Darkening
MysticShadowWanderer

Disclaimer: I'm Nobody. And Nobody's perfect.

Warning: This chapter needs a warning for..... confusion :grin: Sorry everyone who wanted a lemon, you people will have to wait. To clear some things up. I've decided not to use the names "Kenshin" and "Kaoru" anymore, unless they're addressing each other in public. I'm a bit reluctant to do this (it seems almost blasphemous...), but I think it's important to the story, and it really wouldn't make sense to refer to them as anything but the names I've given them since Kenshin's discovered his "real" self now. Please remember that "Licentia" is Kaoru and Kenshin's name will be revealed soon. Oh yeah, and Sanosuke is "Skopos." I have a feeling this is going to be a real test of my descriptive writing skills...

Chapter Four: Anoyo

I glanced at Licentia, who was humming happily as she walked by my side. There were so many facets to this woman. One minute she could be skipping and playing, careless as a child, and the in the next moment, without batting an eye, could stick a knife in someone's throat. And how I loved her for it.

Noticing me watching her, she smiled seductively. I suppressed a groan; she knew how I wanted her. But there were other things to attend to before that. My tasks awaited me, and I had to talk to Skopos. There was so much that I had to do.

"Darling, don't look so troubled," she said suddenly. "You will overcome your trials, I know. You were always strong, and now you're stronger."

"We don't know what I'll be put through," I replied darkly.

"I have faith in you."

I laughed bitterly. "You have faith in nothing."

Hands on her hips, she stopped, right in the middle of the road. "That's untrue. For many long years, I've waited for you to return to me, and I've had faith in you." She prodded my chest with her index finger. "I have faith in you and nothing but you."

"You waited for me? You sold your body to strangers!"

"They wouldn't let me stay without you, they said that was part of the price of rebirth. And I accepted that. There was nothing else I could do!"

"You lie! I taught you to wield a sword, you could have taught in a dojo somewhere!"

"You think I didn't try that?" She looked genuinely hurt. "A woman for a teacher? I fell into debt all too quickly. I did the only thing I could to survive."

"Bitch," I hissed. "You sold your body... you sold what is mine."

"I'm sorry..." she whispered. "I really am."

"More lies! You know that you feel no guilt!"

"Well if I don't, it's because I learned that from you!"

We were in the middle of the road, attempting to stare each other into the ground. One of us had to snap, I knew. I didn't want her to be mad at me, because even if I tried, I couldn't be mad at her. This fighting was so pointless. But I refused to lose.

"You don't know..." she sighed, "don't know what it's like to feel like you've been violated, over and over again, because you have no one in the world and no one will take you in. I'd like to think that I learned something from your rebirth, as well."

"What could you possibly have learned?"

"To regret."

I searched her eyes with mine; she wasn't lying to me. Then again, she never could. Reaching out a hand, I brushed away the single tear that coursed down her face. Leaning her cheek into my touch, she begged to be loved. I could never deny her, not now or anytime in the future. I pulled her into my embrace and lowered my mouth to hers. Within seconds, the pressing of lips became a frenzy of kissing and licking and biting.

Blood dripped from the spot on her neck where I tore at her with my teeth, and she whimpered softly as I sucked and licked at it. The taste of this woman was always intoxicating, but now it was more so than ever before. Maybe it was because I'd been without her for so long. Maybe it was because there was the possibility that I would die, and that I'd be without her forever. Whatever the reason was, this was the sweetest she'd ever been to me.

A purr rumbled from her throat even as her hands pushed at me. Leaving one more bite mark on her collarbone, I drew away, breathing heavily. She straightened her kimono before taking one of my hands in one of hers and tugging me onward.

"We have to get home. I miss Skopos and Lithos."

I smiled gently at her. Even though she would never admit it, she loved Lithos dearly, the unruly youth that he was, despite his frequent taunts. The young man was her pupil when last I saw him, but by now it was more than likely that someone else had taught him to use his darkening. At that thought, I was reminded that I had not used mine in a good long while, and I would need practice before going through my trials. My head tilted in thought; I would start with something simple.

In a matter of seconds, the sky went black and the sun was covered by ominous, billowing clouds. Lightning cracked in the distance, flashing through the sky like the tongue of a serpent. Licentia laughed as rain began to pour down on us. Storms always were her favorite.

"You're still so magnificent," she said, twirling in a circle with her arms outstretched. "Oh how glorious will be the day when we can reign once more. I love you."

"I know," I replied with a grin, pushing my dripping bangs away from where they were stuck against my forehead. "You look good when you're wet." My smirk widened.

She danced around me in happiness, and I followed her light footsteps at a steady pace, pleased to be finally returning home, to finally have a purpose again.

"Ah home," Licentia sighed as we neared the cave's mouth. "It's going to be so wonderful to finally be warm again."

I nodded in agreement, it was far too cold in Japan. Taking my hand in hers again, we walked side by side into the cavern. There was a moment of searing heat and a blast of wind that signaled our entrance and simultaneously dried our rain-soaked clothing, and I stepped into my kingdom again.

Silence fell over the fiery field below in a wave as she placed her arm around my waist while I stood on the platform, my amber eyes glaring down, surveying the people below me and the flames that flickered in the shadows. It was beautiful, and seeing it again made me realize how much I'd, unknowingly, missed it.

In one fluid motion, everyone kneeled to bow to me. I stepped closer to the edge of the platform, which had no rails, and raised one hand in greeting. They looked so small from as high up as I was, perhaps a hundred feet or so; no one had ever bothered to measure. Licentia gasped as I took one more step forward, then threw myself off the edge, free falling until I was a few feet from the ground, when I righted myself and landed gracefully on my feet. A few seconds later, a quiet thud at my side let me know that Licentia had followed me.

"You have to warn me next time," she said accusingly. "That wasn't funny."

I grinned at her and she turned away, crossing her arms and staring at the ground. Before I realized it, there were people swarming around my feet, trying to get close enough to touch me, as if to assure themselves that I was real, but also attempting not to offend me. I laughed.

"It's alright, I'm really here," I said, raising my voice for all to hear. "And I intend to stay!"

"It's about damn time," came a voice from behind me. "I thought you'd decided to stay in the mortal world."

"Not a chance in any of the hells, Skopos," I said, turning with a smile. "It's been a long time, my friend."

He put a hand on my arm and I returned the gesture. We stared at each other for a moment, and then I nodded. There was much to talk about. Licentia followed closely behind me until Skopos noticed she was there.

"Licentia!" he cried. "You came with our conquering hero!" Picking her up, he swept her into a huge hug and swung her around, treating her like the child she ofttimes acted like.

"Skopos," she said, a warm smile on her face. "I've missed you. I see that you've done nothing to make your hair look any less stupid."

The two had always been like brother and sister, and it was more than welcome to have the stability of their friendly banter back.

"And you still hang on our lord as if he were going to escape from you."

I chuckled as I continued on into the meeting room. Taking a seat at one of the low chairs around the stone table, I motioned for Skopos to sit as well.

"Why not take your throne, sire?"

"I am not yet ruler again, Skopos," I replied. "There is still the matter of those tests. But we can save that for later. How have things gone in my absence?"

"Fairly well. There was a bit of trouble with a rogue necromancer, but Lithos managed to take him down."

"Lithos did?" Licentia said. "He's progressed so far as to deal with necromancers?"

"Indeed he has, missy," Skopos replied. "You'll be proud of how well he's done with his darkening. I think that one day he may just make a fine daemon."

"Could he be a successor to the throne?" I was curious.

"If you two have no children who are suited, then I believe that, with time and training, he very well could be."

"Excellent. That's wonderful to hear," Licentia responded. "He's been like a son to me, as it is. Or at least a younger brother."

Skopos and I both smiled at that. She would never say anything to that extent when she was anywhere near Lithos.

"Other than the necromancer, there has been no trouble?" I asked.

"No, sire," came the reply. "In fact, we've just recently begun to enter into negotiations for a treaty with the Dragonlord."

"Really?" He nodded. "That's quite admirable, Skopos. You've done an excellent job in my absence."

"Thank you, sire."

"What do you have to do?" Licentia asked later when we were resting in our room. "What are the trials?"

"There are three, my love," I replied from where I laid on our bed. "I am to be tested in the Flame, the Silence, and the Time."

Her eyes were somber, for she understood the meaning behind my words.

"Let's not talk about it, darling," she whispered. "Let's just enjoy our time together before you have to leave, even if it's just for a short time."

"Tonight, we feast," I said. "Tell the kitchens. I want the entire kingdom to be fed."

"A celebration?"

"Yes, my love."

"Wonderful."

Spirits ran high as we ate and drank. Licentia had dealt with the kitchens as well as she ever did before, as if she'd never left. As more wine was consumed, more noise was made, and more people were dancing. I sat at the head of the table, Licentia at my side and stroking my arm with her fingertips, and looked out over the huge dining hall. It was pleasing to know that I was welcomed back, loved even.

It was even more of a comfort to be back in my normal clothing again. There had been nothing wrong with the gi and hakama that I wore in Japan, but I preferred my cloak and coat, the leather boots that fit perfectly to my legs. And to have Licentia back in her normal attire was enjoyable as well. The kimono that she had worn were too concealing; I liked to see her body, to be able to touch the skin of her stomach, back, and shoulders. She was too beautiful to be hidden beneath all that material.

"Dance with me, darling," she whispered in my ear.

I smiled and accepted her hand; I would never deny her a dance, simply because she loved it so. She knew exactly how to move her body to entice me, to draw me in, and she knew exactly how far I could be teased until I snapped. She never let me snap; she loved to taunt me.

"My love," I said, my mouth close to her ear as she pressed up against me. "Tonight you will make good on all the things you promised me before my rebirth."

In reply, she dragged the tip of her tongue up the side of my neck and bit at my ear. "You can take me over and over. Make up for all the pain I've felt these lonely years, for all the bodies in the dark, and all the tears I've shed while I've waited."

My hands caressed her skin soothingly. "I will make you forget all of that pain, all the bodies, all the tears. You will be mine and only mine, forever more."

A/N: Mmhmmmm... You guessed it. Lemon coming up. But... you know what... I already have it written, and I've decided not to post it on I know, I know, I'm getting soft... Usually I'd post it and not think twice, but this lemon is... well... it's a good one. In a bad... way? Or a bad one in a good way? I don't know. It's a little erm... dirtier... than my usual, and I think it would be in the best interest of the majority of the people reading this for me to just email it to them. Unfortunately, it might take a while, because I am REALLY freaking grounded now (I failed Algebra II and have to take it over... Not because I'm stupid, but because I was too lazy to do the work. Damn superiority complex...). ANYHOW! If you want to read the lemon chapter, leave an email address in your review, or email me directly at

Anyhow, some REALLY important stuff went on. Most important would probably be the "almost-description" of what the darkening is. I actually didn't plan to have that in here, but it sounded cool, so I went with it. It will be further explained later, so don't worry. Necromancers and dragons will become important later on, keep that in mind... Uhm... damn, I really hadn't wanted this to be one of those weird fantasy stories with necromancers and dragons and shit. But it's just so much FUN to write. So there. Hm. Just give some thought to the dynamics of our hero's relationship with "Licentia," because that becomes important too. So, yeah, that's all I can think of. I need sleep...

Translations:

"anoyo" - "world of the dead" (Ok, technically they aren't dead, but if you're not mortal, then sort of you are dead. I'm not going to go into the reasoning behind that, it's way too complicated for an A/N.)

"Lithos" - Greek; "stone" (Yahiko's stubborn as a stone :grin: Ok, so I was stretching it with this one, but I just thought the name fit him.)