Author's notes: Well, here it is! The chapter you've all been waiting for!!! *tantantantaaaann!!!* Well, maybe not you, but I've been working towards this event for the longest time! MWAHAHAHA!!! ^_^ And frankly, me dears, I don't really have any concrete plans after this chapter. I guess I'll finish this off quickly after this. *shrugs*
Anywho… I'm guessing you peeps will probably kill me again after this. *counts fingers* What, for the umpteenth time? Geesh. Good thing I'm immortal *grins evilly, showing fangs* Hint: Well, Misao will – HAHA! NO WAY!
Oh yeah, thanks guys! WAIIII!!! I'm sooo happy about the reviews! 300! *sob sob* luv ya'll! *grin*
Oh, this chapter is STRICTLY Misao and Aoshi. *yay!*
*sighs* Okay… so without further ado, here's chapter… uhh… 21! (hehehe… I lose count)
Disclaimer: Give me a break, will yeah! This is the prime, the total climax! (well, not exactly according to strict meaning) So I want this to be mine! ALL MINE!!! *MUAHAHAHA!!* (disclaimer boy holds a gun) all right, all right, no need to get violent. Ahehehe. They're not mine. ^_^ Except the plot… no stealing of individual ideas please! OOOPPPSS! I don't own The Scientist by Coldplay. ^_^
The Vampire Aoshi
By Tesuka- chan
The Forbidden Forest
The moon was high in the sky, glowering red. The sky was clear, few stars dotting the dark horizon. Nothing stirred, nothing moved… except the small figure running across the field, green silk flowing behind her, dark hair unbraided. The pale light from the moon emphasized her skin, flushed with excitement, fear, and apprehension. Shallow breathing, eyes frantic – an electric blue. She ran, ran for life, for love.
Misao reached the first line of trees and stopped, catching her breath. She looked at the tall, intimidating twisted branches and roots the size of a truck. She shivered and held her wrap tighter around her, staring into the impending darkness ahead.
Darn. Do I have to go IN there?
An owl hooted. As her eyes adjusted to the dark, she could see creepy crawlers making their way on the forest ground, sixteen legs simultaneously moving upward a branch, hairy bodies squirming here and there. She could just make out a blood- thirsty bat snatching an insect in mid-air. Turning her head to the left, she swore she saw red beady eyes blinking at her and vanished quickly into the shadowy corners.
She gulped.
I can do this… I can do this. It's just a forest, for crying out loud! You're bigger than those creepy what-nots and nobody's gonna stop you from reaching Aoshi-sama. She exhaled and stood straight, her right hand clasping unconsciously the amber pendant. All right then! I'm going in! After one last look at the castle behind her, she marched into the woods, determined.
The branches of the trees closed the narrow opening behind her.
Misao almost hyperventilated. Geesh, what is this? The Lord of the Rings? Snap out of it! Ents AREN'T real. Gulping again, throat dry, she picked her way around the trees.
Surprisingly, there were hardly any bushes around… just some soft grass and moss that covered the ground. The tall trees swayed, and little droplets of water and dew rained down on her. Moonlight suddenly penetrated through the thick foliage, shining on the falling rain, making it appear like precious crystals and diamonds lighting up the darkness.
Wow… this is really beautiful. Misao had a little smile on her face, her eyes shining. She held out her hand and caught them, a pool of crystal clear water forming on her palm. She looked at her reflection and saw a woman, a beautiful wood nymph aglow with love and strength. I've never seen myself this way before. I… I actually look beautiful. Matured… I'm not a child anymore. For a second, her eyes in the reflected water turned wholly green with specks of gold. She shook her head and dropped her hand, silvery liquid falling to the ground. This place is doing weird stuff in my brain. She walked on.
I'm coming, Aoshi- sama. Wait for me.
Red beady eyes followed her every move.
~~~
Come up to meet you
Tell you I'm sorry
You don't know how lovely
You are
~~~
He was so hungry… so very hungry. It has been days… weeks? He'd lost count. There was not one animal left in this forest… except little critters. We hunted all of them down… not caring if we'd lose our supply. He shifted, his head leaning back against a huge tree root. I don't think I'll be able to survive any longer.
The man was sitting inside a cave-like hole on the roots of the tree. His face was pale, sweaty. Blue- green eyes were misty and dark. His body was trembling from hunger, from the lack of nourishment for the last few days. He had tried meditating and controlling the hunger pangs that comes every now and then, but he was getting weaker. He had been eating small mammals, mostly rats and bats, but it was not enough. Especially after the attack the other day, when he had lost much blood and his immune system was getting slower.
Aoshi shifted, eyes looking upward. There was a little clearing above him, just enough to let him see a patch of sky, dotted with stars. They remind him of his Misao, shining and giving hope. He smiled- a real genuine smile. He truly missed her, her smile, her laughter, her strength. He would've done anything for her… and now she's on the hands of the enemies.
Aoshi sighed and called upon sleep… the darkness that will make him forget. The blissful darkness that will make him forget the hardships he's going through now… the pain of Misao's memory. There's no hope… There's no chance... I should just accept it…
Darkness overcame him.
~~~
I have to find you
Tell you I need you
Tell you I set you
Apart
~~~
I really can't understand myself, Misao mused, stepping over a boulder. How come I didn't realize that I love Aoshi since… well, before? It was staring right at me. She sighed and looked for a place to rest. I was stupid… so stupid. And stubborn. A worried look creased her features. What if I can't tell him? What if I can't find him?
What if I'm too late?
The woman shook her head, banishing the thoughts that plague her troubled mind. Stop being pessimistic. I'm not like that.
Misao paused and sat on top of a branch.
Oh gosh… my feet are killing me. She took off her slippers and massaged her feet. Haaaa… nice. She leaned back, her head resting on the tree trunk. She stared at a small clearing between the branches and leaves above her and saw the sky dotted with stars. Beautiful. I wonder if Aoshi- sama can also see this. She decided to rest a moment longer, and eventually, her eyes fluttered close.
*THUD!*
"OW!"
Misao stood up rather shakily, head throbbing. Wha- where am I? Then she remembered her quest in finding Aoshi. Darn! I fell asleep! She looked around. Hey, wasn't I supposed to be on top of a branch? Why am I on the ground? She looked up. Oh. She rubbed her behind. I fell. Geesh… how careless.
The petite woman leaned against the tree trunk, checking if any bone is broken. Looks like I'm intact… so far so good! She shook her dress, shaking off the leaves and dirt. I have to be careful next time… though I couldn't imagine how I fell. That was a pretty big branch… as wide as the king- size bed in the castle!
Misao looked up, checking the sky if it's morning already. Bright stars twinkled right back at her. Oh good… I just took a nap. She then turned towards what she thinks is north and…
"AAAAAHHH!!!"
She fell back, her bottom hitting the soft, mossy ground.
The stunned woman didn't feel the pain that's slowly throbbing on her back, didn't realize that she's sitting at the forest floor. Her whole concentration is centered on the apparition front of her… A- a… GHOST!
The silvery, almost transparent, figure shimmered as a soft breeze brushed past by. Suspended in the air, her long, white hair flowed down to her waist, simple pale robes swaying. Her beautiful face was eternally sorrowful, her eyes… frozen in time. Icy blue.
Misao couldn't speak.
The beautiful being lowered herself to ground level and faced speechless woman. She reached out a hand and spoke in Misao's thoughts.
'Be strong.'
Misao finally snapped out of her stupefied state. "Wha- what?"
'This is a dangerous place. You must be strong.'
"I- I know that. But I came here to look for someone. I have to look for him."
The ghost slowly inclined her head, nodding. 'Ah, yes. Sacrifice. Sacrifices must be made for love.'
"Well, yes. That's what love is all about, isn't it?" The fear was slowly ebbing away from Misao's system. She doesn't look threatening. She looks… sad. Full of sorrow. She's endured it before. She suddenly realized. Having to sacrifice for a loved one.
'Yes. It is.' Her eyes misted over, remembering memories of long ago. Then she turned her pale face towards the woman sitting down on the forest floor. She kneeled gracefully in front of her, whole being shimmering in the darkness. Ivory hands flew down to Misao's own, surprisingly warm and comforting.
Ocean blue met Icy azure.
'But you will have to make the greatest sacrifice of all. He is waiting… sorrowful and weakening. Go.'
Misao's head was spinning. He's still alive! Aoshi's waiting for me… "Where? Please, please tell me… I- I have to know." Hope and love shone in her eyes.
'He is near. Waiting.'
She floated away, arms outstretched. Fading… fading to oblivion. 'Waiting.'
"Wait! Please!" Misao shot up, running after the waning figure. "Please, tell me more…"
The ghost vanished.
~~~
Tell me your secrets
And ask me your questions
Oh, let's go back to
The start
~~~
What did she mean by me making 'the greatest sacrifice of all'? And where is Aoshi? Misao mused as she slowed to a walk. There's no point in running anymore. She doesn't know where to go. She's lost.
A small clearing surrounded by trees caught her attention. She went towards it, curious and interested. Why is there a small clearing here? She observed the barren ground, dry and ashen brown. Not a speck of grass, nor any kind of plant for that matter. That's weird… nothing's growing in this part of the forest. She walked in the middle of the circle and raised her eyes. A red moon. That had somehow gave her the shivers. How… intimidating. She put her arms around herself, suddenly feeling cold. She started moving out of the clearing, when…
A pair of red eyes blinked back at her from the darkness within.
She backed right up, returning in the center. Oh no… what have I gotten myself into this time?
"You… have desecrated our sacred ground…" The voice was so abstruse that Misao had barely caught the words.
What?! Oh… I should've known… this place seemed too suspicious. Argh… damn me and my stupidity. "I- I'm really sorry… I didn't realize that – "
"The punishment is DEATH!" The gruff voice announced loudly and gave a howl. The howl of a wolf.
Many pairs of red eyes surrounded the clearing, surrounding the stunned figure in the center of the sacred ground. One by one, they came out to the light, their lithe bodies moving gracefully, muscles and furs rippling in their movements. Their ferocious teeth glistened under the light of the moon, saliva dripping on the sides of their mouth. The first was as black as night… the leader of the pack of werewolves.
Misao shivered with a mixture of terror and disgust. Oh no… I should've gotten at least one weapon from the castle… what to do?
The werewolf pulled back his mouth – is he grinning? – and looked her over. "We haven't come upon a fresh morsel like you for a long time." Oh Kami- sama… he is grinning! That's the creepiest grin I've ever seen!
"Hey boss… there was that one guy from the other day, wasn't it?" A smaller, brown- furred one suddenly butted in. "He looked good too… too bad he got away."
The captive did a double take. He? That must be Aoshi! He got away…I've got to… she looked around, looking for an escape. A boulder near a particularly huge tree caught her attention. Something sparked in her eyes.
"Silence!" the leader shouted. The follower whimpered. "He just got lucky… but he's not going to stay lucky for long." His eyes glinted evilly.
Oh no… they're hunting him! I've got to go find him already… face grim and determined, Misao shouted. "You can't eat me. You're just a bunch of cowards. I've already said I'm sorry but you stubborn headed asses doesn't understand that, does it?" That should do it. Unless they're a really stupid bunch of creatures.
A low growl reached her ears.
~~~
Running in circles
Coming in tales
Heads are a science
Apart
~~~
They moved towards her, slowly, purposely. She retreated back, trying to get to the boulder as near as possible. They were a lot, furs shining under the red glow of the moon, making them look like dried blood. All of them stopped, making low growling noises.
A few seconds passed, silence filling the air.
The leader of the pack lunged towards her.
Anticipating this move, Misao flipped back, jumping towards the boulder. The wolf slashed his sharp claws at her in mid- jump, tearing her skin on the arms. The ninja landed on her feet, on top of the boulder. She immediately clutched her arm, blood rapidly gushing out. She eyed the running wolves. No time to bandage this… She jumped, yet again, and clung to the thick branches of the huge tree behind the boulder. She had hardly pulled herself up when a claw slashed on her silk dress.
Oh shoot… she heaved herself up, thankful that her legs are still intact even though the skirt was slashed up to the knees, tattered. Drat it. She saw more of them coming, leaping from one low branch to another, trying to reach her. I have to go now… run!
Breathing heavily and trying to ignore the pain that shot up her arm, she jumped from one thick branch to another, and making sure that she's safely out of sight, she jumped down on the ground, and ran… ran with the devil fast on her heels.
~~~
Nobody said it was easy
It's such a shame for us to part…
~~~
They were gaining on her, smelling her out. She was weakening, losing so much blood. She had to get going… she had to.
"Darn it all," she shivered. Looking like a drowned rat dressed in a green tattered dress caked with blood, her long black hair plastered to her face and neck and a trickle of blood running down her face, her blue eyes scanned more of the dense forest in front of her. To make matters worse, the rain started pouring hard and the night sky is ominously dark and eerie, with no light whatsoever, the clouds covering the red moon.
"Okay, where to now?" She sighed.
"Hey," a low rough voice shouted, not too far behind her, "where's that human?"
"She's here somewhere… I can smell her." Another voice rasped out.
"Yes… fresh blood. Nothing's better than fresh blood."
Misao held her breath. She silently crept farther from them, and then broke into a fast run. She stumbled, but got up again. The soft padding of running feet can be heard. She ran again, no knowing where to go, not caring. They're getting closer.
~~~
Nobody said it was easy
No one ever said it would be this hard
Oh take me back to the start.
~~~
They had fallen back again.
Misao, tired and shaking, found a place to rest under a large tree root, which formed sort of a cave. It gave her shelter from the hard pounding of the rain, and she also hoped that it would keep her safe until she bandaged her wound.
She tore off a piece of her already tattered gown and bound her wound tightly. It's tattered already… wouldn't make any difference. She sighed and fell back in exhaustion, the events of the day taking their toll on her. I didn't know it was this hard… I was too optimistic. Now I wonder if I would ever find Aoshi- sama…
Her blank gaze settled on the darkness outside, rain and thunder reigning the skies. A single tear traveled down her cheeks. I don't think I can take this anymore… I'm sorry…
"Aoshi… Aoshi- sama." She whispered, her lidded eyes heavy with fatigue, her body limped, weary.
~~~
I was just guessing
Numbers and figures
Pulling your puzzles
Apart
Questions of science
Science and progress
Do not speak as loud as
My heart
~~~
A shimmering figure hovered above the tree root, looking sorrowfully at the slumbering beauty, barely hanging on to life.
'I am sorry.' She placed her palm on Misao's cold cheek, and drew back. 'It is necessary. You have to find out for yourself."
A cold wind blew, fluttering the white robes of the forlorn woman. She floated gently away, towards the pack of werewolves waiting for her at the clearing.
"My… lady…" The gruff voice of the leader spoke. "We have done what you will. We have driven her to that place."
'Thank you. You have done well.' She placed her hand on the wolf's head. 'You will be rewarded by my husband.'
All in the pack bowed and paid their respect to the goddess. "We are glad to serve you."
Then they left.
The lone woman stood in the middle of barren clearing, a thin film of dust swirling around her. She raised her arms above her head, her icy blue eyes flashing.
'It is time, my daughter.'
The wind whipped around her then wove through the forest.
~~~
And tell me you love me
Come back and haunt me
Oh and I rush to the start
~~~
A huge oak tree can be found in the middle of the forbidden forest. It is the most gigantic of trees, planted at the beginning of time, when the world was created, when the sun shone its first ray of sunlight. It is holiest of all places, creating a certain aura around the place, neither good nor evil.
On its north, a hungry man slept on its cave- like roots, seeking fulfillment and hope, but only finding despair.
On its south, a woman lay wounded, seeking the love that is lost, but only finding pain.
Both lay on the same tree, sheltered in the same roots. But none knowing about the other.
Both so near, yet so far.
~~~
Running in circles
Chasing tails
And coming back
As we are
~~~
Aoshi's eyes fluttered open.
Did anyone call my name?
Then he remembered. He had dreamed of Misao calling his name… 'Aoshi- sama…'
He slowly sat up and tried to stand, but he fall back down, his head whirling and his eyes blurred. So hungry…
He examined his previous wounds, the wounds that were inflicted by those werewolves. Most of the minor cuts and bruises had healed while he slept, but the huge gash on his side need little more time. Especially without my getting blood. He stood up, carefully this time, and leaned heavily on the huge root beside him. He panted, realizing just now that every action he makes takes a lot of effort. Darn…
Then it came to him
The sweet smell of fresh blood.
The vampire's eyes glazed over, flashing silver, truly becoming animalistic in his nature. His heightened senses bade him to follow that smell… that sweet smell of life, of blood.
Aoshi stumbled on, not caring for his wounds, that urge, that primal hunger egging him on. He recklessly jumped over the small roots and circled the tree, following the smell. He can't control it anymore, the hunger was so great… so new to him. I can't… I have to…
Then he saw it. The figure was lying on the ground, dressed in green tattered clothes. He couldn't see what kind of creature it was… he was so hungry that his eyes blurred. He almost fainted as a small breeze wafted the smell of blood to him. He cautiously kneeled over the body and held its shoulders in his trembling hands. His fangs grew.
He was so hungry… so very hungry.
The hell with moral values.
He didn't care anymore.
I'd die if I didn't take a bite…
He just wanted to fill that emptiness inside…
I'll become strong again… and go back for Misao.
He bit.
~~~
Nobody said it was easy
Oh it's such a shame for us to part…
~~~
A flash of blinding pain.
Misao's huge blue eyes flew open, pain and fear overcoming her. Somebody, or something, was biting her, drawing out more of her blood… making her weaker. She lifted her right arm and touched the creature's body, trying to protest, trying to stop it.
The creature lifted its head.
Misao gasped.
Aoshi… Aoshi- sama.
The vampire was equally surprised and stunned beyond words. He had drunk his fill and had not meant to continue but he couldn't stop… it was so sweet, the blood, the smell… he was drunk with it. And now, now that some semblance of his senses came back to him, he had felt the gentle pushing of the hand and had paused, rather hesitantly, and saw burning sapphires.
No…
It can't be…
Misao.
~~~
Nobody said it was easy
No one ever said it would be so hard
I'm going back to the start
~~~
"A- Aoshi- sama…"
Misao was able to say that out loud. She smiled. A small, beautiful smile. She lifted her right hand, being that it was the only one that didn't hurt much, and slowly caressed the left cheek of the horrified vampire. "I'm so glad… you're safe." She whispered to him.
"Misao… no… it can't be you… Misao!" Aoshi was suddenly stunned out of his stupor with the soft caress. For the second time in a long time, tears formed in his eyes and fell on the ground. His voice was frantic, despair filling every corner of his soul. "Misao… please, hold on, hold on… I'm so sorry… so very sorry… I can still save you, make you a vampire…" his eyes were panicking. He doesn't know what to do.
The woman in his arms coughed out and breathed shallow breaths. "No… it's too late for me already." She raised her blue eyes to his face, at last, showing emotion, showing the pain. "Don't. Don't be sorry. I- I'm not… I'm glad I helped." She reached out and touched her index finger to his trembling lips. "I- I just came to say… that I… that I…"
Tears blinded Aoshi's vision. He shook them off. He caught her wrist to his hand, kissing her hand fervently, desperately. He can't lose her… the only one… the only one in his life… the only one he loved.
"Aoshi… I love you."
With that, he kissed her. He kissed her with all his passion, his love, his soul. He felt her respond feebly, and he kissed her more gently… the sweetest kiss. He couldn't lose her, couldn't let her go. He just can't. He slightly lifted his head, and said with all his passion, "I love you too, my Misao."
She smiled up at him, tears in her eyes. He loved me too. With all his heart… he meant it. He kissed her yet again… but she didn't kiss him back. She didn't respond… never again. Her hand fell over the glittering amber pendant… over her heart.
"MISAO!"
He let the tears fall. Every inch of his soul was devoted to Misao… and now that she's gone, what will he do? And he killed her. That was the worst blow of all. He goddamned killed her.
Him.
His eyes glittered dangerously silver, hands formed into fists.
Someone's going to pay. The root of all these pain, this fury that's building up inside him. The one who started this. The one who took everything away from him. His mother, his father, and now Misao.
SHIRO.
A/n: Oh gosh, that was intense! Somewhere in the middle there, I sort of… errmm… emoted. Wehehehe. I never knew that authors could cry over their own work. Well, ALMOST cried. *sniff*
So how did you find it? *grins while frantically packing up some survival stuff that's she's going to carry for the flight to the moon* ahhhh… well, ehehehe. *smiles innocently*
So I guess you figure out that the 'ghost' is Misao's long lost mother, right? Oh, you didn't know? Well, now you know. And the chasing part… looks familiar? I patterned it after the first chapter, if ya'll recall. I sort of wanted a parallelism between the movie and what Misao's going through. (ugh. Am sounding like lit teacher. Bah.) Anyway… I'm soooo haapppyyyy!!!! I like the way this chapter turned out… though it's the longest ever!!!! Wahahaha!!! *grins evilly*
YAY! YAY! Thanks for the following terrific reviewers!!! ^_^
Kmye- chan: wahahaa! So what do you think? errr… For the Yahiko part, added that 'coz I wanted to lighten things up. EVERYONE was like… "YOU KILLED KAORU? HOW COULD YOU?" Ahahaha! I was such a meanie. ^_^
Yuko Hoon: Oh no… there's not gonna be a strange doll at all. Sorry to burst your bubble. But don't worry, I'm not as evil meanie as you think I am. Oh geesh… I bet you'll strangle me now… *back cautiously away*
Prudence- chan: Ahhh… well… despite the mean-ness of it all, errr… well, this story has hit rock- bottom so there's no other way but to go up, ne? MWAHAHAHA!!! *evil EVIL grin*
Selph: thanks! Even for such a short review, it's nice to know people read this. ^_^
Noa: Ahhhh… hehehe… *scratches head* well… ah, I'll hide now. ~_~
DarkFairy: YAY! YAY! I totally LOOOOVVVEEEE that song! Teeheehee… I figured I'd try writing a songfic or something… just to make it sadder. Wahaha! Sorryy… it's not that angsty. I had to put in there some light stuff… I really can't write completely angsty fics. :P
Dragowolf: ahhh… well, hope you enjoyed it! ^_^
ZenryokuZ: wehehehe… I know. Too bad I felt like targeting Yahiko for my mean-ness at that time… haha! I almost tripped when I thought of that. ^_~
Nekonomiko: I do hope this chapter answered most of your questions… I wanted to concentrate on MisaoxAoshi. Who wouldn't? They're the best!
Argentum Draco: Errmmm… Tsubame can bully if she wants to. Besides, Yahiko can't resist her for long… wahahaha! ^_^
Crazy lassie from the hills: ahhh.. well. Gomen for that… but things WILL get better, I assure you. Lighten up!
JadOo: haha… you're also evil inside… I think you're the only one who didn't really mourn for Kaoru. Good thing! Teeheehee..
TwinBakaNekos: Hey! Thanks for reading my fic! Well… how was it? I'm really an evil writer but I don't stay evil for long. It's just… a phase, ya know? I'm good inside. Honest. (*smirk* yeah right) no, really! *Angelic smile*
Rosa: I think you're exaggerating a bit… hahaha! You sure know how to boost my ego! Though I failed in grammar… which reminds me… I haven't done that index thingy yet! AAAAHHH!!! *panics*
Zackire: ahhh… not by a gremlin actually – by Enishi. *winks* go figure.
The *Spangled* Pandemonium: Wahehehe… hope you enjoyed this! Don't worry… you're strong! I know you are. *grins* So you can wait a couple of weeks for the next chapter, right? HAHAHA! Joke. ;P
Kats: Oh geesh… I gotta hide under a table before you bestow nuclear annihilation upon me… *runs and looks for a table* There's no table!!! *aagg!!* Oh don't worry… there's an old twist here… I assure you. You'll just have to figure it out. I'm a mysterious person.
Fey2Kim: Ohhh… hahaha! You're a party animal! Teeheehee… same here. *winks* Well, thanks!
C-ko Dunseco: Hallo! Well, I just read your bio and you're Phil-Am? Cool… so where do you live? Ah… there's so many Pinays out here… not counting some of my friends. ^_^ Well, thanks!
shisazzthes2pidpsyhe: Uy! Salamat! *grins in pleasure* Naks… I'm really flattered. Ruralite? What school? Well.. I can't really tell you my school 'coz… wala lang. Nakakahiya eh. ^_^ Anyway, thanks for reviewing my ficcy!! ^_^
WAAIII!!! I totally love you guys!
*aherm* If Camry is reading this… Oh, I don't know… I'll most probably be dead the next time she sees me. *hides under SD evil glare* ("die! Die!") aaccckk!!!
Hehe… luv ya Camry! (so please don't hurt me!) *winks* ---- hey, that rhymes! Bwahaha…
Anyway… thanks minna-san! The next chapter will most probably come out next week… hopefully. ^_^ It's my prom! Waaahhh!!! Oh well. ^_^
Sooo… please read and review! Anything's welcome… it's my burden… *sniff* well, ja!