Izayoi gasped and looked up. She didn't even see the man until he grabbed her. He held her so her back was to his front. But his hand was over her mouth so she couldn't scream. He was holding her close. That's when she saw the other man come into view. He bent down to look her in the eyes. He gave a short laugh and Izayoi could smell the foul stench of sake on his breath. She closed her eyes and held her breath. She could feel the man's dirty cold hands on her cheeks and his nose touch hers. She was terrified. What were they going to do with her? Nothing like this had ever happened to her. Had she angered a God?

"Hey I think I have seen this wench before." Izayoi widened her eyes. If they found out she was from the castle, that she was their lady, trouble would be started. They could kill her. Izayoi swallowed. Well who the hell cares? Takemaru has his new little bitch; they can kill me for all I care!

"Really? From where then?" Izayoi felt the man's hands on her shoulders and around her neck.

"Not sure, but she's a really high number," The first man said and he held Izayoi closer to him. Putting his nose in her hair. "A noble woman? A mistress? Dunno."

"Well she could fetch a pretty price," the second man said. He began to push Izayoi's kimono collar down to her shoulders. "Maybe after we have a little fun with her." Oh no. Izayoi thought. What was she going to do? How was he going to get out of this one? Izayoi pressed her lips together when she saw the man come in closer to her. She gasped and bit back a cry. Her cheek was on fire. How dare he strike her! They were not going to get away with this. She would not be taken advantage of. Izayoi suddenly felt a desire to live, she didn't want to die and she sure as hell wasn't going to put up with being raped. She slowly began to wriggle her arm from the man's grasp. She looked up; he didn't seem to notice because he still had his nose in her hair.

The other man was smiling arrogantly. Her eyes lit up as she freed her arm and let it drop to her side. She had to be careful, she didn't want to alert these people… she had to be patient and seize her chance carefully. She watched as the second man lifted the bottle at his side and took a drink. He swayed a bit and Izayoi watched as the sake was drained in the bottle. This was her chance. She looked up. The man holding her was still preoccupied. She smirked evilly. Izayoi quickly moved her elbow back and felt it connect with the man's stomach. He grunted and released her. She looked behind and saw him on his knees breathing heavily. Izayoi was shaking. She began to run to the gates that led to the forest when she felt a yank on her ebony hair. She whined in pain as saw the second man staring at her with wide angry eyes. He pulled her back to him had gripped her arms tightly. The blood was beginning to get cut off. He held her as tightly as he could, she couldn't break free.

"You made us angry now, you spoiled little bitch." He said and Izayoi felt the man's angry fury upon her. How? What could she do now? She was furious too, but wrath wouldn't help her think straight. She looked down. Her head went to the side and she smiled a bit. Well desperate times call for desperate measures. She looked behind her. The gate wasn't that far away. She didn't want to go back to the palace. She'd only explode.

"Look at me bitch." Izayoi was pushed back into reality when the man's fingers turned her chin back to him, His dark eyes cold and wanting. She shuddered and looked down again. It was now or never, the man that had had her before was already starting towards them. Now she began to grow truly scared. She lifted her hem of her plain kimono and lifted her knee; she kicked the man where she knew it would hurt the most. She was right; he doubled over in pain and fell to his knees. She gave a shaky laugh and began to run to the gate. She could hear them men yelling at her and their angry footsteps behind her. She looked back afraid to see them gaining on her quickly. Kimonos were not made for running. No matter how high she lifted the hem it didn't serve her much help.

She ran quickly to the guard side entrance and pushed it open. Izayoi looked around. The forest lay right in front of her and it was massive, dark and a little bit unsettling. She tried to find a weapon of some kind or something else so she could use block the door but she found nothing. She felt her heartbeat rise and she heard their footsteps on the stone walk inside the gates. Izayoi bit back her cry and ran into the forest. She looked behind and she saw one of the men pointing in her direction. They were still coming after her. And now she had secluded herself in a forest, where they could do anything to her! But she took her chances with the demons that dwelled here. Even though it was not smart on her part. Izayoi took a sharp left and shielded her eyes as low branches scrapped her hands and cheek. She could hear twigs of fallen wood being snapped as the men continued to search for her.

That's when she saw a bunch of shrubs close together. She smiled. Hopefully they wouldn't come this way. She slowed to a light jog, dropped her kimono hem and ran behind them. She tried to calm herself down and even her breathing; it wasn't helping much so she covered her mouth with her hand. Izayoi was sure that she was breathing so loudly that the whole forest heard her. She ducked down farther and waited. Sure enough a few moments later she could see the men's feet. They were here. She closed her eyes and waited.

"She can't have gotten that far." One said.

"Should we go back and try a different route?"

"Maybe, sounds like a good idea. That wench is dead when I see her." One of them growled

Izayoi bit her lip. That wasn't good. Suddenly she felt a warm wind on her neck. Strange, it didn't seem windy. Had one of the men found her! She looked at the ground… no they were only now turning on their heels and running. Izayoi slowly looked behind her. The breath was seized out of her as she saw eyes looking back at her. She moved slowly to the right but a low growl stopped her. As the moonlight beat down on her it casted away remaining shadows. Izayoi gasped and widened her eyes. It had to be a demon. What else could it be? It was huge! Izayoi fell back down. Well now I don't have to worry about those men…oh I'm so stupid! She gazed at it. It was covered in long, shaggy silver fur and seemed to glisten in the pale moonlight. But there was red. Blood. It was dripping and forming puddles of the soft soil of the dark earth.

This demon was hurt. Pity overwhelmed Izayoi. But it was still growling at her. She meant it no harm. She watched it stand up. She was an ant compared to this demon. It could squash her at any time. She slowly began to back up, but stopped. She heard the men. Their angry calls and cursing, they were coming back. She was trapped. Good job Izayoi. You got yourself trapped like a rabbit in between a fox and a wolf. Damn! I'm stupid! Her eyes darted back and forth. What am I going to do? She watched as the demon came closer. It was growling, and trickles of blood were coming from its mouth. Poor thing… Izayoi thought. I need to assure it that I only want to hide here… I don't want to hurt it.

"Please…I don't mean…ah, you, any harm… I just need to hide here, please… I'll be gone soon!" she whispered frantically and ducked into the shrubbery again. She looked back; the demon was still coming. She squeezed her eyes shut. What should she do? Should she jump out in the open and yell 'come and get me?' or should she stay with the demon and get mauled? Izayoi saw the men from behind the bushes. They had stopped and were looking around again. Caught, what will I do?

"When I find that little bitch, she's as good as dead…"

"Heh, no, no, don't kill her, we'll have some fun with her yet. And besides, we could always use some money."

Izayoi gasped. She could feel the tears beginning to come. She was scared. She was going to die. But with the drunken men, she'd be only raped… what was she thinking! She wasn't going to let two dirty men look at her body and have their way with her. But with the demon, a fast and painless death, she chose the demon. She looked be hind her, but it was gone. Izayoi have a weak smile and sighed. That's when she heard the bushes beginning to shake. She looked up as they were being parted. She screamed. She had been caught. They had found her. She tried to back up and run but one of the men grabbed her hair and pulled her back towards them. Her shoes slipped form her feet as she clawed at his hands.

"Here you are princess. Thought you'd get away from us huh? Well we caught you." The man yanked her up and to her feet.

"We're so glad you could grace us with your presence again, princess." The second man mused. Izayoi could feel her cheeks tinge with anger. She opened her mouth and spit, right in the second man's eye. She widened her eyes; she was so headstrong sometimes. The second man raised his hand back handed Izayoi. She gasped and felt pain erupt. People seemed to enjoy hitting her today.

"Maybe that'll teach ya to be more respectful, princess." The man grinned smugly. He placed a hand on her cheek and brushed his thumb over her lips.

"Maybe you shouldn't hit young women." Izayoi looked up, a new voice? She looked over; a tall man with beautiful silver hair in a ponytail was leaning against a tree. His hand was on a sword hilt. His eyes were closed and there was a strange thing that was around his left arm. He had a peculiar smirk on his face Izayoi couldn't tell if this new stranger was here for the best or worst, she also couldn't tell if it was a smug smile or something else. But there was red at the corner of his mouth that was trickling down, was it blood? But it was in the same spot as the demon. Izayoi was confused. Was this man a demon? She didn't think demons could look human though. He had strange purple marks on his cheeks, but that could be tattoos of some kind? She tried to break free, but the second man only hit her again. Izayoi felt the tears fall. Why is he just standing there? Couldn't he help her? He looked at the moon and smiled a bit.

"I'm warning you not to hit her again." The man said and he moved his thumb up so the sword hilt was now showing the sword's blade.

"And I'm warning you to stay out of business that don't involve you," The man holding Izayoi spat. "This here is our woman, so back the hell off."

"Come over here and say that, bastards." The demon man mocked and then opened his eyes. Golden? Izayoi couldn't help but stare. When he met her gaze she blushed and looked at the ground. That is not possible for a human to bare such eyes.

However, in a swift motion both men had gone off to attack the strange man. Izayoi watched in horror as the man drew his sword and held it at his side. Izayoi gaped. It was a rusty old sword that looked like it couldn't cut paper. Wet! Even her attackers stopped and stared at each other. They smiled and they began to laugh.

"That rusty piece of junk won't do you any good stranger. Now leave us with our little wench before harm befalls you." Izayoi gasped. This man was crazy. To bring such old sword to battle…

"Please! Stranger! Don't concern yourself; it's my problem! I appreciate all your help but-…" Izayoi stopped. The sword! It, it looked like a fang. It was huge, and it looked like there was wind swirling around it. What a unique sword. She widened her eyes because in a swift motion… their heads… Izayoi put her hand to her throat. Gone. Her stomach wasn't agreeing to what she had just seen. She was feeling a bit light headed. She saw the man come over to her and sheath his sword. She had to thank him. He saved her life.

"You okay?" the man asked. He looked to the moon again. Izayoi looked at her savior, his skin was darker then most of the people where she lived. The tattoos stood out against his tanned skin. They were scraggly with cut marks in the design. His eyes looked as if it had witnessed horrors beyond her belief. His face was soft and tough, his smile kind. Izayoi was beginning to feel herself blush as she continued her assessment. She decided that he must have been of a noble class, considering the robes he was wearing, and the armor. He was taller, taller then most of the men in the village.

She nodded. "I am. I want to-…" She stopped and looked at her savior as he began to cough. His hand soon became stained with blood that dripped onto the ground. Her eyes grew large. "Are you okay?" she asked. She reached a hand out. However she felt that that would be awkward so she withdrew.

"Fight. Bastard…" was all he said. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand.

"Oh here, please, take this." Izayoi pulled out a crisp clean piece of cloth from her plain kimono. She held it out for him and he grabbed it. He cleaned off his hand and the corner of his mouth. He looked at it, then her. Then he tucked it in his kimono. Izayoi didn't understand, it was almost as if such a display of kindness had never come his way, yet still he was well mannered and gave a nod in her direction.

"Thanks." He smiled at her warmly. Izayoi widened her eyes at what she saw. Fangs. This was no man. He was a demon. But from what Takemaru had said, when she had begged him to tell her stories of battle, the demons that were brought were so ruthless and mean, yet he was…so different. He was gentle and appeared so human, maybe she was wrong about him. Maybe he wasn't a demon.

"May I be so bold as to ask you a question?" Izayoi moved a bit closer to him and he watched her movement. What does this mortal want?

"Go ahead woman." Izayoi frowned at his term for her. She debated whether to tell him her name, but that could be dangerous for her.

"Are you a demon?" Izayoi asked bluntly and moved her hands behind her back. He watched her innocence get the better of her. Izayoi watched his face as he debated and thought about her question and reply.

"That is a bold question." The man replied. Izayoi blushed. He watched her struggle to find the right words. He wasn't feeling good. He was feeling light headed; it must have been the poison in his system from the battle he fought earlier.

"Please, then forgive my rudeness." Izayoi dropped her gaze to the ground. "Then can I ask-…"

"I am." He interrupted her and she stared. He smiled then shrugged. "Dog demon you could say."

"Oh." Was all Izayoi could manage. She couldn't think of anything else to say. What was she to say?

"Do not worry mortal, I will not hurt you," He assured her and he looked up at the sky. "It's getting late, where do you come from, or where were you going before you met these gentlemen." He asked and Izayoi tried not to look at the decapitated bodies that lay only a few feet from her. She swallowed and put her hand to her head.

"I am from the village-…" Izayoi started. She was feeling quite faint.

"You okay?" the man asked again, she looked so pale, it made her lips stand out more, but she only faintly heard it. She was feeling light headed again.

"I-…" She felt the man lift her up, bridal style and began to walk with her out of the forest. He was strong; somehow it felt right to her. But he seemed deep in thought and was looking at the sky, when he caught her staring at him, he smiled and she blushed and looked away. He shook his head and went back to staring ahead. This woman was light, and she was pretty. No mortals…they were not for demons. They couldn't intermix. Then why were so many others falling for mortals, and siring half demon children? He didn't understand and he would not become attached to her. However, things had become a little too awkward in silence so he tried to get the conversation started. She must feel out of place to so close to a demon. What has she been told about us?

"You came from the village in the forest?" he asked and she nodded her head. Her nervousness seemed to die a bit as he spoke with her.

"I'm sorry you have to do this." Izayoi said and tried to get down. However he still didn't feel like she was going to be able to support herself, so he held her tighter.

"It's okay, I don't mind, really." The man answered. She seemed to stop trying and he liked her being in his arms. After a few moments Izayoi looked up to see the edge of the forest and the gate that lead to the palace. This demon was gentle and nice. He was not causing her any harm. She didn't understand, why was he not killing her? She rested her head on his chest and that in turn caused him to blush. Why is a simple mortal girl making me feel like this?

"Are these men from inside these gates?" Izayoi looked up and brought her head away from his chest. Guards from the palace were standing in front of the gate, spears ready. They all stared at the man coming and one of them ran off. Izayoi looked and a few moments later, Takemaru came into view and Izayoi scowled, and felt her cheeks burn red with anger. The demon looked down. She doesn't like this man, so who is he? And why do I feel like I know him?

"There you are!" Takemaru sighed in relief and the demon put her down and he shot the demon a cold glare. The man ran up to her and pushed her towards the guards. The demon watched as she stumbled and was caught by one of the guards He asked her a question and she nodded. The man who this woman didn't like stormed back to her and began to whisper in her ear. But he could hear what they were saying. Demonic 'gifts.'

What the fuck is wrong with you? You bitch.

I don't want to talk about it.

I really don't care, now where the fuck where you and who is this?

He saved my life! Show some respect, you selfish bas-…

Watch your tongue.

No, screw you.

You know, that tongue of yours is always two steps ahead of your simple mind.

Fuck off.

The demon smiled. This mortal woman had fire to her words. He instantly liked her. He glanced at the sky. He had places that he needed to be.

"I'm sorry to interrupt, but I must go." He turned his back to the small crowd.

"Then I must thank you, for your aid stranger." Takemaru added, the demon turned around. He wondered if this simple human had figured out that he was not a mortal. He could feel the human staring at him as if to decide what to do with him. He didn't need this from a human. However he deiced to rid this fast.

"It was my pleasure." He smiled. He must be a noble of sort and she must not be happy with him. He looked at the young woman before him. She looked saddened at his leave and she held her hand out. Strange as she would feel such an attachment to him after only briefly meeting. Even more peculiar, he felt it too.