Chapter NINE: Half Breeds
"Okashira, the word has been spread that you've chosen a half breed as your mate and I'm beginning to agree with what others have to say," said a man in a demon mask as he bowed to his the Leader of the Werewolves.
"Who or what I choose as my mate is my business and is none of your concern, Hannya," said the werewolf lord as he faced the other man, his trench coat flowing behind him as he turned to his followers, his icy cold stare daring them to speak up against him.
The occupants of the restaurant and training ground that was made into one, all stared at their Lord, but didn't dare speak up. Everyone in attendance was seated on the ground with a tray of tea and food before them. They had just been called into a meeting by their Okashira.
"I didn't ask you all here to question my actions. Is everyone here?" asked Aoshi as he looked around the room, his eyes going towards Hannya, Shikijou, Beshimi, Hyottoko, Okon, Omasu, Shiro, and Kuro.
"Where's Okina?" asked their Okashira as he looked around the room twice, not seeing the older werewolf anywhere.
"He refused to come to the meeting ,Okashira," said Okon, her long black hair flowing over her shoulders as her blue bandana circled her head like Omasu, Shiro, and Kuro.
"Why not?" asked the werewolf as he turned to the younger ones.
"He said that he…. He refused to accept a leader that went against the Old Code," said Omasu in a low whisper, her hair placed up in a bun as she looked up at her leader.
"The Old Code doesn't state that I can't marry a half breed," stated their leader.
"But it does, it states that you will not mix your blood with an enemy and that creature that you have in your room has the blood of our enemy, Shinomori Aoshi," said a voice from the stairs.
An older lycan stepped into the room, the disappointment in his eyes evident as he made his way forward.
"Then the Elders are our enemies, for some of them too have the blood of vampires. Why are we following the rules made by the enemy?" stated Aoshi as he narrowed his blue depths at the older man.
"Those rules vary from species to species, but the species all agreed on that one rule: 'Thy shall never intertwine thy blood with thy enemy's.' What has happened to you Aoshi? You use to obey the Old Code, yet now you insist on becoming an outcast to all creatures. Your own kind will not support you if you go through with this," warned Okina as he glared at the taller man dangerously.
The room fell silent as the other werewolves in the room looked toward the ground, not wanting to answer the unasked question that lingered in the air. They were all split up in deciding whether to remain loyal to their leader of nearly two centuries or to choose another lord that wouldn't go against the Old Code. Anyone who went against the Old Code was a traitor to their species and by following the traitor they would be shunned as well. It was a crime to go against the Law of the Species as the older creatures called it.
"Well, I'll leave you to think about it. Oh, and I forgot to mention, although you might not care because you obviously don't care about anything now, Okashira," said Okina darkly as he moved back toward the stairway.
"What is it, Okina?" asked Aoshi as he looked toward the werewolf's back.
"Lord Battousai should be coming here soon, and because he is still an Elder, I expect you to at least be respectful to the immortal," said Okina as he turned and looked at the group of shocked werewolves.
"I knew that he was coming," said Aoshi calmly as he turned away and faced the only window in the room.
"Well, I hope that you realize that he can kill you and that future mate of yours if you disobey him. I advise you not to cause the Oniwanbanshuu to go down with you," said Okina bitterly as he walked down the stairs.
"Okashira, do you want us to prepare for Lord Battousai's stay?" asked Kuro.
"You know that Battousai only darkens any place that you decorate. Send Tomoe to me," ordered Aoshi.
"Lady Yukishiro?" asked Shiro.
"Yes, bring my future mate to me."
xXoXx
"Get up," snarled Battousai as he stood up with his weapons hanging from his hips and walked over to Kaoru, who only sat staring at the wall.
Reluctantly, the sorceress stood up, her eyes cleared over like glass as she looked at the vampire. She still couldn't register the fact that she was becoming more and more like the Dark Prince, but the surge of shadow energy that coursed through her mind wouldn't allow her to have any hope that she was still a full fledge sorceress.
"Shield your thoughts," snapped Battousai as he walked toward the door and slammed the door open as he walked out through the halls, the walls moving away from him due to the enormous amount of power that he was letting out.
Kaoru glided behind him, her feet not evening touching the floor as she followed him. Her face was pale and her eyes were such a dark blue that it almost seemed black. She was like a walking, living, breathing ghost. She kept her hood and head down as she followed the man, she didn't have to use any of her power since the blood that connected them was pulling her to him.
"Leaving?" asked Soujiro as he walked out of his room and happened to run into his brother and the man's traveling companion, who didn't look so well.
"Indeed. Are you going to go to Kyoto as well, Soujiro, as one of the Elders?" asked Battousai as he looked at the other vampire, who was just a few years younger than himself, but still legible as an Elder.
"I'll come with my own mate, but for now she's not in the mood," said Soujiro with a smile.
"Your mate is suppose to follow you, not you her," stated Battousai as his eyes narrowed.
"I know, but Shura hasn't asked for anything since she's been my mate. It's the least that I can do," said Soujiro, smiling as usual.
Battousai only looked at his brother in annoyance before quickly vanishing and leaving the entire palace.
"Have a fun time, Miss Kaoru," said Soujiro as he bowed to the sorceress, who looked at him with a blank expression before vanishing after Battousai.
"Something has happened to her," noted Soujiro to himself as he looked down the hallway that the two had gone through without a sound. It seemed as if all of the life had been sucked out of the sorceress, yet that unforgettable aura was still about her, just that now it was harder to tell. 'What has happened to you, sorceress?'
xXoXx
"I say that we turn to cats and look in the half breed's window," said Misao as she and Megumi landed on top of a building across from the Oniwanbanshuu restaurant, the Aoiya, as birds.
"Why don't we just go in, Misao? I mean the werewolves in there know us," said Megumi as she spread her violet wings into the sky and pecked her aching wings with her beak.
"But I want to see what the girl looks like!" said Misao as she pecked at Megumi to stop with her ministration and pay attention to her.
"We can just go in there and see," said Megumi as she hopped away from Misao so that she wouldn't get hurt anymore.
Before Misao could protest, the purple bird flapped her wings, and using a wind current, managed to glide swiftly down and land on the rooftop of the Aoiya.
"Megumi!" hissed Misao as she quickly followed her older sibling's movements and flew down next to her.
"You can't see her from over there! We're going to have to keep quiet and change into animals that she won't squash or kill," said Megumi as she hopped closer to the closest window.
Misao only smiled at her and followed suit.
"My Lord, I think that you should reconsider this proposal! If the Elders come here, then we won't be able to stop them! We're not powerful enough to prevent them from killing us all for going against the Law. Okashira, please reconsider and think about this. What's one girl, a half breed at that, to more than over 1,000 lives? Your followers are going to die and the Oniwanbanshuu are all over Japan. Do you really want to lose that many people just for one creature?" asked the voice of Shikijou.
The two shape-shifters stared at each other before turning their full attention to the lycans within the room, noting the large tension in the room and how it was constantly growing as the arguments resumed.
"This is my choice, you can either follow me, or you can leave," said Aoshi, his voice icy and cold.
"You know that I am loyal, but what if the other lycans revolt?" asked Shikijou.
The two shape-shifters flew to the windowsill and watched as the lycans began to argue back and forth.
"My Lord, what's so important about this half lycan and half vampire woman? We've seen her and there's nothing unique about her, it's just that she's paler than us because of her vampire blood," said Beshimi from his seat.
"That's none of your business," said Aoshi as he turned to the male occupants of the room, the females had gone to get his future mate, the one he was fighting for.
"It is our business if we're going to have to fight for her! Our lives are at stake here and I refuse to fight for someone unless they are worthy of my loyalty," said Hannya as he stood up.
"Then are you saying that you are no longer loyal to me?" asked Aoshi coldly as he glared at the man.
"I am not saying that, what I'm saying is that I don't want to fight unless it is absolutely necessary," said Hannya, rephrasing his words in hopes of calming the other werewolf down.
"Fighting for her is necessary. If you are against her, then you are against me," snapped Aoshi as he turned away so that his trench coat swept across Hannya's face.
Megumi chirped and turned to look at her sister, but crowed when she realized that her younger sibling had flown away. As she lifted her wings to fly after her, she stopped when she saw a lady walk up the stairs toward the Okashira of the Oniwanbanshuu.
The half breed had long black hair that was neatly placed up in a bun, her deep eyes held no spirit as she smiled at her lord. She was clothed in a nice white kimono and it seemed as if the two were meant for each other, both being cold, serious, and not a hint of lively energy in them.
'There's something different about her….' Thought Megumi as she looked at the girl, it wasn't that she was diverse, species wise, it was something more original and unique.
"You called me, milord?" asked the half breed as she bowed to Aoshi.
"My men doubt you being worthy enough for me. Why don't you show them, Tomoe?" asked Aoshi as he turned to face her when Okon and Omasu came up from behind her.
Tomoe only nodded as she closed her eyes and moved her hands as if in prayer.
Megumi screeched as she flew away from the white glowing room and shocked lycans, flapping her wings vigorously as she tried her best to catch up with Misao. She now knew why Lord Aoshi wanted Tomoe to be his mate. The woman wasn't just a half breed of vampire and lycan, someone had taught her a few magic tricks of sorcerers and sorceresses. The girl was going to be able to find the Seven Weapons of Hell, but unlike a real sorceress, she would only be able to see where the weapons were in a limited distance.
She flew off as the laugh of the Okashira of the Oniwanbanshuu flooded out of the room.
xXoXx
A shiver went down Kaoru's spine as she landed back on her feet, her senses alert as she looked toward the center of Kyoto. Her mind began to race as she tried to figure out what it was that had grabbed her attention in the first place. She felt a shockwave go through her as another's magical energy began to get closer to her. As if someone else had taken over, her eyes turned completely blue as a shield surrounded her to hide her magic from whomever it was that was trying to find her. Her body began to rise so that the magic that was trying to get to her wouldn't be able to get her from the ground.
She could feel her shield go black when Battousai's blood took affect on her body and mind as it mixed with her magic, the mixture creating a large black shield that managed to bounce back the white magic, sending it back to its owner.
"I advise you to become less dependent on my blood before you go insane, or you'll be lusting for blood and begin killing my victims," snapped Battousai's dark voice as he watched the girl return to earth.
"I wouldn't dream of it," said Kaoru sarcastically as her eyes became their normal shade of blue.
"Then let's get going," said Battousai as he led the way.
"You don't care about who it was that tried to find me?" asked Kaoru as she ran to catch up to the vampire.
"It's that half breed," stated Battousai as if he had known it from the beginning that the hybrid knew a few magic tricks.
"But she's not a…." began Kaoru, but was stopped by her captor.
"She learned it from another, now pick up the pace before I leave you to fend for yourself in the city of Kyoto, which is filled with vampires that are willing to drink your blood and werewolves that will gladly tear you to pieces," threatened Battousai, his voice revealing sincerity.
Kaoru narrowed her eyes at the vampire before racing after the man. At the pace that he was pushing them, they'd be in Kyoto in a few minutes, if not less.
xXoXx
"Misao! Stop!" shouted Megumi as she tried to catch up with the other shape shifter, still a bit shocked about what she had just learned.
Megumi sighed in relief as Misao began to descend onto the building top of another restaurant that was made for vampires on the other side of the city from the Aoiya.
"You could have waited for me! Didn't you hear me crying for you to stop?" asked Megumi as she transformed back into her original form and followed her sister to the edge of the roof so that they could look down at the civilians of Kyoto.
"What are you talking about? All I heard was that stupid lycan admitting his damn love to that half breed creature!" shouted Misao as she glared at Megumi, but only turned her head another way so that Megumi couldn't see the spheres that were forming in her eyes.
"Misao…. I know that this must be hard for you, but you have to realize that Aoshi isn't the only one you could ever love. I mean, the guy was like an icicle from the very beginning!" encouraged Megumi as she patted Misao's back, trying to get her to feel better.
Misao only began to shake as her hands balled into fists as she closed her eyes tightly. Unwanted tears flowed out of her eyes and she quickly wiped it away with the back of her hand. She wasn't going to cry, there was no point in crying over the past. What was done was done, she would move on!
"After all, the guy doesn't have any emotions for anyone. The only reason that he even wants to marry Tomoe is because she knows some magic that benefits him," began Megumi, but stopped when she felt herself being shaken by the elbows by Misao.
"What did you just say? He doesn't feel anything for that half breed?" asked Misao hopefully as she held onto her sister's arms.
"If you'd stop shaking me, I'll tell you," said Megumi, causing Misao to quickly let her go.
"Does he love her?" asked Misao, the tears drying as she waited for an answer.
"Tomoe, his future mate, knows some magic like a sorceress, and because she does, she'll be able to see the Seven Weapons of Hell, but only at a distinct distance. Though I wonder who taught her," said Megumi, but after she said the first sentence Misao had begun to smile as her mind began to think and process the information.
"Are you listening to me?" asked Megumi as she realized that Misao had spaced out.
"The only reason that he wants to marry her is for her ability to see where the weapons are and Lord Aoshi has always wanted those weapons. He doesn't love her, which means that I still have a chance!" said Misao happily as her balled fist came into her other hand in determination. Her jade eyes sparkled as she began to think of a way to get Aoshi to forget about the half breed and come back to her.
"Misao…. The guy is using her…. What makes you think that he won't use you?" asked Megumi as she only shook her head and crossed her arms over her chest.
"That's because he'll love… no he already loves me! That half breed is nothing more than a tool to help him get the weapons! His love for me is true and he would never use me like that. Tomoe isn't the only one that knows magic! He'll surely admit his deep devotion and love to me once I show him that I'm just as good as and better than that half breed!" said Misao as her brain began to think about all the ways that she'd be able to pull something off so that she'd become Aoshi's mate.
"Misao, he's just going to use you as well. I don't want you to get hurt, emotionally or physically. That creep is just going to use Tomoe to get the weapons and then dispose her, and that'll happen to you too if you let him have you," said Megumi as she grabbed Misao's shoulders and forced her to look into her black eyes.
"You're just jealous that you can't find anyone," snapped Misao angrily as she slapped Megumi's hand away from her.
"You've become so obsessed with getting him that you've gone mad! Just think about it, Misao! The chances that Aoshi is going to admit, or even love you for that matter, is the same chances that Battousai will allow anyone to defeat him," said Megumi as she looked at her sister seriously.
"My love for Lord Aoshi will never fade and I will never give up! I will make him confess his love for me, one way or another," said Misao as she clenched her fists to her chest in determination, her eyes still glistening like the stars in the sky.
"Don't say I didn't warn you!" said Megumi as she turned to face the sun and vanished from view.
xXoXx
"She might have some magic, but she's not strong enough to find the real sorceress," said Hannya as he watched the white magic that emitted from Tomoe return to her. She would have been knocked over if Aoshi hadn't caught her in his arms before she fell.
The other members of the Oniwanbanshuu all rushed over to the girl to find out what happened, each one finally understanding why Aoshi was so willing to give up his position for the girl. If she could find the Seven Weapons of Hell, then Lord Aoshi will be the strongest creature alive and the others would have to accept him for marrying a half breed. But if the girl could find the real sorceress, then they could find the weapons for sure.
"What happened?" asked Aoshi as he helped Tomoe to her feet.
"I found her magic, but she shielded her magic before I could find the exact coordinates with my own magic," said Tomoe, her eyes reflecting her apologies for not being able to find the girl.
"It's alright, you've helped me find her before, and I know you can do it again. She's gotten older, so it's only natural that her powers have grown as well," said Aoshi as he moved her toward a cushion near a table with food.
"Milord, I felt another power near her. It was incredible, the creature could easily hide its magic, yet it allowed me to feel it. Whatever was beside her was much more powerful than her," said Tomoe as she sat down and looked at Aoshi.
"What creature could be that strong as to have more magic than the last sorceress? We all know that the Kamiyas are all dead, save one, so therefore, what Tomoe is saying is that there's someone with more magic than the last Kamiya?" asked Shikijou as he turned toward the window and noted that there was no moon in the sky tonight.
The stars were covered by the clouds that decided to darken the night, the view causing a shiver to run down the ninja's spine.
Everyone in the room knew that something was wrong in the air when the wind didn't blow. Something was definitely wrong if they couldn't hear vampires yelling and arguing with the lycans. Their suspicious were confirmed when the noise from the creatures that usually prowled the night for scraps of meat weren't heard. All was silent as if awaiting for the world to unfreeze and begin again.
"Is it me, or did it just get colder?" asked Kuro as he rubbed his hands together to get heat to return to his numb hands.
"No, they're coming," whispered Tomoe, but before she could stand the candle in the room blew out, rendering the occupants of the room to all stop and look around for an enemy.
"This isn't funny, Okina! Bring us some more candles," yelled Omasu as she began to shiver, the air beginning to freeze enough so that she was able to see her breath when she spoke.
"I'm not doing it, I've been down here drinking my tea," shouted Okina as he walked up the stairs to show them that he had nothing to do with the blackout of the room.
"I'm disappointed. You lycans use to catch on so much faster," said a voice that was colder than what they were feeling, the words mocking and dark.
"Whose there?" asked Shiro as he looked through the room and snapped his head to the side when he saw a movement from the window. Even his keen werewolf eyes weren't able to see through the darkened room. Someone was obviously making the room darker than it was suppose to be.
"It's him," whispered Tomoe, her vampire half taking control as she felt the presence of another vampire within the room, her hand holding onto Aoshi's trench coat as the Okashira scanned the room, but still couldn't find the intruder.
"Show yourself, we know that you're the one causing all of this," ordered Aoshi as he looked around the room a second time.
The werewolves shielded their eyes when the candles suddenly lit up, but this time it wasn't the normal red flames, but black ones instead. They all stared as their eyes adjusted and saw two figures in the center of the room, the smaller one standing to the side and behind the one that was emitting the dark aura.
"Lord Battousai," said Okina as he bowed to the vampire out of respect, the other members just staring at the man in shock, each one surprised that someone like himself would be present before them.
"You should learn to show respect to your elders," said the vampire as he snapped his fingers, causing all the occupants that refused to bow to drop to the ground on all fours.
"What are you doing here, Battousai?" asked Aoshi as he used all of his power to stand up, but only managed to get on both knees.
As he looked up, he saw that the person standing beside Battousai was a girl. It was then that he realized that the other power that Tomoe had felt was from Battousai. He knew, the moment he was able to see her completely, that the girl before him was the last of the Kamiyas, the sorceress that he had almost killed all those years ago. He could never forget her piercing, sapphire eyes that held more than just innocence.
His mind began to whirl as he tried to figure out how Battousai had learned such powerful dark magic, but he also knew that even if the vampire learned all the magic in the world he still wouldn't be able to find the weapons faster than the full fledged sorceress behind him. This sorceress was the only one who could call for the weapons and bring out their darkest power, for when the weapons were near the creatures they were created to kill they became stronger so that they can destroy the creatures.
Aoshi smirked inwardly, even if Battousai was immortal, when it came to finding the items alone, they were on the same page. Whoever got all the weapons first was going to be the most powerful.
"I'm here to congratulate you on choosing a mate, Aoshi. After all, you are the Leader of the Lycans. As an Elder, I must pay my respects," said Battousai sarcastically as he looked at the werewolf with amber slit eyes.
"Who is that behind you then?" asked Aoshi as he stood up after feeling the vampire release him and his men from his powerful hold.
Aoshi's eyes met scared azure ones, and everyone was taken aback when the girl moved behind the vampire so that they couldn't see her, and with the dim light, it was difficult for the other lycans to even make out Battousai.
Kaoru stood behind Battousai as she met those icy eyes, memories of her near death a year ago flooding her mind as she looked at him. She would be dead right now if she hadn't fallen into the river and been saved by Shinta.
She was afraid of the lycan, dead terrified because he reminded her of her past, her only weakness. Even though she knew that hiding behind Battousai was weak--and that she shouldn't show that she was scared--she also knew that behind Battousai no one would be able to tell. She was taught that the safest place was inside or behind the most dangerous place, because no matter what happened, no one in their right mind would risk their life in going after you and facing the danger. It also helped that Battousai was immortal and wouldn't allow anyone to take his blood, it meant that she was safe and concealed.
"She is none of your concern, Aoshi," said Battousai darkly as his eyes turned to deadly rubies, the sight of them causing the other, lesser lycans to gulp. He had heard Kaoru's thoughts, had seen her memories and learned that Aoshi had taken her blood once before, and no one took her blood, but himself: past, present, or future.
"My Lord, we didn't expect you to come here so soon," said Okina apologetically to the older creature. Even though he did look older than the Prince of the Night, Okina was at least a few centuries younger.
"But you expected me to come nonetheless," stated Battousai as he looked at the aged werewolf.
"Why don't you show yourself, sorceress?" asked Tomoe before Okina could explain to His Highness, gaining her a glare from the older werewolf and a deadly stare from the others.
Ignoring the looks that she were given, she looked over Battousai to where she knew that the owner of the magic of the last sorceress stood.
"Quite the defiant creature, aren't you, half breed?" asked the Dark Lord as his eyes looked the girl over.
"I might be a half breed, but I am not defiant. I know my position and my duty," said Tomoe as she stood completely up and looked at Battousai right in the eye.
"Then don't talk back," snapped Battousai, his voice more venomous than before. There was something about the girl that he didn't like and he knew that it was more than just her being a damn half breed.
"I have the right to talk to a fellow magic wielder," said Tomoe as bravely as she could, but her voice cracked when Battousai's eyes grew blood red.
"You're talking to one right now," said Battousai as his eyes flashed with amusement as he saw her face twist into shock.
"She wants to talk to a sorceress though," said a silent and musical voice from behind the dark figure.
Eyes moving to the source of the sound, the lycans all felt a bit comforted as they realized that there was a girl with the Battousai, and from the way that she felt scared they knew that she wouldn't cause them any trouble. She looked rather adorable when she walked out from behind Battousai, her long lavender hair cascading down her back and front so that her face looked rounder. The only person that they had to watch out for was the vampire himself, and they knew that as long as they kept their distance and were respectful, the Dark Lord wouldn't harm them.
"You're a Kamiya, aren't you?" asked Tomoe as she smiled at the girl politely.
"Yes," answered Kaoru. She had a feeling that everyone already knew who she was from the thoughts that were swarming in her head due to Battousai's blood that was now flowed so abundantly through her.
"Why are you working for…" began Tomoe, but was shut up when the feel of metal was placed near her neck, the blade pulsing black from the dark energy that was being emitted from it.
"You should learn to keep your mouth shut," snapped the owner of the dark sword.
The other lycans stared at the weapon in the vampire's hand. It was definitely one of the Seven Weapons of Hell. The sword seemed to sing with power as its owner moved the sword closer to his victim's neck. They all held their breath as they watched the blood trickle down the half breed's neck, gleaming on the blade's surface as it slowly dripped to the floor.
Kaoru stared as she watched the girl stand perfectly still, watched as the vampire's glare moved to the blood. She began to shudder at the thought of the vampire drinking the blood of another before her. Her eyes snapped open when she heard Battousai chuckle.
"I wouldn't drink the tainted blood of your kind even if you were the last person on this damned planet. I won't give you the honor of being my victim," said Battousai as he sheathed his katana after flicking the blood off the blade with a swift flick of his wrist.
The sorceress watched as the half vampire and half werewolf wiped the blood away and fell back in silence, her indigo eyes looking at the vampire questioningly. The man must have had more control than she thought, for when a vampire smelt blood, there was no stopping them from getting their fill unless they're killed and Battousai would never be killed. A shiver went down her spine as she remembered how she was once and still was his victim, it wasn't at all an honor in her mind.
"You should learn to tame your mate, Aoshi," hissed Battousai as he glared at the enraged werewolf, who obviously didn't appreciate the vampire causing his woman to bleed.
Battousai's eyes settled to a molten gold as he looked at Okina who only nodded before leaving to do the silent request.
"The wedding will be postponed until the other Elders arrive," said Battousai, his tone leaving no room for arguments whatsoever.
"I guess that as they arrive they'll be staying here?" asked Beshimi as he bowed to Battousai, not wanting to make the same mistake twice.
"You're catching on," said Battousai with a smirk, enjoying how the lycans had to suppress their anger from the way he was toying with them.
"There's another reason why that they're all coming here, isn't there? I doubt that the Elders would really care about who I married to even notice my wedding," said Aoshi bitterly as he looked at Battousai straight in the eyes.
"You're the leader of your pack, you should know what's going on within and outside of it. If you cannot, then you don't deserve your position," said Battousai as he turned around and faced the silent Kamiya.
"But I am not an Elder, so I do not know what you're planning, and if you're going to stay in my…." began Aoshi, but was silenced when a cough from the stairs was heard, signaling that Okina had returned.
"The rooms are set up as usual, milord, and the main room on the first floor is being cleaned and polished as we speak. Shall I show the lady to her room now?" asked Okina politely, giving a stern look to the others in the room to not get into any more trouble.
"She stays with me at all times," said Battousai, making a clear point right then and there.
"Even at the…" began Okina, but only nodded when he saw the vampire's eyes flicker red and then back to gold.
"While I'm here, no one is to bother me or my sorceress until that day ," said Battousai as he looked from face to face, making sure that everyone in the room understood.
"The servants will be serving you as they did all those centuries ago, do you wish for the same…" started Okina, but stopped when Kaoru suddenly spoke up softly.
"Do you have Jasmine Tea?" asked Kaoru as she bowed to the man, feeling a bit embarrassed at having to bother the older creature.
Okina was a bit taken aback and looked at Battousai on what to do, but only got a blank stare as the vampire kept his eyes fixated on Kaoru's face.
"I'll go get it," said Omasu as she quickly bowed toward Battousai before racing down the stairs to get what was asked for.
The others fell silent as they waited for the tea, each one trying to figure out why Battousai was acting the way he was toward the girl.'What are you doing?' Asked Battousai, his voice echoed through her mind from his telekinesis as he looked at the teenager questioningly.
'I'm just a bit thirsty.' Said Kaoru as she turned to face the man, her eyes meeting his own innocently.'Interrupting an older creature why they're talking isn't honorable and aren't you all about honor?' Questioned Battousai mockingly.'You would have done the same thing, and like you said earlier, I'm becoming just like you, so I get to do what you do.' Kaoru only smirked inwardly as the vampire raised an amused brow at her.
"Is something the matter my Lord?" asked Okina, voicing the question that the others had as they witnessed the scene before them.
"Not at all. One more thing, before any of you decide to persuade her to help you in getting the weapons, I'll tell you all know right now that Kaoru is in my control, and I'll know what happens to her at any time. Touch or even talk to her inappropriately and your head will belong to me," warned Battousai, his voice chilling enough to freeze them to their spots.
"I have the tea!" shouted Omasu as she walked up the stairs with one tea pot and a nice blue cup in either hand, but quickly fell silent as she realized the tension in the room.
Kaoru only nodded to the girl before taking the cup, watching as the burning liquid was poured into the cup.
Nodding in thanks, Kaoru took a whiff of the concoction before moving the cup to her lips.
Battousai watched as his sorceress suddenly became hesitant in drinking the tea.
"Is something wrong? Do you want me to add more jasmine flowers?" asked Omasu as she saw the hesitation in Kaoru's eyes.
The sorceress only shook her head and moved the cup so that she was able to see the golden liquid in the dark room.
Battousai looked at the cup before taking it from her hands and taking a whiff of the cup as well, his eyes turning a deadly red as he turned toward Kaoru with narrowed eyes.
"It's my drink," said Kaoru before she snatched the cup from his claws and downed nearly half the cup before Battousai knocked the cup out of her hands, the ringing of the cup shattering echoing through the room.
"Was there something wrong with the drink?" asked Omasu confused.
Kaoru only smiled weakly, blood trickling from her lips, causing the werewolf's eyes to widen in shock and drop the pot of tea on the floor.
The Dark Lord glared at the sorceress before picking up the girl bridal style and vanished from sight.
"What the hell just happened?" asked Shikijou as he looked at the other occupants confused.
"I don't know, but Lord Battousai didn't look at all happy," said Okon.
"What was in the drink, Omasu?" asked Beshimi as they all stared at her.
"It was Jasmine Tea, I even tried it and nothing like that happened to me," said Omas, shivering from the thought of what the vampire was going to do with her once he took care of the sorceress.
"It wasn't the tea that caused her to bleed," said Tomoe, causing the others to look at her as she crouched down to where the tea had spilt from Kaoru's tea cup.
"She looked like she wanted to cough up blood," said Hannya as he looked at the stairs, trying to figure out why she was so happy when she clearly looked as if she were poisoned.
"She did," said Tomoe as she bent down and examined the spilt drink.
The lycans all turned toward the half breed, wanting an explanation.
"Look at the jasmine flowers," said Tomoe, pointing a delicate finger at one.
"They're red... But when I poured it they were black," said Omasu, her eyes widening.
"She poisoned it herself? But why?" Beshimi asked as he picked one up, quickly dropping it onto the floor when it threatened to melt his skin off.
"I don't know, but I'll bet you that it had to do with Lord Battousai," said Tomoe as she stood up.
"What?" asked Kuro as he stared at the half breed, bewildered from her theory.
"She was smiling when she was poisoned and her eyes matched it. The sorceress obviously hates the vampire as much as others," said Aoshi as he remembered the look on both the vampire and girl when she began to lose blood.
The creatures in the room all looked at each other before staring down the stairs to where they knew the two magical beings were.