Author's note:
WooHoo! FINALLY I WAS ABLE TO UPDATE THIS THING!
So sorry for the late update everyone but rest assured, I haven't dis-continued this fic. I fully intend to complete it someday, one update at a time. I just got so behind on all my college work and then there's living situations I had to deal with plus I just got two adorable guinea pigs (one of them is fuzzy). Too many distractions…Thankfully it's my spring break so I was finally able to continue this story which I hope all of you are still willing to read. I've re-read your reviews on my last chapter a dozen times to remind me it's worth continuing so please keep up the support! It really saves this story. Also forgive me if there's mistakes in this chapter since it's been so long I'm not as sharp on catching things.
WhiteSaille: Thanks so much for your review. I loved reading yours since the pacing is something that I sometimes struggle with because I really want it to progress in the right way. Also the alternate Kazama route is actually what I was going for, partly, so it's neat that you caught that :)
Ainhoa11: Actually the oni tale, told in the pervious chapter, is in fact traditional Japanese folklore. I of course put the tale into my own words but the story itself I got out of a book titled Folktales of Japan there's actually a lot more depth to the story but I didn't want to go into too much detail when I had Kaori recall it since it just wasn't all relevant to what was going on in the last chapter.
Ayame: Nice to hear from you again I'm so glad my story was one of your favorites before. I hope you're still willing to read it!
Guest/Unknown: Thanks for the support!
mariko85: I had a fun time coming up with that part when Kazama teased her; there's more of that to come :)
crazyquilt: I'm glad to hear you think the characters are cute^^ and so sorry for the late update!
Zhera: First off, I just love getting reviews from you; makes my day every time. I really appreciate the fact that you've been watching out for this story and I feel terrible that I haven't been able to update frequently. I didn't mean to make you wait so long but I am thrilled that you want me to continue it. I hope my chapters to come can live up to your expectations!
14Phantom: BEST BETA READER EVER!
As always, I look forward to hearing from all of my readers and I hope you all will continue to read and support this fic so we can see it finished someday!
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."
~Kingdom of Stars~
Chapter Seventeen: The Obsidian Dragon
I treaded lightly behind Kazama, feeling disillusioned from the crushed Kouyou Chinbutai forces; dead and still before us.
What would it take for these glorious men, a part of the Shinsengumi, to taste the sweetest scent of victory? Or, is it truly the fate of these fleeting samurai to be written down as the losers in history and what honor could possibly lie before the defeated?
I heard the demon lord gripe, in disgust, over the scourge of rotting flesh and I was left to imagine what degree of calamity the leaders of the Kouyou Chinbutai , had actually endured.
Kazama and I kept our distance from live soldiers left, cleaning up the battle field.
"So…they really lost." I found myself whisper, unintentionally.
"Of course they did." Kazama curtly grunted. "Don't look so surprised. I've already told you this would happen. Now do you see how foolish it is not to listen to me, child?"
I tried my best to ignore him and turned my gaze away from his red eyes as he glanced over his shoulder for a response. I clenched my fists and gritted my teeth which seemed to satisfy him enough as he continue forward with his back facing me. I wasn't interested in anything he had to say at that moment, for I knew him well enough to guess what his thoughts were. Besides, Kazama didn't even think I would ever find the man I was searching for. He had no faith in the brave men of the Shinsengumi. I doubted it would surprise him if the man I searched for was dead in this field. But, what if he was here? I began twirling around the path scanning every corpse we passed for a glimpse of his presence.
"Please…please." I begged, fearful that my eyes would catch his corpse, making my hopes and dreams crumble into the soil beneath my feet. Kazama, curiously titled his head towards me and narrowed his eyes, puzzled by my aimless prancing. I grew curious over a body beneath some bushes and dashed over to it. I felt my heart jump in my chest when I realized it was nothing then bolted towards another body. Kazama paused, crossed his arms and studied me like I had gone insane. Just when he was about to complain over my nonsensical behavior I halted in my tracks at the sight of a dead man beneath a large tree.
"What are you doing?" Kazama began.
"It can't be…"
"Hn?"
"This…"
"What are you babbling about?" Kazama grumbled, annoyed as he advanced toward me; I remained still. "Hey."
"I think that's…" I screeched. "The man I'm searching for!"
"…!?"
I hurled over to the tree and plummeted to my knees before the dead man. Half of the dead man's body was covered in blood.
"No!" I gasped while desperately clinging to the corpses hand until I caught a glimpse of his face then paused.
"Hey." Kazama, called out eagerly from behind me as I began pulling myself together.
"Hn?" I sniffed, realizing how flustered I was and glanced up at him. His callous expression grew tender once a tear blinked out of my eye, as if it had the ability to curve the demons unshakeable and cold insensitivity.
Kazama glanced down at my hand then focused his gaze over the demolished field, polluted and scarred by the wreckage of battle.
"Humans always destroy other humans." He asserted. "There are those who desert the battlefield, in pure cowardice, to protect their own lives. Some even betray their comrades or the closest people to them without any respect or loyalty. Honor is becoming a rarity in our changing world." Kazama paused to glance down at the dead man under the tree. "But this one died in battle, with honor."
"Yes, he did." I mumbled faintly while letting go of the limp lifeless hand.
"What are you planning to do now?"
"Keep searching."
"Hn?" Kazama blinked, puzzled.
"I was mistaken." I confirm, slowly rising to my feet. "This man isn't the one I've been searching for. He just resembles him."
"How could you be mistaken over something like this?" Kazama growled, with sudden indignation.
"I haven't seen him for a long time." I argued.
"Then how do you know for sure this isn't him." Irritated, he gestured over to the dead man under the large tree.
"His uniform; he's just an ordinary solider." I explained. "The man I search for holds a high rank in the Shinsengumi."
Kazama's garnet eyes instantly flickered. His vexed expression became relaxed and focused, showing a sudden yet looming interest.
"So, he's one of the captains or commanders?"
"Yeah."
"Interesting..." Kazama grumbled, with a smirk. I marched hastily past him, determined to get off the battlefield as soon as possible. I yearned to finish my business at Koufu and track the Kouyou Chinbutai's exact whereabouts. I could hear Kazama following close behind me.
"You should understand by now that your friends have no chance of winning." He impolitely provoked. I tried my best not to let his cold words phase me. "Great changes are coming to this country, not everyone will survive these changes. The Bakufu is finished. Even though the world is changing, humans will always be humans. More wars are bound to happen. The cycle continues and it's all about plundering wealth. Do you understand?"
Kazama paused for a moment, waiting. I channeled him out, focusing only on my determination to reach my destination. I heard him grunt, displeased.
"What's wrong?" He chastised. "Are you worried about that human?" He mocked. I stomped my foot on the ground, frustrated and spun around to face him.
"You think he's dead don't you?" I asserted.
"So, what if I do?" He teased, satisfied with my reaction. I relinquished the rage in my heart from the hostile sensation his words created, to proclaim my resolve.
"Even so, I'll keep searching. I will find him." My fists clenched as I glared into those piercing demonic eyes. "I don't like to imagine it but if he did die, I would still want to know what became of him." I admitted.
Kazama gave me a blank stare for a moment then grinned, both charmed and mockingly.
"I would also like to see for myself." He began. "I've grown curious about this person. You said he's of high rank. So, what is he? One of the captains?"
"Wait, you're interested?" I squeaked, stunned. "But, why? He's just another stupid human to you."
"Hmph, naturally." He gloated. "But besides that…" He advanced towards me. "I wouldn't mind hearing more about this pursuit of yours."
We stared at one another for several long, pending seconds.
"Well?" He urged after sometime.
"I…we shouldn't waste our time on this. Besides you'll only make fun of him and call him weak and foolish despite how hard he's fought."
"He is weak and foolish."
"Hey!"
"Hn?"
"That's it I'm not telling you a thing! What's the point, if he's already dead, right?"
"Hn, suit yourself but I'll find out who he is one way or another." Kazama stated as he stepped beside me. He paused for a moment in his tracks and looked down into my eyes. I felt nervous suddenly, unable to read his other worldly garnet gaze. "You really shouldn't stay with me, little one." He remarked as he placed his hand briefly on the top of my head, sending shivers under my skin.
"Huh!?" I yelped. "Why do you say that?" Kazama lifted his hand from my head, a few strains of my hair loosely tangled between his fingers, and flowed in his hand as he let go. The sting of his touch remained even after my hair fell back into place. He took his gaze from me and advanced.
"I'm his enemy. You're betraying the very person you search for."
"You're only after one man in the Shinsengumi and since you're a demon I don't really consider you apart of this human war." I argued, though Kazama didn't seem to be paying attention to what I was saying as he remained fixated on the colossal Koufu Castle. "I'm assisting the man who saved my life multiple times in the past." I declared, putting my hand on my heart. "And…the man who gave me comfort just now."
"Comfort?" The demon grumbled, finally acknowledging my words.
"What you said about that dead man who I thought was the person I was looking for, means a lot to me. For a moment I almost accepted the thought of him dying in battle if it gave him honor." I sincerely uttered, with gratitude. Kazama glanced slightly over his shoulder, listening. "You made it sound like his death wasn't wasted and that the dream the Shinsengumi chase, to become true samurai, could become a reality, even if they lost this war or their very lives. So…thank you, for saying that he died with honor. Thank you, Kazama."
"Hmph…" The demon lord grunted, in disapproval. "Reality." He exhaled, and kept his unreadable thoughts to himself as we approached our destination.
I continued following him quietly, like before. Soon, Koufu Castle towered over us causing my body to shake though I was barely aware of the growing tribulation, inside myself.
Just when we arrived a short distance from the entrance Kazama rotated our paths, venturing away from the large gates that we needed to go through. I didn't question his motives at first and treaded faithfully behind him as he made his way through some bushes and trees around the gates of the castle.
"Um…Kazama." I whispered. "What are we doing?"
"We're not making our presence known here."
"What? But aren't the people who seized this castle your allies."
"Friend or foe, humans reside in that castle. They want to keep the powerful Douji-giri Yasutsuna to themselves and out of the hands of demons."
"Why not just charge in and take it." I bluntly stated. He looked at me like I was a total idiot.
"I can't cause trouble for my allies. My clan doesn't need any more quarrels with humans. We already had a debt to pay to Satsuma. I will sneak in, and take the sword."
"You have to steal it?"
"Of course; what other way is there? It's a powerful demonic weapon that doesn't belong in the hands of humans."
"How are we going to sneak in?"
"There is a passage way behind the castle that'll lead directly to the catacombs, where the sword is being kept."
"Do you think it'll be easy to take?"
Kazama nodded his head.
"Should I wait here for you?" I inquired, glancing around us. Kazama scanned the area and noticed a small group of guards walking and chatting close by then he glanced down at me and sighed.
"If I leave you here, you'll only foolishly get caught by guards."
"I can hide." I debated.
"That's too risky. Let's go."
I decided not to argue with him as we made our way around the back of the castle. When we reached the back yard he assisted me over the gate surrounding the castle and immediately, we concealed ourselves in some bushes. Alert, Kazama silently observed the area and noticed a few guards around a doorway.
"This is where we enter right?" I whispered, keeping my voice down.
"You keep quiet." He harshly replied before unsheathing his sword. I wanted to ask him what he was up to but was stricken to listen to his command. "Wait here." He ordered.
"Kay," I squeaked, feeling nervous to be separated from him.
In a blink of an eye Kazama vanished. I suddenly heard a few groans and grunts and crawled out of the bushes to see a few guards knocked out in the saplings beside the gates.
I remained still for a moment then hopped onto my feet and met him once he took care of all the guards in our way. I approached the back entrance cautiously unlike Kazama who showed no hesitation as we entered the foreboding Koufu castle.
We wandered silently in a long hallway with a few rooms on the sides. I tried to stay as focused as I could. Then Kazama halted abruptly. I blinked at him. He spun around and grabbed my arm and forced me into a vacant room and slid the door shut. He let go of my arm and leaned against a wall to listen. Exasperated, I faced him.
"Hey! What was-" I began to mumble but before I could take another breath to speak he gripped my arm tightly and twirled me around so that my back fell into his chest then he thrust his strong hand on my mouth and pressed it into my jaw to keep me quiet. I felt tears form in my eyes from the pressure.
"Did you hear something?" An unfamiliar voice muffled from outside the room along with clanking footsteps.
"No, did you?" Another unfamiliar voice replied.
"Yeah, I believe I heard a voice over there."
I peeked at Kazama in shock realizing the reason why he threw us in that room. I panicked, worried that I had just blown our cover.
"Hn." I grunted, uncomfortably as Kazama's fingers clawed into my cheek, reminding me to stay quiet. In response to the pain I placed my cold hand on his. "Hnnn," I whined, unable to take the pain as it became difficult to inhale. I was constrained to Kazama's body so firmly I could feel him breath.
The footsteps and voices from outside became louder as the guards crept closer to the door. My hands began to sweat from my nerves. I found myself whimpering out of fear of us being noticed. What would Kazama do to me if we were caught because of my actions? The last thing I wanted to do was cause him more trouble than I was worth. Kazama's response to my whimpering was pressing his hand harder on my face which only made it more difficult to silence myself. I slid my hand down onto his wrist and squeezed it tightly. To my surprised his grip, loosen a bit. Then I felt something soft and warm caress my ear.
"It's alright." He murmured, nimbly in a low august voice. I felt my stiff body become lethargic just by the alluring ring that vibrated in my ear. The magnetic feel of him became mesmerizing; so much so, that for a moment I forgot all my fears and worries. I nodded my head in acknowledgment. Once the footsteps and voices grew faint he let go of me and opened the door.
"Kazama, I'm so sor-" I began to mumble. Kazama spitefully thrashed his crimson gaze in my direction, giving me an unwelcoming glare. I instantly covered my mouth, apologetically. We said nothing to each other as we mutely crept down the hallway to the entrance of the catacombs.
An eerie sensation engulfed me as soon as my feet creaked onto the last few steps on the stairway descending inside the underground passageways of Koufu Castle. We rounded a short labyrinth of hallways filled with dust. The entire time my inner instincts screamed at me to run and get out of there. Despite listening to what I knew was the safe choice, I pressed on faithfully beside Kazama. I longed to be useful to him. There had to be some way a small human could be of use to the Demon Lord. I had the urge to prove myself; to show him the unwavering strength that humans can possess. Perhaps then, he would learn to acknowledge the strength and dedication of the men in the Shinsengumi. The way they lived their lives was with pure honor and loyalty. I wanted to live the same way.
The dim lighting, from candles on the walls, casted shadows around Kazama's tall figure. To my surprised, there was no sign of any guards or anyone in general. Could we have been the only ones down there? I was certain that the invaluable oni-slaying sword wouldn't just be left unguarded. But who or what could be keeping the sword out of the reach of demons? I wanted to express these thoughts to Kazama but couldn't get over this threatening feeling that something venomous and powerful would hurl at us at any given moment. It was as if some perilous presence close by was watching, waiting…lurking.
Cautiously, we found the end of the labyrinth. A large decorated red door with an obsidian design of a fierce and malicious dragon, stood before us. I knew that our destination, the Douji-giri Yasutsuna, was behind this door. Blood pumped hard out of my heart and the tips of my fingers tingled. Ill notions swept my thoughts as I became aware of the impending danger. Was there an enemy that could over power Kazama, the Demon Lord? We've gone through so many trials and faced so many adversaries; it was difficult to believe that such a foe could exist. But, despite all we've endured, I had a gut wrenching feeling that whatever lurked beyond this door posed something far more menacing and far more treacherous.
To Be Continued…
Thanks for reading! I know it's been awhile but I hope to update more frequently if I can after spring break is over but until then I'll be looking forward to your reviews! Until next time!