Author's Note: I'm very sorry for not updating this in a very long time, so SORRY! My computer was being evil and died on me a few times and took all of my saved fics with it, and someone managed to get into my account and get rid of TWO of my fics and my comp died and took those files, so now… They're gone. ;_; Oh well, I guess that I'll just move on and make new and better fics to take their place.
So let's just get on with the fic shall we?
Chapter Twelve: Soul Mates for Eternity
*Fate*
Morning, Midday and Midnight
We live every passing moment
From the darkness of dawn
To the brightness of night
An everlasting cycle
Seeing life and death over
And over and over
We see the cycle continue
The fate of rebirth and death
Why do we fear it so much
For there's a chance that
We'd meet again in embrace
Our love ties us together
It is out of fate that we've
Found each other again
Although memories...
Are enough to sever the line
Too many hurt, too many kill
Too many may strengthen or
Make us lose each other
Fate is an unpredictable thing
No one ever has it their way
It is fate's way to decide
The outcome of this game...
~Cherry Chibi (Thank you for the lovely poem!)
Kaoru's eyes began to glow from the reflection of the shining items; the red and blue mixing together to form an amethyst color that coated the entire room. She stood up, and as if hypnotized, she walked towards the items that began to pulse as she got closer to them. Walking towards the items, she saw that they were placed above a solar powered fireplace on a mantle.
Kaoru moved to touch the sword sets that were urging her on to do so; they were calling to her; for her to come back to them. Her eyes moved to the set that was shining red, and immediately felt the familiar dark and warm ki of her mate attached to it. As her eyes lowered to the set of swords that were glowing blue, she realized that she, Kaoru Kamiya in the year 2003, had used these very same weapons.
Her right hand slowly stretched out to touch them, but quickly pulled back, as if afraid to that if she did, she'd destroy it. The weapons were old, frail, and it looked as if the very touch of the wind's light breeze would turn them to dust. But nonetheless, something within her cried for her to take the glowing weapons; to replace her new ones with them.
Reaching her hand out to take hold of the weaponry, she whipped her head around when she felt a hand over her own. Looking at the person that dared touched her; her eyes widen as her own amber ones met burning red ones. As if the touch now burned her, she quickly took back her hand and pulled away from the vampire and the items that seemed to ring louder than ever before.
"What are you doing here? I thought I told you to remain at the mansion," snapped Battousai, his voice as deadly as venom; as his eyes bore into her own.
Kaoru only stared back into his own eyes defiantly; it was as if the sword sets themselves were giving her newfound courage to go up against the strongest creature in the world with growing confidence. Though within, she knew that her mate would never hurt her and that he never could. There was a sense of safety in knowing that, and she only smirked as the idea went through her mind.
Battousai narrowed his eyes at his mate; there was something different about her. He understood this type of behavior from Kirei and her thick headedness, but never something like this from Kaoru. The vampire only met her defiant gaze with his angry ones, their own wills going against each other.
Suddenly Battousai pulled Kaoru into his arms, so that they were nose to nose and were able to see each other's emotions as clear as day on each other's face.
"Why do you defy me koishii?" Asked Battousai as his face softened as he looked into her face and cradled her cheeks within his palms.
"Why won't you allow me to do anything on my own, anata?" questioned Kaoru through narrowed eyes, as she moved her face out of his hands.
Battousai only looked at her through hurt eyes; revealing to her the inner pain that he had kept within himself since her death.
Looking within his blood red depths, Kaoru immediately felt guilt wash through her and threaten to drown her. She had forgotten the darkness that he had felt, the darkness that he was in and that he would forever be trapped within if she didn't save him. As she looked at him right then and there, she realized that if anyone was going to help or destroy the most powerful vampire in the world, it would be her.
~*~*~*~*~*~
The temple was grand and beautiful; it had completely changed since the other's deaths. Its walls were sparkling white, and every now and then a place curved in so that a statue lightened up the area. White candles were placed all along the walls and seemed to float in the air, as marble flooring led others deeper into the temple.
Ayame and Suzumi walked along with Dr. Genzai towards the center of the temple, where the grand statue of their God was placed, and where Shishio's old soul was trapped for 1000 years.
Their baskets were held tightly in their hands as the group made their way to their destination. The place seemed to glow with a holy light as they got deeper within, and the power that was within the temple seemed to increase as well. Drawing them all inside, and towards the center where all of the power was coming from. It was because of this unmistakable power that drew so many from the outside, and made them convert themselves and find their inner desire in a more 'holy' way.
Tae and Megumi led the group, and were occasionally bowed to by the priests and priestesses that worked there as they passed them by. Memorizing the place like the back of their hand, the two female vampires led the small group towards the center and carefully made shortcuts so that they wouldn't go through any ritual sessions that were going on. It seemed that as the Red Moon got closer, the more spiritual rituals were done.
"Welcome to the temple," said a deep voice from the shadows as they passed another dark hallway.
The group turned and saw a large man with two black circles around his eyes and laced in white robes as he bowed to them.
"Anji, I'm glad that you're still here," said Megumi as she smiled to him and then gestured towards the twins with her eyes.
The old vampire raised his eyebrows and smiled in realization as he understood why the two girls were here.
"Weren't you checking out where Shishio's whereabouts were, Anji?" questioned Tae as she looked at her old friend.
"I have been able to map the location, and was sent here by Saitoh to make sure that they were safe. Tokio and Saitoh are heading here as we speak," said Anji as he smiled at the ten-year-old little girls, who smiled back innocently.
"That's good. We'll lead them to the praying center. Will you join us?" asked Megumi.
"I must get back to the mansion and tell Lord Battousai and Aoshi about what's going on," said Anji in a whisper, so that only the two vampires could hear.
Turning to the twins and Dr. Genzai with a polite bow, he said, "I must be going now."
The twins both bowed in return as the taller man left them to walk a few more meters towards the praying area.
"We're here," said Megumi as she opened the two grand doors made of stone with the patterns of beautiful roses engraved in them.
Stepping inside, the group smiled as they saw the unforgettable place before them.
The center of the temple was completely white except for the large golden statue in the very center. Circular cushions were placed all around the grand statue, as charms were placed along the walls and the floor was so clean that one could easily see his or her reflection. Near the statue was a white sword, with charms hanging from the hilt. It was placed upon a stand horizontally, and within the sword there seemed to be a great power, the power that many have felt call out to them to become pure again.
"Welcome, to the Temple of Six Arches," said Tae as she moved to let them in.
~*~*~*~*~*~
The smell of smoke, the flames of fire, the cries of pain, the stench of death, and the shedding of blood was in the air as vampires, werewolves, and zombies went at each other with everything they had. There was nothing in their minds except killing the six older vampires that stood in the center, lashing out with their weapons, claws, and strength whenever there was an opening. As the numbers grew, the more power the six began to emit from their bodies; all the power of 1000 years began to flow out of them in this deadly battle.
Sanosuke punched the ground, causing a deadly earthquake to join his assault in cracking open the ground and causing a group of zombies to fall within its depths. Standing up before the werewolves behind him could attack, he threw mighty punches at them causing the werewolves to fly backwards and into one another. Yelling out in rage at this betrayal, the older vampire attacked head on, fists set and ready, at the inferior creatures that dared oppose them.
"See you all in hell!" Shouted Kittra as she aimed her gun at a bunch of vampires and shot them all directly in the heart or skull, the force of the nuclear gun causing the younger vampires to vanish into ashes.
Soujiro only smiled, his long fangs gleaming in the night as he crouched down and got into a fighting stance, his hand barely over the hilt of his katana. Watching the werewolves and advance on him on all fours, the former assassin used his god speed to push off the ground and swing his sword in an arch and killing ten werewolves. Landing calmly on the other side of the dead creatures, he prepared himself for another attack.
Chou stood back to back with his mate, lashing out with his bendable sword and killing any creatures that got close to them.
"Is it me, or is it every time we kill one five more take there place?" Asked Chou as he jumped into a group of zombies and dislocated their bodies with his whip like sword.
"What I want to know is," began Shura as she jabbed her numb chucks into a werewolf's gut, "why are they helping Enishi and Shishio?"
Somersaulting out of the circle of werewolves that were advancing on her, Shura landed beside her mate as he finished off another group of werewolves himself.
"Koishii, duck," ordered Soujiro as Shura did as she was told.
Before the vampire could lunge onto her, Soujiro's katana went straight through its skull, causing the vampire to turn into ashes.
"Thank you," said Shura as she came back up to meet her husband's smile that she had grown to love through the years.
"Well obviously they were brain washed that if they helped Enishi and Shishio become immortal, they'll be able to take over the world and get rid of the humans. You have to remember that it was the humans that placed them in the shadows in the first place," said Katsu over the screams as he threw five bombs at the enemy, killing off fifty creatures and engulfing them in smoke.
"That's just stupid. Like Enishi or Shishio would actually let any other kind but their own take over the world," said Sanosuke as he threw a zombie at the other crowd of zombies, causing them to fall over like dominos.
"Are you okay Shura?" Asked Soujiro when his mate stopped, and looked straight towards Metallic Kyoto.
Suddenly all of the creatures stopped and stared in the same direction.
"The swords," said Shura as she felt the power of the swords pulsate through her, and knew that the swords were calling to their masters and calling for them to kill once again.
~*~*~*~*~*~
The scream of pleasure ripped through the air, as Misao felt her beloved's fangs pierce her flesh and sucked the blood out of her very being. She trusted him too much to even think about pain, but instead her mind thought of nothing but him. There was nothing else in her world but her and her Aoshi. The thought of becoming the very creature that killed her parents slipped through her mind, as she felt twin needles leave her neck.
"Koibito," said Aoshi after he licked his lips and felt the delicious blood of his love go down his throat as he lifted her up into his arms so that she sat in his lap. He couldn't remember a substance as sweet and delicious as her pure blood.
Moving her face to the crook of his neck, he ushered her to drink her fill.
Aoshi felt their ki mingling, felt their blood blend together and change his loved one into his own kind. The only emotion he felt right now was love, love for the fragile being before him. Looking into the emerald depths, he saw the reflection of his own; trust, loyalty, need, and love.
"Aoshi," whispered Misao, through that one word Aoshi knew that she wanted to be with him, wanted him to claim her, to make her his.
Moving her back to the bed, he ravished her mouth as his hands worked to get them both out of their clothing. Misao's moan when their tongues interlocked only made the vampire work faster, as the essence of his own blood was tasted in her mouth. He wanted to savor every minute of it, but the lust that he felt for her was too great. He knew that he couldn't suppress his feelings anymore that he had to claim her as his own or go insane.
Misao felt her body heat up as she watched the show of emotions that her mate was displaying through his eyes. She could feel his ki growing in anticipation, and felt her own wanting to grow with his own. Wrapping her slender arms around his neck, she pulled him down towards her, so that they were face to face. Revealing all the love and reassurance through her eyes, she moved him down a bit lower, so that their lips barely graced each other.
Sighing out of the relief, the vampire crushed their lips together, and grinned with he felt the hold around his neck grow stronger and complied in deepening it.
Misao pulled back when she felt her body seem to freeze, looking down at herself her face grew crimson as she realized that she was fully exposed to those deep sea green eyes. Her face seemed to burn when she realized that the person above her was just as bare as she was. On instinct she began to cover herself with her hands, when firm hands pushed her hands to her side.
"You look more beautiful this way," said Aoshi as eyes looked at her body, taking in every curve, dip, and drop of her delicate body. Licking his lips, he only grinned at her pretty pink face. Moving his lips so that they played with her own coaxingly; his hands traced the outline of slim body.
Moaning as she felt Aoshi leave a trail of hot lips back down to her neck, she screamed in pleasure and pain as he felt Aoshi guide himself within her. The pain vanished when she was able to feel her loved one slowly message her shoulders lovingly, before she felt twin needles bore into her skin. Screaming, she threw back her head as perspiration came out of her pores. Her eyes began to roll back as she felt something more than just her blood drain away from her; slowly she began to see her own memories as they were drained out of her vision and copied before it leaked out of her.
Aoshi licked the blood from his teeth as he slowly placed Misao back down on the bed so she could regain her strength, but he knew that she needed to complete the ceremony by taking his memories before she fully recover. Flipping them both over so that she was above him, he pressed her face towards his neck once again.
"Just a bit more koibito," said Aoshi as he rubbed her back so that she was able to relax from earlier.
Feeling dizzy from the lack of blood and the swarming of ki all around her, Misao willingly went along with her mate. Her throat began to dry up and burn, her instincts telling her that she needed blood to quench her thirst. Slowly moving her head deeper into Aoshi's neck, she plunged her twin fangs deep within his veins and began to drink her fill.
~*~*~*~*~*~
The swords' light began to glow brighter as the two vampires stared at each other in the eyes; the room began to change from a deadly red to a freezing blue as the swords' ki grew stronger, and its calling greater.
"The only reason I don't want you to do anything, is because I want to protect you. I failed to do that before, and I don't think I could bare it if I failed again," whispered Battousai in her ear as he moved his face into her lavender locks, taking in her intoxicating scent to soothe himself.
Kaoru only wrapped her arms around his neck and forced him to look into her burning sapphire orbs.
"I understand that you want to protect me, but I you won't always be there for me. You have to let me learn to do things on my own," said Kaoru, as she her right hand moved to touch his left cheek.
Placing his own hand on hers, he only smiled weakly at her and understood that no matter how hard he forced her back into safety she'd come right back out. He only shook his head, she was just as stubborn as she use to be, and knew that she would never admit that she needed help, just like himself.
Kaoru moved away and looked back at the swords that called to her to take them in her hands and use them to destroy those in her in way.
"They're our swords," said Kaoru in a whisper as her eyes took in every detail of the weapons; her mind beginning to recall how she used the weapons from the past memories that she had regained from her mate.
"Yes," said Battousai as he looked at his red glowing katana, the same weapon he used to kill his Shishio and had accidentally killed his love as well. Closing his eyes from that devastating memory, he looked back at Kaoru.
"If they caused you so much sorrow, why did you keep them so close to you?" asked Kaoru curiously as she looked back at Battousai with questioning eyes.
"Because they were the last real objects that I had to remember you by," said Battousai truthfully. It was because of her ki that still lingered on her weapons and his own that made him keep the weapons; that kept him sane all these years. It didn't matter to him that another's blood was there as well, her own and over powering ki had always blocked the other one out.
Sapphire orbs changed to red ones as Kaoru's alter ego stared into her mate's eyes, hoping to catch a flaw in his words. It didn't matter that they were mated and belong to each other now, she still didn't trust the guy. Anyways, it wasn't her that gave all of her trust to some vampire and that vampire wasn't Battousai either.
The vampire lord only rolled his eyes as he looked at Kirei, he knew that it was going to be hard to persuade her that he had indeed waited a 1000 years for her and had not once even thought about being disloyal, but he never thought that it would be so difficult.
"Why must you be so hard headed Kirei?" asked Battousai with a grin as he lifted her chin with his middle and forefinger.
Growling at him, Kirei moved her head away as her eyes narrowed into a deadly glare at the vampire before her.
Cocking his head at her, the strongest being in the world only looked at her before vanishing. "Must you play hard to get koishii?" questioned Battousai when he used his speed to place his arms around her from behind and move his right cheek to her own.
"Let me go!" Shouted Kirei as she struggled to get out of his hold but to no prevail, she inwardly cursed as he moved her closer to his body.
"Why can't you just give into your instincts and become my queen willingly?" asked Battousai in her ear.
"No! My instincts tell me that you're lying, and that you only want me to be your queen so you can become more powerful. You got more powerful, now let me go!" shouted Kirei angrily as she tried to twist out of his hold, which only seemed to only tighten as she spoke.
Kirei's words slashed through him like a knife, her struggling movements only twisted the knife and hurt him more than any battle wound could ever do. As if he had suddenly become afraid, he began to shake and moved so that Kirei could move away and face him. The hate that reflected from her eyes only caused the old guilt of causing her death to bathe over him once again. If he had only been able to protect her, only able to stop his attack in time and kill Shishio before he got to her; she would have been happier and still alive. She had a right to hate him, if it wasn't for him she wouldn't have died and she wouldn't have to deal with this all over again.
Trembling, Battousai fell back into the darkness as realization came that she didn't love him. No! She did love him, or she wouldn't have become his mate or willingly become his. Before she had wanted to be with him, why was she pulling away now? Then the thought him; before she hadn't been able to register all of the memories that she had gained from him, and by now she should have been able to see it all, or at least up to the part where he had killed her. Realization poured through his mind, as he realized what it was that caused her to hate him. The main reason that they had gone through the ritual in the first place was so that they could become more powerful and defeat Shishio. She was thinking that he was doing the same thing because Shishio was once again a threat.
Looking at Kirei's eyes once again with a clear mind, he saw fear and betrayal in them and finally noticed that he wasn't the only one that was trembling from the thoughts within his mind. Taking a step forward, he quickly pulled her into his arms despite the out cries of his love, and finally softened his hold when he felt something warm on his chest. Carefully, he bent down so that they were both on the ground as Kirei moved her face into his shoulder and cry freely.
"I-I…" began Kirei as she looked back up at her mate through a hazy gaze.
"Hush," said Battousai as he moved a finger to her trembling lips and brushed her tears away with his free hand. "There's no need to say anything."
As the guilt began to subside and replaced by contentment, the new vampire only snuggled deeper into the warm embrace, which promised protection, care, and love.
"I'm so sorry. I didn't realize how you felt about all this…"
Battousai's eyes widened as he looked down at his mate; how had she known what he had felt? The mating ritual only allowed a connection so that the couple would be able to communicate by reading each other's minds and know where each other were at all times; it had never before allowed them to know exactly how each other felt about something and the memory exchange only went up so far.
That was when he realized that his mate had gained so much power that she was able to break through his shielded mind and read his thoughts. He only smiled as he watched his love drift off to sleep in his arms peacefully.
~*~*~*~*~*~
A/N: I hope that you guys enjoyed this chapter. It's almost over, and the fun has just begun! I promised a happy ending, but to have one you have to first feel the pain and sadness. So please don't yell at me when that happens! I'll try to update earlier from now on if school doesn't get in the way.
