Author's note:
I may be absent for a while since college just started for me and I have to adjust to my new crazy schedule. I apologize if the next update is late but I'll be looking forward to your reviews to keep me going. My talented beta reader is 14Phantom!
"What's going on? It's so peaceful, as if all those creatures are gone." I mumbled to my impassive self then my heart stopped as I recalled Kazama's words.
"Of course I would kill all the remaining furies before leaving you behind."
"No! Did he really…?!"
~Kingdom of Stars~
Chapter Sixteen: Magical Boots
Cold sweat tickled my skin as my feet trampled across the street. Just a moment ago I was timid and anxious but once the anticipation of an uncertain ambush faded I grew vexed and afflicted once again by that demon.
"Did he really leave me again?" I muttered, out of breath.
I knew that it was foolish to wander away from the hideout but I couldn't resist venturing a distance from Hiroshi and the villagers. I ached to resume my journey and the thought of that Demon Lord leaving me behind made the blood boil more riotously in my veins.
"Kazama!" I announced uproariously in the middle of the street, toward the clouds hovering over my head. "Don't you understand how important you are to me?! So what if I'm a human! Why can't you understand that demons and humans can work together?!"
I panted. My shoulders trembled and my eyes circled around me at nothing.
"I'm not even sick anymore!" I complained. "I thought I could trust you. I thought I could rely on you. Why do you have to be such a jerk!" I screeched. "I guess I'll just have to go to Koufu Castle by myself!"
I huffed then began marching down the street, out of the village.
"The Shinsengumi have retreated from Koufu Castle. They lost the battle. It was another humiliating defeat." A deep callous voice echoed near me causing a tingling sensation to rush through my body down to my bones.
I spun around on my heel searching for the source of that insensitive and ravishing voice.
"Kazama…" I gasped gazing up at him. He was standing on a roof top by me with his arms crossed. Those displeased radiant eyes shined a deep red. "How long have you been up there? Did you hear what I just said?" I yelped, regretfully. He didn't inflect any answer towards me as if he never heard my question.
"You don't have to explain yourself." He finally began. "I know you're not grateful to me for anything. You're a human after all and all humans are the same, ungrateful. It's in your blood to not have any respect for anything." He scorned.
"You don't understand. I thought you went to Koufu Castle without me." I explained. "I was worried you left me behind again and that's why I said those things."
"Humans do tend to say things they don't mean. They break promises and hurt the people closest to them. They simply can't be trusted."
"So, are you saying you're not mad at me?"
"That depends. Why are you out of your room? I believe I told you not to let me catch you out of there."
"But I'm all better now!"
"Did you leave to find me?"
"Um, yeah. As I said before, I was afraid you left me again, like that time at the docks." I couldn't risk telling him about Hiroshi's plan, in fear for Hiroshi's own safety.
"Tell me something…"
"Huh?"
"Why is the thought of me leaving you behind, scare you so much?"
I bowed my head, searching for an answer I didn't even comprehend.
"I'm sorry…" I mumbled, unable to express my thoughts.
"You've become very dependent on me, little one." Kazama sighed. "You're like a child that can't do anything by herself." He asserted; his voice was so deep and mild that it had a tender touch on my skin causing me to feel numb.
I destested the idea of being dependent on him and jerked my head away from his sight, ashamed. I tightly gripped Kazama's broken sword in my trembling hands. I assumed that since none of the monster furies were attacking us that Kazama had really killed all of them.
A sudden soft breeze lifted my hair off my back and a large warm hand gently pressed against my forehead under my bangs. I twitched when I noticed Kazama had manifested right in front of me. My dark brown eyes widen as my cheeks turned red. I blinked at him, bashfully. He observed me with his devilish garnet eyes. Then he withdrew his hand from my skin and took a step back from me wearing a hollow expression.
"Um, Kazama, if you didn't go to Koufu Castle, where were you this whole time?" I asked, shyly.
"I wondered in the woods around it. Do you remember that boy who attacked us when we were traveling in the woods to get to Edo?"
"You mean that demon boy you fought who mentioned the oni slaying sword to us?" I inquired, he nodded his head.
"I observed him running in the woods from on top of a tree and chose to follow him."
"I recall him saying something about a new oni world. I remember first hearing about the water of life in those woods at that time." I reminisced. "What happened? Did he get away from you again?"
"I killed him. That was when I noticed the commander of the Shinsengumi retreating from the battlefield. It's no surprise those dogs lost."
"That can't be true! You're mistaken I bet they successfully seized the castle by now." I stuttered, wishfully. Kazama's eyebrows lowered.
"It's the truth."
"Then we have to go now! I can't miss them again!" I panicked. "I'll say a quick farewell to the people here first and let them know about the furies."
"Hn?"
I glanced around the vacant streets wondering if the residents here knew they were finally safe from the monster furies then I peeked at Kazama behind me and let out a little laugh.
"Kazama, you're not the evil demon that you think you are." I teased.
"What do you mean?"
"You killed all the furies didn't you? So, these people won't have to live in fear anymore."
"I didn't kill them."
"What?! Then where are they? Why aren't they attacking us?"
"Perhaps they have enough sanity to fear me." He blustered with arrogance.
I twirled around and inspected the area. Suddenly, I recalled Hiroshi's formidable words.
"Alright, I suppose it's the only way to save everyone." I mumbled, standing up and grabbing Kazama's cracked sword. "I'll keep this with me just in case, even though it's damaged it could still be useful."
"If we're going to do this, it has to be now. The clouds are covering the sun as we speak and it won't be overcast forever. Plus, I fear they may have learned where our current hideout is located."
"I'm ready when you are." I bravely confirmed…
"Kazama! They're not attacking us because they must be attacking the hideout! We have to do something or they'll all be killed!" I stressed then turned from him and dashed down the street and rounded a few blocks to where the hideout was located. As I passed one of the buildings a man was thrown through a paper wall and landed right by my feet. .
"They just came out of nowhere!" The man whined in agony, confirming my suspicion.
"Everyone! Get outside now! We have to retreat to a safer location!" I heard Hiroshi giving orders and observed dozens of people rushing out of the hideout. Hiroshi dashed out with them and paused once he spotted me.
"Kaori! Where is Kazama?" He asked.
An animalistic groan morphed from inside the hideout and suddenly a black cloud busted out of the walls and into the street on all fours. People panicked and screamed as the beast began devouring easy targets. Hiroshi stood a distance away from me.
"I don't understand. Do you want to find that dog in the Shinsengumi or not? You couldn't possibly catch up with them now, foolish girl." Kazama grunted behind me.
I looked into Kazama's eyes; his head instantly jerked towards Hiroshi. When I turned around to glance back at Hiroshi I noticed one of the furies leaped from off a rooftop and crash landed between us. The creature had flesh caught between its razor sharp teeth. It started to lurk toward me. Kazama placed his hand on his sword and glared at the creature. Hiroshi immediately hurled a rock through the air that smacked the back of the monsters head. The hunched beast lifted itself up on his hind legs and circled around to face Hiroshi, a bloody drool splattered around on the dirt. Kazama took his hand off his sword.
"Kazama!" Don't just stand there, help him!" I begged. He stared at the horrified Hiroshi expressionless. I knew he wasn't going to budge. I grinded my teeth in anger. Hiroshi backed away from the advancing creature, unarmed.
"Kazama you're right!" I asserted.
"I'm right?" He questioned, in an irritated tone.
"I have become very dependent on you and that has to change!" I clutched Kazama's old cracked sword in my hand and ripped off the sheath, tossing it on the dirt. Acting without thought I gripped both my hands on the handle and lifted the sword over my head and charged toward the creature. With my eyes closed I thrust the sword down on the creatures back with as much power and momentum as I could muster.
"Kaori!" I heard Hiroshi screech my name.
Crrracck
I peeked my eyes open and saw hundreds of scattering sliver pieces, flying in front of my face and clanking onto the ground, from the impact on the creature impenetrable skin. All that remained of the sword was an inch of steel, still connected to the handle.
"Run!" Hiroshi pleaded.
The creature thrashed its arm back at me. I was blown down by a turbulent twister of wind. When I landed on the ground I saw Kazama between me and the monster gripping its wrist and thus prevented it from hitting me. Kazama twisted its arm back in one lurching motion. I could hear the crackling of broken bones. The creature let out an ear splitting cry. Kazama let go of its arm and pulled his sword out of its sheath and stabbed the creature.
"Everyone, look! It's the Great Warrior!" A villager cheered. A large crowd encircled around us as they tried to get close to Kazama for protection.
Another fury attracted by the scent of fresh blood, bolted towards Kazama in the air and Kazama elegantly swung his sword upward, gutting the creature as it leaped over his head.
"I never thought…" Kazama began as he spun around in a dance of dexterous swordsmanship, slashing the furies as they gathered around the villagers beside him. "I would waste so much time on a mere human." He grunted, briefly checking on me then continued the fight.
Once Kazama emerged victorious over the slaughtered furies the villagers cheered and praised him.
"We're saved!"
"Thank you so much Great Warrior Kazama!"
"We're forever in your debt Great Warrior!"
Even though Kazama didn't pay any attention to the villagers, the Demon Lord couldn't hide the fact that he just saved a bunch of humans. Their praises gave me a welcoming feeling unlike the people Kazama and I encountered on the ship who forced us to leave on a life boat. If the people here knew he was actually a devil would they have cheered cries of hate instead of praise? I guessed none of that mattered as long as peace was returned to their homes.
Kazama whipped the blood off his sword before sheathing it and walked passed me. I gave him a smile that he ignored. The villagers hugged one another and some even pranced around gleefully in the streets. Kazama would later be known as the Great Warrior who saved this village in epic tales and folklore.
You see Kazama, you're really not the bad guy at all.
Just as I was about to trot joyfully behind Kazama Hiroshi dashed towards me.
"Hey, Kaori." He called out.
"Hiroshi?"
"Are you leaving now?" He asked.
"Yeah, I have to resume my journey. Please take care."
"For saving us, you two will be welcomed as hero's in this village from now on!" One of the villagers interrupted.
"Kaori, are you sure you won't stay?" Hiroshi inquired, hopefully.
"I have to go. Maybe one day I'll come back and visit." I smiled at him.
"I'd love that! Just you though."
"What do you mean? You don't want Kazama to visit to?"
"He saved us. He's brave and strong I'd give him that but there's no need for him to come back here when we're free from those monsters. Besides I think there's something different about him that I just don't trust. Kaori, please be careful when you're with this guy."
"Alright." I confirmed. "Until we meet again, Hiroshi." I waved to him as I started to catch up with Kazama.
"Until then, Kaori!" Hiroshi hollered.
Even as Kazama and I exited the village we could just barely hear the resident's partying and reciting Kazama's name with adoration.
It felt good to resume my journey to Koufu Castle. Once I hopped beside Kazama he halted and glanced down at me.
"There's no need for you to risk going to Koufu Castle. It's too late. The Shinsengumi were defeated." He remarked.
"I still have to go to see for myself. There is a chance they still could be there." I argued.
"It's foolish. Like I said before, they've retreated."
"They haven't lost this battle. You're probably just mistaken." I babbled, in disbelief. "No, they can't lose again!"
Kazama grinned, sadistically.
"Your pitiful faith in those weak humans is hilarious to me." He snickered.
"I don't care if you find that funny. I said I'm going to Koufu Castle and I always keep my word. I must go no matter how dangerous it is."
"Hn." He scowled then continued to tread on the path.
We traveled silently for several minutes. He seemed really hostile and distant towards me. I wondered if saving those humans hurt his pride as a demon. As a child I was always taught that demons were despicable evil creatures that sought the ruin and devastation of mankind.
Lost in thought while treading on the path to Koufu Castle, I recalled an old tale about an Oni that frightened me when I was a child. It was called The Oni and the Three Children. A poor mother abandoned her three sons in the woods. A great Oni who lived in the woods picked up on the lost boys' human sent and hungered for them. The large Oni hunted the three children in order to devour their flesh until he decided to rest on the side of a road. While the Oni was asleep the boys were able to steal his magical boots that enabled the Oni to travel incredibly fast. In the end the boys used the boots to escape the dangerous woods and were all reunited with their mother where they lived happily ever after.
Even though that story had a good ending I dreadfully feared the power and malice of the giant Oni lurking in the woods, hungry for the flesh of children. Kazama was an Oni; a very powerful one. There I was traveling in the woods on a road by the Demon Lord's side. The same demon who saved my life more than once and the lives of all the humans in that village. I knew that demons were supposed to be dangerous entities feared by mankind but I could no longer view Kazama in that grim way. I only wished that Kazama would change his perspective of humans and see that great things could be accomplished when we work together.
"Hey, Kazama?" I mumbled.
"Hn."
"Did you find out why that boy was there before you killed him?"
"His name is Kaoru and he was after Chizuru who was retreating with the Shinsengumi."
"What?! Is she okay?"
"Yeah." Kazama grumbled then paused in his tracks and stared at the sky. "I don't understand why she follows those weak humans."
"Maybe she follows them for the same reason why I follow you." I chirped. Kazama turned slightly towards me.
"Hn, and why do you follow me, human girl?"
"Because, you're my friend and I…um," I stuttered, rubbing the back of my head.
"You, what?" Kazama grunted. Suddenly I felt tongue tied and my cheeks became warm. Kazama impatiently faced me. "Why are you always so bashful?" He complained.
"I like you Kazama!" I blurted out then smacked my lips.
"Huh?" Kazama blinked, a little taken back from my sudden response.
"No! I mean I admire you and your strength." I began, blushing. "I want to assist you in any way I can to return all the favors you have done for me. I think that perhaps Chizuru feels the same way for the people she cares about in the Shinsengumi. Demon or human, it doesn't matter! When people are torn apart by tragedy, war, and sadness, feelings and friendships mean everything. Humans especially seek companionship and guidance when everything around them is strife."
"Seeking comfort or friendship with humans is foolish. I know they will betray her eventually. All humans want is money and power, they long to indulge themselves." He mocked.
"For some humans that is true but not the Shinsengumi. They don't care about money or power; all they want to do is serve their country and fight to protect what they believe in."
"War is an alleged reason for humans to destroy what others have done. Plundering wealth is their ultimate goal."
"You always talk about money like it's such a bad thing!" I chided, unable to control my emotions. "Let me ask you have you ever felt pain from hunger? Have you ever suffered in the cold at night? The only way to survive in this merciless world is to have money so you can't condemn humans that fight for it as long as it isn't for selfish reasons."
"You have to be one of the densest humans I've ever encountered. I won't argue with you. You've missed the point. Foolish human."
"Arrogant demon!" I screeched. His crimson eyes widened. "Why can't you understand that humans and demons can cooperate and help each other?"
"Humans and demons have tried to cooperate in the past. In the end humans just use the Oni to gain power like how you used me for your own protection and to save that village. That is why you foolishly charged into battle with my broken sword, is it not?"
"Why would that matter? Are you upset that you had to save me?"
"What are you trying to say to me?"
"Kazama, what you did was a good thing. There is nothing wrong with saving lives and I thank you for saving mine and all the villagers."
"You gave me no other choice." He growled, his red eyes flashed malice into mine.
"I charged into battle not because I wanted you to rescue me or force you to fight the furies. I did it to protect Hiroshi, who has been nothing but kind to me since we arrived at the village. I'm surprised that you jumped in and actually destroyed all those monsters."
"Of course I did. Your life was in danger." He criticized.
"You were worried about me?" I gasped, placing my hand on my heart.
"I don't approve of what you did. It was reckless and stupid. Don't you understand how weak you are?"
"I'm not weak!" I scowled.
"You're human. It's natural for you to be weak." He disputed.
"Well…" I stuttered. "I don't need your protection! I can take care of myself!" I pouted, frustrated.
"Hn," He chuckled. "Silly little thing, you wouldn't even last a day without me." The demon sneered.
I clenched my fist.
"I'm not little and I'm stronger than you think!"
"Well then, should we go our separate ways?" He inquired. I felt my heart skip a beat. "What's the matter? Afraid to be alone, weak human? I thought you said you can take care of yourself." He taunted, giving me a smirk.
"Fine!" I shouted impulsively. Then reluctantly spun around and marched into the woods to find another path.
What are you doing?! Go back to him! He's only toying with you! You still need him!
I argued with myself in my head as my vision began to blur. After taking several steps in no particular direction I grimaced and kicked a nearby tree.
"You're such a jerk!" I sniffed then huffed onto a path.
Several minutes passed as I carelessly wandered in the direction of the battle field. I heard birds chirping in the sky followed by the sound of leaves blowing in the wind and crackling in the ground.
"Who's there?!" I shouted in fear. When I heard no reply I cautiously investigated the area around me. Upon finding nothing I turned in the direction of the wind. "If you're following me you're going to be in trouble!" I whimpered loudly as my body began to tremble.
Sling
The sound of sliding metal echoed in my ears.
"Kazama?" I squeaked.
"I'm surprised you were able to tell you were being followed. Humans have such a strong scent." Remarked an unfamiliar voice.
A man emerged from behind a tree and advanced toward me with a blood stained sword in his hand.
"W-what do you want?" I wined, my heart began to race.
"I'm surprised to see a little girl all alone; lost in the woods. Did someone abandon you?"
"Stay away!" I begged, hysterically.
He charged at me and before I could turn around and run he hurled his sword in my direction. I threw my body to the side and collapsed in the dirt, just barely missing his blade which stabbed into a tree. My right hand hit a rock and scrapped my skin. As my wound slowly began to bleed, the man's hair turned white and his eyes, a devilish red.
"Now you're going to see what dangers lurk in these woods. I'm going to devour you, Child!" He growled.
I knew there was no way I could out run him. I crawled onto my back, feeling as helpless as a small abandoned child, lost alone in the woods.
"Miserable fake." Grunted a deep voice.
Slash!
I staggered to my feet and saw Kazama slicing through the furies heart from behind. The fury thumped onto the ground as Kazama pulled back his sword and returned it to its sheath.
"I thought you could handle things on your own." He teased, crossing his arms.
"And I thought we were going our separate ways." I snapped, wiping dirt off my clothes.
"Hn, looks to me like I was right." He taunted. I stood up frowning at him.
"I thank you for saving me." I politely bowed then jerked up. "You knew this would happen didn't you?" I protested. He advanced toward me. "You were following me!" I accused.
"And just what sort of trouble am I going to be in now?" He chuckled. I recalled saying that moments ago and glared at his playful grin.
"Hn?" He smirked.
"Stop it." I pouted.
"A little human thinks she can cause me trouble? How cute." He grumbled. His eyes landed on my injured hand. I backed away from him.
"I'm okay and I don't need any help from you." I stuttered, trying to sound tough.
"Human wounds take a long time to heal, you can't ignore them."
"I'm fine." I grumbled then touched the scrape and cringed.
"Forget it." He demanded. "Let me take a look." In a split second my injured hand was in his. I gasped in shock as my cheeks turned red from his unexpected gentle touch.
"Ka…zama?" I lost my breath. His large hand let go of mine when he was done with his observation.
"The bleeding has stopped. You'll be okay." He confirmed, looking into my eyes.
"Alright, you can go now." I mumbled, trying to hide my blushing face, by averting my gaze from his.
"Hn?"
"I'm fine." I affirmed. "Now go away." I hesitantly ordered, in a low voice.
"I find it hard to understand your mumbling." Kazama objected.
"Go away." I directed, regretfully.
"Go? Where?" He questioned, closing the gap between us. I peeked at his face, shyly. He gazed into my watery eyes. I tried to give him a glare but was still fighting tears from being attacked. So all I could manage was a pout. I felt pathetic, being saved by him again but at the same time relieved to be reunited with my demon friend.
"Tsk, your eyes are too easy to read, if you want me to stay with you, just say so." He teased.
"Fine…" I whispered, in defeat and looked down; my bangs hid my face from his garnet eyes. "Please stay with me."
"What was that?" He grabbed my chin and lifted my face up toward his. "If you want something from me don't speak at the ground. I want to see your eyes." He lectured.
"I said fine." I mumbled under my breath.
"Should I go?" He remarked, dissatisfied then let go of my chin.
"No!" I panicked, grabbing his arm. "I told you to stay."
"You mumbled." He chastised.
"Just stay with me." I pleaded.
"Now you want me to stay with you? Indecisive woman."
"Kazama, I'm sorry about before." I muttered.
"It is harder for humans to control their emotions." He asserted. I smiled at him and he gave me his usual blank look then turned his back to me. "Come." He ordered.
"Right!" I cheered and gleefully followed him on the path to Koufu Castle.
I started to question why I used to fear demons so much as a child when I never even encountered one. Thinking back, what happened to me moments ago was almost like what occurred in that horrific fable. Though what happened wasn't exactly like the story itself, I at least enjoyed a happy ending. I guess in my fairy tale Kazama was my magical boots, that enabled me to escape my fate of being eaten.
In just a short while we were both out of the woods. My eyes landed on an astonishing site.
"Kazama! Look!" I gasped, pointing at the top of the towering structure.
"Koufu Castle." He grunted. "We'll have to sneak our way in. I doubt I'll be able to just take the sword freely."
I swallowed hard.
"Kazama, did the Shinsengumi really lose this battle?" My lips quivered as I spoke.
Kazama stared at me for a moment then treaded over a small hill and paused at the top of it. I dreadfully followed. Something throbbed throughout my body, warning me not to take a single step further but I unreasonably ignored it.
There were craters throughout the land. The grass was littered with fresh corpses, and painted red by their blood. The tears I held in before were racing uncontrollably out of my eyes as I grieved over the loss of so many lives. It was the most horrendous sight. A chilling wind whistled around my face and with it, the smell of death.
I expected Kazama to cruelly belittle me and the Shinsengumi since he was right about their inevitable defeat but instead he kept his attention silently on his destination. The troubles that awaited us at the large and intimidating Koufu Castle were obscure and perilous. For better or worse, I made the decision to stay with kazama and there was no turning back. I had to make sure none of the Shinsengumi members were left and if so my next step after helping Kazama obtain the Oni slaying sword would be figuring out where the Shinsengumi retreated to and planning a way to get there.
Without me realizing it Kazama returned to the path that led directly to the castle. I slowly staggered back to the path.
"Stay close to me." He instructed from a short distance ahead.
"Why?" I uttered, catching up with him. He placed his hand on his sword and studied the magnificent and enigmatic structure before us.
"So that I can protect you."
To Be Continued…