Chapter SEVENTEEN: The Truth
Waking up to the taste of metallic copper and vomit in your mouth isn't exactly a grand experience, especially when you're not only tied by merciless ropes, but also stark naked and completely exposed before the eyes of a total stranger.
Immediately sitting up, Misao took in a huge gulp of air, her eyes widening when an onigiri was shoved into her mouth before she could scream bloody murder.
"Please don't yell, Miss," begged the young woman seated next to the shape-shifter on her knees, her eyes apologetic. "My apologies that you had to wake up like this, but Eibin wouldn't allow me to untie you, at least not until I'm certain you won't fight back and try to escape."
Confused beyond words, Misao only stared at the demoness. The last thing she remembered was being tortured by an insane demon, and now here she was, naked as the day she was born, and being force fed by a seemingly kind demon.
The Heavens were being either very generous or extremely cruel with its sick sense of humor.
"I'm Toki," introduced the demoness once Misao began chewing her onigiri cautiously to make sure that it wasn't poisoned.
Still wary of the female demon before her, the shape-shifter contemplated whether or not to tell the demoness her name. Then again, you couldn't really speak properly to a person if you didn't know the person's name.
Swallowing her dislike for demons, and the rather delicious onigiri that was given to her, Misao replied quietly. "My name's Misao." She coughed when she heard how meek her voice was from all of her screaming the night before, or at least she thought it was one day after she had been taken as a prisoner.
Clearing her throat once more, Misao asked in a fairly normal tone, "Where am I?"
Ignoring her stomach's grumbling for more food, Misao allowed her green eyes to take in the small room she had been imprisoned in. She frowned when she realized that the room was completely bare, save for the futon she was currently seated on, herself, and the demoness. Even if she somehow got out of her bindings, there was nothing she could use to help defend herself with. She highly doubted she had enough strength to even fight back against one simple demon.
Looking down at herself, Misao was surprised to see that the wounds she had received from the demons, and the self-inflected ones, had been healed. In fact, if she hadn't known better, she would have thought she had never fought a single battle in her entire life. Not a single scar or bruise decorated her pale skin.
She couldn't help but feel a bit awkward when she realized that her recovery, and her currently clean state, was most likely due to the demon seated beside her.
After concluding that she was perfectly fine, and that all she needed was a bit of rest to fully recover, Misao smiled at the demoness. However, her gratefulness turned to pure horror as she recalled her state of dress or rather lack thereof.
A healthy blush of pink colored her cheeks as modesty replaced her previous fit of indignation and confusion when she first woke up.
At seeing the girl's reaction, Toki herself blushed before she immediately grabbed the green kimono beside her.
Biting her lower lip, Toki compromised, "If you promise not to try and run off, I'll untie you and help you into your new kimono, Miss Misao."
Sighing when she remembered the situation she was in, Misao nodded. It wasn't as if she had a choice in the matter, and her limbs were aching to be released.
Smiling, Toki quickly began to take off Misao's bonds.
xXoXx
The dark aura emitting from the vampire at the Aoiya's entrance was beyond intimidating, the storm from outside doing nothing to quench the burning fire in the Elder's ruby eyes. The crazed expression that the vampire wore was enough to put even the immortal Battousai on the edge.
Blood irises scanned the room full of lycans and vampires as its owner slowly entered the silent building, narrowing as they fell on the tallest lycan in the group.
"You," growled Shishio, his eyes flickering with malice.
Those closest to the enraged vampire took a step back, allowing him easy access to his target: Aoshi Shinomori. However, as most of the Elders backed down, Aoshi's men stepped up.
"Move," ordered Shishio, his voice dropping another octave as his pearl-like fangs elongated in anticipation for blood--death.
"It seems you've lost your touched, Shishio," stated the darker voice of Battousai when Aoshi's most loyal men refused to budge.
"Are you mocking me, Your Highness?" snarled Shishio, his red eyes snapping to the shorter vampire, temporarily forgetting his old prey.
"And what if I am?" smirked Battousai.
The Elders immediately dispersed to the sides, forming a pathway between the immortal and the angered vampire. It wasn't a wise decision to get in the way of two fighting creatures, especially if those creatures just so happen to be very powerful Elders.
Flexing his sharpened claws, Shishio took a step forward, stopping when his gaze fell on the sorceress behind his newest opponent.
A sadistic smirk played on his features as he sensed the girl's aura.
"Mating with the enemy, I see," said Shishio almost triumphantly as he straightened to his full height and met Battousai's golden eyes. "Who would have thought the immortal Battousai would stoop so low?"
If Battousai was fazed by the comment, he didn't show it.
"Resulting to threats and insults for your own failure, Shishio?" drawled Battousai. He took a step forward and demanded calmly, "Who are you to criticize me when you can't even protect your own mate?"
Shishio's eyes narrowed into slits as he stood his ground. He would not be intimidated by anyone, not even Battousai. There was no way he was going to allow the arrogant redhead to toy with him. The bastard had no right to point fingers, even if he is immortal and the most feared being alive.
Fury overcoming common sense and logic, Shishio charged forward at the older vampire, his claws extending and screaming for blood in repayment for his mate's loss.
Fighting back the urge to roll his eyes, Battousai simply unsheathed his katana. He didn't even bother getting into a defensive stance as he held the katana forward between him and the charging, mummified vampire. With a twist of his wrist, a black pulse emitted from the dark diamond-forged sword, the deadly energy hurling itself toward the enraged vampire like bolts of lightning.
The other onlookers watched in terrified fascination as Shishio's form was pushed back onto the ground when he was mere inches from the blade, multiple eyes widening as splotches of blood seeped through the vampire's bandages. The very ki waves of the sword on their own had not only managed to throw Shishio back across the room, but it had also been powerful enough to actually cut the vampire in various vital points.
The lesser creatures stared in awe as Battousai sheathed his blade, shivers running down their spines as they saw Battousai's warning glare being directed at the fallen vampire.
Getting up on his knees with slight difficulty, Shishio returned the glare as he looked up at the immortal, his anger directed at both the vampire and himself. He had been a fool to underestimate Battousai, a fool for thinking that he could protect the one he so dearly loved.
Clenching his fists, the bleeding vampire slammed his fists onto the ground, his head bowed in defeat as he fought the urge to roar over his weakness, his failure. How could he have let her down? How could he have failed when she needed him the most?
"She'll return to you after sunset tomorrow, Lord Shishio," reassured a soft voice, a voice so heavenly that he felt as if he truly had died and gone to Heaven by some twisted mistake.
Snapping his head up, Shishio stared into deep pools of blue, relief filling him as he saw the sorceress's sincerity. Almost immediately afterwards, Shishio felt himself bowing his head in shame for insulting the sorceress earlier.
"You needn't feel guilty, Lord Shishio," reassured Kaoru, "no one blames you for acting this way. Your mate was injured and kidnaped. You have a right to want revenge."
Ruby eyes snapped open as he stared up at the sorceress in mild astonishment. She was willing to forgive him for downgrading her before the presence of so many Elders? How was it possible for a sorceress to be kind and understanding toward a vampire, the creature whose ancestors had most likely caused the endangerment of her people, of her family?
Shishio nodded in acceptance and willingly backed down. There was no point in trying to kill everyone for his loss, not when he knew that his mate would be returning to him soon. He knew that the sorceress was speaking the truth, knew it because of her eyes and the power that emitted from her. After all, the magic that coursed through her veins was known for doing the impossible.
The healing vampire would have stood and given her a proper bow of gratitude, but he knew that even if he had the strength, the amber-eyed vampire beside her would most likely kill him if he so much as walked toward her.
Shishio gave Battousai a knowing look and nodded in comprehension. He understood what the other vampire was feeling, understood perfectly well the possessiveness, the protectiveness, the lust, and love that accompanied being mated. Had he himself not been so finely attuned to having Yumi by his side at all times, he would have never thought of revolting, let alone attack another Elder, never mind Battousai himself.
"Thank you, Lady Kamiya," said Shishio as his ruby eyes softened. There was nothing deceptive in the sorceress's aura, nothing to suggest that she was lying, and right now, Shishio was more confident about his instinct than anything else.
The Elder felt his body warm in the glow of her smile, an odd sense of peace washing over him as the sorceress accepted his gratitude. There was something about the sorceress's aura that was attractive--both the purity and darkness that surrounded her were intriguing--and the way her eyes lit up in happiness and hope only enhanced her beauty. She truly was an angel, an angel that had her wings clipped after falling from Heaven because of a terrible accident.
Shishio could only silently question how it was that Battousai, the deadliest creature known in existence, had managed to obtain and claim such an innocent creature.
"If there are no other issues, then we'll be leaving," announced Battousai, his voice snapping the content silence in half.
Shishio nearly growled when the light in Kaoru's eyes dimmed at Battousai's declaration. He forced himself to calm down and not attempt to kill the other vampire again for tainting such a pure being, for being the girl's cause of unhappiness. He didn't understand why he felt this way, he just knew that he wanted to see the sorceress happy, to see her smile and laugh, just like Yumi.
Closing his eyes tightly as he felt Battousai and the sorceress pass him, Shishio bowed in respect for both creatures, getting to his feet only when he heard a door snap close and felt their distinctive auras vanish.
Composing himself, Shishio ordered a few lingering servants to get him new bandages after he had fully healed. He turned to the Elders present and asked in a more controlled voice, "So what are we going to do about those idiotic demons that have dared to go against us?"
Many of the Elders exchanged relieved glances at the vampire's return to his old self and began to fill him in with what Battousai had ordered them to do.
xXoXx
Kaoru kept silent as she walked behind Battousai, her mind going over the events of this evening in wonderment. So much had happened in the short amount of time: her becoming a vampire, Battousai crushing white wood, and her soothing Shishio's inner demons.
In all honesty, Kaoru found it refreshing to finally be able to help someone again and it made her all warm and giddy when she thought about how she was able to reassure Shishio of his beloved's safety. Kaoru might not have known the female vampire personally, but she had a feeling that she was quite extraordinary if Shishio, an Elder, had become so lost without her.
Kaoru smiled, she had almost forgotten how wonderful it felt to help others, how satisfying it felt to know that her help was needed, useful, and appreciated. She felt so happy that she almost skipped as she followed Battousai under their bubble. Truthfully, she rather wished they weren't protected from the rain. She really wanted to jump in the water puddles nearby. It was an odd craving that come out of nowhere, one that she really wanted to indulge.
Looking up at the rain that poured around them, Kaoru smiled as she opened up her arms and twirled around, happier memories of her childhood greeting her as she spun. However, her sudden burst of happiness ended when she bumped into something hard, a blush coloring her cheeks as she looked up and met irritated amber eyes.
"What are you doing?" asked Battousai with a raised brow.
"Spinning?" answered Kaoru uncertainly with a shrug of her shoulders. She couldn't help but a giggle at the confused look on the vampire's face. She had to admit that he actually looked cute when he wasn't being so heartless.
"Why?" asked Battousai, keeping Kaoru in place by resting his hands on her hips.
Feeling slightly out of character, or more like in-character from before she met the vampire, Kaoru smiled brightly at him, spinning out of his hold when his hands loosened around her hips from her reaction.
"Catch me if you can!" Called out Kaoru, giggling as she ran forward.
She honestly didn't know what came over her, but for some reason she felt as if she were a child again, a carefree little girl playing tag with her best friend. Okay, maybe Battousai wasn't exactly her best friend, but he was the only one she could play with. She didn't know why felt like playing either, especially when she knew he could catch her in a heart beat.
Racing out of the protective barrier, Kaoru twirled once more, closing her eyes and raising her face to the Heavens as the rain droplets poured onto her face.
Ignoring the way her clothes now stuck to her like a second skin, Kaoru raced down the paved road before them, jumping in puddles and giggling insanely as she followed the route to Battousai's Black Castle. She couldn't explain how she knew exactly which way to go to get to Battousai's home, but right now, she didn't care. All she knew was that she had to make sure she wasn't caught. She didn't want to become "it."
Entering the forest surrounding the Black Castle, Kaoru stopped and turned around when she felt Battousai's Ki vanish. She could have sworn that she felt him just a couple of steps away from her before.
Squinting her eyes through the rain, the newly transformed vampire frowned when she couldn't see anything other than the water droplets that were falling on the empty road she had just gotten off of. She vaguely noticed that she was no longer being rained upon as she tried to find out where her captor was.
Snapping her head to the left when she heard something crack within the forested area, Kaoru bit her lower lip when she couldn't sense anything.
Turning around to face the forest again, Kaoru's blue eyes looked down the worn road that led straight through the forest and to Battousai's haven, her brows furrowing together when she saw nothing but darkness up ahead.
Kaoru couldn't help but become frightened when her mind finally caught up to her beating heart. Now she knew why she couldn't sense anything, why she felt so scared: she was in the infamous Black Forest.
In her haste to not get caught, Kaoru had completely forgotten about the dark lands and powers that surrounded the Black Castle for both protection and intimidation. How could she have failed to remember all of the tales about Battousai's home territory?
Wrapping her arms around herself, Kaoru took an unconscious step backwards. She knew that she could very well protect herself if it came down to it, but she couldn't stop her mind from remembering the tales of creatures being eaten alive and tortured to death by the Shadow Beasts, Battousai's infamous pets.
Closing her eyes tightly, Kaoru willed her emotions to calm down, forced herself to remember that if the Shadow Beasts were indeed in Battousai's control, then they wouldn't attack her. Surely they wouldn't go after someone who was so similar to their master?
Upon opening her eyes again, the last of the Kamiyas sucked in a gulp of air and held it when she saw nothing but darkness. A wave of nausea and fear swept through her, her body trembling as she felt the temperature around her drop dramatically. Her world began to spin dangerously as she heard multiple growls, her knees buckling when animalistic roars came closer.
'Get a hold of yourself, Kaoru! This can't be happening!' Kaoru screamed to herself as she clutched her bowed head, her eyes screwed shut. As much as she wished to take comfort from her own words, Kaoru still couldn't bring herself to move as the growls became louder, more threatening.
"If I shut them out, then they'll all go away," whispered Kaoru as she rocked herself back and forth. "This isn't real. This isn't happening! I'm going to wake up, I'm going to wake up and Shinta will be my side just like he promised!" With more confidence Kaoru continued her attempt to feel better, to squash the feeling of dread in the pit of her stomach. "You're all illusions! Shinta is going to be with me when I wake up, he's going to take me home, he's going to meet my parents, and he's going to ask me to marry him. We're all going to be happy, we're all going to be a happy family!"
Kaoru slowly opened her eyes when the sound of growling stopped, her body tensing back into a protective ball when she realized that the darkness had yet to disperse.
"Stop lying to yourself, sorceress," spoke a monotonic voice, the creature's distinctively male voice echoing to the vampiress from every direction.
Kaoru furrowed her brows at the unfamiliar voice. She had never heard it before and she was certain that it didn't belong to Battousai. Battousai's voice revealed at least some emotion, even if they were dark ones, but this one was . . . empty . . . devoid of any emotions whatsoever.
"He's dead," stated the devoid being.
"What?" questioned Kaoru, her confusion and curiosity getting the better of her. "Who are you? And what do you mean by 'he's dead'?"
"Your Shinta is dead, sorceress," interpreted the emotionless voice.
Kaoru felt her heart stop beating, felt the blood drain from her face at the stranger's words.
"Shinta can't be dead! He can't!" denied Kaoru as she shook her head. She glared at the darkness around her and stood up in outrage, her fists clenching at her sides. "You're lying! Shinta is alive!"
"Your Shinta died more than a thousand years ago, sorceress," stated the nameless creature.
"What–-A thousand years ago?" questioned Kaoru, her voice feather-soft in disbelief. She shook her head of the lies the man was telling her and glowered. "What are you talking about? I met Shinta just a little over a year ago! How can he have saved me if what you say is true? How can a dead man save me?"
"His complete name is Shinta Kenshin Himura," answered the man instead.
Kaoru fell silent at the sudden piece of information. "What does this have to do with what I asked you? How do you know all of this?"
"A thousand years ago your Shinta drowned, a thousand years ago I was still alive, a thousand years ago she was supposed to be mine." The voice began to fade away with each word it spoke, leaving Kaoru dazed and confused when silence enveloped her once again, leaving her alone in the dark with nothing but her thoughts.
Sitting back down, Kaoru wrapped her arms around her legs as she supported her chin on her knees, her eyes glazed over in deep thought.
'What does this all mean?' asked Kaoru with closed eyes. 'Why is everything happening to me? Isn't it enough that I lost my family? Must I also suffer being Battousai's captive for the rest of eternity, his tool, his possession?' Kaoru shook her head at her last thought. She knew that she could handle it, knew that she would be discarded the moment Battousai obtained the last three Dark Diamond Weapons of Hell. 'Is knowing my own death is just around the corner not enough torture that I must also be told that my savior doesn't exist? Could I not have at least been spared a single shard of hope that I may be able to see the one I love one last time before I die? Could Fate have not been kind and allowed me to remain blind in my love? Why was I told the truth? Why did Fate allow me to learn that all of this time I have been loving and longing for a ghost, a shadow of sweetness?'
Tears fell from her cheeks as each question was asked, tears that she had been desperately trying to hold in overflowed, threatening to drown her and end the pain
Crying won't get you anywhere.
Kaoru sniffled as the sound of an all too familiar voice filled her head, enveloping her in its warmth.
Must you always dream about me?
Stifling a giggle, Kaoru wiped the tears from her eyes.
...my precious vampire sorceress . . .
Kaoru smiled. "Shinta might not be real . . . "
As long as I have you . . .
"...but you are."
xXoXx
Note: All previous chapters have been revised! I hope they're easier to read now.