AN: I've got nothing to say expect...Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Don't own RK. Never had, never will.
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half-breed-demon-fox; erica6060; cyjj; Tanis Ryuu; kik-ting; BabyKaoru-Sama; Angel of lonelyness; Rochelle; rain angst; Saggitarousgirl; SilverSorceressoftheMoonandtheNight; Anounymus T; tintin-chan; SakK; Zoingy; Candycorn Anime; Reinagshii; DragonWolfAnimeGirl; Makotojs; Monomiya Akihara; Princess of Darkness and me
The Demon Child
Chapter eight: Promises Made and Deals Dealt
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To the naked eye; all that could be seen were a pair of blurs flashing and –sometimes – together every now and then within the dojo's walls.
One bright and red. The other shimmering and silver-blue.
However; to the highly trained eye and to those who knew them; one could already guess who the pair is.
Kaoru twisted her side to the left just as it was about to make contact with cold metal. With her right hand clutching a kodachi; she counterattacked the opposed sword and tried to push it back.
A yelp escaped from her lips as Battousai, katana still locked with Kaoru's, gripped her across the shoulders with his free arm and delivered a low swing with his left leg; hitting Kaoru at the side of her ankles and causing her to lose balance.
Instinctively, Kaoru wrapped her long tail around the vampire's waist and pulled, bringing him down with her.
Kaoru swallowed a gasp as her back hit the dojo's floor… Hard.
Ouch.
Kaoru glared; though not as threatening as it should be; at the redhead vampire on top of her, swords still locked with neither of their wielders backing off.
"Get off me." Her voice came out low and raspy; eyes flashing brilliant sapphire.
Battousai gave a fanged smirk in reply. "Why should I? Besides; I like where I am right now."
Kaoru had the grace to blush; though she didn't know if it was from embarrassment or anger.
The demon knew perfectly well what the two of them looked like at this moment. As they fell; Battousai somehow managed to tangle his long legs with hers. The result was that Battousai was on top of Kaoru; their legs entwined and hips brushing against each other at the slightest movement. The male vampire's elbows bent at Kaoru's sides; trapping her and providing enough leverage for Kaoru to breathe properly. Thus, their bodies were a mere few centimeters apart.
Battousai's warm breath tickled Kaoru's wolf ears and her sensitive nose caught the tiny scent of mint; obviously from the fresh mint leaves he'd eaten earlier.
(AN: I can't remember if they have toothpaste in their time so I just improvised….Sigh.)
Battousai's amber eyes glinted with amusement.
"You're blushing." It was a statement. Not a question.
Kaoru glared at him. "Am not."
"Are too."
"Am not."
"Are too."
"Am not."
"Am not."
"Are too….Mou!"
Battousai chuckled as Kaoru pouted. He found it adorable whenever she did so.
"Not fair….Cheater."
"Whatever."
"Grr…Honestly; you can be such a jerk. I'll only ask you twice. Get…off…me…Now!"
Battousai shook his head stubbornly like a little child.
"No…not unless I get a kiss."
From the way Kaoru's face huffed and turned red; the vampire couldn't decide whether to laugh or not.
Kaoru noticed her future mate's lips twisting every now and then; as if he was indecisive to smile or not. If she didn't found it so peculiar and perhaps even a tiny bit eerie, she would've giggled at the comic look he unconsciously made of himself.
Then her sapphire eyes gleamed with unhidden mirth and moving as swift as a wolf, Kaoru pressed her lips against his own.
Before Battousai could figure out what had happened; the vampire soon found himself on the floor with Kaoru sitting on his navel; her lithe legs sprawled at his sides for balance and her hands placed against his chest.
Battousai blinked as it was his turn to stare up at his intended who had a huge grin etched on her porcelain face; flashing her piercingly sharp white fangs.
'Oro…'
Battousai mentally frowned. Oro? Kami! What has gotten into him lately? What a ridiculous saying. Oro indeed.
Both of their swords; his katana and her kodachis; lay scattered on the floor across from the pair. Obviously, Kaoru had used both of her kodachis to counteract the weight of Battousai's katana and used her upper body strength to push their swords away from her; twisting their entwined limbs by her hip and causing Battousai's center of gravity to be off.
Which lead to the answer as to why they're in their current state.
(AN: This actually happened to me during one of my previous lessons on free-fighting. Only that we weren't allowed to use knives or any sharp objects in this particular spar so we just used our fists instead….Also that I was the one lying on the floor just like Battousai. You couldn't imagine how shocked I was… Grr…I am so gonna get back at my partner…someday. Hohoho!)
Kaoru smirked at Battousai.
"Not so tough now, are you?" She said in a smug, teasing voice.
Perhaps it was the comfortable air around them or that he was rendered speechless as of the moment or that his brain had become numbed on the intellect area. Whatever the cause; Battousai did the impossible for him.
He stuck his tongue out.
Kaoru's first reaction was to blink her eyes unbelievably. Then she laughed…really loud.
Kaoru wrapped her arms around her stomach as her ribs ached from too much laughter. If she isn't careful; her true demonic aura would've burst to the surface due to lowered barriers.
"I won't believe it if I hadn't seen it for myself." She muttered mostly to herself in between giggles.
Battousai's slightly flushed face color subsided as a smirk etched upon his lips once more and a certain gleam brightened his amber eyes.
The crimson-haired vampire snaked his arms under Kaoru's and gently gripped her stomach with his calloused hands.
Kaoru was slow to become aware of Battousai's actions until she felt fingers as soft as a butterfly's touch slowly creeping their way up her spinal cord to rest at the middle of her back; just beneath her shoulder blades.
His palms pressed against her back; Battousai softly pushed Kaoru down towards him and their lips met in a sweet, undaunted kiss.
Kaoru smiled at Battousai as their lips parted for air. She reached out a delicate hand to brush a stray crimson lock away from the vampire's eyes. Somewhere in their spar; the tie binding Battousai's blood red hair had loosen and thus freed the wild unruly mane to settle on his shoulders and back.
With one arm wrapped around the demon's waist; Battousai grasped Kaoru's outstretched hand by the wrist and brought it down to his lips where he kissed the two twin scars of his first marking. Claiming himself as a suitable would-be mate of her favor and her approval of him to continue his perusing for her.
(AN: I added the last bit for the benefit of those who didn't get the meaning of the wrist-biting in the last chapter.)
Just then; the shoji door of the dojo slid opened and Misao peeked inside.
"Oi! Battousai! Kaoru! Me and Aoshi are going to use the dojo now so I was wondering if…."
The dark-haired young woman's voice trailed off as her wide emerald eyes cast their sight on them and their…manner of state.
A bare-chested Battousai lay on the floor with a slightly tousled (from the spar people!) Kaoru sitting on top near his 'erotic' area and looking contended as well. Both looked up at Misao with different emotions etched on their faces. Kaoru looked at her with curiosity and perhaps a mixture of embarrassment while Battousai had a small frown on his face; showing that he wasn't exactly pleased with her barging in on them.
"Er…Never mind. I'll leave the two of you alone to…err…do some stuff."
With that Misao turned around to leave when Kaoru spoke up.
"No! It's not a problem Misao. And besides, it's not what you think."
Misao was perfectly aware of the red hue across her cheeks.
"It's alright Kao-chan… I'll ah…just find someplace else to practice with Aoshi."
"Misao-chan!"
Kaoru's reply was cut off by the sliding of the dojo door as Misao closed it behind her. Slowly; the young woman made her way down the steps to stand in front of Aoshi.
The dark-haired vampire looked at her. "So? What did they say?" He asked.
Misao blushed redder. "Eh, why don't we just go spar someplace else?"
Aoshi looked at her with piercing ice blue eyes. "Did something happen?"
Misao held her hands in front of her and waved them as if to say no. "No, no. Why would you think that? Nothing happened." She said nervously.
"Not yet, anyway." She whispered softly yet Aoshi was able to hear it.
Aoshi cocked up an eyebrow in question but remained silent.
There are certain things he just wouldn't want to know right now…especially not just after lunch.
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Inside Kaoru was slapping her forehead with the back of her hand.
Stupid. Stupid. Stupid! How could you just let her walk away after that Kaoru? And with thinking of something like that?
Battousai merely watched Kaoru with a smirk on his face.
"Let it be Kaoru. It's not that bad."
Kaoru glared death at the vampire. "Not bad? Not bad?! You think that's not bad?!"
Battousai shrugged his shoulders.
"I wouldn't think of anything else."
Kaoru raised her arms heavenwards and sighed.
"Augh! Males! They're all alike!"
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"It has been a few weeks since your messengers warned us, Hiko." Soujiro noted as he stared at the Vampire Lord's broad back.
"Yes. Indeed, it has been." Hiko agreed; his hazel eyes cast on the scenery outside his window.
"Perhaps it was a dupe," spoke out Shogo who stood besides Soujiro.
The shorter vampire tossed a small glare at his much taller and more muscular comrade.
"I don't think so." Soujiro replied; his blue-grey eyes narrowed.
Hiko turned around to face the pair. He cast his eyes at Shougo. "Tenken's right. Our spies have never been wrong before."
Shougo shrugged his shoulders. "There's always a first time for everything." He muttered.
Soujiro frowned at Shougo's causality but remained silent.
Silence reigned as all three vampires stood quiet; each lost in his own thoughts.
Hiko surveyed his office and quirked up an eyebrow after a while.
"Where are the others?" He asked.
It was Shougo who answered. "Sano and Megumi are in the living room; discussing…"
Hiko snorted. "More like bickering as usually."
"…Aoshi is teaching Misao to fight more efficiently and Battousai and Kaoru are training at the dojo."
The green-eyed vampire had a sour look on his face which went unnoticed by the two other vampires.
"What about Yahiko?" Hiko asked.
"He's currently helping in the kitchens." It was Soujiro's turn reply.
Hiko raised an eyebrow in question. "Yahiko? Helping?"
Soujiro smirked. "Well apparently he's been eyeing that human girl Kaoru saved."
"Ahh I see…What was her name again?" asked Hiko.
"It's Tsubame."
Hiko smirked. "I see…Who would've thought that that idiotic youngling would become interested in the opposite gender already?"
Suddenly; the doors burst opened as a vampire soldier said to them with frightened eyes.
"Lord Hiko, Tenken, Amakusa." He addressed to them all courteously.
"What is it?" Hiko asked; though he had a sneaky suspicion he knew that answer already.
The soldier stood up straight and saluted. "Shishio and his army are at the borders already! We're under attack!"
-------------------------------------(meanwhile)----------------------------
"Hiyah!"
Aoshi dodged Misao's flying kicks with his bare arms. Taking steps back he voice out.
"You're getting better."
Then; just as swiftly; he grabbed Misao by the ankle just as she was about to do a crescent kick and pulled her over his shoulder where he let go. Misao landed on one knee behind the tall vampire.
"But you need to focus more on your opponent and concentrate." Aoshi continued as he looked back to a panting Misao.
The young woman slowly got up. She stared at the vampire in the eye and at that moment; emerald once again clashed with icy blue.
Misao smirked as she replied. "Who said I haven't been Aoshi?"
With that said; Misao held up her hand which she'd been hiding behind her back. A kunai was grasped and held in between her fingers; a tiny almost insignificant tint of something red in it's blade.
Aoshi's eyes widened slight in surprise and the vampire suddenly reached a hand up to his cheek. He felt something wet as he touched his skin and withdrew his hand to see a small smudge of his blood in his palm.
The scent of blood assaulted his senses and Aoshi quickly wiped away the red liquid with the use of his handkerchief which he then burnt with an icy blue flame that erupted from the palm of his hand.
Misao watched the whole process with awe.
"It's so beautiful," She muttered softly.
"Can I touch it?" Misao asked Aoshi; her emerald eyes looking at him hopefully.
"If you want to," The vampire replied.
For the life of him; Aoshi didn't know why he said it was alright but the sheer look of unmasked fascination on the young human's face as she cautiously touched the small flame struck something deep down in him.
Misao grinned. "Hey! It's not that hot at all." She commented as she turned her hand over and over the blue flame with child-like curiosity.
Aoshi replied. "Of course not; my element is of the ice and wind."
Misao blinked. "Eh? Then why did your hanky burn?"
"It's because of the amount of ki I used."
"Ah…really. Is that so?"
"What else can you do?" The innocence in Misao's voice almost made Aoshi smile.
Almost.
"Mostly what Kaoru can do; except that my abilities aren't as varied nor as complex as hers."
"Like what?"
"…I think it's time for us to continue." Aoshi commented and turned around so that his back was to Misao.
"EH!? You can't do that!" said a fuming Misao; stomping her foot at the same time.
Aoshi didn't reply. Instead he walked away towards his previous spot on the grassy field not far from the mansion that served as their training 'hall'.
"Hey! I'm talking to you!" Misao turned red in the face.
As quick as humanely possible; Misao ran towards Aoshi and tried to jump on his back.
Tried being the emphasized word.
The ever-so graceful Misao stumbled her foot on a rock and lost her balance. The dark-haired woman yelped and covered her eyes and shut them tight; bracing herself for the pain that she would soon experience.
…3…2…1…
Nothing.
Surprised; Misao opened her eyes and took a peek in between the fingers of her hand shielding her face.
What the?
Misao let down her hands to see a pair of lithe leather-clad arms holding her by the waist. The dark-haired female raised her head to see that it was Aoshi.
"Um…Thanks." Misao managed to mutter out.
She blushed as she finally noticed that their faces were so close…it looked like as if they were just about to kiss.
Misao blushed for the third time that day.
'Man, what is it with me and blushing these days?' She thought to herself.
Not that anyone could possibly blame her. Aoshi was so handsome and incredibly hot. That fact was never more true especially up this close. Short ebon locks with bangs that framed his pale oval-shaped face shadowed piercing eyes of ice blue that seemed to gleam with genuine concern.
Misao let her eyes travel down the vampire's face; from the well-sculpted nose that fit perfectly well with his features down to a delicious-looking pair of lips.
'Damn! What a mouth!'
"Misao…" Misao nearly swoon at the sound of that dreamy voice coming from that mouth.
(AN: Sapphire: Aoshi! (swoons) Daemon, her Creativity demon, fans the author with a large feathered fan: Oi! Get up! You still have to continue with the rest of the chapter. Sapphire: (gets up) Oh puu! (pouts))
"…Are you alright?" Aoshi asked the dark-haired woman.
He saw the faraway look in the female's emerald eyes and was about to shake her to get her attention when Misao resumed control of her bearings and shook her head
'Get your mind out of the gutter girl! Or else, he's going to think you're weird.' Came Misao's mental voice; which some defined as your conscience.
"…I'm alright," Misao finally answered. "See?"
She looked straight into Aoshi's eyes and flashed him a smile to prove her point.
Again; Aoshi almost smiled twice for today. Almost.
'She's adorable,' Aoshi found himself thinking and, for the first time in a long while, he didn't mind thinking that way…at all.
A deep cough shook the two out of their reverie and both looked to find Soujiro looking at them.
"Am I interrupting anything?" The brown-haired vampire asked; a knowing smile on his facial features.
Aoshi grunted and helped Misao to stand up on her legs before he replied.
"Nothing significant."
Misao looked at the tall vampire besides her with a disbelief look on her face.
Nothing? Ha! 'Nothing' my ass! Hello! We just…well almost had a romantic moment back there.
Misao wanted so much to pound some sense into Aoshi but thought better of it. Soujiro must've some pretty important news to interrupt their 'training'.
Misao narrowed her eyes dangerously.
He better have.
Soujiro noticed Misao's antics and coughed a laugh for the small human's sake. With serious eyes; he cast his attention to Aoshi once more.
"Hiko wants us all to meet at his office. Apparently; Shishio has already begun on his plan to attack."
Both Aoshi's and Misao's eyes hardened. Misao with rage and the thirst for revenge while Aoshi with the thrive to finally end this centuries-old feud.
"We'll be there as soon as possible," Aoshi assured Soujiro.
The blue-grey-eyed vampire nodded in approval before he turned to walk away towards the mansion.
Aoshi nodded his head to Misao. "We should get going," He said.
But before he could take one step forward; Misao grabbed him by the shoulder.
"You need to get that wound bandaged first." She reasoned as Aoshi looked back at her.
Aoshi's hand immediately went to the wound on his cheek.
He had forgotten about that.
Misao smiled as she let go of her hold on Aoshi. "Think you can will a bandage and some tape to appear?" She asked.
Aoshi rolled his eyes with mirth but Misao soon found her hands enveloped in a blue halo and the mentioned items appeared in her grasp.
Misao unrolled the bandage at just the right length and cut the edge off with her kunai before she gently placed it on Aoshi's wound and taped it in place with the use of…what else? Tape.
"There that should do it," Misao muttered as she looked at her handiwork.
"At least until either Megumi or Kaoru heal you that is." She continued.
Then, Misao saw something that made her feel giddy all over.
Aoshi smiled.
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"Is everyone here and accounted for?" asked Hiko, surveying the people in the room with his undaunted hazel eyes.
Kaoru looked around. She lifted an eyebrow. "Where's Shougo?" she asked.
Unbeknownst to the others; Battousai frowned as he heard Kaoru's question. Kaoru saw this and clasped her hand above his and gave a soft squeeze; giving him a smile as well.
Battousai saw this and immediately relaxed. He returned her smile with one of his own.
"He went ahead of us," Sano answered when nobody bothered to.
"He said he would go check-up to see for himself. He'll probably be back soon."
Hiko nodded his head at this.
"Fine then."
He cast his intimidated gaze at them.
"You all know the plan. Be ready in thirty minutes. We shall attack full-head on them."
The Vampire Lord continued. "And whatever you do; don't let them capture Kaoru."
"Yes!" replied all but one.
Kaoru pouted. "Mou!"
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"Eh! The nerve of him!" ranted Kaoru as she sheathed her kodachis and tucked them in the obi of her fighting kimono.
Battousai smirked as he finished tying his black gi in the front. Other than that, he remained silent; knowing that the female would continue.
"I mean, who does he think he is?" Kaoru continued.
The silvery-blue haired demon imitated Hiko's voice.
"..Don't like them capture Kaoru…"
Kaoru humphed. "Capture indeed! I could take care of myself thank you very much,"
"We all know that you're very capable of protecting yourself Koishii," Battousai finally said.
The male vampire glided over to the demon and hugged her from behind; his hands resting at her waist. Kaoru smiled and clasped her hands with Battousai's.
"Promise me one thing Battousai," Her voice was as soft as a gentle breeze.
Battousai arched an eyebrow.
"What is it?"
"Promise me that you won't die."
Silence.
Kaoru got so nervous that she started spurting out words that were half-illegible.
"I know that you're very powerful but…you're not a Full Immortal. I don't want you to die…"
Kaoru's voice trailed off. "…I don't want to lose you."
Battousai broke their embrace to grab Kaoru by the shoulders and turned her around to face him. He cupped her face with his hands and leaned closer so that their noses almost bumped against each other.
"You won't." He said simply to her; amber locked with sapphire.
"I promise you that as long as you promise me the same thing as well."
Kaoru smiled. "I promise." She said whole-heartedly.
Battousai smiled genuinely. "Then, I shall keep my promise."
Kaoru giggled. "Care to seal it with a kiss?" She asked playfully.
Battousai gave a playful smirk. "Thought you'd never asked."
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"I have given you all the training that I could do. Hopefully, you'll be able to put it into good use." Aoshi said as he sheathed his own kodachis.
Misao swung her legs back and front as she sat at the edge of Aoshi's bed. A deep frown set upon her face.
"Finally…After all of this time, I can finally get back at Shishio for what he did to my family."
Aoshi frowned at this. Gliding over to where Misao sat; he too took a seat besides the young woman.
"Misao…" He started.
But Misao cut him off as she continued to let out her bottled–up feelings.
"I can't wait to dig my kunai deep in that bastard wolf's throat and gorged his eyes out."
"Don't let your rage blind your rationality."
Misao glared at him. "How would you know Aoshi? Do you know the pain and anguish I felt when I saw them die? I SAW them Aoshi! And I couldn't do anything about it! I couldn't protect them as well Kaoru would've! And damn if I cared about what would happen to me as long as I get to see that Shishio rot in hell! "
"Then you're selfish then." Aoshi replied coldly.
Misao widened her eyes. "Excuse me? Me? Selfish? How dare you say such a thing! "
Aoshi's ice blue eyes gleamed with annoyance and slight anger. "I said so because you are."
The seethed dark-haired woman stood up and glared at Aoshi deeply.
"How dare you!"
Aoshi caught Misao's hand just as she was about to slap his newly-healed cheek. The furious female glared death at the vampire as she tried to pry her hand away but Aoshi just tightened his grip on her wrist.
"Listen to me Misao." Aoshi started.
When Misao continued to struggle; Aoshi had no choice but to grip his hold on her wrist harder until Misao bit her lip and nearly drew out blood at the pain.
"Now will you listen to me?....Please?"
Misao finally nodded her head in agreement; her eyes cast down on the floor of Aoshi's room.
Aoshi sighed. "I knew what you're going through right now. Believe it or not if you wished; I was once in the same predicament as you are right now."
Misao snapped her head and looked at the vampire with confused but curious emerald eyes. Her anger at Aoshi momentarily forgotten.
Aoshi drifted his gaze from Misao's expressive eyes and continued.
"As you may have already known; I'm the Okashira of the Oniwabanshuu. Like any other large group; I have an elite band of fellow warriors whom were...no, are my closest friends as well."
"Were?" Misao muttered in question but Aoshi ignored it and continued.
"Their names are Hanya, Beshimi; Shugiko, and Toga. I was their leader and together we were the greatest team the Oniwabanshuu ever had."
"At that time; I didn't joined Hiko's group seeing has how I rather mind my own business then meddle into others' like those involved in the Blood of Three Wars."
"The war between the humans, werewolves and vampires?" asked Misao.
Aoshi nodded his head.
"You guys actually have a name for these wars?" asked Misao incredulously.
Aoshi ignored Misao and continued.
"Anyway; to make a long story short. We were hired by a male human named Takeda Kanryuu to guard him against both the wolves and vampires that were out to get him. We found out too late though that Kanryuu turned out to be a werewolf in disguised who lived on an income of drug trafficking and illegal weapon smuggling."
"How did you found out?"
Aoshi pursed his lips. "Wonder of wonders; Battousai and the others were the one we were fighting against with that day. I was battling the Battousai at the time and had just lost when suddenly Kanryuu appeared; wielding a huge battling gun. Hanya and the others had tired to protect me but they were all killed before they could get even near Kanryuu."
"So you watched them die?" Misao asked; her voice almost unheard.
"Yes." Came Aoshi's short but painful answer.
"What happened then?"
"Along with Battousai's help; I killed the motherf…king bastard. But it wasn't until Sano appeared with Megumi that the pieces finally came into place. Turns out that Kanryuu was working under Shishio and that his 'transactions' were merely a past-time hobby for him. He had captured Megumi and used her knowledge of medicine and herbs to concoct a drug called 'opium' which he sells to humans and even to low-rate wolves and vampires if he was lucky enough."
Aoshi paused for a while to catch his breath before he continued. "Afterwards; I joined up with Battousai and the others. I wanted revenge at the time."
"But I later found out that I had taken my avengement in a wrong way. I had trained and trained and yes, I was strong then, but I had lost focus of reality. All that I could think about was to kill the bastard responsible for the deaths of my friends. Instead of honoring their deaths; I used it as a reason to become someone that I am not."
"Battousai made me realized that awful truth. For that, I am deeply grateful to him."
Aoshi turned to glance at Misao.
"That is why I don't want you Misao to use their deaths as a reason for revenge."
Aoshi's voice trailed off and he said softly. "I don't want you to become like me."
There was an uncomfortable silence following Aoshi's revelations. Aoshi had let go of Misao's wrist and instead found himself studying the patterns of his room's floor. After awhile; Misao quietly clasped her hand over Aoshi's.
Not long after, however, something wet hit their entwined hands.
Surprised; Aoshi looked up to see Misao smiling at him sadly; her emerald eyes brimmed with silent tears.
It was then that Aoshi realized that he didn't like her tears. In fact; he didn't like to see her cry or sad anymore. She had experienced too much pain and sadness for a human and at such a young age; though she may not look like it.
Unexpectedly; Aoshi soon found himself the recipient of one of Misao's big bear hugs.
"I'm so sorry…Aoshi," Misao muttered out.
The dark-haired young woman lowered her face to the vampire's neck and wept for him.
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"Idiot! Why must you always rush into things so suddenly?" came Megumi's rasped voice as she watched as Sano flexed his fists in preparation.
"You'll only get yourself killed, you Rooster-Head!" Megumi continued.
Sano fumed. "I know that Fox! This is some deep shit of a battlefield we're going in right now."
"Then why? You idiot? Why?"
"Because I can't let everyone down; that's why! Especially you Megumi!"
"I…I…"
Megumi then wept. Sano took the crying female vampire in his arms and cradled her lovingly.
"Don't cry Megumi. You know that I don't like to see you cry." He said in hushed tones.
"Besides; I want you to be happy when I give you my gift."
"Huh? What gift?" Megumi asked as she quickly wiped her tears away.
Sano smiled. "This gift."
He took out a tiny red-embroidered box from his jacket and held it out to the cinnamon-eyed vampire.
Megumi, with shaking hands, took the box and opened it slowly.
Inside; lying on top of a soft blue cushion laid a golden ring with a single large gemstone the same color as Megumi's eyes.
Megumi gasped and Sano merely chuckled as he took out the ring from the box. With his other hand; he took Megumi's hand in his and said.
"I want you to wear this as a small, tiny sign of the happiness –and drama – that I have with you throughout all of these years."
Sano smiled as he looked into Megumi's eyes. "Nothing could make me happier than for you to accept this ring and wear it with as much pride as you have."
"…and that's saying a lot." He joked.
"Ouch! That hurt!" Sano yelled as he rubbed the sore spot on his head where Megumi had whacked him.
"Idiot!" scolded Megumi; though the warm glimmer in her eyes proved otherwise. "Do you always have to ruin such a perfectly romantic moment?"
"Give it here before I changed my mind." With that Megumi took the ring from Sano and put it in her ring finger.
Admiring the dark gem that sparkled in the light; Megumi smiled at Sano and kissed him.
"I am honored – though I must be crazy as well – to have you as my mate." She said lovingly to him.
Then; the old Kitsune gave back in full-charge and soon Sano found himself being kicked out of the room by his mate.
"And don't you dare say a word to the others about me crying or I swear I'll have your hide!" yelled out Megumi.
"Cheh! Same old Fox!" said Sano; though there was a smile on his lips.
"Rooster-head!"
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"I hate this! Why the hell can't I come along with them? I'm five times as old as that Weasel," ranted Yahiko as he moved around the kitchen.
A soft hand tapped him in the shoulder and the brown-eyed 'boy' looked back.
"What?" He shouted angrily. He shut up though as he saw that it was Tsubame.
The shy girl fiddled with the tray she held in her hands.
"Ehh…Yahiko-chan," Tsubame started.
"Thanks for staying behind to protect us."
Yahiko turned a bright red.
"Oh…Ah sure! It's not a problem…Eh, sorry that I snapped at you…"
Realization struck Yahiko and soon he yelled out.
"Don't call me chan!"
Tsubame merely giggled in reply.
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"Damnation!"
Kaoru cursed as she dodged another werewolf's claws only to narrowly miss the swing of a bounty hunter's sword.
They were in the heat of the battle. Shougo had sent them all a mental message not so long ago.
'Come quick! Shishio and his men had already crossed the borders; I don't know if I can last hidden for so long…Argh!'
A scuffle was heard before the link disappeared; apparently cut off by some unknown force.
So now they're currently fighting against the army of Shishio's. Surprisingly Shishio was nowhere to be seen and there weren't many men at all as estimated.
Suddenly; Shishio's men quieted down, leaving an eerie silence in their wake. All of them seemed to be looking into one direction.
Kaoru glanced questioningly at Soujiro who just shrugged in reply. Feeling anxiety deep in her stomach, seemingly twisting it into knots, Kaoru dared to look into the direction which the wolves and humans were facing.
She barely had time to swallow a gasp when she saw Shougo standing high atop a steep cliff overlooking at them all. What made her gasp in disbelief was that the long brown-haired vampire wore a gi with the insignia of ten swords forming a circle with a flaming wolf at the center.
Kaoru could hear Battousai growled lowly besides her.
"That's the sign of Shishio's group."
Sano couldn't hold his deep disgust and anger at Shougo and yelled out.
"Traitor!"
Shougo smirked and flawlessly jumped down from the cliff to stand before them.
"Traitor you say?" He asked. "I think not. Only just a few weeks ago have I joined with Shishio's group."
With this he turned face Hiko momentarily. "Sorry Hiko but I never liked you anyway."
Hiko growled. "The feeling's mutual. That I can assure you." He answered
Shougo merely shrugged and continued.
"Why did you think that Chou was left to be captured? Shishio sent him to provide me with a communicator so I can give him my answer."
He smirked. "Besides; he made me an offer I just couldn't refuse."
Letting his green eyes fell upon Kaoru's; Shougo smiled. Battousai saw this and let out a growl as he moved to stand in front of her.
Shougo frowned at this but it was soon replaced with a sickening smile.
"Come now, Kaoru-chan. Stop playing and come with me to Shishio."
Kaoru glared stonily at Shougo. "Why should I?"
Shougo smiled evilly. "Well if you want them to still be alive, you must?"
At that the brown-haired vampire clapped his hands and two junior werewolves appeared behind him, dragging three struggling figures in their arms.
Shougo snapped his fingers and the two wolves took off the hood hiding the figures' faces.
Both Kaoru and Misao gasped in shock. However; Kaoru was the first to resume her bearings and yelled out in a mixture of disbelief and relief.
"Dr. Gensai!..."
Misao soon followed after. "…Ayame! Suzume!"
The two little girls called out in frightened voices.
"Misao-nii! Help us!"
Kaoru was a bit hurt that they didn't mention her when she remembered that they couldn't recognize her in her real form.
Shougo smirked at the shocked look on his former comrades' faces.
"But how…?" Sano wondered.
Both Soujiro and Battousai were quick to realize the situation.
"Shishio tricked us all along! Somehow he had managed to fool Misao that they killed them when in truth he merely captured them!..." started Soujiro; a deadly look on his eyes.
"…So he could use them as blackmail later on." Battousai growled; his amber eyes flashing molten gold.
Shougo laughed. "You're quite right. Shishio had Misao knocked-out and Yume cast a False Memory spell on her to make her think that these pathetic humans were killed."
He chuckled. "So devious, is it not?"
Kaoru gritted her teeth. If she could; she would scratched off that huge smirk on Shougo's face.
But she can't. She can't endanger three innocent lives.
Shougo turned to face the silver-blue haired demon. "Well Kaoru? It's your choice."
"Join me and come to Shishio or stay here and watch them die."
Kaoru made her choice.
Sapphire eyes gleaming a bright silver; Kaoru took a step forward when Battousai stopped her.
"Don't do this, Kaoru." He told her; a pleading tone in his voice.
Kaoru looked at him in the eye. "You know I have to."
She turned her gaze away from the crimson-haired vampire and stepped forward once more.
"I'm sorry." She whispered softly so that only Battousai could hear.
Turning her gaze to meet with Shougo; Kaoru said.
"Release them at once and I will come with you."
Shougo smirked. "I'm glad you see it my way, Kaoru-chan."
He turned to face the wolves holding the three humans.
"Let them go."
Without a complaint; the wolves dropped the humans to the ground; just at the same time as Shougo had teleported besides Kaoru and gripped her by the waist.
"Shall we go then? We mustn't keep Shishio from waiting." He whispered to her ear and Kaoru involuntarily shuddered.
Red-amber eyes blazing with fury; Battousai poised his katana and took a step forward when Kaoru stopped him with a gesture of her hand.
Sad sapphire-silver eyes gazed at the redhead. "No,"
That was all Kaoru said before a dark green light emitted and engulfed both her and Shougo before they disappeared; leaving the rest of the army on their own.
Angrily; Battousai flung his katana on the dirt and got down on his knees as he pounded the ground with his fists until they turned bloody.
Silent tears crept down the usually stoic crimson-haired vampire's diluted amber eyes before he looked up heavenward and let out an anguish howl.
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To be continued
Sapphire: (dodges over rotten vegetables; fruits and other trash) Now was that a cliffhanger or what?! (beams huge smile)
Angry readers/reviewers: (takes out various sharp objects and guns…even a shovel and pitchfork.) (glares at Sapphire)
Sapphire: Epp! (Runs away from pissed readers/reviewers)
Sapphire: (after a few hours of running and finally shaking angry people off her trail) Ahem. Now, as some of you may have guessed, this chapter's is the second to the last which means the next chapter is my LAST! Yippee! I finally get to finish a fic that's not a one-shot! Whoppido!
(coughs) Anyway; I'm really sorry if this chapter's a bit lacking in the action department but I promise you all that next chapter's going to be one awesome kick-ass chapter full of action, romance and etc…
Also I hoped that Aoshi/Misao and Sano/Megumi fans out there are satisfied! Do you know how hard it was for me to pair Aoshi and Misao up? Argh! It was a nightmare I tell you…but I think I did pretty good nonetheless.
Whoah yeah! This is actually a very long chapter….Well it's mainly because it's been quite a while since I'd updated.
Anyway; I truly hoped that everyone enjoyed this chapter. Until next time!
Remember the basic equation of fanfiction; lots and lots of reviews happy author final chapter.
I'm a sucker for reviews, so sue me. Hohoho! (smiles wickedly)