Chapter SEVEN: Memories

Kaoru was racing down the brown pathway that led deep within the forest. Blood was dripping from her blue kimono, the stench of death all around her as she ran for her life. Her creamy white skin was tainted with blood as she raced down the road toward the Silver River to clean herself of the darkness that now clung to her. She ran behind a tree as she noticed the group of vampires catching up to her with weapons in hand, her breathing coming out in rigid gasps as she began to shiver.

Once they were gone, she ran onward toward the river. She didn't know why she was going there, she just had to get there. Not realizing where she was going, she ran on and staggered back when she rushed right into the powerful chest of a being before her.

Sapphire orbs widened in horror as she saw the face of not a vampire, but a werewolf. The creature's icy blue eyes bore into her own as he advanced on her.

The werewolf was in its human form, clothed in a trench coat, twin kodachi hanging to his sides as he glided towards her with confidence in each stride.

Turning, she raced the other way. She had to get away from the creature, she couldn't let him catch her and use her to get to the other weapons and use it for his own gain.

Kaoru ran on, her legs racing toward another destination that she didn't know was even there. All she knew was that she had to get away from the monster that was chasing her.

She stopped suddenly as she came toward a cliff, the pebbles falling down to the river below. The sorceress backed away, but upon turning around she saw the creature she had been avoiding advance toward her with a grin on his features.

A scream pierced through the air like a knife cutting through rice paper.

Kaoru could feel herself fall down towards the rushing water, blood flowing out of her injured left shoulder. She had barely time to catch the glimpse of the black weapon when it came from above and fell down upon her; threatening to end her life.

She felt herself tumbling down toward the raging water, could feel the air leave her lungs and be replaced by the blue liquid as she crashed down upon the river's glimmering, indigo surface. Her lithe form was carried away with the water like a leaf getting carried by the roaring winds in a storm.

When she finally managed to open her eyes, she coughed up the water that remained within her limp body. Her eyes snapped open as she realized that she was being held by a pair of warm arms, which were wrapped protectively around her form.

Looking up at her savior's face, she felt herself becoming mesmerized by the shining amethyst eyes that promised her protection, warmth, and a hint of love.

"You'll be all right, little one," said the man, his voice vibrating through her, calming her into relaxation.

Taking in his handsome features, she couldn't help but smile weakly at him. His blood-red locks placed in a high ponytail, his face clear of any scars, his white outfit making him look like a knight, and his smile taking her breath away.

When he was about to put her down, she shook her head and clung onto him, not wanting to leave his warmth and feel vulnerable again.

"Please don't leave me," she whispered into his chest.

"I won't. I'll hold you until you go to sleep. I promise you I'll be here once you wake up. Just go to sleep," soothed the man as he moved the stray hair from her face with a comforting smile.

She hadn't even noticed the fangs that appeared from his smile, she was just happy to be in his arms.

"What's your name?" asked the warm voice.

"Kaoru..."

"My name is Shinta," said the deep voice that echoed through her mind as she slowly drifted off to sleep again.

xXoXx

Kaoru suddenly woke up in a cold sweat. She looked around frantically, hoping to find Shinta beside her somewhere.

Realizing that she was lying on a futon in a dark room, she sighed.

'Why did I dream about him again?' Questioned Kaoru to herself as she rubbed her pulsating temples with her quivering hands. He had abandoned her there beside the river and hadn't kept his promise of being there for her when she woke up.

She didn't understand why it meant so much to her that he hadn't been there. She didn't know why she still longed to see him again, why his broken promise tore at her so even after so long.

The incident had happened a year ago, yet here she was, once again dreaming about the distant past. Actually, if she recalled correctly, it had happened on the same day that she had lost her parents and met Battousai in the Forbidden Woods.

The sorceress only shook her head. She had promised herself that she would forget about him, that he meant nothing to her, and the only reason why she wanted to see him again was to thank him for saving her life. But her heart knew better--it had been love at first sight. She had fallen in love with a complete stranger, yet he didn't seem like one at all. It was like she knew him long before that dreadful day that she almost lost her life to the rushing river.

Her vision began to blur as she remembered. Burning tears welled up in her eyes, threatening to fall as her mind caught up with her heart.

"Crying won't get you anywhere," a dark voice said to her left.

Her head snapped up and through her hazy vision, she made out the outline of Battousai. If the voice hadn't been so cold, she would have mistaken him for Shinta.

She wiped the tears from her face with the back of her hand, she wasn't going to cry before this creature.

The Dark Lord stood up and looked down at her.

Kaoru instinctively drew the blanket to her as he walked over to her, his amber eyes looking over her as if she were a rabbit and he the wolf.

Before anything was done, Battousai was at the door and had slid it open to reveal the owner of the place.

Soujiro stood on the other side, smiling as usual, his navy blue eyes looking at his brother. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Kaoru adjust her wrinkled robes on the futon.

"Breakfast is ready, milord," said Soujiro with a polite bow to his older sibling.

Battousai glared at him and had to stop himself from rolling his eyes. He saw his brother's smile and noticed that his eyes matched it for once. He had a feeling that Soujiro enjoyed annoying him with his formal greetings and gestures.

"Shall I send two trays in here or would you like to eat with us, Lord Battousai?" asked Soujiro.

"Send one tray in here. I'll feed on my own," said Battousai.

"Very well, milord," said Soujiro as he bowed and left the room, but not without meeting the sapphire orbs of his other guest.

The Prince of the Night slid the door shut before turning to face Kaoru, his eyes turning into a golden hue that seemed as if it had taken all the light from the sun. The room seemed to change into a darker shade of black as he looked at her.

"You are not to leave this room," said Battousai, his voice commanding, daring her to object. The threat that lingered in the air didn't go unheeded from his prisoner.

Once he was certain she understood, he stepped back into the darkness, the shadows enveloping his form as if eating him alive.

Kaoru let out a breath that she didn't know she was holding when she felt his dark aura vanish from the room. It was then that she finally managed to take a good look around the room. It seemed just like the other room that she had stayed in, just that it had a screen and seemed as if it weren't always so dark and gloomy.

Her eyes suddenly fell on the dagger and reverse-blade sword that were left behind, noticing the dark glow around them. She shivered as she felt the black aura that was their own and Battousai's. It seemed that the two weapons had already accepted him as their new Master. She really was surprised, considering that there was no one darker than the Battousai that was alive.

She cringed as she remembered why the weapons were made. Kaoru knew that once all seven weapons were found she would be destroyed, for that was what the weapons were created to do. But she also knew that she'd find a way to destroy all the weapons before that ever happened, she'd find a way to destroy them all once she got the chance. For now, all she could do is obey orders and try not to get killed before then. She wasn't going to die and that was that. She was going to live on, that's what they would have all wanted.

A knock at her door snapped her out of her thoughts. The door slowly slid open and in walked the Lord of the Seta Residence with a smile upon his face and a tray with simple dishes in his hand.

Closing the door, Soujiro walked toward Kaoru and placed the tray down before her as she nodded in thanks.

"I don't mean to be rude, but I didn't quite catch your name," said Soujiro as he moved a hand behind his head and smiled nervously.

"My name is Kaoru. Kaoru Kamiya," answered the teenager as she got off the futon and sat on her knees before her tray.

"That's a lovely name, Miss Kaoru. May I ask why you're with Lord Battousai?" asked Soujiro, his voice a bit more serious, yet still polite.

Kaoru stopped her chopsticks before her lips, the rice sticking to them.

Licking the rice from her mouth, she looked back up at Soujiro, her features becoming solemn.

"I didn't mean to pry into your business," said Soujiro as he moved to leave, but a gentle hand on his arm stopped him.

"You aren't," said Kaoru in a mere whisper as Soujiro sat back down.

"Your lord found me in the Forbidden Woods, you could say that he saved me," said Kaoru as she slowly began to eat her rice. Her eyes weren't looking at Soujiro as she spoke, but through him and back to the past of the fateful night that she had to go and stumble upon the Dark Lord himself.

Soujiro raised an eyebrow at her: Battousai saving a mortal? Now he was even more curious about the female before him. There was something about her that wasn't human and something about her that reminded him of Battousai. But why would a mortal remind him of his brother? Not unless... No it couldn't be true! Battousai would never do such a thing, not unless he marked her as his own.

His brain began to register thousands of possibilities that seemed reasonable, yet there was something wrong about thinking that Battousai would do something as to save a mortal from death. Battousai, the immortal known for his cruelty, power, and lust for blood had saved a mortal soul, it was just too much for one to comprehend, yet it wasn't too far from impossible.

The vampire lord looked at Kaoru seriously, he had so much to ask her, but something was holding him back. He now knew why Battousai was drawn to this girl, there was something about her that seemed impossible to forget, something that he couldn't quite understand.

"Milord?" asked Kaoru when she noticed that he seemed to be staring at her.

"Oh! I was just remembering something that I have to do, I'm supposed to be eating breakfast with my wife. Good day," said Soujiro as he nodded to her and quickly left the room, leaving Kaoru bewildered at his actions.

Kaoru only went back to eating quietly after Soujiro left. She would need her strength if she ever wanted to get out of Battousai's reach.

xXoXx

Battousai grinned as the red liquid dripped from his fangs and landed on his lips. Licking his lips, he walked calmly out of the woods. He always did enjoy the burning sensation that went down his throat every time he had his meals warm. It slid down his throat like warm milk and coated his mouth with a wonderful aftertaste like when you first drink fine wine, just ten times better.

Licking the rest of the blood from his fangs, he walked back onto the narrow path and towards Soujiro's home once again.

The Prince stopped when he felt a familiar dark ki come from behind him. He calmly turned around and faced the other vampire with narrowed eyes.

The vampire was in a blue officer outfit, his cap shielding his amber eyes as he grinned up at Battousai, not a single hint of fear present on his face. The man had a long katana to his left. He showed no respect to the immortal as he met Battousai's eyes, not bothering to bow to the creature like others would. The vampire was obviously either very powerful or very stupid.

"What do you want, Saitou?" asked Battousai.

Saitou only grinned, annoying the vampire lord with his insolence.

"Temper, temper, Battousai. You shouldn't let your anger blind you," said Saitou, clearing enjoying messing around with his lord.

Amber eyes narrowed into slits dangerously.

"I only came to tell you about Shinomori," said Saitou calmly when he realized that Battousai wasn't joking around anymore.

"What do the actions of the Oniwanbanshuu Leader have to do with anything, let alone me?" asked Battousai. He really had no interest for what the man did, since the Oniwanbanshuu Group had always been full of werewolves, and as a vampire, he had no care for them.

"I found something that might interest you, Battousai," said Saitou.

Battousai raised a questioning brow.

"Shinomori has chosen a mate," said Saitou in a low voice.

"That would concern me because?" asked Battousai, irritated that Saitou should bother him with such a thing that didn't concern him in any manner whatsoever.

"You know the rumors about him having the twin kodachi of the Seven Dark Diamond Weapons of Hell, don't you?" asked Saitou.

"Go on," said Battousai, now interested.

"I had Chou go there and find out more information, and it seems that his mate is rumored to have the kunai weapon with her. Though it's very doubtful from what my officer said. The girl seemed to be lying and Shinomori only wanting to marry her for her weapon seems inaccurate," said Saitou as he pulled out a cigar and lit it before taking in a long drag.

Battousai suddenly laughed, his laugh dark and rich just like his voice. The very sound seemed to be coated with its own dark aura.

Saitou only looked at him with amusement in his eyes.

"So, Shinomori wants to lead me to him, eh? Well, then I might as well take the invitation," said Battousai with a grin.

He had always wanted to fight this creature again, their last battle had been rudely interrupted. The Dark Lord knew what Aoshi was planning and he nearly smiled. He was making finding the Seven Dark Diamond Weapons all too easy for him. Once he had Aoshi's weapons, there was only going to be one left to find before all of Asia belonged to him.

"Saitou, I want you to go to Kyoto and to my Black Castle. Tell my people to get ready for another battle. You have my permission to kill those in your way," said Battousai.

The other vampire only grinned before stepping back toward the forest and vanishing from sight.

"You've made this too easy for me, Okashira," said Battousai as he walked back towards the sorceress and his brother, the aura about him darkening as his smirk grew.

xXoXx

"Hello, Tae," said Soujiro when he walked into the restaurant at noon like he always did.

"Good afternoon, Lord Soujiro," greeted Tae as she walked over after taking a few orders from her customers.

"How was your walk, Lord Soujiro?" asked Tsubame as she came out with tea for him.

"Very well, thank you, Tsubame," said Soujiro as he sat down at a table that was prepared for him as always when he came. It was right next to the entrance so that he was able to see who entered the Akabeko and who left at all times.

"Where's your mate?" asked Tae as she smiled at him.

"So they've told you?" asked Soujiro with a smile.

Tae frowned at him before ordering the other workers to bring over a dish of food for their Lord.

"So what have you heard?" asked Soujiro as he toyed with the empty cup in his right hand.

"I've heard lots of things," said Tae with a small frown.

Soujiro looked at her seriously, Tae wasn't one to get depressed over small things.

"Lord Aoshi has chosen a mate," said Tae in a whisper. She watched as the other vampire looked at her in shock, but it was quickly replaced by a smile.

"Who, may I ask, is the lucky lady?" questioned Soujiro with a bright smile. He was happy that one of his fellow Lords, even though they were old enemies as well, was to get married. He was rather happy that after so many centuries Aoshi had finally decided to buckle down and have a mate.

"I don't know, but the werewolves are saying that she has the kunai, the one that's made of dark diamond," said Tae in a low whisper so that only he could hear.

Soujiro's expression became grave as he looked at her in dead in the eyes. Talk about the Seven Dark Diamond Weapons of Hell was significant, no one ever joked about it unless the person didn't care for his or her worthless life.

"Do you have any idea whom this female might be, what type of creature she is?" asked Soujiro.

"I heard that she's a mix of vampire and werewolf," answered Tae.

The vampire looked at her in surprise, but then managed to put a smile on his face.

"I guess that Lord Battousai shall be going back to Kyoto sooner than expected," said Soujiro, it wasn't a thought, it was a statement. He knew that his brother would go after Aoshi for the kodachi that belonged to the man and now that there was another item, no one was going to stop the immortal from getting what he wants.

Soujiro kind of felt bad for Aoshi, he was going to have to fight the strongest being alive, and an immortal at that.

"I don't know why Lord Battousai didn't go after the twin kodachi before," said Tae. She immediately covered her mouth with her hands as she realized that she had questioned the immortal being's actions.

"It's okay, Tae, you're not the only one who has questioned that," said Soujiro with a comforting smile.

Tae only smiled weakly at him, but the memories of how Battousai had slaughtered all those who dared questioned him kept playing in her mind. She internally shivered.

"Does Misao know?" asked Soujiro, trying to take her mind off of the subject. He knew what she was thinking and it was understandable that she would think that way. That's how all others thought, that disobedience and questions could get you killed.

Tae sadly shook her head.

"Hey, Tae, get some beef stew over here, will you?" demanded a pack of werewolves from the table across the restaurant.

"In a minute," shouted Tae as she bowed to Soujiro and went into the kitchen to get the order.

'Misao isn't going to like this'. Thought Soujiro as he sighed. He knew that this piece of information was going to break her heart, knew that she was going to do all that she could to make sure that the wedding was stopped. The vampire only shook his head at the thought.

"Hey Sou! Where's Shura?" piped a voice that was directly in front of him.

Looking up, he smiled as he saw Megumi and Misao before him

Gesturing them to sit down, he confronted them both.

"She wanted to stay at home," said Soujiro with a smile.

The two only nodded as they ordered their own dishes.

"So, what information did you get?" asked Misao with a grin as Soujiro only smiled nervously at her.

Misao had known that she would be able of get the information out of Soujiro once he got the information out of Tae. She grinned, she knew that he came to the Akabeko everyday at noon to get information and she had timed her visits here so that she'd be able to catch him and get some information as well. It was like the water cycle in a way. No matter where you start off, you always end up getting water and the water always ends up on the Earth. In this case, she always ended up getting the information and the information always ends up going back to the person that had told it. Misao was known to spread rumors, but she referred to her actions as passing information along.

"Misao," said Soujiro in a serious tone that made the two raise an eyebrow at him.

"Yes?"

"Aoshi has chosen a mate," said Soujiro, getting right to the point.

The vampire awaited the shape-shifter to scream in outcry, and indeed she did, but not the way that he nor did anyone else had expected her to.