Gekko no Senshi (Moonlight Warrior)

A/N: I apologize for not caring enough. A lot has happened to me since the last time I posted. Good, very good and very, very bad. I apologize again in the hope of you forgiving me and allowing yourselves to read this and review it. Thanks.

Chapter 24

In the midst of the entire scene, Tomoe stood contemplating her surroundings… chaos. Youkai big and small, strong or weak, running around preparing for their one true purpose: battle. She felt a jolt in her heart. Putting her hand on her chest, she felt her spirit speaking to her:

Crusading the land to instill peace among humans and the creatures of darkness… is this the true reason why I've being designed?

The thought itself brought peace to her soul. It was an eventful night; not only had she exchanged loyalty with Rikuo and his Clan, but she discovered that after this realization, her spirit finally quiet down and merged with her humanity.

I have finally found my purpose…

But, will I be able to do this alongside the Nura Gumi?

She thought of Rihan; his looks, for once but moreover, his determination and will, it all captured her. The whole adage behind his Clan was not to hurt humans but also defend those who can't defend themselves, be it youkai or human.

She felt like the gods had finally shown their favor to her. All that pain and suffering that she had to go through was for this moment in time. The realization that she could make a difference… Her past shaped her. The grandiosity of her future was so tangible, so delicious she could savor it…

"Tomoe."

Her heart stopped. The delectable rush that previously ran through her veins ceased. Her breathing was inaudible and her mind shut down.

Tomoe mechanically turns around, her mind refusing to compute. Her eyes meet the glowing orbs that belonged to Rihan. For a second she just stood there, looking right through him, as if it wasn't real. The world stood still, ceasing to exist… The commotion was gone: gone where the youkai surrounding her, gone was the Clan, the mansion… it was only she and Rihan.

Her first reaction, to her own surprise, was the wet feeling around her eyes. Yes, tears. She wasn't sure why, to this day she still can't tell why she felt that way. When her mind decided to cipher what was happening, her body had already acted. She found herself running to him. Rihan extended his arms wide open. When her body collided with his, it was as if two pieces of a puzzle where finally put together.

No longer did she wonder what were her feelings towards Rihan. No misunderstanding, no more confusion…

She loved him.

"Wasn't expecting you to come back so soon, Rihan," greeted Rikuo as he approached the still hugging couple. Rihan gave him a look that could pulverize iron.

"And you have a way of talking in really inappropriate times," answered Rihan. Rikuo just shrugged and smirked away.

Tomoe finally let go of Rihan and faced the crowd. Nurarihyon was approaching them.

"Son, tell me, what did you see?" asked the Supreme Commander.

"Well to spare you the details, they're…" he was stopped by Tomoe's hand.

"We need the details, Rihan. It's important if we want to stop this." She said fervently.

Rihan turned to look at Tomoe with intense eyes. He cleared his throat and said,

"I don't think we've ever dealt with anything like this before. I am sure, Father, that when you battled her in the past and with all her minions, you feared well even though she ripped your heart out. This time, I don't know how to say it… I know I haven't being in battle with her before, but she…" Rihan hesitated, Tomoe could sense the panic in his voice, worrying her all the worse. "…She is evil herself… I have seen her suck the life out of children… I can't even possibly describe the horrors…" he looked to the ground, as if about to cry. Tomoe put a hand on his shoulder.

"That's why you came early… you've seen enough…" Rikuo said, in a whisper. Rihan just nodded.

Everyone went quiet for a second before Tomoe gathered herself, saying: "We are gonna go out there and we are gonna smoke that bitch so bad she'll wish she was in hell. If I have to give my life so that we can destroy her once and for all, I will without a second glance…"

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Tomoe?!" Rihan abruptly said, whipping his head towards her. "Are you fucking out of your mind!?" Tomoe just stared back with wild eyes.

"Do you not think of what would happen to me if you die!" he seethed. Her youkai was purring like a cat ready to attack, but she held herself. She saw pain. A pain she wasn't aware of it at first but one she knew all together. Somehow, she understood him. Her own heart hurt at the thought of him hurting because of her, because of her recklessness. She knew he had suffered before because of her loved ones, and she knew she didn't want to be the cause of that pain. Not again…

"Rihan-san, please…" she cleared her throat, trying to calm her own self. Rihan was still heaving in anger. "We will think this through. I promise I won't do something stupid." She looked up to see his rage slipping away slowly.

"Tomoe-chan, Rihan, let's not get ahead of ourselves," Rikuo intervened. "We can't just go without a game plan."

"You're the master strategist, what should we do?" asked Rihan.

Tomoe felt the wind whipping her loose strands away. For once, she felt an air of victory. She smiled.

Rikuo smirked back.

A/N: I know it's a short one. I'm going to try to finish this story. Please message me if you have any ideas for the great battle. Thanks again. Love you all.