Chapter Fourteen: The Awaited Encounter..or is it?

Sweat had drenched both Kumori and Miki as they stopped to take a breather. The two hid behind a stone wall of the destroyed village. Miki closed his eyes and took in a large breath, only to have his lungs scream in pain. He looked over at the silent Kumori as she quietly took her rest. She hadn't said anything since they got there.

Flashback

"Alright, men. This is the encounter we've been waiting years for. We got to make it count. Remember one our motto, 'Death before Defeat'. Don't forget it. When we move in, no prisoners. Kill everything that moves. Red Beard has already desecrated these people. Don't be afraid to kill whatever they have turned into."

Miki looked towards Kumori and saw that she was a daydream state. She is probably thinking of the people that we couldn't save, Miki thought to himself. He cleared his throat and which got her attention. She nodded, answering his unasked question that was clearly saw in his eyes. They headed out in search of Red Beard in his men...only to find out minutes later that it was an ambush.

End of Flashback

Miki grabbed a hold of Kumori's hand. She snapped out of her dazed expression and looked at him questioningly. He gave her a reassured smile then let go of it. The two were the only survivors of what group of men that came with them. More shots were heard in a distance and the two began to run again. They had to find a secure place and get their bearings. No back, no weapons, and no where to go. They had no choice but to run.

"Where did he go?" Sounded Miki looking around.

"What do you mean where did he go? He's a ten foot tall giant!"

"Come out...Come out wherever you are!" Shouted a deep evil sounding voice. The sound that would make anything get chills up their spine.

"...that would be him..." sounded Kumori.

Miki observed his surroundings before he jogged to another stone wall. Kumori waited for a sign of safety before leaving her spot. This had not turned out as expected. She had to watch innocent people die in front of her and couldn't do anything for them, but watch. Images of their blood and limp bodies kept coming up, hence the dazed looks she gave Miki. It was so hard to get her head together. Her conscience wouldn't allow her to forget the faces...so many faces.

Realizing she was in one of her hypnotized moods, she quickly snapped out and glanced around where Miki was. When she spotted him, she started to run without waiting for a signal. That turned out to be a big mistake. Everything was too quick for her to remember all the details, for Miki it was as if someone pushed the 'slow motion' on life. There was a blasting sound and then Kumori went down. Miki's eyes widened as he screamed out her name. Without thinking himself, he rushed to help her up. She wasn't moving.

"Kumori!"

Miki had almost reached her body when another blast sounded and then a jolting pain in his side. His mind registered that he had been shot in the side and collapsed on the ground a few feet away from his friend. Miki grunted and lifted his head from the puddle it had landed in. From the shadows, cast by the burning village, came a large buff figure. It came into view where Miki got a moment to look him over. The man was huge compared to the many men Miki has came across in his lifetime. Where he got his height, no one knew, they just feared it. He had dark forest green eyes and almond shaped. His hair was short and spiked up. A thin goute surrounded his mouth and covered his entire chin. In the future it would grow longer, Miki thought. His hair wa a bright, almost orange colored red. It took on the shape and color of fire itself. Red Beard wasn't wearing any type of top. 'Who would if they were that size?' He had silver armor plates covering his shoulders and arms. He had a dark skin coating for pants, which came from his first victim's body. On top of them were almost armor plates covering them. He had a belt of leather and bones wrapped around his waist. He had a gold band around his heard that had red rubies embedded in it. Apparently it was his crown. He had maching bands on his arms and wrists. Around his neck was a leather strap with a sharp tooth from each creature he had defeated. The last part of his attire was the pair of earings. The were silver three ring link hanging above his shoulders. At the end was another pair of diamond shaped rubies. In his right hand he had a long sword and in the other, on of Miki's guns.

Miki glanced back at Kumori's body then back up at his enemy. Red Beard grew closer to her body and must've noticed Miki's despair. The man smiled evilily at Miki and pointed the gun to Kumori's head. The silver headed man growled and quickly tried to crawl to her. Red Beard waited until he was close enough, the used his foot to kick Miki dead in the chest. He went flying a few more feet back, landing up against one of the last stone walls that were still standing.

Your opponent may seem strong and will probably be the first to knock you down. Let him. He is a coward deep down inside and because he is a coward...he won't be able to resist one last kick. That's when you strike.

Red Beard lifted up his foot and swung to kick the still body. Inches before it reached her, Kumori held up her hands and grabbed him. He widen his eyes in surprise, as he was caught off guard. Kumori held his foot up and then pulled it out from under him, making him land on his ass. He lost grip of the gun and it was tossed out of reach for any of them. Kumori stood up and looked down up at him. She kicked his sword away from him. She walked over his body, so that she stood above him with her hands on her hips. He looked up at her still confused of what just happened. Kumori stared down at him in pure hatred.

"You murdered millions of innocent people."

That was all she said before she sunk down on him in a straddling position and started to punch him as hard as she could. Every time she saw a face in her mind, she punched him harder. She screamed and shouted, and with every punch she felt so sort of release. In some part of her mind, she thought that she would avenge each innocent with a bloody punch. Kumori felt him become motionless. She swung until there was no more anger in her and only more tears. Tears because of the people that would never live a happy life or grow up because of this monster. She slid off him and to the side crying. All this pain coming from just one man. What would cause someone to be like this? She breathed in and sniffed a few times before looking up at the still body beside her. The man was large, so they could not simply move him. They would have to bury him here. Better yet, completely burn the body and leave it here with his victims. But they needed proof that they did kill him though. Kumori looked at the body and decided to take something from him to give evidence they had. The firs thing she noticed was that stupid crown. That would be her proof. She bent over his body and started to slide the crown of his head when a hand grabbed her wrist. As soon as she looked down at his face, his eyes popped open. Kumori let out a gasp and let go of the crown, trying to escape his grasp. He pulled on her tighter and then pushed her on her back in the mud. He know laid on top of her, pinning her arms above her head. Kumori squirmed beneath him, struggling to get away from him. He laughed and crossed her arms, then held it with one of his hands as the other one trailed down the side of her body.

"You know..I never had someone try to fight me before. It's very refreshing to have new blood."

"You disgusting little pig! GET OFF OF ME! UGH I WILL KILL YOU!"

This only made him laugh louder as if the situation was really funny. Kumori's anger came back, but was suddenly replaced with fear with his hands. She kicked and screamed as much as she could and he wouldn't budge. Red Beard knelt down and pressed his cold dry lips on hers. He tasted awful, Kumori thought to herself. Her lips were sore and probably bruised by now, his hands trailing up her body and landing on one of her breast. He moved his lips in a trail down her neck. Kumori bent her head back and let out the loudest sound she could make. Half scream, half cry. She kicked at him and finally he spread her legs with one of his knees. He lifted his head in a deep lustful voice he called out to her.

"Kumori...do you know how long it's been since I've had a woman? Much less like you?"

"LET ME GO!"

Red Beard moved his hand to her back and started to unzip her suit top. There was a clicking sound and he stopped what he was doing. Kumori's cries were still heard in the back as he turned his head, only to come face to face with a gun. He glanced up at the person who was holding the gun and saw Miki.

"Make another move and I swear I will blow your brains out."

The larger man did what he was told. Miki motioned for him to get up slowly, and he did.

"Put your hands in the air. I want to see them high up. Good...now stay that way."

Miki kept the gun pointed at Red Beard while he bent over and helped Kumori up. She clung to his side and cried in his shoulder. Miki had never seen the brave butterfly spirit

act like this before. She wasn't suppose to cry. To have any feelings at all. But here she was, shaken and crying. He wanted to ask her, but knew it wasn't such a good idea with their enemy so close. Something was up and when this was over, he was going to figure it out. Then the thought clicked. Serenity? That meant that the spell was wearing off quicker than they thought. NO wonder she was so damn emotional. It wasn't Kumori who was doing this, it was Serenity. Her soul must be getting stronger. Miki looked down at the figure in his arms. When he looked back up, Red Beard had disappeared. Miki looked around frantically in search but with no success. He cursed out loud.

"Damnit to Hell! WE HAD HIM!"

He felt with each curse, Kumori's body would jolt. Miki sighed and held her with both arms now.

"It's okay, Kumori. We'll find him again."

When they had established a connection with the main ship again, back up arrived to pick them up. Two ships arrived, one for Miki and Kumori, and the other for the fallen soldiers. They thought it was strange that Kumori went in the cruiser and not even attempt to bury the bodies of the villagers. Miki told them that it was a long story and that if they felt like it, to give a proper burial before returning to the ship.

For days on in, Kumori spent her time in her room. By then, every one had heard what had happened. They secretly decided to just let her be until she was ready to move on. As for Miki, he stayed locked up in his work, not wanting to be bothered.

"Miki?"

The silver headed captain looked up from his chair in the control room. He had spent his day just staring out at the large screen. When he heard a voice calling him, he turned around to face Kumori. She looked weak and tired. He must've reflected the same thing, because she was looking him over as well. It took her a moment to gather her settings then stood firmly, as she did before the attack. He raised an eye brow at her new figure. The weakness had passed and she stood in front of him as brave and fearless as if nothing had happened.

"Yes?"

" I have decided that with or without your approval, I'm leaving for a while."

He didn't blame her, why should he? She has just come back from hell. He nodded and stood in front of her.

"I see...and where would you go?"

She was silent for a long time, in her dazed expression again, then to the screen behind him. Kumori pointed and Miki turned around to see nothing but space. He looked back at her questionably. Kumori met his gaze and grew stiff.

"Earth."

Miki went pale and his heart stopped at the planet's name. His crew members, he just now noticed, were staring at the two. Ready for any orders, but also surprised at the location as much as he was.

"You want to go to Earth?"

"Yes."

"Why?"

"I need some answers. I've been having visions lately of Earth. "

"Visions? Like what?"

Miki's throat went dry. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. He saw that her hair was shiny in some parts where the light gathered. He glanced up and saw that her silver strands were now being replaced by a dirty blonde. Her dark glowing purple eyes were fading into a dim shade of midnight blue. Her facial features were becoming younger, and he could tell that she had blood running through her again. Before, she had been so pale and cold that no one could tell is she was alive or dead. Now he could see it. Color was coming back, along with a shiny sparkle in her eyes...The spell was wearing off. He saw that he lips were moving, but no sounding was coming out. He shook his head and heard the last part of her sentence.

" ...I am no longer just Kumori Mika, now. My former soul is taking back the body and we are almost fusing together. In time, there will be only her again..."

Miki cursed under his breath and Kumori caught it. Both were aware of what the disadvantage of losing Kumori were. He closed his eyes and took in deep breaths, then looked at his crew members. Swearing again.

"You heard her. Set our locations to Earth."

AN: Thanks for the reviews! Hope you liked the chapter. I will have the next one read by the weekend! Plus a "Special Suprise" for ya at the end of the next chapter. Well gotta go! LATERZ