Secrets Held Within

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The year is 1864, and a traveling youth by the name of Dark finds himself stuck in the small town of Azumano. During his stay he discovers a mysterious mansion, and suddenly finds his destiny intertwined with that of it's enigmatic occupant.

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Chapter 15

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Silence fell across the room as five sets of eyes settled on Dark. The boy shifted uncomfortably, setting down is knife and fork. "The roads are opened?" He asked upon clearing his throat.

"That's right! Just this afternoon. They say the war's almost over, but I don't know. It seems like something's amiss about this whole action…I worry that it all just might be a trap."

"A trap? What do you mean, mom?" Riku asked, raising a curious glance at her mother.

"Oh, honey, don't mind me. I'm just being paranoid. Everything's going to be fine."

"Then don't say things like that," the older Harada grumbled. Her mother gave a little laugh. "So, Dark, when do you think you'll be heading out?"

A serious look had come over Dark's face, and he shook his head. "I don't know. I've been here so long that it feels sort of like home. A part of me wants to keep going and doing what I love—traveling, that is, but…a part of me just wants to stay here."

"Well, there'll be plenty of time in the morning for you to decide what you're going to do. I'm heading off to bed, now, so you take care of yourselves. Goodnight."

A chorus of various forms of 'goodnight' rang through the dining area as the older woman slipped out into her room. The teenagers fell silent for a while.

"So…" Daisuke began, only to fall silent.

"This is a surprise," Dark admitted, poking at his plate with his fork. "I actually hadn't thought about leaving for a long time…"

Satoshi shrugged. "We're staying here for a while longer before we head out again."

"Where will you go?" Riku asked.

"We're not sure. But we'll come back," Daisuke assured, "We just have to check up on some other friends of ours."

"And what will you do, Mister Dark?" Risa asked, her gaze downcast. She fiddled with the napkin in her lap.

"I…Jeez. I…I guess I'll wait until Krad gets better and then decide."

The younger twin began to tear. "How long will that take?"

"I don't know. He's not like us, so I can't give you an estimate of time."

"…Would it be rude of me to say that I hope he never heals?"

"…Yeah. I guess it would be."

The girl's shoulders slumped. "Yeah…"

Dark rose from the table, then, a grin on his face. "Well, kids. I've had a long day. I'm off to bed. If you need me, I'll be in Krad's room."

Dark sauntered off to the blonde's room without looking back. He closed the door behind him, glad that the blonde was sitting upright in his bed, tucked under the heavy blankets. A book was in his hand, momentarily set aside as the vampire looked at his guest. "Hello, Dark."

"What are you doing up so late? I thought you were supposed to be resting."

"I was. But I can only sleep for so long, you know."

"Ah, I see." Dark pulled up a chair next to Krad's bed. "So. Whatcha readin'?"

"None of your business, meddlesome one," the blonde teased. "Tell me, what brings you here at such a late hour?"

"The roads are open, again."

Krad didn't look surprised. He gave a little nod. "Yes. And you're going to be leaving, aren't you?"

"Ah, it's the same with you and everyone else. I don't want to leave, anymore."

"And why is that?"

"…Honestly?"

Krad nodded.

"…It's you."

"I'm flattered," was the response, "But I must beseech of you—elaborate?"

"I just don't know. I've grown attached to you, I think. I'd hate to leave you here, alone, you know?"

"Worry not of me. It's dangerous to become attached to something that could kill you in an instant."

"Yeah, well. It's too late, now."

The blonde sighed. "I suppose. You should leave, though."

Shock became apparent on Dark's tanned features; His mouth was slightly agape, his eyes widened. "What?"

"I told you already; it's dangerous."

"What are you talking about, now?"

"…I can feel it in the air. Something's wrong."

"You're the second one who's said that, tonight. I'm getting suspicious."

Krad leaned over, resting the book on the table. Dark had an urge, then, to pick up the tiny, leather-bound object and flip through it, though Krad's golden eyes kept him still. "Good."

"…Well. Let's just get some rest. I'm tired. You mind if I bunk with you?"

"Where will you sleep?"

Dark grinned at the blonde's brooding expression. "I'm comfortable where I am."

"In that chair?"

"Hey, you figured me out. I'm actually pretty comfortable here," Dark said, stretching. "A little support on my back…it does wonders for me, you know."

"Do as you like, Dark."

The traveler's smile diminished, replaced with a tight frown. "Hey, Krad. What's wrong?"

"It's nothing you won't know soon enough."

"Aye. Again with the riddles…"

"It is better that way. Goodnight, Dark."

"Eh, whatever," the male huffed, closing his eyes. The blonde, too, had closed his eyes for a long moment, then opened is eyes again to glace over Dark when he was sure the male was asleep. Gentle and even breathing assured that his friend had indeed passed into sleep.

"Goodnight…and goodbye."

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Dark awoke in the morning to shrill cries and the firing of loud gunfire. He leapt out of his seat and drew open the curtains to look out into the chaotic town before him, watching in horror as civilians were shot down by armored shoulders right before his very eyes. A startled cry escaped his lips as he fell backwards. He would have hit the ground had Krad not stood behind him.

"Krad--?"

"Yes. You must leave, Dark. If they find you, they'll kill you."

Dark slipped out of Krad's arms, watching how the blonde seemed to be relieved of the weight. "What about Daisuke? And Satoshi? And the others?"

"They're gone. You're the only one that's left. You seem to sleep harder than the others," The male remarked. "I tried to wake you up before, but you would have none of it."

"Krad, what's going on?" Dark questioned, shakily making his way back to the window to peer out again.

"It was a ruse, apparently. The blockades were never lowered; a message was sent to this town, however it was sent by an imposter. There wasn't anything that could be done, so just when the town had a sense of security, these people attacked. There's no time to say more, however. You have to leave."

"But…what about you? I can't leave you here."

"Why not? I'm capable of taking care of myself."

"In your condition?"

Krad gave an exasperated sigh. "I'll be fine!"

"No. Let me take you back to your mansion. There at least you should be safe, right…?"

"I suppose. You'll leave right after we arrive?"

"…On my honor."

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It was a wonder neither of the two had been shot or injured in the fray. It was as if two slow-moving citizens weren't enough to draw the attention of the armed soldiers; they seemed content shooting at only the civilians that darted back and forth, screaming and crying. It took only a few minutes to creep out of town and down the old worn road that lead to Krad's mansion.

Clouds gathered, darkening the morning sun. Rain would fall soon; the air was humid and thick with moisture.

Krad was leaning on Dark's shoulder, his energy sapped almost completely from the long walk, when the two arrived. Dark flung open the door, and Krad winced at the loud banging. "Was that necessary?" He questioned under his breath.

"Hush." Dark led the blonde to a chair in the living room, forcing the male into the chair. Krad did not complain; He sank into the cushioned furniture and closed his eyes for a moment. Dark disappeared for a moment, and Krad heard the distinct lock of his front door, and a wan smile drifted onto his features. When Dark arrived before him, he said, "You know that won't do any bit of good."

"Just in case."

"Just in case?"

"In case any of them followed us."

"Don't worry about that. It's time to go, Dark."

Dark paled a bit, and when he hissed, "No," Krad shook his head. "You promised," the vampire said.

"I'm not…I'm not leaving."

"Dark…"

A gunshot blared in the distance. Both mortal and immortal could tell that the troops were close.

"Why don't you just come with me?" Dark spat.

"I cannot! Just take my word, we both would regret it!"

Dark was pleading. "Krad…"

The blonde would not be swayed. "No. You have to go."

From his window, a line of soldiers appeared, rushing down to the hill in front of the mansion. They had a way to go, still, but there was little time.

"They will find you and kill you," Krad added.

Dark glared. "What about you?"

The blonde turned away from the window. "Go. I'll be fine."

Dark swallowed, his gaze drifting past the blonde and outside. The soldiers were closer. "I'll come back for you."

Krad shook his head. "Don't."

Louder, more forcefully, Dark repeated, "I'll come back for you."

Krad hid a look of pain. "Then I shall wait."

"…Goodbye, Krad."

"Goodbye, Dark Mousy."

Dark watched for a moment later as the blonde turned back towards the window. There would be no more words spoken between the two. Dark ran out the back door.

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A loud banging emitted from the mansion, and Dark turned to look from his hiding place in the trees. The door was knocked down and a line of soldiers streamed into the house, disappearing from sight. A moment later, incomprehensible shouting was heard, and Dark bit his lip.

Silence through the forest. Rain began to fall in the form of small water droplets.

A cacophony of gunshots blasted.

A shot must have ricocheted against a wall; the window in the living room shattered. A heavy voice called out, "There was another one! Find him! He can't be far. Check the rooms. Check the forest!"

Dark swallowed. Tears burned his eyes. At the sight of the first soldier out of the house, he slunk into the dark forest and ran. He ran, and ran, until he was sure he was lost, and sank down onto the ground. A curse fell from his lips, followed by several more. He fought for breath, and wiped his eyes. The sound of a babbling brook served to calm his mind a bit.

On legs shaky and unstable, Dark rose and stalked towards the sound of running water.

He hadn't walked far when the stream came into view and he reached in with shaking hands to cup a bit of the icy water. He drew it to his lips to ease his burning throat. He drank. He reached for more. He drank that, as well.

His tears had ceased for the moment, though his eyes were still sore. A small object out of the corner of his eye caught his gaze, and Dark felt a pang of grief when, discarded against a tree-stump, lay a very familiar violin. It was wet and cold to the touch; the wood had all but caved in on itself.

Dark couldn't stop himself. He lifted up the violin and the bow, which had been close by and in considerably better shape, and held each close to his chest.

Gunfire, again, sounded through the forest, and Dark knew that he would have to run again.

With one last look towards the brook, and one last glance in the direction of Azumano, Dark took off again.

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He collapsed several hours later, exhausted and grieved, in front of the house of a woman by the name of Rika Harada. It was she that would nurse him back to health, and she that would shelter him for the following months. Her remaining family came to lodge with her, along with a few new souls.

The parents or Riku and Risa Harada had been murdered in the massacre of Azumano, and the two twins, along with Daisuke and Satoshi, had been able to escape and flee to the house of the girls' distant cousin. There was a warm reunion between the four teenagers and Dark, though the oldest of them was never quite the same.

The war went on for three more years, and in that time Dark had said his goodbyes to his friends and taken to traveling, again. He yearned to return to Azumano, though the thought that he may have lost Krad was too great. Often he would visit the towns in the nearby area, promising himself that he was going to return to the mansion. Always he lied to himself.

It wasn't until four years later did he have the courage to finally return.

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THE END.

No, of course, not really, but what did you expect of me? The final chapter (is more of an epilogue) will be up in the very near future, and I must tell you all…I'm very sad about the ending of this fanfiction. You see, it was the first one I ever uploaded, and while I am very pleased that so many of you have stayed with me until the very end…I cannot say that I am truly happy with it. I really did try, though, so I can't complain. To all of you that are reading this, you have my deepest gratitude. To those of you that review, the final chapter will be dedicated to you. As silly as it sounds, I'm actually more sad that this is almost the end than of the end itself…Ah, but the tragedy of 'the end' might be too much. Bah, for all you know, I might be too filled with grief to even write it!

Well, I don't want to bore you. I assure that there will be a timely update, and you shall all know the fate of Dark and Krad.

Will it be a sweet meeting? A bittersweet reunion? Or will it simply be bitter in the very end?

Even if you don't like to review, I would love to know your predictions…