Author's note:

Gosh, what a late update! I got so behind on this story due to exams but now that they're all officially over, here is the next chapter!

I am looking forward to your reviews on this chapter, which actually turned out longer than the last one.

A special thanks to my super awesome, amazing, talented beta-reader, 14Phantom, as well as mariko85, allylovesedward, Ainhoa11, ravenscry21, The Queen of Water, zhera, Arcee-chan, BANEHiwatari, barrentrees, ANON, unknown and guest readers, and everyone else that has reviewed my recent chapters and has favorited/followed my story thus far. You guys keep this story going!

Suddenly I heard footsteps from around the corner I was leaning on.

"What are you doing here?!" I heard Sen franticly ask.

Then my ears captured a deep male voice I immediately recognized.

"I have come for you, my Oni princess."

~Kingdom of Stars~

Chapter Twelve: The Possibility of Love

A voice my ears once longed to hear echoed through my mind, drowning all my senses. It was very familiar yet out of tune from way it was spoken to me.

At that instant I knew exactly why he came here; to marry Sen and force her to bear his child.

"Come for me?!" Sen asked losing her breath.

"Yes." I could hear him smirk behind his words. "Ancient female Oni of Yase, I trust you haven't forgotten the promise you made."

"Now?" Sen questioned.

"I thought I told you to be prepared for this." He criticized. I imagined the glare in his crimson eyes.

"I'm in the middle of something, you have to come back la-" Sen uttered, then paused in the middle of her words. I peeked around the corner and saw Kazama pressing his lips on Sen's. Her face became flushed and her eyes grew wide.

"That's not part of our deal," Kazama spoke softly onto her quivering lips. "You will conceive my child today." He ordered, closing his red eyes and leaning in for another kiss.

SMACK

Sen slapped Kazama across his face. I saw his eyes grow wide for a split second then narrow angrily.

"Damn you," He growled.

"If you want to make love to a woman," Sen lectured, glaring up at him. "You must learn to behave!"

"Don't test my patience. You gave me your word. If you don't fulfill your promise willingly, I will make you." He chided, grabbing Sen's chin with his strong hand.

"I never break a promise!" Sen angrily shouted at his face. Her hands clenched onto his wrist. "But I'm going to have to ask you to come back later."

Kazama gave her a sadistic smile.

"I refuse." He asserted.

"How ungrateful, your child will be the descent of the great Oni Suzuka Gozen and have a very high status! You can wait!"

Kazama glared at her, fury burning in his eyes.

"Princess!" Kimigiku bursted out the entrance and chopped her hand between Kazama and Sen in one quick motion. Kazama pulled away from Sen just in time, avoiding impact. Kimigiku bolted in front of the Oni princess in a protective fighting stance.

Clink

Kazama lifted his sword from its sheath with his thumb, prepared to strike her down.

"Hn." He grunted.

"Stop it! Both of you!" Sen begged then nudged Kimigiku to the side and faced Kazama.

"Kazama listen, I will fulfill my promise to you today," She began.

"Princess!" Kimigiku gasped.

"Hn," Kazama grinned.

"All I ask is that you give me some time to finish something. Then I will be ready for you." She confirmed in a calm tone.

"Fine," Kazama agreed. "Do whatever it is quickly, I'll wait here."

I leaped to the side, concealing myself from their sight then wrapped my arms around my body tightly. My knees shook as I forced my legs to keep me standing.

Why do I feel so nervous and heartsick?

I focused on my breathing for several seconds and wondered if Sen was looking for me. For some reason I didn't want to see her. All I wanted to do was dash out of there but I felt too conflicted to even move.

It became completely silent. I felt the tension in my muscles begin to melt away and then my eyes gazed up at the sky.

"Are you hiding yourself from me again?" Kazama called out. I jumped at his words and sheepishly glanced around the corner. He was sitting on the stairs up to the entrance staring in my direction.

"Um! No!" I stuttered, revealing myself from behind the wall.

"What are you doing here?" He interrogated, in an irritated tone.

"I…um" I mumbled shyly, taking a step toward him.

"Why don't you listen to anything?" He scolded, giving me a disgusted look.

"Sen brought me here." I confirmed, my face getting hot.

"Hn?" Kazama tilted his head keeping his angry eyes on me.

"She wanted to ask me about this." I continued, pulling out the generation X bottle from within my garments.

"I see." He said looking away from me with a bored expression on his face.

I placed the bottle back in my clothes and scurried over to his side, he avoided eye contact with me.

"Hey, Kazama…" I began trying to get his attention. He ignored me for a few seconds. I pouted and plopped down next to him on the stairs. "There's something I want to ask you."

"Hn?"

"Well…" I began, shuddering from the uncertainty of his response.

"What is it?" He remarked, annoyed.

"Um, nothing…" I bashfully glanced at his face. He looked at me like I was a complete idiot. I swallowed hard; preparing myself to utter the question I was eager to ask him before. "Hey, kazama, do you think we could…travel together again?"

He let out a sigh, turning his gaze away from me.

"I pursue the Kouyou Chinbutai for different reasons than you do. My prime objective right now isn't to find them." He remarked. "I have fought the Kouyou Chinbutai before in the past and I plan to finish a fight with one of their members."

"I know."

"Yet, you want to travel with me again. Are you endlessly foolish?"

"I don't care that you want to fight one of their members. All I want from the Kouyou Chinbutai is to be reunited with one person. Besides the main reason I want to travel with you again is…" I lowered my gaze onto my fist, pressing on my lap. "I really miss you."

"Humans," Kazama began. I glanced up at his remote expression. "Are such weak and worthless creatures."

Kazama thinks I'm weak and worthless?!

"They only destroy things without any respect, not even for the people they hurt. Their way of solving conflicts is by waging war with one another. They strive for money and power, it's disgusting really." Kazama disputed.

"And they forget all the pain and sorrow it causes." I added. "The only thing most of them care about is victory. People who don't behave in that way, are a rarity in this world, especially those who possess a pure warrior's sprit. Like, the men in the Kouyou Chinbutai who don't fight for power or money but for ideals."

"Those dogs are a bunch of ruthless fake warriors, fighting a meaningless battle." He argued.

"No, they are true samurai. They make mistakes sometimes but they always fight for what they believe in. I know because the man that I search for is like that."

"You make no sense." He grumbled. "Hn, you sound just like her."

"Hn? Like Who?"

"Kaori! I've been searching everywhere for you!" Sen hollered out from behind us. Kazama and I spun around to face her. "And to think I find you here of all places." She said glancing down at Kazama.

"You're ready for me now, I presume." Kazama grinned.

She was dressed in a white sleeping yukata decorated with sun flowers. Kazama treaded up the stairs. Sen scampered past him and sat down next to me.

"Kaori listen, there's something I have to care of. May I ask that you wait for me? I really want us to enjoy the soup we made together." She whispered.

"Um, okay. I'll wait."

"Feel free to explore the garden while you wait. I promise this won't take long."

"I'm done with waiting, princess." Kazama stressed.

"Hold on, I'm coming. Geez, where did you learn patience?" Sen complained. Kazama growled.

I watched as they both entered Sen's house.

Once they were out of my sight I ventured into Sen's garden.

"Humans are weak and worthless creatures."

Kazama really didn't care about me at all. I found myself running until I came across some bushes and collapsed beside them. Why did I feel so hopeless and pessimistic? It shouldn't matter whether Kazama rejected me or not, all that really matters is finding a way to get to Koufu Castle.

I pulled my knees up to my body and stuffed my face into them.

"Kazama…all I want is for you to like me." I mumbled.

Stop it! Don't you dare cry! You have a mission, to find the Kouyou Chinbutai . Not chase a demon around who only hates your guts!

I lectured in my head convincing myself that Kazama didn't matter. After several long minutes of waiting, my eyes wondered to the sky.

"What?!" I gasped. "That star!"

Through the clear cerulean sky I thought I saw a star for a moment then realized I had only imagined it. For some reason I felt that time I spent with Kazama under the stars, I took for granted. It was the very first time, and probably the last, he was ever truly kind to me. Kazama's warmth, the way he chuckled, and the grin he gave me all flooded my memories causing a smile to crease on my face. What I wouldn't give to see that smile again.

My head suddenly felt dizzy as I imagined myself thrashing through the bone chilling waters of the ocean then being hoisted back onto the ship in one swift movement.

"Why do you have to be such a clumsy girl?" He growled, holding me on deck.

I lifted my hand in the air and waved it around until it met his cheek then I caressed his skin gently, tracing his handsome features with the tips of my fingers.

"Hn?" He grunted with his mouth open slightly. He blinked once then his red eyes narrowed. "I hate…"

I had never fully recalled Kazama's words to me when he rescued me from drowning that night but I could easily decipher the rest of his words.

"I hate you."

I was nothing but a filthy human to him. It was no wonder why he didn't want anything to do with me again.

Some more time elapsed. My hands shook with frustration. I sprang onto my feet.

"No more waiting, I'm sorry Sen." I mumbled. "I can't afford to waste any more time. I have to get to Koufu Castle before I miss my chance to catch up with the Kouyou Chinbutai!"

"You're not going anywhere on an empty stomach." A perky voice echoed from beside me. I spun around on my heel and noticed Sen grinning at me. Upon gazing at her ruffled hair I assumed that Kazama had finished his business with her.

"Sen, um where is…"

"Kazama?" She asserted. I nodded my head. A mischievous grin crossed her face that made me a bit nervous.

"Why? Do you miss him?" She joked.

"What?! No." I confirmed as Sen giggled.

"Don't worry he didn't leave yet. Come'on our soup is getting cold!" She cheered, grabbing my wrist and forced me inside her house. We both sat down in a dining room with the soup placed on trays in front of us.

"Hey Kaori, did Kazama really travel with you in those woods?" Sen inquired.

"Yeah, all the way to Edo." I asserted. Sen gazed at me in amazement. "What is that so hard to believe?"

"Of course! It baffles me. Kazama is a proud demon and from what I've heard he hates humans yet he escorted a pretty young girl all the way to Edo." She chirped.

"It's not what you think. It wasn't easy at first. He was rude to me most of the time." I remarked.

"Were you attacked by furies at all?"

"Yeah, in the woods I was almost captured by a group of furies that wanted me for the generation X bottle that I carry. Thankfully though, Kazama was there to save me." I felt myself smile.

"I can't believe Kazama would save a human! Kaori that's phenomenal!"

"If you say so…"

"How did you two get to Edo?"

"We boarded a massive ship but then it was attacked by pirates."

"Pirates?!"

"Yeah, and we were kind of kicked off by the passengers."

"Are you saying you two swam all the way to Edo?" She teased, stunned. I laughed.

"No, no Kazama rowed us to shore on a life boat. He interpreted a map to Edo that was written in the stars."

"Kazama rowed you in a lifeboat?! Wait we are talking about the same blonde demon here, right?" She laughed.

"Um, yeah." I blushed.

"Wow, I'd say you're probably the first human he has ever warmed up to." She said with glee.

"Huh? I'm the first one?"

"Yep, you must have really made an impression."

"Well, I'm pretty sure he doesn't care about me at all."

We were both silent all of a sudden, focusing on savoring the meal in front of us. When we were about half way done Sen gave me a serious look.

"Hm? What is it?" I questioned.

"Kaori, I hate to bug you on this again but are you ready to tell me who gave that bottle to you?"

My throat closed as I tried to swallow causing me to cough.

"Sen…I'm sorry but trust me it doesn't matter who gave me this bottle."

"Why?"

"Because…" I glanced at her eager expression. "That person is dead."

Sen's eyes grew wide.

"And you said before that you were worried that some furies might attack you, right? That there are some frightening groups of people searching for you because of that bottle." Sen interrogated.

"Sen…"

She glared at me.

"Kaori, tell me how this person died." She demanded.

"Enough!" I shouted, bolting upward and tipping over the tray in front of me. Sen gasped, her stern expression evaporated. "I can't! I don't want to tell you or anyone!" I glared at her. "I have to go; I shouldn't even be here. There is some place where I need to be! Thank you for the food but I'm sorry I have to go."

I dashed toward the door. Sen instantly materialized out of the air in front of me holding her arms out.

"I'm sorry too Kaori because I can't let you leave just yet. Please, sit down. I promise I won't ask about your connection with generation X anymore, alright?" She pleaded.

"How did you move over here so quickly?"

"I'm a demon, remember." She winked at me. I felt myself relax. "I didn't mean to upset you." She apologized.

"No, I over reacted."

"You do understand though, why I asked? If that person was killed because of generation X it makes me concerned about your safety. I don't want you to get hurt, which is why…"

"Why what?" I blinked, curious.

"Which is why I want Kazama and you to stay together as long as you are searching for the Kouyou Chinbutai." She affirmed. My face froze with shock. "You'll need his protection."

"K-Kazama." I lost my breath for a moment. "That's not possible. Kazama doesn't want to travel with me again."

"Aw, come'on. I bet you haven't even tried to ask him yet."

"I did and he rejected me." I glanced down, ashamed.

"Well do you want to be with him again?"

"Um.." I imagined his words on the ship, I hate... "No, I do not. Kazama and I pursue the Kouyou Chinbutai for different reasons and it is rather foolish for us to travel together. Besides he's a demon and I'm a weak and worthless human." I admitted, gritting my teeth.

Sen just stared at me and laughed.

"Whatever you say, Kaori,"

"Hey where is he anyway?"

"He's relaxing right now but I bet he'll be preparing to leave soon. He mentioned something to me earlier that he's going to look for an oni slaying sword of some sort."

"An oni slaying sword?" I titled my head to the side. I recalled the battle Kazama had with a strange boy in the woods. "Could he be talking about the Douji-giri Yasutsuna?"

"How do you know about that?"

"I heard about it during my travels with Kazama in the woods." I quickly remarked, not wanting to explain the whole story to her.

"Yes, that's the one." She confirmed.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door.

"Princess." Kimigiku called out.

"Come in." Sen ordered. Kimigiku slid the door open and bowed to Sen.

"I'm sorry to bother you but Kazama is requesting your presence outside."

"Alright, thank you. You may leave."

Kimigiku bowed once more before leaving. Sen turned to me.

"Well, let's see what our blonde demon wants." She stuck her tongue at me playfully. We both trotted outside.

As we walked outside onto the patio my body became numb, glancing down at the insatiable sight of Kazama, relaxing with a pipe in one hand. He was wearing a maroon colored sleeping yukata with a dark design on it. His back rested on the wall behind him. One leg was propped up revealing just a taste of his perfect naked body. My face became hot, sweltering with heat even though there was a chilly breeze in the air. It amazed me how at peace Kazama appeared to be. He took a puff out of the pipe. Smoke gracefully caressed his lips that curved into a lecherous grin toward Sen.

"There you are, princess." He spoke in a seditious tone, exaggerating the word princess. "There's something I need to ask you."

"Well, what is it? You're interrupting my time with Kaori." Sen remarked.

"Hn," Kazama's garnet eyes gazed at Sen seductively. "Are you sure you won't become my wife?"

"Eh? Goodness no. We've already been through this. I have no desire to marry you."

"It doesn't seem that way to me." He taunted then inhaled again from the pipe and slowly breathed out the fumes. He smirked at Sen. "Not with the way you were moaning my name just a few moments ago." He teased.

Sen's face became beat-red.

"H-How impolite of you to say such a thing! I didn't…" Sen shouted, in dismay. She marched over to Kazama. "I don't recall moaning your name!"

Kazama placed the pipe by his side then grabbed Sen, forcing her on his lap.

"Is that so? I recall it clearly." He continued to tease her.

"Let go and no I most certainly did not!" She pouted in his arms.

I tip-toed a few steps back then wondered away from the two of them. I couldn't stand the site of her in his strong arms, it made me feel sick. I sat down in the middle of Sen's garden.

I began shaking my head forcefully to release the picture of them from my mind.

I must mean nothing to him, he didn't even acknowledge me.

A swarm of various emotions engulfed me. Anger, jealously, and confusion.

"Ugh, I hate this!" I yelped. "Why do I even care about a jerk that abandoned and rejected me!" I debated. It was pointless to travel with him again especially since we both were pursuing different things. I was going to search for the Kouyou Chinbutai and Kazama was going to look for the oni slaying sword.

I rose to my feet. Upon gazing in the distance I decided it was time for me to start my journey to Koufu Castle, regardless of what Sen wanted. As I took a step forward I heard Sen calling my name from behind me.

"Kaori, why'd you run away? What's wrong?" She pestered. I looked away from her. "You're upset with what just happened between me and Kazama, aren't you?" I continued to ignore her. "Do you fancy Kazama?" She provoked.

"Eh?!" My head jerked over in her direction. I felt my cheeks burn from blushing and I scratched the side of my head. Sen's eyes grew wide and a smile lengthened across her face.

"Ah," She began. "You should go tell him."

"Wait, I didn't say anything!" I nervously stuttered.

"Do you want me to tell him?" She offered, turning to go back to Kazama.

"No! Don't tell him!" I yelped then smacked my hand onto my mouth, in regret.

"It's okay, I was only teasing you." She joked, sticking out her tongue. "So it's true isn't it?"

"Well…"

"How long have you felt this way toward him?"

"Not for long, I guess."

"Oh, really?" She persisted.

"Hey, how about I make us some tea?" I proposed, trying to avert her attention away from my feelings.

"No thank you, I'm not thirsty but…" She gave me a playful grin. "I bet Kazama is!" She teased then glanced at the sky. "You know, my ancestors fell in love with humans."

Demons and humans can fall in love?

My heart skipped a beat.

Sen continued. "You know since I'm having his child he no longer has a definite reason to pursue Chizuru anymore."

"So,"

"So, that means Kazama can be all yours."

"You're only saying that to encourage me to find a way to travel with Kazama again for protection against those who hunt down the secrets of generation X."

"Oh! You figured it out but seriously I truly feel that you are something special to Kazama. When I first saw you two in the woods I couldn't believe the head of the demonic Kazama clan, associated himself with a human and even protected this human."

We both glanced in Kazama's direction, watching the blonde demon step inside Sen's house.

"I may have been a bit ambitious over the issue but I wasn't bluffing about my ancestors." She confirmed. I still found her claim hard to believe. The possibility of a demon falling in love with a human seemed beyond realistic. "Alright, enough talk. Let's make some tea for Kazama!"

Sen bounced over to my side and nudged me back to the entrance of her residence.

"Sen, what are you doing? I have to get going. I really appreciate your concern for my safety but I just can't push my presence on Kazama anymore than I already have."

"We're here; I'll prepare the water." She cheered, beginning to make some tea.

After the tea was finished Sen gave me a tray to bring to Kazama.

"He is in the room down this hall on the right. I have to get dressed. I'll meet you two in there."

She scurried out of the room. I glanced at the tray debating on whether to serve some to Kazama or not. I decided it was best not to bother since he was only interested in Sen. Still, I couldn't deny how much I had missed him and I wanted to see him once more before I left.

"Darn it." I muffled to myself, heading down the hall with the tray in my hands.

I announced my presence through the door and asked Kazama if I could enter as politely as I could. When he granted me permission to enter I closed the door behind me. He was standing by a window in his usual clothes with his arms crossed.

"Um, I made you some tea, would you care for some?" I inquired, placing the tray in front of me.

"No."

"Oh." I bowed my head. "So, you're going to search for that oni slaying sword, right? Are you going to leave soon to find it?"

"Did Sen tell you that?" He asked. I nodded my head.

"Um, do you really plan to marry Sen?" I mumbled.

"Why should I tell you? My relationship with her is none of your business. What brought this nonsense up?" He grunted.

"I would just like to congratulate you."

"That's not necessary." He said then glanced out the window. "What about you?"

"Huh?"

"Do you have plans to marry the man that you're searching for?"

"Um, well, maybe, if I ever find him." I mumbled. We were silent again for a several seconds. "Hey, Kazama, do you think I'll find him someday?"

"You shouldn't ask me." He closed his eyes looking irritated.

"Why?"

"Just trust me."

"I do trust you. That's why I asked you."

"Are you sure?" He asked, glancing down at me.

"Yes." I asserted confidently. Kazama looked away from me again.

"The dogs of the Bakufu have no chance of winning this war. Their embarrassing retreat in the battle of Toba-Fushimi is proof of that. If the man you search for stays in the Kouyou Chinbutai, he will surely perish. My answer is no, I don't see you finding him."

I swallowed hard staring at my lap. I felt my shoulders jerk up and down as my vision became blurry. I tried to form words but all that came out of my mouth were sobs. My whole body trembled. Tiny droplets of tears bounced onto my trembling hands, on my lap. Then I heard Kazama sigh.

"Listen, it shouldn't matter to you what I think. As long as you believe he's still alive, keep searching for him. Don't give up." He reassured me with a blank expression.

My head popped up.

"Really?!" I sniffed. Kazama grunted and turned away from me. "Thank you so much, Kazama."

Kazama walked past me, opened the door, and exited the room.

"Are you leaving now?" I asked. He nodded his head and made his way to the entrance of Sen's house. I figured it was time for me to start my journey as well so I followed him.

"Hey! Where are you two going?!" Sen shouted as she scampered over to us. Kazama looked her in the eyes.

"Listen, until I return, I don't want you anywhere near the war." He demanded.

"Please, Kazama, I don't need to hear that from you. I know how to take care of myself." She argued.

"Just don't let me catch you doing something reckless." He chided.

"Okay, I'll agree to that as long you promise to treat Kaori well. Don't be rude to her. I can see there are tears all over her face! What did you do to her?"

Kazama narrowed his eyes.

"Sen, it isn't like that. He didn't do anything. I was just feeling overwhelmed." I explained.

"Alright, if you say so. You're heading out as well?" Sen asked. I nodded. Then she leaned towards me and whispered in my ear.

"So I'm guessing you weren't able to convince Kazama to travel with you again?"

"Yeah, but it's okay. I'll be alright." I whispered back to her.

Sen smirked.

"Hey, Kazama." She called out. "Where is that oni slaying sword said to be located?"

"Koufu Castle." He asserted.

"That's where the Kouyou Chinbutai are!" I smiled with excitement.

Kazama glanced at me then treaded out of Sen's residence. I did the same, trotting close behind him.

"What are you doing?" He inquired, annoyed.

"Why?" I gazed up at him.

"You're following me." He remarked.

"No I'm not, we just happen to be heading toward the same destination." I teased, almost giggling. Kazama paused in his tracks. I spun around, curiously glancing back at him.

"Silly little human," He grunted. "I just can't seem to get rid of you, can I?"

To Be Continued…

Author's note:

Happy Holidays everyone :D and thanks for reading! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and please leave a review!