Soujirou made his way to Shishio's inner court lost in thought. He hoped that Aoshi's hunt had been successful. He had asked among the werewolf pack if Misao had returned yet, partly because he believed Shishio wouldn't privilege him to such information, and partly to actually speak to the young wolf he had been watching. Meeting face to face he was amazed how young the wolf really seemed. He had been surprised of course. Surprised that Soujirou would confront him, and even more startled that it was not about his affair. The corners of Soujirou's wide, endless smile quirked ever so slightly at such an egotistical reaction. As if everything revolved around him. Many others broke rules, he wasn't so special. The young vampire hadn't told and hadn't planned to tell, but he figured the werewolf couldn't possibly know that. Needless to say he did nothing to dissuade the notion that he could tell at any time.
He entered the room eyeing the full host curiously. It was rare all of them would be together like this. Usually one or more of the group would be off wandering, as Kamatari had done. They always returned, but it was never consistent or planned. Soujirou had considered going with Kamatari that last time, the female had offered, but he decided against it. It would have been an excellent excuse to roam the countryside and watch "wild" humans, but deep down he was cautious. No, not merely cautious. He was afraid. The phobia lurked deep within him, rising occasionally in his sleep to plague and torment him.
He had been out there once, in what seemed to be such a long time ago, the world had not treated him kindly. He had no desire to leave the safe confines of the underground labyrinth.
Of course, if Lord Shishio ordered, he would callously set aside those fears and do as he was bid. However, it had never been required of him. Shishio had his talons sunk deep into the heart of his kingdom and everything was as it should be. All the vampires were either under his direct control or in allegiance with him. There was always the rogue individual, but for the most part it was a satisfactory agreement. Shishio never actually directly interfered in matters. He set laws, striving to keep order in their chaotic world. As Soujirou knew first hand how corrupt, deprived, and baseless vampires could be, he had seen it, he agreed with Shishio. They needed a strong leader to keep them in check and continue on stalwartly.
The vampire lord had subdued the werewolf clans with surprising ease, using left over miko magic. They had been brought to heel soon enough and were now exceptional companions and servants.
Other magical spirits and beasts respected him, occasionally seeking his guidance and council, or merely wishing to stay in his good graces. Even the oni, notoriously fickle and cruel demons, gave Shishio the respect he commanded.
"Here sweetie, come over here and sit down." Kamatari beckoned with a devilish smile and Soujirou looked up to see Yumi glaring. Apparently the female vampire was not pleased with the other's untimely return. She seemed to be either jealous or annoyed that Kamatari was commanding her "son's" attention.
"I am terribly sorry, but I need to sit by Yumi." Soujirou apologized politely, he wouldn't heckle Yumi, and wasn't about to aid Kamatari in such a deed. The vampire made pout face, "But you've seen her already, every day in fact. I just came back!"
"Aw, let th' boy go." Chou drawled from beside her. He was leaning lightly against a stone pillar and didn't look half as interested his comment suggested.
Soujirou smiled at both of them before weaving over towards Yumi and Shishio. She gave him a fond hug and he sat down beside her. Shishio barely glanced over at the boy vampire.
Soujirou wasn't sure how he felt about Yumi. If he could remember his mother he might have had a comparison. But she had died when he was very young, as had his father. He recalled his uncle was always slurring his mother's memory. It confused and hurt him. A few bars of a faint lullaby were all he remembered. Every so often he would hum them, not knowing the words that accompanied the notes. As a human boy he would linger in his memories while doing his grueling chores. Memories of warm, caring hands, of being loved. Now he felt a slight stirring of disdain and empty curiosity at the vague recollections. If she had loved him that much then why had she died? It was because she was weak, and as Shishio stated, the weak didn't deserve to live. Well, he wouldn't be like her. He would live, and he would be strong.
Yumi gave him a warm smile before again turning her affections on Shishio. Soujirou wondered if she had summoned him only to spite her rival. It didn't matter to him. If she had not called him over Shishio would have. He looked across the vampire at Hoji. The vampire was gleefully whispering something. A malicious smirk graced his fleshy lips and his beady eyes twinkled with anticipation. Someone was going to die tonight, that was a look Soujirou had seen many times to date. It never failed to cultivate death and torture in its wake.
Shishio gave a negligent wave of his hand and Hoji scurried off to fetch whatever victim he had in mind. Soujirou was very interested when the long hair human that was having the affair with the wolf was brought in. He glanced out of the corner of his eye at the young wolf, hovering behind Shishio in his usual position. His normally good-natured face was unnaturally still and Soujirou noted his fists were clenched. He had been in the court nearly as long as the boy vampire, he couldn't have failed to notice Hoji's delight before his lover was dragged in.
The human was roughly handled by each of his arms before he was kicked into a kneeling position. His clothing and skin testified that he had been at the very least beaten. Blood had dried on the cusp of his scalp and in the corner of his mouth. The headband that normally held his hair back was missing and his shirt had several rips and tears. His face, bare arms, and the front of his chest where the shirt didn't cover was slowly turning a motley of colors ranging from a light yellow-green to a deep indigo. He had a good shiner on one eye, but his nose and mouth seemed intact for the most part.
Soujirou moved slightly so he had a better view of the young werewolf. He doubted anyone would follow his gaze; they would be too focused on the center act. He wanted to know the reactions and emotions of the boy. Perhaps it would add more clues to the mental puzzle he was trying to solve. It was like a game. If this happened then that would, right? Well, his theories would be proven and perhaps he would gain some peace of mind. It didn't occur to him that someone would die in the process. The human was mere property, utterly worthless. True, it had been good entertainment while it lasted, but now was the finally. Nothing to change, just an ending.
Hoji strutted around his prey, looking more like an absurd, maniacal peacock ready to peck something's eyes out more than anything else. He had no grace about him at all. Just pride. Unfounded pride. His fighting skills were absolutely appalling while his only use was what was keep under a mat of well oiled hair.
"So we finally caught one of you." He preened and looked to Shishio for approval. Receiving no more than a slight incline of the head he redoubled his efforts of intimidation. Soujirou could see both Chou and Kamatari were whispering and snickering with ill concealed mirth. Yumi was rolling her smoky eyes with impatience and an air of long suffering. Hoji dragged the man's chin up unmindful of the bruises or the wince he caused.
"You thought that you could do such a thing unnoticed. Laughable. Surely you should have known you would be caught and punished. What you have done has transcended the simple breaking of rules. You have actually dared to venture in what you knew to be certain death. And this is how you repay Lord Shishio's boundless generosity. He feeds, clothes, and shelters you. All that is expected in return is that you follow the rules and do your duties without incident! Even the simplest of people can understand how to behave appropriately. Yet you insisted in thinking that you were special. Well, do you feel special now? Because you are, you know. You will receive a great honor for such profanity."
Hoji dropped his chin and continued to strut around, facing the vampires each in turn. By then Chou and Kamatari had composed themselves into neutral expressions and Yumi had returned to fawning over Shishio, losing interest as she always did.
"You see, what this human has done was so utterly wrong and disgraceful I feel he deserves special treatment."
Soujirou cocked his head and eyed the young wolf. He was straining forward against the grasp of his large friend. The spiky brown hair youth was having a hard time keeping hold of his self-imposed charge and the muscles in his arms were corded with effort. He hissed something rough, something that sounded like a curse, and hit the other's face. It was all done in silence. There was a heated exchange of words, but Soujirou could only hear it as a distance murmuring, they spoke under their breath. With one last hateful glance at his captor the young wolf subsided. His face was a raw mask of fear and outrage.
"Do what you want, you are nothing but a spineless bully." The human said low, his voice muffled. He raised his battered face and Soujirou was surprised to find his forest green eyes were filled with passion, or was it madness?
"Insolent dog!" Hoji snapped and booted him sharply in the side. The human flinched and his lip curled up in disgust. "Bully boy."
Shishio stirred a little; apparently the human's defiance had sparked his interest. He leaned forward with a mocking smile, his harsh crimson eyes staring down imperially. He leaned his elbow on his knee and rested his chin on the palm of his cupped, bandaged hand.
"You are a fool." He said in a mocking, patronizing tone. "Did you think your little ragtag resistance stood any sort of chance? You are slaves because you are weak. You deserve to be used, abused, and tossed away with the garbage. Your existence is so pitiful it is cringe worthy to even imagine being like you. Weak and helpless. I could snap your neck with one hand."
"Then why don't you? Come down here and finish me Oh Mighty Lord." The human sneered and Hoji backhanded him.
"Don't you dare speak to Lord Shishio in such a fashion!"
The man picked himself up with a chuckle, "Why not? What have I got to lose? I'm just a walking corpse now!"
Soujirou was surprised he was deeply respectful of this human. He was apparently ready to die for what he believed in. What a foreign concept. Foolish and silly, yet somehow it was also appealing. Soujirou couldn't make heads or tails of it. He almost wished Hoji would end his life quickly, not indulge in the torturous theatrics he loved so very much. Perhaps he should intercede? But no, then Shishio would ask why. He would grant Soujirou's request, the boy was sure of that much, but he would be suspicious. So the boy vampire was content to settle back and watch.
Hoji pulled out three small, gray canisters and waved them in the man's face shouting with incest, "You believed you could kill Shishio with these pathetic things? Perhaps you were hoping to choke him to death with the smoke? Or that the ceiling would collapse and hoped that some fluke would snuff his life? If this is all you humans in the resistance have to offer then may you all rot in hell!"
"Tell me then corpse, is Himura leading you?" Shishio asked leaning forward, a wicked gleam in his ruby eyes. When the man refused to answer Hoji leaped on him and there was a sharp crack of bone along with a grunt of pain. "No matter. I cannot condemn him without proof, however, I will pin him to his deeds whatever they may be. You shall start atoning for yours right now. Hoji, he is all yours. Just don't make it linger too long. We still have business to attend to and the hours grow short."
The man's green eyes had narrowed drastically and seemed to be mentally preparing himself for the pain.
Soujirou noted his eyes roaming secretively around the room until they landed on the young werewolf. He smiled slightly and bowed his head seeming to simply go limp and give up.
Hoji hauled him up and shackled his wrists so that he was forced to stand on his tiptoes. The iron dug cruelly into his delicate skin and fresh, slick blood greased the cuffs. The sweet, cloy scent of the crimson liquid filled the room. This only seemed to spur Hoji on. The vampire was quick to strip the rest of the man's clothing; heedless of the marks he was leaving down the human's bare skin in the process. Only once he was fully disrobed did Hoji step back a few paces with a speculative look. Plotting his special treatment no doubt, or rather deciding which method would best suit his current mood.
He went over to a winch on the wall. The vampire adjusted the chains so that the man's arms were forced behind his back, above his head, and his legs were dangling a few feet above the ground. Hoji hummed happily as he walked over and secured heavy weights to the human's ankles. He checked them to make sure they were snug before losing the chains. At the last moment he jerked the plummeting chains to a stop. There was an audible snap as both the man's shoulders dislocated at the same time coupled with a snarl of pain. The process was repeated three more times and Soujirou was quite sure that all the tendons and joints in his shoulders, arms, and legs were torn beyond repair.
Hoji lowered the man back to the ground and this time he sank to his knees. Hoji let him rest there while he retrieved boiling hot water from the kettle over the fire. Selecting a vessel, he poured a good amount of the frothing hot liquid into it and practically pranced over. He trickled thin streams of the molten liquid creating tracks of burnt and blistered skin. The epidermis crust curdled like spoilt milk filling with yellowish liquid before busting in a sickly mess. The water ran all the way down his hunched back over his buttocks, shoulders, and neck while twining down his legs and arms that no longer supported him and scalding his scalp.
Soujirou gazed mildly, uncomprehending, but realizing that humans tended to have incredibly low pain thresholds. The fact that the man hadn't cried out was odd, but no matter. He could tell the lack of recognition of his ingenuity was making Hoji peeved, but that didn't matter either. Shishio would want it ended anyway.
He looked over to the young wolf. The youth was pale and shaking, but his eyes were locked on the scene like he wanted to burn it into his memory. An inhuman snarl of rage twisted his lips and his fists were bunched, white knuckled. The bigger wolf still was holding on to the youth's shoulder tightly, but he had averted his eyes and was staring grimly off to the side. Soujirou wondered if the wolf had a sword what he would do exactly. Would he rush forward ending Hoji's life, or his lover's? Perhaps both. It would be a mercy.
Soujirou caught Shishio's eyes and the head vampire nodded slightly before leaning back.
He rose to his feet and said politely, "Hoji, I think it is time to end your fun. So sorry."
"But…" Hoji whined, trying to catch Shishio's eye and plead his case.
Soujirou walked over to the slumped figure and gently placed one hand on each side of the man's head. With a precise twist he broke the man's neck with only a slight popping noise. He had never seen the point in torture.
The meeting went fairly well, pretty much the same way it did other times. They discussed problems, or rather Hoji or one of the others brought them up, and Shishio chose how best to deal with them. It wasn't exactly democracy, however, none of them particularly minded, Soujirou least of all. He was perfectly happy to be a follower, to take orders. They gave him direction. Besides, he owed Shishio his current existence.
His eyes wandered somewhere during the discussion of the wayward oni that had been pressing some unwanted issues. Everyone else seemed as bored as he felt. Kamatari and Chou were whispering, but for once they looked serious. Yumi was dozing against Shishio's shoulder, her eyes lidded. Usui was leaning against the wall with an unreadable look on his face. The shadows cloaked him slightly, hiding his pale blue skin. He was the only one of the Ten Swords that was not a vampire. Whether or not he seemed to care that they were speaking of his clan as a particularly obnoxious nuisance was not evident. In fact, he might want to simply kill all the other oni himself.
Shishio allowed him to stay under the conditions that he could attempt to kill Shishio at any time. A stylized strip of cloth was wound around his eyes and tied in the back. Soujirou wasn't clear on all the details: apparently Shishio had blinded the oni at some point in the past. That was all he knew, despite trying to find out more. The light blue demon was hardly the most sociable and being polite had absolutely no effect on the male. His clothing was decorated with eyes and he claimed to have some sort of power. Soujirou wasn't sure he believed it, quite the opposite in fact. But he was a far better fighter than Hoji, and if Shishio could keep him tethered then he made a valuable asset.
Soujirou's eyes narrowed as they lit on the oni's personal pet. The wolf was lean and tall with high cheekbones and four bangs. Soujirou knew he was the alpha of his pack and had never done anything worth suspicion, but something about the wolf made him wary. He had the look of a killer, something that wouldn't bother the young vampire normally. After all, all of them were killers of some sort. What bothered him most was the shrewd look and calculating gaze. The wolf struck him as very objective and exceedingly cunning.
The vampire didn't know why Usui insisted on bringing the wolf everywhere he went. Although the laws that held sway over his immortal brethren didn't bind him, he respected the wolf's code. Or rather, Shishio had insisted that he did. Normally the monarch wouldn't have bothered at all, however, he understood keeping the peace took some compromises. The vampire lord was intelligent enough to adapt, but ridged enough in his ideals that he could do so without seeming weak or incompetent. That kept his position. A complex feat that had never been achieved, nor held, before.
The alpha was allowed to rule his pack during the day, but at night he was as much a slave as the human that lay broken on the floor. His master held his life in greedy claws, only that of a direct ruling from Shishio could save the proud wolf if the oni decided he was tired of his pet.
There was a meek, hesitant knock on the chamber door. A rather composed looking werewolf brushed the human aside, the one that had knocked, and walked in. Her lips folded together as her flat blue eyes brushed the slave's body, but she stepped over it and bowed before Shishio. Her short, shorn hair brushed the floor and she didn't straighten immediately.
Soujirou recognized her of course. She served Kamatari. He marveled that two conflicting personalities got along so well. Kamatari was flashy, flamboyant, outspoken, and playful. Her servant was sober, serious, withdrawn, and overbearingly polite to her superiors. He wondered if she ever changed her demeanor. Kamatari loved to tease the wolf, but he had yet to see the vampire actually get a rise out of her. Since his previous entertainment was now null and void he decided he would watch her next. It would most likely be more difficult because she was far more secretive and far less social than the other two had been. He wondered if she had a lover stashed away somewhere.
"Yes." Shishio asked, glaring down. If the wolf noticed at all she gave no sign. Instead she executed another flawlessly deep bow, "Master Shishio. Your assassin has failed. The vampire hunter known as Enishi decapitated him. His werewolf is currently missing, presumed dead also. He served a purpose, however, because the hunter is severely injured. Unfortunately, their party had expanded. Somewhere they picked up a healer, a very good one. She saved his life and he is now mending."
Soujirou at first felt like he didn't hear her right. Aoshi couldn't be dead. His skills as an assassin were unmatched, he couldn't fail. He was the best there was; no mere human mortal could defeat him.
Anger coursed through him. The werewolf had to be lying! It just didn't make sense otherwise. Aoshi was strong. He had taken Misao with him, and his both his kodachi. He had been particularly cautious Soujirou recalled. But that was because he didn't want to mess up. And he wouldn't.
"What would you like us to do now?" The alpha had slunk out of the shadows, his golden eyes glowing eerily. He looked almost pleased, but his voice was bland and respectful. He paused at his pack member's side and she gave him a nod of respect. There was a sinister quality about him, as if he reveled in the fact that a human had one up on a vampire. Soujirou suddenly felt an emotion that had been dormant for a decade: pure hatred.
"Nothing."
"But Lord Shishio!" Hoji yelped like a startled dog, "He will come here next. Don't you want to stop him?"
"He is obviously strong. If he wants revenge on me then so be it. I am open to any challenge; in fact I lust for one. Past years have been too easy. I require someone to test my skills on, provided they are worthy." Shishio said harshly, looking excited. Soujirou hoped part of testing the hunter's worthiness involved battling him. He would make sure that no pathetic human would even make it to his master.
"Then you wish us to continue surveillance on them until they arrive?" The alpha interjected smoothly, with a sketchy bow. The werewolf female beside him stirred slightly, casting her shielded eyes toward her leader questioning. It was a slight motion, but Soujirou was focused. He wanted to know the secret they were sharing silently.
"Yes, keep watch, but do not interfere. Leave that to my Ten Swords." Shishio commanded imperially. He fixated his gaze on the female, "What else. I can tell you have not given me all the information you have earned."
She bowed again, "My Master, you are correct. I also learned that the healer who aided them, along with a human boy of no importance, left their company." She paused almost undetectably before going on in the same, unbroken voice, "They were last spotted in a village where we raided. I am afraid, that in the confusion, I lost track of them. I do not believe any humans were hurt, we recalled your explicit instructions you gave on gathering new food. So it is possible they escaped with their lives. It is also possible they are now serving your vampires as we speak. Either way, they have been nullified as help to their companions. If that is all I should return to my duties."
She bowed again to Shishio, acknowledged the rest of the vampires with a sweeping, light bow, and gave a wordless look to her alpha. He had already melted back into the shadows near his master.
The rest of the meeting was in chaos by then and Shishio claimed he was going to retire for the night, dismissing them all.
Soujirou wandered the halls silently like a dark, vengeful spirit. He pondered about his lover's death, wondering what exactly he was feeling. He was… sad? No, not quite. Resigned? A bit. Angry? Livid, but he didn't know where to direct it. At the one who slew Aoshi? Most definitely. All those who would dare to even be the slightest bit pleased by the vampire assassin's demise? Yes, them too. Starting with that female werewolf.
Was Misao really dead though? He knew Aoshi wouldn't allow her to fight if he felt there was danger. The vampire had been cold and callous about many things, however, the little werewolf was most likely the only crack in the block of ice he called his heart. Soujirou understood that, never resented it. She had been there first, but somewhere deep inside he had hoped he could out do her in Aoshi's affections. Already he missed his lover's presence and everything seemed lonely. He was only warmed and comforted by his anger. An emotion he gladly wrap around himself.
He decided that if she returned, and still needed a master he would claim her. Perhaps she would be a link to his lover, one he seemed to feel he needed. Aoshi would be pleased, also, that his beloved little pet was under good care. Somehow he assumed she was alive. Whether she would return or not was of little concern to him beyond the conclusions he had just arrived at. He was sure her pack would find her; they seemed to stand by their members. It was an interesting quality and sentiment, one he didn't share.
While walking aimlessly he almost ran over a figure. Looking up with narrowed, hate filled eyes his smile slipped slightly. Kamatari's werewolf was bowing before him, not quite as low as she had for Shishio, but more than enough to be within bounds. Again, she either didn't sense or cared not to react to the aggressive energy that must have been pouring off him in waves.
She straightened and her flat blue eyes met his furious gray ones. She held his gaze mildly before speaking in an apologetic tone, "Master Seta, I am deeply sorry about your loss. Shinomori was always kind to our little Misao and we respected him for that. If she is found alive do you wish to become her new master? I can arrange it with my alpha Saitoh, I believe. That is, if you can convince Master Shishio."
He was shocked. Not only was she completely ignoring his ire, but also she was making an unwitting mockery of his ideas!
"Do you have proof that he is actually dead." Soujirou managed in a civil voice, his smile not even cracking. At the moment he was considering if Kamatari would miss her little pet if the wolf suddenly disappeared.
She furrowed her brow, "Is seeing it with my own eyes considered proof? Or do you believe me to be a liar?"
He was feeling his anger bubbling up. Could she read his very thoughts? If she was there then why didn't she help him!
"That vampire hunter was more impressive than I have ever seen. He has a great drive, and I do think that he will make it here. You may get your revenge after all. I hesitate to admit this, but I feel you deserve the unabridged truth. This human is very dangerous, and I do not believe even my alpha stands a chance against his strength and ability. Tread cautiously when you meet him."
She bowed again and turned to leave. Soujirou stopped her by sharply grabbing her shoulder. If it hurt her she gave no sign. Merely turned patiently and waited for him to speak.
How dare she! His mind hissed. She claimed this human was one of the strongest she had ever seen, but who else had she witnessed? She had no references to back it up. At the most she knew her leader's strengths, but he was a mere werewolf. His skills, speed, and other abilities paled in comparison to that of any vampire or oni. A small part of his mind, pleaded that saying her alpha was no match was a great admission. He brushed it aside with contempt and a brief snarl broke through his smile. He smoothed it immediately, unsure why he was so out of control all of a sudden. These things had never bothered him before. Not since that night so long ago.
The night he slaughtered his own family in a newly created vampire bloodlust. He had made carnage out of every single one of them, reveling in the taste, smell, and feel of their bitter blood. Retribution for every single grain of rice he had to pick up by hand after one of his foster brother's tipped his burden. A drop of blood for a grain of rice: red for white. Of course, his lust wasn't sated by the scum that had been his family. He had continued to the nearest village. Men yelled and attacked, but he slashed through them with his bare hands. Women and children hid, he found them. He recalled a particularly clever family. They had hidden in a remote, out of the way place. In the state he was in he had found it by pure chance rather than skill.
There was the mother, the adult female, first and foremost. She stood boldly in front of her children trembling only slightly. In her hands was a light katana. The blade and hit were seeped in human blood and she kept adjusting her grip. She had obviously taken it off a dead body and was hoping to protect her children. A futile gesture. He swept through her like she was a dying flower. The oldest child, a male, took up the katana. He was just as steady as his mother, but his form was far better. Someone had been training him.
The battle was brief and ended in a shower of blood. Soujirou made quick work of the other two, younger females. He had gone on and on, fueled by his lust for the sickly sweet crimson liquid, fascinated by in. It wasn't until dawn approached that his limbs felt heavy and his body urged rest. He had burned a lot of energy, and being a new vampire it was hard to replace.
But that was long ago. He had buried all his emotions, but the most shallow of ones, the next evening when he awoke. So why were they surfacing now? Part of him accused Aoshi. Aoshi died, he cared for Aoshi and the vampire died. Leaving him alone. He hated to be alone. Rage, lose, and grief mingled and he loosed the result on the only target present.
"If you were there then why can't you say if Misao died?" He asked viciously, no longer polite in the slightest. The smile held an angry note, but he had yet to lose it. The wolf crinkled her nose slightly and replied in a blank tone, "She ran off, into the woods. I could not track her immediately. I had to watch then report. I do not know if she is hurt, but I do know she is in such a state the she could do some serious damage to herself in her grief. If I had not been obligated to report I would be combing the woods for her. Would you, if your friend and pack mate were lost and hurting?"
Before he would have considered he words and found them silly and pointless. What would he do? If Aoshi were still alive, but hurting, would he go after him? He would, he decided abruptly. Something was stirring in him and he didn't like it.
"If you find her send her to me." Soujirou said curtly, needing to escape. The wolf had him unbalanced. She didn't seem to be malicious, just patiently pushing him the way she wanted. He didn't want to be manipulated. He didn't know what she wanted and didn't want to give it to her.
"As you wish. His body is on the east side of the river, about ten miles away."
He rushed away, needed out. The walls seemed to be pressing down on him. With a burst of unparallel speed he rushed out the nearest exit. The woods were dark and the air crisp. The cold breeze played upon his skin and the dead, crisp leaves brushed his feet, but he didn't notice.
Before he even realized it he had gone in the direction the werewolf had indicated. Slowing his speed gradually he saw the glimmer of moonlight reflecting off the still surface of the river. It wasn't a large one, only about five feet across at normal times. It could flood to a much higher one, sweeping things away with its force. And that was how Soujirou felt at the moment. Like his dam had been swept away by the current of his rampant emotions.
His sharp, unnatural eyes slid across the surface before he wandered to the water's edge. The wolf hadn't been particularly specific, but he was sure he could find Aoshi's remains with some searching. The question was, did he want to? Obviously part of him did if it dragged him over here, to the river's edge. But a larger part was clawing at him to turn around. Was it fear? The fear that this wasn't some nightmare, like all the others, that his lover was truly and irrevocably dead.
His legs felt like lead as he formed a criss-crossed grid search pattern. He had only been going at it for about fifteen minutes before a small, strangled cry leapt from his throat. Cautiously, treading on cat-like feet, he approached feeling slightly ridicules. The body wasn't going to leap up at him. Dead was dead.
He carefully knelt in the dead leaves and brushed a finger along the neck until he reached where the blade a severed straight through. Whoever had done this was an expert, a master. The stroke had been clean, flawless almost. He would have liked to have run his fingers through Aoshi's hair one last time, but that was impossible now.
Instead, he gathered the body up and held it to his chest, noting how cold it seemed. Cold, hard, and foreign; nothing like what he was use to. He knew what the others thought of his lover, that the vampire was a harsh, unfeeling bastard. That if he had a living, beating heart it would still be incased in ice. He had seen the softer side. Knew how Aoshi looked at Misao, almost as if she were a daughter. How gentle he could be with Soujirou, especially in the beginning.
He wasn't sure what to do, so he sat rocking the body. Eventually he realized that he was whispering words under his breath in rhythm with each rock.
Clearing his throat he spoke up, "I'm so sorry, I just didn't know. If I had known it would end like this, I would have… I don't know. Given you more encouragement? Made a show of your leaving? Allowed for a far better good bye." His smile turned wistful and he blinked. Moisture in his eyes? He wiped them with the back of his hand, mystified. "I'm sorry for that. Maybe I could have even come with you. You know that one of those men is after me. So perhaps I can collect some payment for your demise."
He set the body down and started to collect large chunks of fallen wood. When he had gathered enough he piled it concisely then added some dead, dry leaves. The fire would need fuel if it were to burn hot enough to melt bone matter. He wanted nothing left for the animals of the forest. Aoshi deserved the best send off he could provide, and he fully intended to give it to him. Too bad those filthy humans still had his head. He hoped they hadn't placed it on a spike or some other barbaric custom they seemed to be so fond of.
With an expert flick he struck a shower of sparks. They caught on the pier and within an instant had flared up. Greedily they raced to consume everything in their reach. Soujirou sat patiently, watching the blaze turn his lover to ash.
A/N: And that made me sick writing it, so I don't think I'll be a torturer as a career choice. I hope the timeline isn't getting too muddled, but they all work at different hours! *growls*
Reviewers:
Fyyrrose: Glad you think so. Makes me hungry for some popcorn now, maybe I'll go downstairs after I finish updating and watch the rest of Tekken. Eww, I wouldn't want to eat anything I shot, but since I'm a veggie it's not really a good comparison. No more kitty cat, and I can't believe you ate some! She did remember to get the small, right? I've told her over and over to get small! You can't wiggle out of it. =P you know you missed me! Heck, I missed myself. Too much family time I guess. I'd like to see the 'Aoshi's Dead' dance, is it anything like the 'I Told You So' Dance or is it more like the 'Pee Pee' Dance? You scare them all the time, they should be used to it by now. I know my dogs are. *sweatdrop* I haven't kill Misao, so? I have plans for her still.
Mary-Ann: Amazingly, I was whining that Aoshi vs. Enishi was a pain because of their weapon/style difference, but at least I didn't have to add much dialogue! Now I'm wishing the rest of them didn't talk so much. Hiko wouldn't have, just like Enishi wouldn't interfer in Hiko's fight if the tables were turned. The werewolves most certainly know who they are, but is that good or bad? I'm assuming that they both were counting on the fact that the two would be recognized. As for how about the town... well, either he has an inside source or the werewolves work in a pattern ^.~
eriesalia: Wow, that's something I totally wasn't expecting. In fact, I was expecting some assassination attempts on the writer's life. Megumi grew up with only her mother for guidence so she thinks males are dumbasses ^__^ And treats them accordingly.
MissBehavin: Oh yes, he seems perfectly fine until he opens his mouth and it all goes to heck (that one's been pinned to me more times than I'd care to admit). The ego/attitude floors me every time, I have so much trouble writing the man! I guess I'm more like Kenshin -__-' Some lasting herbs *grins*. Misao will be herself, and Sano will be himself. That doesn't bode well for either of them, does it?
April-san: O__O Against Enishi I hope! Yes, think of it as a vacation for vampire Aoshi. Keeping them in character is getting easier with practice I think, even though they are all OOC in my other humor fic ^^;;; Anyhow, we've yet to actually see any one fight besides Enishi and Aoshi ^.~
Wistful-Eyes: This story is like 3x faster than my other ones, I don't know why. It's also a ton longer. *pouts* I keep trying to convince someone to take me to "The Last Samurai", but it's looking like I'll have to wait for it to come out on video.