Prologue
A Sound in the Night
Night has fallen over ancient Japan. As crickets begin their nightly songs, the tall grass that they reside in gently sways to the nameless harmonies. The pale moon ascends her stairway of stars until she has reached her platform of glory. Upon her completed ascension, she momentarily surveys all that is beneath her. Her beams gently caress the land, casting upon it a soft ethereal glow. The sudden stillness betrays an unspoken hope of peace. But moments of tranquility are nothing but that.moments. Suddenly, an eerie silence falls upon the land. The only sound that can be heard is that of a faint humming. That is getting progressively louder.and louder.and louder.
=*
"That noise has been increasing in volume for nearly an hour," mutters one of the soldiers standing guard to the city gate of Nagasaki.
"Yeah.I wonder what the hell it's coming from," replies another, as he scans the surrounding forest. He seems to be attempting to pin point the origin of the noise.
"Well, if I knew what it was coming from," states the third guard, who is also peering at the forest, "or just even where it might be coming from.I'd go and do anything to shut it up. It's the most irritating sound I've ever heard!"
"Almost." the first guard says with a smirk. 'The only sound more irksome than that is his own snoring.' Stifling a laugh, his eyes fall upon the forest as he too attempts to dissect the shadows of the trees, from that of any possible intruder. 'Perhaps some bandits are about. Possibly even an animal? Or it might be a.' he shuddered at the thought that crossed his mind. '.a youkai.'
The guards are so focused on trying to find out what is making the noise that they don't even notice the city's tono as he opens the city gate and approaches them from behind.
"Ahem," the tono clears his throat. .
Surprised, the guards jump back slightly. "Kya!" they shout as they angrily turn to learn just who has interrupted their conversation. Shocked expressions are plastered on their faces when they see that it is in fact the tono, who is now looking disapprovingly at them. Regaining their composure, they stand at attention and salute their city's leader.
"Hai, Tono!"
"What is it you ask of us, sir?"
"We shall do whatever you bid us!"
"Men," the tono lifts his hands to silence them. "So.it is not only the citizens who are intrigued by this sudden disturbance, eh?"
The guards look at each other with worried glances. None are quite sure how to respond.
"Tono," the first guard begins slowly, "it is true what you say. We have been curious as to just what that noise is. In fact-"
"In fact," interjects the third guard hurriedly, "That's what we were doing just now. Looking to see if we could find out who's been making that noise."
'Humph,' breathes out the first, 'what a suck up.'
The tono smiles gently as he looks at the guard, who is now beaming at his leader. 'Like a dog begging for a treat from his master,' the tono thinks, shaking his head as he inwardly laughs. "Is that so?"
"Yessir," the third guard exclaims, bobbing his head. "We were saying that we'd do anything just to stop that racket."
"Why, that's excellent," tono says happily. The third guard is really excited now and is currently looking at his fellow soldiers quite smugly. The other two simply glare at him in disgust.
'How pathetic,' thinks the second guard.
'My god, could this get any worse,' sighs the first.
"That's just what I was hoping to hear," continues tono. "I was going to assign some men back at the barracks the task, but since you appear so eager.I shall appoint you," here he points at the near ecstatic third guard, "along with your associates, the honor of discovering just what is making that din."
"EH?!?!" exclaim all three.
"Do you realize just how hard it is to get some rest, when all you can focus on is that incessant.screeching?" tono asks emphatically. "I am so tired.but that noise. ARGH!!" he cries, pulling his hair.
The second and third guard are looking on worriedly, highly doubting the tono's current sanity. Meanwhile, the first guard approaches the tono. Concern is evident in his disposition as he places a hand on the leader's shoulder. The other two don't know how to take this.
'What the hell is he doing?' thinks the second guard.
"Jiiji," the first guard says reassuringly, "I promise you that we will do our best to discover just what that sound is, and end it as swiftly as possible. So please.don't over exert yourself. Unnecessary stress could prove fatal at your age. Try to rest."
The tono sighs, realizing the wisdom in this. "Of course.you are right, Iwakan," he looks up, smiling appreciatively at the young man before him. "Where would I be without my grandson's good sense?"
The remaining two guards stand in shocked silence.
'G-grandson?!?' the third guard silently exclaims, mouth agape.
'How could Iwakan not tell me such an important part of his life?' the second guard wonders as he watches his friend and their tono-his grandfather!- in conversation. 'What other secrets has he been keeping from me?'
Realizing that his friends are staring, Iwakan turns to them apologetically. "I am sorry that I did not tell the two of you beforehand. I was just afraid that you would act differently if you knew of my family's status. I ask for your forgiveness."
The third guard is already sidling up to him, trying to think of as many compliments as he can. "You are so terribly wise, Iwakan-sama. And handsome! Eh, the girls must love you. Speaking of girls, I have a younger sister.she's lovely. And of marrying age! Perhaps I could introduce the two of you? But besides that.my! How strong you are! Probably the strongest man in the city. Why."
Iwakan rolls his eyes as the guard continues on his tirade. Turning to the second guard, he bows his head and asks with sincerity, "Please, Shugotenshi, will you forgive me?"
Sighing somewhat sadly, Shugotenshi looks up at his friend and can only smile. "Hai. Iwakan, you know that I can't stay mad at you. I will not allow a simple secret to break our friendship."
Lifting his head, Iwakan grins with happiness. "I am fortunate to have a friend who is so willing to forgive."
Throwing a good natured punch at the other man's shoulder, Shugotenshi returns the grin. "You better not hide anymore secrets from me, ass. Or I might not be as forgiving."
Hiding a grimace, Iwakan simply laughs and rubs his arm. Wistfully, he thinks: "You don't know how much I wish to tell you. So many things.that you can never know."
"Ahem," the tono clears his throat for a second time that night. Iwakan and Shugotenshi are still smiling as they turn to the man. The third guard, who is still spewing flatteries towards Iwakan, suddenly realizes that he is the only one speaking. Blushing, he mutters, "My apologies, tono."
"No apologies are necessary," states the tono. "What is necessary is that you three begin your search. I trust that you will do your best and return to us with good news." Rubbing his temples he privately adds, '..And silence. Bring silence with you as well.'
Bidding goodbye and safe journey to the three men, the tono opens the city gate and slips through.
"I suppose we should be on our way," Shugotenshi says, scratching his scalp. As he turns to gather his necessities, Iwakan reminds him:
"We should have another group of soldiers take our place and guard the gate. I'll return momentarily." Turning to leave, the third guard stops him.
"Oh, no, Iwakan-sama. Allow me to do that. You stay here and prepare yourself for our journey." Smiling perkily at him, the third guard ran off to the barracks.
"Sometimes.that guy can really be a bit too much," Shugotenshi sighed, shaking his head. "That noise sounds like sweet music compared to the filth that pours out of his mouth."
Smiling at his friend, Iwakan looked after the retreating back of the man they spoke of. "I do agree with you, Shugotenshi. But, although Ikkiichiyuu can be annoying as hell.I can't help feeling somewhat sorry for him."
"Eh?" Shugotenshi glances at Iwakan questioningly, as they both continued to fill shoulder sacks with the materials that they will need for their task.
"Well.it's just that, he always seems so unsure of himself. Like he doesn't think he's good enough or something," Iwakan met Shugotenshi's eyes and continued, "Since he finds himself inadequate, he's willing to do anything to find someone that will think he has worth. He'd have the world hate him just so long as one person believed in him."
Shugotenshi nodded in understanding, amazed at his friend's ability to see past the faults of others. "You care about people too much, Iwakan."
Lifting his pack onto his shoulder, Iwakan merely grinned. "I'll take that as a compliment", he stated happily. Glancing towards the barracks, he could see Ikkiichiyuu approaching with their replacements. Upon seeing Iwakan, the guard began to wave like they had been separated for years. Giving Ikkiichiyuu a tentative wave in return, he turned to Shugotenshi.
"I'm going to start on my way, now."
"WHAT?! And leave me with Ikkiichiyuu? That seems a bit cruel."
"Don't take it like that," Iwakan said laughing. "It just seems like a good idea to spread out. Get this done as quickly as possible and all."
Shugotenshi bit his lip, still not looking forward to having to deal with Ikkiichiyuu. Preoccupied with his thoughts of dealing with the nuisance, he didn't even pay attention to what his friend was saying, "Yeah, okay. If you think that's a good idea." Giving a parting smile to his friend, he sent him off, "You better get out of here before you-know- who shows up; or else we'll be here for days, just listening to him ramble on and on about you."
"I'll see you back here in a few days!" Iwakan called as he ran off towards the forest, moonlight glistening overhead. "Good luck!"
=*
Blending into the shadows, she watched as he progressed towards her. 'Ever closer.ever closer.' She smiled darkly at his stupidity. 'I'd forgotten how foolish humans are. It's been quite some time since I've even been near one..' her eyes shone grey under the moon beams, '.alive, that is.' The wind blew strong against her kimono, causing her to look towards the sky. 'That noise is getting to be too close. It rings shrill even in my ears.' Glancing from the human to the village, she watched as the three new guards lay down in the soft grass; forgetting everything in their exhaustion. 'I've just enough time.' Her eyes lit with a sadistic joy upon seeing that the human was directly in front of her, his steps never faltering. 'To bring about her ruin.' he passed right through her, almost as if she wasn't there. '.through yours.' And without a glance back, she made her way towards the sleeping village, seemingly floating over the quiet land.
=*
The stars hanging in the sky seemed to quiver with her passing. The beating of her wings rung heavy in their hearts, singing the song of one in desperation. Of one in unexplainable love.of one overcome with the poison that is hate. They called out to her, begged her to return. But she dismissed their cries, focusing on the pain burning inside. 'I trusted you,' her mind screamed, blue eyes gleaming in the moonlight and star shine. Behind her, the heavens turned black; the sounds of thunder roaring across the skies in her wake. Even the whites of her eyes seemed to take on an eerie black sheen as she repeated her inner mantra: 'I trusted you. I trusted you. I TRUSTED YOU!!!!!' The howling of her wings continued as she approached the village in which she knew she would find her. Foreboding filled her being as she grew close enough to see her destination, and unbidden tears threatened to spill. The sky was burning.
=*
Screams. He could hear screams in the air. Turning, the scent of sulfur reached him even before the faint glow came into his view. His mind reeled as he realized what was happening. 'The village.is on fire?!!?' he thought, 'No.no!'
"TONO!!" he screamed, running towards his village. Taking in ragged breaths, he prayed to any god that might hear him. 'Please help me.watch over the villagers. Allow me to run faster!! Please!' Blinded by haste and tears, he noticed nothing that surrounded him. The tree roots that tripped him, the bushes that tore at him.they were all insignificant. All he saw was his home. And it was burning before his eyes. He was almost through the forest now. Every rushed step brought him closer to the rearing heads of dark flames. They shone red, seemingly glowing with the blood they had claimed as their own. 'I have to get there.I need to save them.I have to-' he never even noticed the woman who had been floating beside him. Never saw the dark smile she gave upon unsheathing her darkened blade. Even now, he didn't feel the pain that he knew must be. His eyes fell to his chest, where an appendage seemed to have grown. He didn't need to reach behind him to know that it had gone straight through him. The moonlight illuminated the dark rivers that poured down his body, creating pools on the grass below. Drawing in a shaky breath, he lifted his head to see the face of his killer. Eyes widening in shock, he beheld her deceptively lovely countenance. A sole word escaped his lips:
"Bijo."
Drawing her face close to his, she smiled again. Unspoken hatred shone in her pale green eyes.
"I have always wished.for your death, Iwakan," she said darkly. Violently wrenching the sword from his dying body, she continued, "I am glad that she hesitated. For it is now by my hand, that you are destroyed."
She made as if to kick his crumpled body, but her foot only passed through him. Irritation flashed against her expression at her inability to do such a simple task.
He quietly laughed at this. Even if he had lost the war, he had won a battle. 'She is unable to afflict me without the use of that sword,' he thought amusedly. 'At this moment, she would probably trade anything for a mortal body.though she'd never admit it.' He smiled a broken grin at her, which infuriated her beyond measure.
"I have defeated you, human," she spat out the words in disgust. Her point was made even more apparent as he leaned his head to the side in order to cough up the blood that was slowly filling his punctured lung. "You have no reason to smile. All that's left for you now is to die."
His smile still held, blood spilling out of his mouth as he spoke in short gasps, "I hope.death comes for me.soon then.so that I can rid.my mind.of your hideous.face, you bitch."
Consumed by rage at the words of this impudent mortal, she raised her blade.
"May you be devoured by the flames of Hell," she sneered, as she began to lower the blade.
Iwakan closed his eyes in anticipation of the final blow. He breathed an apology to his village for failing them.a goodbye to any that may survive. He allowed one tear to escape his eye as he thought of one other he left behind with his passing. Longing to hear her voice one last time, he let out his dying breath. And in that moment before his spirit passed from this world to the next, he slightly opened his eyes. 'Kourui- kaki?' he mused. He almost convinced himself that she was there beside him. Succumbing to death, a tear fell upon him, burning through his skin.
=*
She had been transfixed at the sight of the village. The flames that shot through the sky.the smell of burning carcasses. She was afraid that he was amongst those that the fire ate. 'Just so long as he's alive,' she thought. 'As long as he's alive, I can heal him.' She began her rapid descent through the sky, praying for his soul. But suddenly, she felt something.a dark aura. Turning, she saw the shadows near the forest. Two of them. One was standing with something held overhead, while the other lay in the grass. In that moment, she knew.
"BIJO!!!" her voice echoed throughout the heavens, as one of the shadows turned towards her. She shot through the sky, a trail of light behind her. The blackness filled her eyes, and rain began to fall as she drew closer.ever closer to this deceiver. An inhuman cry passed her lips as a flash of lightning filled the sky, surrounding her in its crimson light.
Only a trace of fear showed itself in the Bijo. Because she knew that this.thing could not hurt her. Even in this rage, it would be unable to do any real damage. But she was unwilling to take any risks. So, as the gap between the two lessened into that of a few feet, the Bijo simply vanished. She landed hard on the earth, deep trenches showing where her feet had hit.
"Coward!" she cried hoarsely, "Come and face me!"
Moving about in the darkness, her feet made contact with what felt like a body. 'The other shadow,' she thought grimly. Bending down on one knee, she peered at the face. She cursed the clouds for blocking out the moon, keeping her from freely seeing just who it was that she held in her arms. Breathing in steady breaths, she gave herself a few moments to become accustomed to the lack of light, as the blackness receded from her eyes. Finally able to make out the details of her surroundings, she brought her face down to peer into the Bijo's victim. Her head shot straight up in sudden realization, as her pupils dilated to small slits. Her hands began to shake in fear of the truth, and she found it increasingly hard to swallow. 'It can't be,' she tried to tell herself. But looking down, she knew that it was him. Looking down at his face, she could've sworn his eyes flicked open once. But they also closed.and she knew they would never open. A single tear traveled down her face, a deep incision taking form where the embodied despair passed. Blood intermingled with the salt water as it hit his face, burning a similar groove.
"Iwakan." she sobbed as the night faded into morning. 'If only I had remained as I was.I could save you, even now. But I wanted so much to.to-'
The rest of her thoughts became muddled as she clutched his body to her own. Dark crimson paths meandering their way down her face, as the rising sun illuminated the death that surrounded her.
A Sound in the Night
Night has fallen over ancient Japan. As crickets begin their nightly songs, the tall grass that they reside in gently sways to the nameless harmonies. The pale moon ascends her stairway of stars until she has reached her platform of glory. Upon her completed ascension, she momentarily surveys all that is beneath her. Her beams gently caress the land, casting upon it a soft ethereal glow. The sudden stillness betrays an unspoken hope of peace. But moments of tranquility are nothing but that.moments. Suddenly, an eerie silence falls upon the land. The only sound that can be heard is that of a faint humming. That is getting progressively louder.and louder.and louder.
=*
"That noise has been increasing in volume for nearly an hour," mutters one of the soldiers standing guard to the city gate of Nagasaki.
"Yeah.I wonder what the hell it's coming from," replies another, as he scans the surrounding forest. He seems to be attempting to pin point the origin of the noise.
"Well, if I knew what it was coming from," states the third guard, who is also peering at the forest, "or just even where it might be coming from.I'd go and do anything to shut it up. It's the most irritating sound I've ever heard!"
"Almost." the first guard says with a smirk. 'The only sound more irksome than that is his own snoring.' Stifling a laugh, his eyes fall upon the forest as he too attempts to dissect the shadows of the trees, from that of any possible intruder. 'Perhaps some bandits are about. Possibly even an animal? Or it might be a.' he shuddered at the thought that crossed his mind. '.a youkai.'
The guards are so focused on trying to find out what is making the noise that they don't even notice the city's tono as he opens the city gate and approaches them from behind.
"Ahem," the tono clears his throat. .
Surprised, the guards jump back slightly. "Kya!" they shout as they angrily turn to learn just who has interrupted their conversation. Shocked expressions are plastered on their faces when they see that it is in fact the tono, who is now looking disapprovingly at them. Regaining their composure, they stand at attention and salute their city's leader.
"Hai, Tono!"
"What is it you ask of us, sir?"
"We shall do whatever you bid us!"
"Men," the tono lifts his hands to silence them. "So.it is not only the citizens who are intrigued by this sudden disturbance, eh?"
The guards look at each other with worried glances. None are quite sure how to respond.
"Tono," the first guard begins slowly, "it is true what you say. We have been curious as to just what that noise is. In fact-"
"In fact," interjects the third guard hurriedly, "That's what we were doing just now. Looking to see if we could find out who's been making that noise."
'Humph,' breathes out the first, 'what a suck up.'
The tono smiles gently as he looks at the guard, who is now beaming at his leader. 'Like a dog begging for a treat from his master,' the tono thinks, shaking his head as he inwardly laughs. "Is that so?"
"Yessir," the third guard exclaims, bobbing his head. "We were saying that we'd do anything just to stop that racket."
"Why, that's excellent," tono says happily. The third guard is really excited now and is currently looking at his fellow soldiers quite smugly. The other two simply glare at him in disgust.
'How pathetic,' thinks the second guard.
'My god, could this get any worse,' sighs the first.
"That's just what I was hoping to hear," continues tono. "I was going to assign some men back at the barracks the task, but since you appear so eager.I shall appoint you," here he points at the near ecstatic third guard, "along with your associates, the honor of discovering just what is making that din."
"EH?!?!" exclaim all three.
"Do you realize just how hard it is to get some rest, when all you can focus on is that incessant.screeching?" tono asks emphatically. "I am so tired.but that noise. ARGH!!" he cries, pulling his hair.
The second and third guard are looking on worriedly, highly doubting the tono's current sanity. Meanwhile, the first guard approaches the tono. Concern is evident in his disposition as he places a hand on the leader's shoulder. The other two don't know how to take this.
'What the hell is he doing?' thinks the second guard.
"Jiiji," the first guard says reassuringly, "I promise you that we will do our best to discover just what that sound is, and end it as swiftly as possible. So please.don't over exert yourself. Unnecessary stress could prove fatal at your age. Try to rest."
The tono sighs, realizing the wisdom in this. "Of course.you are right, Iwakan," he looks up, smiling appreciatively at the young man before him. "Where would I be without my grandson's good sense?"
The remaining two guards stand in shocked silence.
'G-grandson?!?' the third guard silently exclaims, mouth agape.
'How could Iwakan not tell me such an important part of his life?' the second guard wonders as he watches his friend and their tono-his grandfather!- in conversation. 'What other secrets has he been keeping from me?'
Realizing that his friends are staring, Iwakan turns to them apologetically. "I am sorry that I did not tell the two of you beforehand. I was just afraid that you would act differently if you knew of my family's status. I ask for your forgiveness."
The third guard is already sidling up to him, trying to think of as many compliments as he can. "You are so terribly wise, Iwakan-sama. And handsome! Eh, the girls must love you. Speaking of girls, I have a younger sister.she's lovely. And of marrying age! Perhaps I could introduce the two of you? But besides that.my! How strong you are! Probably the strongest man in the city. Why."
Iwakan rolls his eyes as the guard continues on his tirade. Turning to the second guard, he bows his head and asks with sincerity, "Please, Shugotenshi, will you forgive me?"
Sighing somewhat sadly, Shugotenshi looks up at his friend and can only smile. "Hai. Iwakan, you know that I can't stay mad at you. I will not allow a simple secret to break our friendship."
Lifting his head, Iwakan grins with happiness. "I am fortunate to have a friend who is so willing to forgive."
Throwing a good natured punch at the other man's shoulder, Shugotenshi returns the grin. "You better not hide anymore secrets from me, ass. Or I might not be as forgiving."
Hiding a grimace, Iwakan simply laughs and rubs his arm. Wistfully, he thinks: "You don't know how much I wish to tell you. So many things.that you can never know."
"Ahem," the tono clears his throat for a second time that night. Iwakan and Shugotenshi are still smiling as they turn to the man. The third guard, who is still spewing flatteries towards Iwakan, suddenly realizes that he is the only one speaking. Blushing, he mutters, "My apologies, tono."
"No apologies are necessary," states the tono. "What is necessary is that you three begin your search. I trust that you will do your best and return to us with good news." Rubbing his temples he privately adds, '..And silence. Bring silence with you as well.'
Bidding goodbye and safe journey to the three men, the tono opens the city gate and slips through.
"I suppose we should be on our way," Shugotenshi says, scratching his scalp. As he turns to gather his necessities, Iwakan reminds him:
"We should have another group of soldiers take our place and guard the gate. I'll return momentarily." Turning to leave, the third guard stops him.
"Oh, no, Iwakan-sama. Allow me to do that. You stay here and prepare yourself for our journey." Smiling perkily at him, the third guard ran off to the barracks.
"Sometimes.that guy can really be a bit too much," Shugotenshi sighed, shaking his head. "That noise sounds like sweet music compared to the filth that pours out of his mouth."
Smiling at his friend, Iwakan looked after the retreating back of the man they spoke of. "I do agree with you, Shugotenshi. But, although Ikkiichiyuu can be annoying as hell.I can't help feeling somewhat sorry for him."
"Eh?" Shugotenshi glances at Iwakan questioningly, as they both continued to fill shoulder sacks with the materials that they will need for their task.
"Well.it's just that, he always seems so unsure of himself. Like he doesn't think he's good enough or something," Iwakan met Shugotenshi's eyes and continued, "Since he finds himself inadequate, he's willing to do anything to find someone that will think he has worth. He'd have the world hate him just so long as one person believed in him."
Shugotenshi nodded in understanding, amazed at his friend's ability to see past the faults of others. "You care about people too much, Iwakan."
Lifting his pack onto his shoulder, Iwakan merely grinned. "I'll take that as a compliment", he stated happily. Glancing towards the barracks, he could see Ikkiichiyuu approaching with their replacements. Upon seeing Iwakan, the guard began to wave like they had been separated for years. Giving Ikkiichiyuu a tentative wave in return, he turned to Shugotenshi.
"I'm going to start on my way, now."
"WHAT?! And leave me with Ikkiichiyuu? That seems a bit cruel."
"Don't take it like that," Iwakan said laughing. "It just seems like a good idea to spread out. Get this done as quickly as possible and all."
Shugotenshi bit his lip, still not looking forward to having to deal with Ikkiichiyuu. Preoccupied with his thoughts of dealing with the nuisance, he didn't even pay attention to what his friend was saying, "Yeah, okay. If you think that's a good idea." Giving a parting smile to his friend, he sent him off, "You better get out of here before you-know- who shows up; or else we'll be here for days, just listening to him ramble on and on about you."
"I'll see you back here in a few days!" Iwakan called as he ran off towards the forest, moonlight glistening overhead. "Good luck!"
=*
Blending into the shadows, she watched as he progressed towards her. 'Ever closer.ever closer.' She smiled darkly at his stupidity. 'I'd forgotten how foolish humans are. It's been quite some time since I've even been near one..' her eyes shone grey under the moon beams, '.alive, that is.' The wind blew strong against her kimono, causing her to look towards the sky. 'That noise is getting to be too close. It rings shrill even in my ears.' Glancing from the human to the village, she watched as the three new guards lay down in the soft grass; forgetting everything in their exhaustion. 'I've just enough time.' Her eyes lit with a sadistic joy upon seeing that the human was directly in front of her, his steps never faltering. 'To bring about her ruin.' he passed right through her, almost as if she wasn't there. '.through yours.' And without a glance back, she made her way towards the sleeping village, seemingly floating over the quiet land.
=*
The stars hanging in the sky seemed to quiver with her passing. The beating of her wings rung heavy in their hearts, singing the song of one in desperation. Of one in unexplainable love.of one overcome with the poison that is hate. They called out to her, begged her to return. But she dismissed their cries, focusing on the pain burning inside. 'I trusted you,' her mind screamed, blue eyes gleaming in the moonlight and star shine. Behind her, the heavens turned black; the sounds of thunder roaring across the skies in her wake. Even the whites of her eyes seemed to take on an eerie black sheen as she repeated her inner mantra: 'I trusted you. I trusted you. I TRUSTED YOU!!!!!' The howling of her wings continued as she approached the village in which she knew she would find her. Foreboding filled her being as she grew close enough to see her destination, and unbidden tears threatened to spill. The sky was burning.
=*
Screams. He could hear screams in the air. Turning, the scent of sulfur reached him even before the faint glow came into his view. His mind reeled as he realized what was happening. 'The village.is on fire?!!?' he thought, 'No.no!'
"TONO!!" he screamed, running towards his village. Taking in ragged breaths, he prayed to any god that might hear him. 'Please help me.watch over the villagers. Allow me to run faster!! Please!' Blinded by haste and tears, he noticed nothing that surrounded him. The tree roots that tripped him, the bushes that tore at him.they were all insignificant. All he saw was his home. And it was burning before his eyes. He was almost through the forest now. Every rushed step brought him closer to the rearing heads of dark flames. They shone red, seemingly glowing with the blood they had claimed as their own. 'I have to get there.I need to save them.I have to-' he never even noticed the woman who had been floating beside him. Never saw the dark smile she gave upon unsheathing her darkened blade. Even now, he didn't feel the pain that he knew must be. His eyes fell to his chest, where an appendage seemed to have grown. He didn't need to reach behind him to know that it had gone straight through him. The moonlight illuminated the dark rivers that poured down his body, creating pools on the grass below. Drawing in a shaky breath, he lifted his head to see the face of his killer. Eyes widening in shock, he beheld her deceptively lovely countenance. A sole word escaped his lips:
"Bijo."
Drawing her face close to his, she smiled again. Unspoken hatred shone in her pale green eyes.
"I have always wished.for your death, Iwakan," she said darkly. Violently wrenching the sword from his dying body, she continued, "I am glad that she hesitated. For it is now by my hand, that you are destroyed."
She made as if to kick his crumpled body, but her foot only passed through him. Irritation flashed against her expression at her inability to do such a simple task.
He quietly laughed at this. Even if he had lost the war, he had won a battle. 'She is unable to afflict me without the use of that sword,' he thought amusedly. 'At this moment, she would probably trade anything for a mortal body.though she'd never admit it.' He smiled a broken grin at her, which infuriated her beyond measure.
"I have defeated you, human," she spat out the words in disgust. Her point was made even more apparent as he leaned his head to the side in order to cough up the blood that was slowly filling his punctured lung. "You have no reason to smile. All that's left for you now is to die."
His smile still held, blood spilling out of his mouth as he spoke in short gasps, "I hope.death comes for me.soon then.so that I can rid.my mind.of your hideous.face, you bitch."
Consumed by rage at the words of this impudent mortal, she raised her blade.
"May you be devoured by the flames of Hell," she sneered, as she began to lower the blade.
Iwakan closed his eyes in anticipation of the final blow. He breathed an apology to his village for failing them.a goodbye to any that may survive. He allowed one tear to escape his eye as he thought of one other he left behind with his passing. Longing to hear her voice one last time, he let out his dying breath. And in that moment before his spirit passed from this world to the next, he slightly opened his eyes. 'Kourui- kaki?' he mused. He almost convinced himself that she was there beside him. Succumbing to death, a tear fell upon him, burning through his skin.
=*
She had been transfixed at the sight of the village. The flames that shot through the sky.the smell of burning carcasses. She was afraid that he was amongst those that the fire ate. 'Just so long as he's alive,' she thought. 'As long as he's alive, I can heal him.' She began her rapid descent through the sky, praying for his soul. But suddenly, she felt something.a dark aura. Turning, she saw the shadows near the forest. Two of them. One was standing with something held overhead, while the other lay in the grass. In that moment, she knew.
"BIJO!!!" her voice echoed throughout the heavens, as one of the shadows turned towards her. She shot through the sky, a trail of light behind her. The blackness filled her eyes, and rain began to fall as she drew closer.ever closer to this deceiver. An inhuman cry passed her lips as a flash of lightning filled the sky, surrounding her in its crimson light.
Only a trace of fear showed itself in the Bijo. Because she knew that this.thing could not hurt her. Even in this rage, it would be unable to do any real damage. But she was unwilling to take any risks. So, as the gap between the two lessened into that of a few feet, the Bijo simply vanished. She landed hard on the earth, deep trenches showing where her feet had hit.
"Coward!" she cried hoarsely, "Come and face me!"
Moving about in the darkness, her feet made contact with what felt like a body. 'The other shadow,' she thought grimly. Bending down on one knee, she peered at the face. She cursed the clouds for blocking out the moon, keeping her from freely seeing just who it was that she held in her arms. Breathing in steady breaths, she gave herself a few moments to become accustomed to the lack of light, as the blackness receded from her eyes. Finally able to make out the details of her surroundings, she brought her face down to peer into the Bijo's victim. Her head shot straight up in sudden realization, as her pupils dilated to small slits. Her hands began to shake in fear of the truth, and she found it increasingly hard to swallow. 'It can't be,' she tried to tell herself. But looking down, she knew that it was him. Looking down at his face, she could've sworn his eyes flicked open once. But they also closed.and she knew they would never open. A single tear traveled down her face, a deep incision taking form where the embodied despair passed. Blood intermingled with the salt water as it hit his face, burning a similar groove.
"Iwakan." she sobbed as the night faded into morning. 'If only I had remained as I was.I could save you, even now. But I wanted so much to.to-'
The rest of her thoughts became muddled as she clutched his body to her own. Dark crimson paths meandering their way down her face, as the rising sun illuminated the death that surrounded her.