hey, sorry for such a late update. I thank you all for your reviews! i really appreciate that! And thanks for telling me that i accidentally erased my first chapter! Well, i'll be gone for the weekend and i probabaly won't update for long, i hope this chapter will make it up, please enjoy! (and review)
Mahiru slowly brought the brush across the parchment. Slowly, she concentrated on the words that flowed quickly out of her mind and into the writing. It was a letter to burn – a letter for her parents. Mahiru sighed softly as she brushed her hair out of her eyes.
It has been one week since Keiko had disappeared; whether or not the girl made it, Mahiru did not know. But each and every not, she worried that Keiko was found (not that she hated Keiko) and revealed the secret that she was secretly seeing a Tenyu…and falling in love with a demon.
She sighed again, this time louder than before. "Princess, Princess!" a voice called from outside. Mahiru flinched as she recognized the voice. Quickly, she hid the parchment in her kimono and allowed the speaker to enter.
"Princess, where's Keiko?" Hokuto barged in, his eyes glaring down at the Princess. Mahiru held his glare and answered,
"I do not know." Mahiru's voice was calm and in control. "She wished to be free, and so she was. And besides, why do you care?" Quite a childish question but she was, after all, fourteen. (Is that her right age?)
"I thought I told you." Hokuto growled. "And another thing, have you seen those demons? I've heard they were terrorizing the kingdom again."
"I'm not even allowed outside this room because of it, what do you think?" Mahiru retorted sourly. Hokuto learned about the demons' outings during the night and forbid the princess to go out. "And why do I have to listen to you, anyway?"
"Or I'll tell other kingdoms that you're the lone ruler of the place." Hokuto smirked deathly. Mahiru shuddered. "Who will the guards listen to? You or me? You're just a mere girl, they'll think your delusional." Mahiru looked down. 'He's right.' Mahiru thought. 'Crap.'
Her eyes looked up showing no emotions. "So, you wish to make…Keiko your…"
"Yes, after I find her. And she will no matter what." Hokuto said. 'Unless she rejects you,' Mahiru said to herself. Mahiru truly hates Hokuto; she never knew why her parents hired him in the first place. He's a no good, blackmailing, scheming bastard that can't be stop unless he is killed.
"So, what do you wish to do with the demons after they are found?" Mahiru asked.
"Simple, I will behead them and show the village what the demons really look like." Hokuto laughed. She stifled a gasp. His voice was serious even with the hearty laugh. Mahiru looked down and was too afraid to even gaze upon his face. "You do not have a problem with that, do you, Princess?"
"T-there is…the children, they'll be scared with all that blood and –," Mahiru started.
"Then they'll never grow up to be strong." Hokuto sneered. The Princess looked away. 'That heartless jerk…' she thought to herself. 'One day, I really hope that he will be exiled!' Mahiru gripped her hands together tightly. "We are in need of a stronger army, if the children are scared of a dead demon, they'll die at war."
"You're going to draft children?" Mahiru gasped, horrified at the thought. "Hokuto, I cannot allow that! I know that our kingdom is in a deep fall, but we cannot draft children and send them to war! That's not human! They'll DIE, Hokuto!"
"Then so be it, they're weak if they die." Hokuto jeered. Mahiru gasped. This couldn't be help. The lives of a few children were all she can spare for the lives of the whole kingdom. Blackmailing the Princess so that his wish can be fulfilled, how despicable. Mahiru gritted her teeth trying not to cry of frustration.
'If only Mitsuru were here,' she couldn't help thinking that. 'No! Hokuto will kill him…' As much as Mahiru hated to come to the truth, Hokuto does have to power to kill Mitsuru and the Lunar Race.
"Now, listen closely, Princess. Do not speak of this to anyone, and one more thing, search for Keiko." Hokuto drew himself near Mahiru, not a romantic gesture, more of a deathly gesture. He held a dagger near her throat barely scraping it, just enough for a drop of red liquid to fall on the blade. A quick stingy feeling surrounded the small rip. "IF this gets out, more of this will be poured out."
Mahiru's eyes were wide opened. She was too scared to do anything right. Her shoulders shook frantically as Hokuto walked out without regrets. Slumping down, Mahiru looked at her hands gripping the tatame. "How can I let this happen? I'm in charge here!" Mahiru exclaimed. 'No I'm not,' she thought. 'I never was…Hokuto will kill the whole kingdom if I – I try to stand up to him…' She let out a hopeless sigh. How can she rule if she feels so very weak?
Keiko woke up and realized that today marked the day that she fled from the palace. She didn't know whether she should celebrate or be worried. There was always something bothering her. Why was she there with the demon? And where are the demons? She twisted around nervously and then found that Shion – or perhaps Katsura if she had return from her illness – left her some breakfast.
Not feeling hungry, she forced herself to eat the food. True, the food tasted beautiful but…she couldn't eat it. She didn't feel like eating. Eating made her feels like she was going to vomit it out, but she couldn't be rude and leave it there. She can't be rude after they took her in and gave her a home and clothed her and fed her. "I should thank them." Keiko reasoned. "But…" she knew that sinking fear in her heart. She can't bring herself to say it.
Keiko hugged her knees close to her. The plate was empty – save the crumbs on it. Getting up finally, the girl started to walk out. After being here for a week, she knew this place fairly well.
"Hey! You're awake!" Akira smiled. Keiko stepped back when the boy appeared out of nowhere. He's a like a cute little puppy that follows you everywhere; annoying but you don't want to get rid of him. Keiko tried to smile back – or at least what she considers a smile.
"Yea, I guess I am," she replied lamely. Akira was still smiling. 'How does he always act so happy?' Keiko thought. The death of her family and village seriously damaged her personality. But he, he was always smiling – endlessly. Keiko knew, because Akira told her, that his family was wiped out and he was lucky he made it.
"You told me your story, so I'll tell you mine!" Akira had said. Keiko looked down feeling better somehow. 'Maybe he slipped some remedy into my food.' Keiko reasoned. Then suddenly thought, 'Remedy for sadness? Right…' She followed Akira out to the garden.
"You've spent a lot of time here, in the garden I mean." Akira said. Keiko nodded to realize that he was correct. After she discovered the beautiful garden, she had spent much time here. It was calming. Even when it was raining outside, the garden was mysteriously dried afterwards. In a pond, a carp swam lazily around the edge waiting to be fed. "Here, you want to feed it?" he asked handing over some cabbage.
Hesitantly, Keiko took it and looked down at the carps. "Don't worry, they don't bite." Akira joked. Keiko frowned at his comment but went to feed the carp anyway. A small nibble was felt at the edge of her finger. It tickles. Keiko chuckled at the feeling. (I don't think a girl like her will giggle.) "Yea, like that. See, it doesn't hurt."
"I never said I was afraid that it will hurt!" Keiko snapped.
"I know." Akira replied, smiling. 'How does he do that?' Keiko was shocked. 'I've been a jerk sometimes, but he smiles on anyway.' Akira continued, "It's fun…to spend time with you, Keiko."
Keiko felt her heart pace quicken. Not knowing herself, she smiled genuinely at Akira.
"You look pretty when you smile. You should smile more often." Akira said. Keiko didn't know whether to take it as a compliment or insult. She looked pretty – good, when she smiled – does it mean she looks ugly when she doesn't? Suddenly aware of how she looked, she gazed at her reflection in the mirror. Honestly, her hair was a mess! "Don't worry, you look fine. Here," he handed her more cabbages. "They're still hungry."
"I guess they are." Keiko murmured looking down at the carps that swam, now energetically, for food.
After feeding, Akira walked around the garden and told Keiko to wait for him. Obediently, yet confused, she sat on the stone bench and looked around. She gazed up at the pale moon that was not yet lit. 'Must be early afternoon.' Keiko thought. While wondering how long they've stayed out in the garden, her stomach let out a gurgle. Instantly, she clutched her stomach and blushed. She was quite thankful that Akira wasn't there – or so she thought.
"I knew you'd be hungry right about now." Akira appeared with a dish of food in his hand. "Didn't know you where that hungry." Keiko blushed even more. 'Just rub it in, will you?' Keiko said to herself. "Well, I wasn't sure what you liked so I just made some riceballs…" Keiko gave a nervously glance at the carps. 'They keep the carps…just to eat them?' she thought in horror. Noticing her gaze, he saw her staring at the carps and then the food. "Don't worry, it's not carp."
"Thanks…" Keiko said. She took the riceball up gingerly and took a bite. The flavor flowed into her mouth as soon as she took a bite. Slightly amazed at the rich flavor, she swallowed and took another bite.
Akira toyed with his share of the riceball then ate it. Keiko was tempted to say, "Don't play with your food," but halted as she saw what Akira did. He made a battle scene with his food. Narrating and acting it out, Keiko couldn't help but laugh. Never has she seen someone of that age play with food like that – then again, she never seen anyone play with food at Akira's age at all. Hearing Keiko's laughter, he let out a howl of laughter as well. Keiko froze; that howl – she felt herself slip into another vision.
A werewolf howling in the night – a horrified howl a saddening howl. Something was missing from its heart. Not its…his. Yes, positive this werewolf is male.
Keiko felt herself being pushed forward. Instantly, all the food fell to the floor including Akira's. She crouched down, coughing. Her hair was covering her face. Beads of cold sweat ran down her forehead. "Keiko?" Akira placed his hands on her shoulders. "What's wrong?"
"A-Akira…" Keiko rasped. Without another word, Keiko slumped towards Akira and fainted.
Keiko opened her eyes slowly. Her temples hurt – probably from the vision, or maybe from something else. She got up and saw that there was a plate of riceballs next to her. 'Akira must've left it.' Keiko thought. Keiko looked away from the food quite ashamed of all the things she had just put Akira through.
Judging by the darkness of the room, it was night. Keiko stood up and pushed open her door taking the riceballs with her. She walked around eating the riceballs as she went. Wandering the halls again, if she got lost it won't matter. Someone always found her before she starts to worry. Keiko meandered around trying to maintain her boredom level to a minimum. 'Maybe there's somewhere else that I haven't seen before…' What a stupid question. Of course there's somewhere she's never been before! A voice inside her head snapped.
"Hm…" Keiko sighed. She couldn't sleep, and she knew it. So wandering was the best she can do.
"You think the Princess will keep her?" a voice asked. Keiko identified it as Misoka's voice.
"I don't know." Mitsuru's voice came loud and harsh. Keiko felt his voice bring shudder to her skin. Keiko listened intently, though. She held her breath and let it out softly and drew it in again. "I think she will."
"But why can't she stay here?" definitely Akira's voice.
"Because it's too dangerous!" Mitsuru replied harshly. "You forget, she told us that he was looking for us! Trying to destroy us! For all I care, that Keiko girl might be a spy – "
"No!" Akira cried. "She can't! She's not!"
"Akira, calm down." Nozomu sighed. "Mitsuru, she's of no danger to us. She's human, really human."
"What did you drink her blood?" came Mitsuru's caustic remark.
"No," Nozomu said coolly. "It's pretty obvious by the looks of her!"
"True that she's human, but it might be best for her to leave…" Misoka suggested. Keiko slumped down. What did Mitsuru mean by saying, "What did you drink her blood?" the phrase, "Drink her blood," echoed through her head.
She heard Akira protest then started to walk out. Keiko held her breath and crawled out quickly to the other turn. Keiko was panting, not from weariness for she was not tired, but from fear. 'C-can they be the demons I saw Mahiru with? No…it can't be…'
Finally, the night of the First Quarter moon came. One by one, they turned into the demons that they were. Mitsuru stretched out his wings. It felt good to know that he had power over "stupid humans", as he put it. He turned to his friends. They were all transformed – nobody could tell that they were what they once were. Misoka turned into a tall, handsome kitsune. Akira turned into a werewolf, covered in fur; nobody can recognize him if compared to his human form. Nozomu turned into a tall, dark vampire. His lust for blood was sustained, thankfully.
"Is Mahiru there?" Misoka asked. Nozomu had sent one of his bats there to make sure that it was "all clear". Slowly, the vampire nodded and they all climbed down from the roof. Mahiru looked up and smiled at her friends. No matter their appearance, they were still her friends.
"So, you wanted to talk to me about something? Bat-san told me." Mahiru held the little bat that Nozomu gave her as a "walkie talkie". "What is it? He wouldn't give me details."
"There's a girl at our place and – " Akira started stubbornly. Mitsuru's glare silenced him momentarily.
"We found a girl…" Mitsuru said. A coincidental feeling rose to Mahiru, but she shook it off. "Can you take care of her?"
Mahiru answered truthfully, "I'm sorry, but I can't. This place is packed as it is. And…a girl appearing out of nowhere? That's suspicious." Mitsuru looked down and Akira did a little victory dance.
"But she can be of danger to us!" Mitsuru cried. "Can't you just take her? Say you found her – "
"Where?" Mahiru finished.
"She got you there." Nozomu laughed. Mitsuru grunted.
"Well, I'll let her stay only for a few more weeks, but when it's the next Full Moon, she is to stay here," Mitsuru said.
"I'm not sure," Mahiru said doubtfully. "Are you sure she can be of danger?"
"Yes!" Mitsuru cried.
Mahiru looked down, "Okay…then…but the next Full Moon…but I'll have to think of why she's here…"
"Thank you, Princess." Misoka bowed.
"What's her name?" Mahiru asked after returning the bow.
"I think it was…" Nozomu started.
"It's Keiko." Akira smiled. Mahiru looked shocked. 'They found her! Of all people…oh please don't let her find out. She'll…she'll…she is of danger to them…somewhat at least.'
"That's a nice name…I think we use to have a girl called Keiko here. But she's gone now." Mahiru smiled sadly.
"Really? Coincidence." Akira confirmed.
"I really hope so…" Mahiru whispered to herself.
Keiko paused and looked around again. She was corrected, nobody was there – except for Oboro and Shion. Come to think of it, where was Katsura? It's been nearly two weeks since she's seen her. Keiko started outside to the garden and sat near the pond again. Looking at the carps, she tossed some food down.
"Hey, feeling lonely?" she asked to the carps. Suddenly stopping herself, she laughed at her own stupidity. "What am I doing? Talking to fishes?"
Her skin pricked and her vision blurred suddenly. When she regained her vision, she saw that she was going through another prophecy. This time, four demons came…. the same demons that she saw with Mahiru! They're landing…here! Inside THIS garden!
Scared, Keiko stood up and ran towards the shrubs and hid. Luckily, the side effects of the prophecy didn't come just yet. She still had energy. Maybe she could stay there – then maybe she could find out why they were coming into this garden. But really, what would demons want with such a garden?
A large shadow passed Keiko's eyes. 'What?' she thought. Her eyes followed the shadow and a loud thud came from the garden. Someone is here. Keiko tried to scoot back into the bushes to hide herself even more. Useless attempt she should say.
In a flash, Keiko saw some more demons enter: a fox, a vampire, and a werewolf. 'How can this be?' Keiko thought. 'Why is it that I will see them again?'
"Well, nobody's here," the werewolf said – in a familiar tone to Keiko's ears. 'He sounds like – no it can't be…' Keiko reasoned.
"We can tell," the tengu said. She heard the werewolf breathe out in an unappreciative grunt. Suddenly, the tengu morphed; Keiko watched intently at the transformation. She couldn't believe it – the tengu morphed into Mitsuru! The demons did the same as Mitsuru, morphing into human form. The fox was Misoka, the vampire was Nozomu, and – and the werewolf was Akira!
She couldn't help herself this time; Keiko fell backwards, suddenly feeling the pain of the result of her prophecy. She landed loudly enough for them to hear. "Kei-Keiko." Akira gasped seeing the girl.
"How much did you see?" Nozomu asked, his voice wasn't gentle but it wasn't harsh, either. Keiko couldn't reply. Her eyes were wide and clouded with fear.
"I told you she can't be able to stay." Mitsuru growled he started to morph slightly, the tattoos on his face appearing. His nails turning into claws.
"No!" Akira stood protectively in front of Keiko. Suddenly, it hit her. This was like her vision – the demon werewolf was morphed into a boy and that explained why she was here herself. Akira turned around. "Please don't tell anyone?"
Keiko shuddered as Akira placed his hand on her shoulder. He can't be a demon – such a kind-hearted boy, he can't be a demon! But yet he is…Slowly, Keiko nodded. "I-I won't tell anyone…I promise." Akira smiled.
"Then, do you know the Princess?" Misoka said all of a sudden. Keiko looked up. "The Princess, Mahiru."
"Mahiru?" Keiko echoed. "Why? Why do you want to know?"
"You were at the garden last time, weren't you?" Misoka was filling in all the blanks quickly. Keiko dipped her head. "I'm right, aren't I?"
"Okay, you're right, good for you, so what are we going to do with her?" Mitsuru snapped. "Hey, girl, you're going to be moving back to the Princess Mahiru."
Keiko froze. Hell no! It was prison back there! She glared up at the tengu. "No." she said plainly and clearly. Mitsuru hated to be defied. But now he is – and there was nothing he can do about it. "It's a living hell back there, worse then when my village was killed. I am not going back there!" she cried.
Akira beamed, a grin growing from side to side. Even so a werewolf and she a human, he was glad that she was staying. He feared that Keiko would want to leave – especially when she found that they were demons. 'She's going to stay,' that phrase kept going on and on in his mind.
"No. You're moving back when the next Full Moon is here." Mitsuru said. Not the coming Full Moon – the next; Keiko sighed. Back to the prison in the palace, where servants will constantly annoy her that doesn't seem to have anything to do. Where Mahiru will try hard to "befriend" her and where Hokuto will always try to see her. Keiko sighed. 'I can't stay here forever…' she reasoned sadly.
"Fine…I'll go," she said reluctantly. Akira gave her a painful look. "Why are you looking at me like that? I'll still be here for at least a month!" Keiko snapped. 'And besides, you can visit me.' She added to herself. Akira quickly tried to change his expression into a smile, but still, his painful look laid deep within him.
"So, what else do you have that you didn't tell us?" Nozomu asked. Keiko looked away. "Hmm, you do have something?"
"You don't need to know." Keiko said.
"Maybe, maybe not." Misoka responded. Keiko gritted her teeth. "You keep our secret, we will keep ours." Misoka promised. She was unsure though, is it safe? To tell them about her Prophecy abilities, what if they used it for wrong? She shuffled nervously on her knee.
"It's been a long night," Akira said suddenly. "Let's go." He grabbed Keiko by the arm and lead her (and dragged her) out of the garden leaving his companions speechless.
Walking behind Akira in the mansion, she looked down. It all happened so fast that it seemed unreal, like a dream. A dreamlike feeling, somehow, she enjoyed that feeling. 'Wait – if they're demons…then shouldn't Oboro, Shion and Katsura be demons as well?'
"Oboro, Shion, Katsura," she murmured aloud. Turning around, Akira gave her a skeptical look. "Are they demons as well?" Akira scratched his head as if thinking.
"Well…" he started. "Shion and Katsura…well, they're the same person."
"What?" Keiko yelled in surprise. "But – they're – they're not the same gender!"
"Yea, the thing is, Katsura changes gender every half month." Akira said almost humorously. "You get use to it, though."
"Then Oboro…" her voice trailed off.
"I'm not really sure if I can say that he's a demon." Akira said truthfully. "If he is, I've never seen him as a demon."
Hokuto gripped his hands tightly together and placed in front of his mouth and rested his chin on it. A map with dark splotches over it lay in front of him. He grunted. They've searched everywhere! Where is she?
"Hokuto-sama," Mutsura walked in. He kneeled down waiting for Hokuto to allow him up, without looking up from the map, he motion Mutsura to stand.
"Where can she be?" Hokuto growled. Mutsura shrugged.
"Heavens know," he sighed.
"I don't want that kind of damn answer!" Hokuto shouted. "Where is she? You've searched everywhere? Are you sure?"
"Well," he began. Hokuto gripped Mutsura's collar making him him meaning Mutsura slightly choked.
"Well what?" Hokuto demanded.
"Not everywhere," Mutsura stated. Hesitantly, he pointed to a forest. "My men's been there – they said they saw demons."
"Demons?" Hokuto repeated.
"Yea, and there was a girl with them." Mutsura went on.
"Keiko," he breathed. "They found her. Mutsura you're a genius!" He instantly dropped Mutsura on the ground having him pant from the strangling at first.
"Why do you want that girl anyway? Just leave her to die." Mutsura said.
"Hmm." Hokuto laughed. "She has a great potential," he said. "And…"
"And what?" Mutsura asked quietly not daring to go any louder.
"And she will become my wife." Hokuto cried.
hey, i hope this will definitely make up for my absense! i hope you enjoy this! please, review- Rin-chan