I stood with my back facing Vincent, The bright,pale bluemoonlight striking his red metal armor in such a way, it reflected a violet hue. The trees swayed back and forth, their dark green leaves rustling in sync with the grass as the wind whipped at me mercilessly.

"You are a Chosen one, but that is not your reason for returning, is it?"Vincent said,with half of his face covered in darkness." Was it your Father?"

My hand snaked down to my waist, grasping the handle of my halberd ever so slightly."I could care less about that bastard. Do you intend to fight me Vincent?"

"There's no need to jump to conclusions." Vincent chuckled in a calm demeanor."Your friendship is dear to me."

I lifted my halberd from my waist, holding high enough so that I could see not only myself, but Vincent as well. The wind slowed as storm clouds shrouded the moon; In that moment of silence as my midnight blue eyes swirled into a mist then glazed over, Vincent said," You have eyes just like her, did you know that?"

"I do" I simply told him," My reason for returning was not by HIS will, but I wish only to see her with my own eyes and not through his." I removed my scarf, my golden blonde hair stood up in soft spikes." I haven't seen her for over 16yrs. You have. Tell me..."

I scowled at my blade, Vincent looked slightly taken aback by the relfection," How does she look?"

He closed his eyes and smiled," Just like her mother. Is that what you wanted to hear?"

"Not exactly but-" The sound of two blades shredding the air echoed throughout the sky. Vincent stood with his back against a thick-trunk oak tree. The tip of my blade pressing into the skin on his neck. " Why don't you tell me what really is going on? You claim to be my friend but you ally yourself with...HIM! And what's worse is you've taken my Sister like she was prize to be won."

"Deja vu." He said placidly," Will you kill me? Again?"

"What's the point? You won't die. You're a Chosen one. You're unable to die unless Cealestis and Bakajikara kill you." I was appalled at the fact that the person I was so proud to call my friend has turn on me once more." First Lucrecia and Now my sister? You're not big on loyalty."

"Then why don't you let me go?"

I lowered my sword," I'm not gonna waste my time dealing with you." I sneered"I turned my back on my father and now I'm turning my back on you." As I began to walk away he said:

"Your fidelity to your sister surprises me. She doesn't Even know you exist."

Without twisting back around, I whipped my sword against the oak. I heard the tree hit the ground, along with vincents body. His severed head rolled neck to my right foot."Just because it was pointless, doesn't mean it wasn't satisfying." I kicked his head to the side, showing as little respect for it as he'd shown me.

In a few hours, he'd be whole again before reportig back to my father. I could care less. I wasn't concerned, never have been. All I want to do is find my sister. Lord knows, MY father will make that damn near impossible but I choose my own fate. Not him. He's not longer the angel of death but a sick physcopath.

I will not succomb to him.

The bright sun...The warm white sand...so many unexplained memories...

"Do you see the ocean sister?"

I was just a baby then. Someone had held me but...it wasn't Tamahome.

"That's your element. Someday you'll control all of this." A happy laugh; soft, golden spikes of hair; and eyes like mine but they reflected day instead of night.

The feel of the warm sun on my skin and the white clouds that hovered.

What was his name again?

"Cloud..." I touched my pendent. The jewel the same color as the sea at night.

Kimiko?

"Huh?"

"Kimiko? What did you say about clouds?"

Kimiko P.O.V

It was in the port city of Sakai.

The waves crashed against the shore, azure foam cutting off my ankles and feet. Bankotsu Sat on the dry, white sand a couple of feet away. It was mildly warm that day. Not to hot, nor too cold. It was perfect but..somthing seemed amiss.

"Did you say something Ban-san?"

He nodded," What did you say about clouds?"

"Uh...I just zoned out a bit." Days like this will do that to you.

"You're doing it wrong Kimiko. Here, I'll show you." Tamahome lifted my arm, curving my left one at my side," Now lift your left leg and that's the tiger position. If you get hit in the chest, use your curved arm as a leverage."

I curved my arm even more so it wrapped almost aroind my chest," Like this Tamahome?"

"Right! That's exactly right! Tokaki will be so proud and so will mom and dad!"

"Bankotsu...do you ever feel like-hmm..I dunno-like something's missing?" I gazed at him. He blushed severly and said:

" Define that."

"There's alot of stars out tonight." Inuyasha wrapped his arms around my middle," You see that nice big one. It's called the north star."

We were only 8 at the time.

"It'll always lead you back home."

"Let's stay here Inuyasha and watch the stars."

"All night?"

I giggled," Yeah!That way, I get to stay with you!"

"Fine. But if you're sleepy tomorrow, don't complain to me."

Inuyasha...you idiot.

I watched Bankotsu closely. He had taken off his chest armor and his amkle shield. His hair was loose and his shirt was slightly open, showing a glimpse of his chest. I sighed. Things definetly were Back to normal. For now at least. There were no strong feeling between us...that we'd admit to. We flirted, kissed one another and did the whole Look and Lust thing but there was no love. We were basically back to where we were when we met.

I don't know what our future holds. I can't see he really wants me back. Bankotsu(by himself) is confusing. And being a man, it only makes it worse.(Men don't like being to open to his feelings)

Jaki told me Ban was a cry baby but I have never seen him cry once. I'm always the one to cry. I've seen him play-cry(which is eerie because it looks real) but...If I were to see him cry. I'd be scared. Honestly.

After Inuyasha I promised never to fall in love.Whether or not I stick to that vow is beyond me right now.

I just wanna take it slow for a while."Bankotsu, If you died tomorrow. I'd cry so damn bad."

He stopped blushing and gaped at me," You're starting to freak me out."

"I'm serious."Honestly," I can't see myself with another man in my life. Lord knows why I'm telling you this but I am. Have you ever pictured your future?"

Bankotsu P.O.V

"The future, doesn't concern me." He plainly said."I'm sorry if that's not what you wanna hear, but that's how I feel."

"Why would you appologize then?"

Because, I can't give you a future Kimiko."No reason." If I were to die tommorrow, I'd kill myself thrice over just for leaving you alone. Even now, I don't like leaving you by yourself. I worry.

"What If something happened to me?"

"I'd kill someone. Is that what you wanna hear?"

"You'd kill someone for enough money.That's not saying much."

"I'm a mercenary, it's what I do. What do you wanna hear?"

That I love you? Just come right out and say it. That night when you came back wasn't just a one time thing. You still care about me more that you let on. I only care about more--If that's possible.

Hell. Even Jaki knows if they hadn't been there, I would've made love to you.

"The night we spent together wasn't based on love, but hidden and opressed desires."

Can she read my thoughts now too? I stared at her once more. She had her hands behind her back, facing me sideways, watching me from over her shoulders. The thin fabric of her juban scraped against her skin, Her pendent slid down in between her breasts, her hair moving in the wind. She looked so beautiful.

"How'd you know what I was thinking?"

"I told you. I always know what the man I love is thinking. Well..(she laughed) Men. you, Jaki, Renkotsu, sui-sama, Mukotsu, ginkotsu and Kyo-kun."

For a minute, my heart stopped.Is she playing mind games again? She gazed up into the clear blue sky and lifted the hem of her Juban. Stepping gracfully into the ocean. The water was unbelievably clear.

"Kimi?"

She was hip-deep into the water. the ends of her hair trailing on the surface behind her."This sun feels so good." And for a second...

Soft, feather white wings wrapped around her bare body as she basked in the sunlight, her sun kissed skin glowing so radiantly...

"Kimi?" I said once more. She was normal now. Juban and...no wings even though I...

I must be seeing things. It's this heat.

If I let go of your hand clasped in mine

With that, it would all probably come to and end right now.

Shiritakatta koto kizutsuku koto

sae mo nanihitotsu yarinokoshita mama de

What I wanted to know, and even what hurts me-

even those were left undone.

anata ga deau shiawase wo

negaitai hazu na no ni

She was singing again.Only this time..it was more of a feelings. Her voice was so soft and serene. Her voice seemed at ease with the world around her, even the water seemed the move to her voice.

Whenever she was like this It made me realize how much I take her for granted. These past too months without her were the worst and I honstly don't want to relive that.

dekinai mijuku na jibun ni

fuite mo namida ga deru

Even though I should want to wish

for you to find happiness,

I can't, I'm too immature.

I wipe the tears, but they still keep flowing

Cold water soaked through my pants, my feet scraping against the wet sand.

sayonara

aishite-iru

anata wo dare yori

sora yori mo fukaku 1

Sayonara.

I love you

more than anyone else.

Even more deeply than the sky

My heart beating steadily. Her delicate hands drawing circles on the surface of the ocean.

nakanaide

mata aou ne

demo aenai koto

watashi dake shitte-iru no

Don't cry.

We'll meet again, right?

But not being able to see you

is something that only I know about.

I touched her. And I held her body close to mine, Like I had done in my dream.

"Bankotsu..."

I nuzzled her neck,resting the side of my place on her silky tresses." I know. Just let me...hold you." Just for now.

konna unmei wo eranda koto

itsuka anata ni mo hontou no imi ga wakaru wa

This fate that we've chosen...

someday you too will understand its true meaning.

Kimiko P.O.V

I cant say where I've heard this song. Only that a distant voice echos in my head. But What does the future hold for Bankotsu and I?

I've learned to cherish moments like this and not waste them because, it could be our last.

futari tsukutta kioku no takara

zutto kokoro no kakure ya de ikite'ku yo

The treasure of memories that we've made

will always live on deep inside my heart.

"That's the truth. If you were to die. I'd never marry. I can't picture life without you. I just wanted you to know." Before my father tried to invade my life once more. Even right now, it hurt me to be with him because I knew deep inside, that it might not last like we want it to.

kireigoto da to omotte'ta

kibou to iu kotoba wo

kurushii kurai dakishimete

anata wo miagete-iru

I thought it was a beautiful thing,

the word called hope.

In an almost painful embrace,

I'm looking up at you.

I twisted around in his embrace. He held me tighter as I slipped my arms around him. I never just let him hold me. I never hugged him.

arigatou

aishite-iru

anata wo dare yori

yume yori mo tsuyoku

Arigatou.

I love you

more than anyone else.

Even more strongly than dreams

I traced my hand along the line of his jaw, his thumb touching the flesh of my lips.

dakishimete

hanasanaide

dakedo hitokoto mo

tsutaerarenaide...

Hold me.

Don't let go.

But don't utter

even a single thing...

My lips parted, I trembled as his mouth caressed mine.

nakanaide

aishite-iru

tooku hanarete'te mo

anata to ikite yukeru

Don't cry.

I love you.

Even though we're separated far apart,

I can still live with you.

The kiss was so light. I almost forgot to breath.

What happened next(chuckles) Well..the sun went away. I half thought a cloud came by and hid it but a huge wave(not huge enough to destroy a town but big enough to knock us over)literally, knock us over. I came up first. Completely soaked and wet.

Bankotsu on the other hand, had somehow ended up on the edge of the shore. He coughed up some water before he was hit by high tide and fell back once more.

I couldn't help it. He looked so funny and lost and helpless and--I just laughed. More than that. I was roaring with laughter I almost fell over myself.

"You think that's fuuny!" He said irritated." Well then. Two can play that game."

He got up and started after me. IT was times like these I wish I could run super-fast on water because he caught up to me in like two seconds.

He took me by my hip, lifting me and swinging me in a circle. I half thought he might drop me.

He held me so high, I could put my feet on his shoulders and stood on him."You're not so high and mighty now, huh?"

"Well..technically I am higher than you so..."

"I'll drop you."

"Do it!" I dared him.

"Do it?"

"Yeah I want you to!"

"Fine!" he smirked.

"FINE!"

Jaki's voice rang through our ears," BAAAAAAAAANKOTSUUUUUU!"

"Huh?"

Bankotsu turned his head and my pendent fell from around my neck," My pendent."

Bankotsu P.O.V

"Jaki Wha!"

"MY PENDENT!" Kimi half yelled in my ear. Trying my best to listen to them both, I lowered her down and turned my head a bit. And..accidently, her juban came down over my head and I was face to face with a...certain area.

Jaki just stood ther with a blank expression. One second later, after I just realized what happened, kimi screamed and called me a pervert. THEN she kicked me in the shoulders. She slipped out my hands and we both fell back into the water.

I sat up," KIMIKO! WHAT THE HELL?"

" You did that on PURPOSE!" She raised her eyebrow at me. sounding all suspicious and accusing.

"NO I DIDN'T!" I looked away from her." Besides," I said under my breath," IT's not like I haven't been down there before."

"WHAT DID YOU SAY!"

"NOTHING!" I yelled behind me.

"If you two are done," Jaki lifted his yukata and walked to the shore," We gotta go, Ferry leaves for the mainland in 15minutes. If we don't catch it, we'll have to wait another MONTH!"

Hell, I was not about to do that. We needed money. "Seriously?"

"Seriously!"

I stomped out of the water taking big stride. Jaki laughed and said I looked bow-legged. I told him" You can't tell me I look weird. You wear make-up."

"Shut-it." he warned,"Kimi-chan-" he said sweetly,"GET A DAMN MOVE ON!" He said loudly.

"I'll catch up. I need to find my pendent."

"Well hurry up. I don't wanna leave you." I said sweetly." You're so cute and all..."

"Shut-up." She blushed.

"Really. It's pathetic. Let's go Bankotsu."

Man P.O.V

I watched as the two other men left the beach. I somewhat thought it was funny. For someone who had just held her the way he did, He's not seldom to leave her which makes me question him. Either he's incredibly audacious or incredibly clueless and impulsive.

Oh well. I dropped my scarf onto the ground and approached her. She dug around the water, feeling on the sand trying to find her pendent.

Kimiko P.O.V

"OH GOD! OH GOD! Please let me find it..."

someone tapped me on the shoulder.

"I'm searching as fast as I can but dammit it Bankotsu, I can't-" I looked up," you're...not Bankotsu."

I straightened up. The man in front of me was not Bankotsu but...why did I feel this weird vibe radiationg off of his aura. It was like my fathers only rightious. I couldn't help but stare at him. He was about 3 inches taller than Bankotsu and wore and outfit foreign to this area. If anything he looked militeristic. Sorta like my father. He had a soft handsome face that reminded me somewhat of Bankotsu and Tamahome.

He had chill, alabaster skin and a thick build.I was almost positive he was in the military now. Yet something threw me off. Heappeared stern but those mystic blue eyes of his...

"I'm sorry..I thought you were somebody I knew."

Whose to say he wasn't.

"It's okay." He raked his hand through his golden spikes called hair." I just have one of those faces, ya know?"

"I guess." I winced at him. Talk about Deja vu." Are you sure we haven't met?"

He shrugged."Maybe."

Man P.O.V

As we stood there , staring at one another, I knew it was her. She had my mothers features.

That wavy blavk hair, that lightly tanned skin, rose-colored lips, thick and yet slender physique. She looked exactly like Mother. She even had eye like ours. Like mine.

I reached in my pocket," What's that?" I asked her." By that rock." She turned around and I pulled out and exact replication of her pendent."I guess it was nothing but I found something..."

I held out my hand. Her eyes lit up like the night when she saw the necklace." Oh my god." She sighed in relief." Thank you!"

She touched the palm of my hand and I closed my hand around hers, cuffing my other hands over hers.

"This is your sister Cloud. Heir to my legacy. You are to guard her and make sure nothing happens to her, do you understand me?"

I lowered my hand at the battle in the cradle." Yes father."

"Good." He said diligently before disapearing from the room completely.

I was only a boy then, almost 10 months old but appeared only 10. I had no childhood. I was almost through it when I was fully completed.Me, A clone of my father. I don't have a birthday because I was never given birth to. I was only a mixture of DNA from him and my mother. Surely I was their child but not entirely.

I was a failed project for I could never hold my fathers complete powers. Not like my sister. When I was just in the embryo stage, my mother discovered she was one month pregnant. My father injected a Jenova cells into Kimiko's body before it developed. Mother and Ithought the baby might die or mutate but Kimiko was a healthy as can be. My father was happy and I was shoved aside like an old rag doll. My mother loved me but all father cared about was Kimiko.

I despised her. Hated her for being born. But in that room.

She was only a few days old and she stayed sleep. Never once opened her eyes, but when I looked at her and she had begun to cry, I just reached inside the crib and she grabbed my finger.

She stopped crying immediantly. It amazed me to see how small she was and how helpless. If I hadn't been thare, no one would have heard her in that secluded room. I called her dumb and insignificant.

Then she opened her eyes. She was...beautiful for a baby so young. She was born with a full head of silky hair and my skin tone. What got me was...We had different births but she had eyes like mine.Exactly like mine but hers reflected the night while mine reflected the day.

That's when My duty was clear. Protect her, no matter what, against anyone. Even my father.

"um..scuse me?"

I looked at her." I'm sorry. It's just..."

I stroked her face," You have the most beautiful I've ever seen."

She blushed.

Kimiko P.O.V

"Thank you."

We swam in each others eyes. I felt so safe. Like When I was with My friends.

I heard a foghorn blow. My 15 minutes were up." They left."Oh damn.

"Thank you so much for finding my pendent, I gottan go!" I tore away from the man and started running up the shore.

"WAIT!" He ran after me, " What's your name."

I gawked at him." Uh..Kimiko."

" I'm Cloud."

"Nice to meet you." I started back up the beach and it hit me."Cloud? you're-"But when I turned around, he was gone."Great. Now I'm really late!"

Bankotsu P.O.V

The ferry departed from shore."DAMN! Where is she!"

"You mean, she's not here yet!" Suikotsu started to panic.

"Chill out. she's fast. I'm sure she's on her way."

god. I was so worried. The boat was already 10 feet away from the dock. She needed to get here now!

"Dammit!" I should'nt have left her. I put my foot on the railing," I'm going after her!"

Jaki pulled me off the rail," ARE YOU RETARDED! You can't swim that GOOD Bankotsu! you'll drown!"

"We just can't leave her!" I said.

"THERE!" Suikotsu pointed off shore. Kimiko ran along the edge of the port, going as fast a humanly possible. Kiko barked wildly and Renkotsu went to see the captain.

He returned, looking beyond trouble," He won't stop the boat."

I grabbed Ren by the collar," Why the HELL NOT!"

"Something about making it to the mainland on shedule."

"DAMN DAMN DAMN DAMN DAMN!"

Kimi was now at the dock. Looking helpless and sad.Kiko whimpered."We have to stop the boat." Said Suikotsu.

I broke away from Jakotsu and ran to the rail,"SWIM KIMIKO!"

She perked up and ran backwards 10feet.

"Will she make it?" Ren asked.

Suikotsu switched into his evil side."Can she swim that fast? We're already 50feet away and counting?"

"Can she hold her breath that long?"Jaki looked at me for an answer.

I answered their question all in order." I hope so. Yes, she can. and Kimi can breathe under water." I just hope she makes it.

She ran to the edge of the dock, jumping off of the edge doing 2 flips before she dived into the water.

And I couldn't see her anymore."Oh god!"

Everyone ran to the edge. I saw a long wave sliding throughout the water. It was way too big to be Kimikos. It looked like a giant snake.

Jaki P.O.V

Bankotsu went pale and his eyes shrunk. I thought he might pass out.

"I killed her." He said.

Man, he was so damn dramatic sometimes."I'm sure she's fine."

Bankotsu P.O.V

I saw the current change as the wave disapeared under the boat. Oh god.

"Ban-" I heard some one cough. I looked over the boat."Kimiko!"

Everyone cheered as kyokotsu reached over the boat and picked her up. He stood her on her feet but she plopped down on the ground.We all crowded her and asked if she was fine. Before she could say anything, kiko jumped on her. slobbering and droolong.

Kimiko P.O.V

"I'm glad to see you too sweetie."

"How the Hell did you-" Bankotsu started to say.

I was watching the water. And so were my friends. A huge fin from the end of a long, scaley tail flicked into the air before completely going under. I smiled and whispered," Thank you, leviathan."

Everyone stared at me. I swept kiko in my arms and got to my feet. Bankotsu had this look on his face that was priceless. One of his eyes were half closed and the other eyebrow was raised and twitching. He sorta looked like he was giving me the 'Evil' eye. It was hilarious but creepy at the same time. Finally Renkotsu just said," No more secrets! What was that!" and they all started bombarding me with questions.

All I said was" I don't know what you're talking about." So innocently.Bankotsu didn't say one word. It struck Suikotsu as kinda funny.

To me, some things are better left unsaid.

Cloud P.O.V

I held her pendent in the palm of my hand. The REAL pendent. Then replica was a tracking device so I'd be able to keep and eye on her.

Still...it's hard to believe that after 16years, I've found her. Did my father even tell her I existed? Would she believe me?

And that guy...With the purple star on his fourhead. Was that Bakajikara? I heard he was exiled to Immanis. unless...the rumors were true. He does have a son. I thought it was just a legend.

Then, the prophecy is true. My sister and Bakajikara's son.

"Born of darkness and light. Concieved of love and hatred.The gift and the curse." and once it fullfilled, the sun will set on this planet, never to rise again.

They'll definetly give my father a run for his money.

Maybe, even destroy him. And once a great evil is destroyed, and evil greater on will take it's place. And no matter what, I will stand by her side. Even if it means the end.