'Instrumental' would be an exaggeration. We recommended he spend the night in the cave. He insisted on healing as quickly as possible in fear of triggering his bride's sickness-" He stopped briskly and dove into the ground, "Oh, congratulations! You must also be pleased by your new daughter-in-law. The crowned prince is a very happy man. He declares he and his bride fell in love at first sight. What glorious fortune he's found in marriage!"
Shigeu's brows furrowed at the ramblings.
Bride. Kaname had not met the Kuruizaki-hime's daughter at the time.
The king circled the line of thought and casually scanned the men planted in dirt, head down and rear skyward. "Your village does not welcome the women folk. If you caught a female vampire, you'd have to extract her magical powers and blood for your medicine. Do I understand correctly?"
"Yes, Ou-sama, our region is avoided for that reason."
"Did anything in particular catch your attention when Kaname was around?" His hooded eyes fastened on the elevated ones of the village head's.
"The crowned prince came alone. We'd had caught it if a woman accompanied him. Surely, you must believe us," He chewed on his bottom lip and tore skin, "There was something unusual, but I'm sure it was nothing."
"Like what?" Shigeu demanded quietly.
"He brought a pet."
Shigeu studied the disappearing troops around the bending road. "Kaname jumped into a canyon in order to save someone I sent to die. He tends to act out where she's concerned, it was no surprise he'd risk the fall. She was too weak to survive. I imagined he landed, after it had been too late for her."
"That explains his shattered bones and internal bleeding." The vampire mumbled.
"Was it a butterfly?" Shigeu whispered, his eyes murky as runny molasses.
The head of the village stared wide, bobbing his head vigorously. "Ye-yes, Ou-sama. He said, 'her' health was more important than his."
His glare screeched volatile madness, however, his expression remained serene, Shigeu looked at the ground. "You won't speak of this to anyone." He swung around, transforming into a black falcon in great speed and reeled behind the clouds.
o o o
Lavender, orange and red spiraled over the clouds. The searing hot sky outlined the glowing yellow ring, peaking next to the black mountains. Wind drizzled over the prancing horses, and the sound of crunching grass and turning stones sapped the bliss of early morning chirping birds. Yuki sat dignified in the saddle beside Aidou's horse, looking grimly at the silhouette of tents and horses.
The lookouts conveyed the signal, and a pair of horses darted toward the pair.
Yuki trained her neck to the side to watch the explosive enchantment of the horizon.
The first day father is not alive. The first sunrise father will not see.
Aidou gestured toward his companion by waving an arm. "We need to get her inside. No one must know she's here."
The lookouts nodded obediently and escorted them to camp. Dreary-eyed and heavily, Yuki dismounted her horse and followed Aidou past the saluting and upright samurais in silver. The smoking fire pit stood out promptly in front of the large tent layered under the blue icicle banner. Aidou steered inside with Yuki at his heel.
Nagamichi had looked up from the map he hovered. The brilliance of his blue eyes grayed upon the sight of Yuki. At his sides were four noble lords who greeted them immediately.
"You made it, Hanabusa," Nagamichi beckoned them closer, "Welcome, Yuki."
She simply bowed her head once without looking up.
Nagamichi reserved his questions and withdrew from the desk, he approached them thoughtfully, "You did a good job bringing her here, Hanabusa. We are very heartbroken to hear about Haruka, Yuki. He will always be like a brother to me." Nagamichi took her by the forearms tightly and waited for her to lift her sullen, inconsolable gaze up, "From today onward we are your family. You are now my daughter. If you ever need anything, I will help you. You're not alone, your wedd—" He stopped on Aidou's crowning smile, "Hanabusa will assist you."
Aidou restively admired her, simpering into an embarrassed smile.
Yuki bowed her head, "Thank you."
"You don't need to think about the marriage proposal. Rest and unburden your mind. There are guards everywhere, intruders can't enter our camp."
"Thank you for being understanding. I'd like to make a request." Yuki placed a hand on her hunter's sword. "Please, allow me to join your men in battle. As the last Tsunamasa, I cannot let my father's name be soiled and forgotten."
Aidou looked over in concern, "Are you sure? Some downtime will help you mourn."
"I am sure." She replied.
Nagamichi reluctantly nodded, "The Tsunamasa name won't be forgotten. I'm aware you're a brilliant swords-woman, and a reputable hunter. Our men will be lucky to have you on the battlefield."
"I will ride with Yuki." Aidou promptly declared.
"Then, it's decided." Nagamichi glanced between the pair. "Let the warlords orient you. We ride before sunrise."
Although Nagamichi would have preferred she remain safely in the camp, far from the expected carnage of the battlefield, he understood her desire to uphold the Tsunamasa lineage that produced respected, kind, protective and generous-hearted men. The culture of the lineage had been to help and protect the weak. They were able to afford helping vast populations and fight prominently in wars. Nagamichi glanced at the dark-haired girl, sadness smoked into his nose and saturated his eyes, his unhappiness profound and his mind weary from the loss of his dear friend. He would do his hardest to provide Haruka's daughter with the life he found beneficial and fitting for her.
Nagamichi waited around the fire pit later, his eyes deep yet pale. His son approached through the cold darkness of the windy early morning and found a seat on the stubble grass and pebbles.
"You asked for me?" Aidou stared up at his father's grim profile.
Nagamichi had nodded without turning in his direction. His gaze locked on the fiery web of flames in the pit. "You have to take good care of her. She will be your responsibility in the future. I hear Yuki has a tendency to be rebellious, but she is resilient like her great-grandfathers."
"Aren't you curious about how she remained alive?" Aidou wondered. "The last you saw of her was at the village. She triggered the Oracle Dragon."
Nagamichi sighed a loud, reflecting on the battle where humans were close to being overturned, and the Aidous were bound to be overpowered by the Tomas. "The Oracle Dragon obeys the Kuran. Regardless of her maternal background, she is Haruka's child. I have a natural fondness of her. Pay close attention to her and keep her from the eyes of the king. I'll send you to Matsuda to get married."
Aidou whisked to his feet and stood up vehemently. "Won't that overwhelm her?"
"You must change her mind and turn her heart toward you." Nagamichi answered.
"My feelings are well-known..." Aidou echoed under his breath, "But, she's hard to reach. The closer I get to her, the farther she becomes. She's closest to the crowned prince. He has great power over her. Kaname-sama has a place in her heart no one else does, it's palpable."
"She wouldn't be here if that were true," Nagamichi shared his difference of opinion mindfully, "Stay close to her, your efforts will be worth it."
o o o
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