"Love is the condition in which the happiness of another person is essential to your own."

-Robert A. Heinlein-

"Serpent's Curse"

By: FenixPhoenix (Giselle González)

Chapter 3: "Bait"

Sato Kenta watched his contractor sniff a white, five petal flower he'd carefully cultivated in a ceramic pot.

"What's that?" he asked, not understanding how a man like him–who with one look made Kenta's blood run cold- could be so gentle with a plant.

The man smiled awkwardly and turned his odd eyes on him. Kenta gulped, chiding himself for questioning him.

"This… is a gift," he answered. If he noticed Kenta's unease, he hid it well.

Kenta decided best not to meddle any further in the man's affairs, more so considering he could cut him in half if he wanted to. That was the extent of the shadow's skill. That was the proficiency of the only man left of two annihilated clans. The man was both a killer and a survivor… and a cursed one at that.

"Well…" Kenta tensed when he detected displeasure, "don't you have something to do?"

He jumped to his feet when those odd eyes flickered to the window. The sun was retreating and it was almost time for his appointment with Onime no Kyo. He grinned, excited by the promise of the slayer's blood dripping down his blade, and promptly left the room.

-o0o-

Onime no Kyo peeked out the window. It was time. Bloodlust and excitement flooded him, conquering him one vein at a time. Sato fucking Kenta would die for his boldness tonight. He would perish with a scream of agony lodge in his throat; a fitting end for one who'd dared messed with his property.

"Kyo," Yuya sounded unsure, "let's just go…"

He watched her squirm under his scrutiny. There was something on her mind that she wasn't sharing. But he brushed that aside, figuring it was her usual worry what was painting that expression on her face.

Shinna Yuya shudder with something she hard to describe. It was worry and something else, something that made her restless. It wasn't that she didn't trust him to be strong enough to kill Kenta. It was more like there was something much more dangerous going on. She couldn't explain why, but her instinct was demanding that they tread carefully! Yuya was aware of how weird that sounded. If she tried to explain her baseless instinct to Kyo, he would probably make fun of her though.

As predicted, Kyo shrugged uncaring and gained his feet. Muramasa in hand, he went the door, ready to leave. Yuya stood up, patting the ribbon of her yukata, checking for the weapon underneath. When she had the chance she take out Kenta before Kyo had time to unsheathe his sword.

"What are you doing, woman?" he asked disapprovingly.

"What do you mean?" she crossed her arms. "I'm coming with you, obviously."

Onime no Kyo's eyes hardened. He hadn't forgotten how he'd felt when he thought she'd been kidnapped. So no, he would not risk her safety, especially because Kenta had a clever accomplice. The witness at the bar had enabled Kenta's escape, after all.

"What?" She peered at his face and some of his worry must have shown, because her interest increased.

"You're staying here," he decided. Before she could argue with him, he added sternly, "That's not a request! That's an order!"

"If anyone should want revenge," she pointed out, "that's me!"

Kyo closed the distance between them and fixing his face into a hard mask, he whispered threateningly, "Do not think I will not tie you to a chair in this room if you think of disobeying me."

Shinna Yuya could not ignore the glint of fear underneath his fury. He was worried... and he was stubborn. So she gave in with a huff, looking away. She folded her arms across her chest, trying and failing to hide her fearful tremble. Damn him! Did he truly think she could just sit here and wait for him to come back? What if he didn't come back?! Worst, what if something happened to him?

He lingered for a second. She thought he might say something, try to pacify her with a kiss or a soothing lie. But that would be unlike him and so, it wasn't that surprising when he didn't. In his signature silence he walked away. Frustration made her eyes ache. The door slid open and she heard him heave a profound sigh.

"I won't take long… I'll be back," he said as if he'd heard her thoughts.

"You do that," she mumbled, blinking back her tears. Come back to me, Kyo.

-o0o-

Sato Kenta waited in the open field just outside the city. The knee-high ocean of yellow grass moved with the wind, giving the impression that something prowled underneath. He grinned when a figure came into view, the built of the warrior and the cocky saunter giving the owner away.

"Onime no Kyo," he greeted, "I see you didn't bring the prize."

Kyo was untroubled by his taunt because he smiled devilishly. "Don't worry," he said, "It's not like you can take anything where I'm sending you."

"We'll see about that," Kenta retorted, charging at Kyo.

Steel clashed against steel four times before they parted, both sporting satisfied grins. Kenta shook the pain in his arms away and began to circle Kyo. Kyo followed his lead, shifting to his movements casually. It was a façade, of course. Crimson eyes showed intelligence and caution. Kenta could see the wheels of his head turning madly, his eyes scanning their surroundings as though searching for someone hidden in the ocean of grass.

"He's not here…" Kenta confided. He had Kyo's undivided attention now so he added, "He's busy."

He charged again, before Kyo had a chance to ponder the words.

-o0o-

The mysterious man gazed at the Inn's entrance. As he'd expected, the pretty blond came out moments after Kyo had left.

"Ah! Look at that!" He shook his head chidingly when he noticed the gun she'd tried to hide. "Tsk, tsk… she disobeyed you, Kyo."

He followed her down several dark, deserted streets, keeping out of her line of vision. The tension of her shoulders became more visible with each step. She must have sensed him at some point, because she began to study her surroundings with paranoid eyes. Perhaps she was much more observant than he'd given her credit for?

He smiled at her. There was a tilt to her brow and a glint in her eyes that told him she was stronger than she looked. She reminded him of someone. A girl –no, a woman he'd killed a long time ago. A warrior who'd defied him until the very end.

A dark-skinned man suddenly stepped out of the shadows, intercepting her path.

"Aw! Look at this," the man said.

The girl stepped back warily, hands clutching the collar of her yukata, as if afraid he would tear it open. The man's eye moved down to her bosom, attracted by the action. His other eye was missing, the hole hidden beneath a black patch. Even from within his hiding place, the mysterious man could detect his lust.

"Are you lost, little missy?" he asked, trying to put a hand on her shoulder. The girl stepped out of reach, body coiling in preparation. She was about to turn tail, when a snigger behind her made shattered her plans. A snort from her left followed, planting panic in her eyes.

So you know now, don't you? You are trapped, little flower and if you aren't careful… your petals will be plucked. The mysterious man crossed his arms, enthralled by the opening scene of the grand play she'd set in motion. Poor, silly, little flower, what would you do now?

Shinna Yuya's heart was racing. The man before her was tall, but slim. She measured the distance separating them. She could perhaps tackle him and try to make a run for it, yet the other two troubled her. She was surrounded and she'd no idea how big or strong the others were.

"Perhaps we can help you?" A figure materialized to her right, stepping into the bubble of light she was under.

She spared a glance at him. He was slightly taller than her, but he was bulkier than the first man. She shuddered when his lips parted in a toothy grin. She was afraid he would throw himself at her and bite her. He seemed like a biter, for some reason. Maybe it was because his teeth looked more like fangs.

"Aw, don't be like that. We'll take you home," offered the first man, attempting to sound reassuring, "don't you worry about a thing, missy."

Yuya held her breath and reached for her gun. From the corner of her eyes, she saw the other man stepping into the light. He looked even stronger than the other two. Yuya hated how close they were now, it made it harder to think, to breathe, to move. A thin sheet of sweat covered her palms and she could hear her heart beating on her temples. Yet, when she turned to the first man… she forced herself to smile.

The mysterious man tilted his head at the change in her demeanor. She wasn't ready to call for help. She wasn't ready to lie down and be plucked. No, this flower had thorns itching to draw blood.

"Ah, this is going to be interesting," he chuckled, barely containing the urge to clap at the unexpected twist. "Let us see how you fare, little flower… Yuya-san…"

The last man smirked, "This one's a fighter…"

The first man gave a step forward, only to freeze right after that. The mysterious man bit his lip, fighting the urge to laugh. Little Yuya had taken out her weapon! Her smile became smug at the confused look of her would-be predator. Before anyone could do or say anything, she fired. She didn't flinch as the bullet ripped through the middle of the man's skull. He must have stayed on his feet for over three seconds before his body crumbled lifelessly.

The mysterious man covered his mouth, muffling another chuckle. The rest of the men were looking at scene appalled. This was too much! It had been so long since he had had this much fun!

Bravo, bravo! He yelled inside his head, clapping ever so softly. "But now… Yuya-san," he whispered, "they're pissed…"

Shinna Yuya had hoped they would flee when they realized she was not a damsel in distress. Yet, when had things gone that smoothly for her?

Before she could point her weapon at the next man, one of them charged. She focused on him and squeezed the trigger. The man got out of the way but bullet still ripped through his shoulder, making him drop his blade. She fired again.

The mysterious man threw his hands up in the air as the event unraveled. She'd been so good at the beginning! What had happened?

"It's a distraction, Yuya!" he hissed. How could she not see that! Do not disappoint me, woman!

The little flower fired again, shooting her attacker's left eye, killing him in a blink. She was twisting around, ready to continue her killing spree, when a fourth man grabbed her from behind. He slapped the gun away and laughed when Yuya screamed in surprise. She tried to disengage the arms that held her in place, but it was fruitless. The man with the yellow teeth approached them, smiling devilishly.

"Stupid, little flower! Where are your thorns now?" The mysterious demanded angrily from his hiding spot.

"I've always liked fighters," yellow teeth man confessed, leaning forward and licking her from chin to cheek, "they taste so good."

Yuya spat at him, green eyes glazed with tearful rage. The man slapped her hard across the face, leaving a mark that would eventually turn a horrid shade of purple. Yuya gasped when the man holding her forced her legs open with his knee. She twisted furiously, trying to get away, but his grip was solid, fingers digging into her skin, leaving more marks behind.

Yellow teeth man moved closer and tore open the front of her yukata. He laughed , admiring the lumps in her chest. Even small and perky as they were, they drove the man crazy. He dipped his head and licked her bosom, biting the tip and making her cry out in pain.

Every trace of cheer vanished from the mysterious man's eyes. Perhaps it was about time to step onto the stage?

Shinna Yuya closed her eyes, wishing to die before letting these creatures touch her any longer. She clenched her jaw and wiggled, but stopped when she noticed that arouse the men even further. She was about to scream when something unexpected happened.

"I suggest… you keep your hands off of her," a voice growled as a figure with brown hair and a small braid coming out from behind his ear stepped out from the veil of darkness. The wine eye -that was not hidden behind his brown bangs- was so cold, it sent shivers down her spine.

"Mind your own business!" snapped the fourth man, pointing the tip of his blade at him.

"I am," the stranger snarled.

Yellow teeth charged him, straight like an arrow. What happened next was a blur of movements. The stranger danced around him, slashing him deeply with every move of his wrist, killing him. The stranger turned his odd eyes on the man still holding her. With deliberate slowness, he approached them.

Her captor pushed Yuya aside carelessly, making her tumble to the ground, scraping elbows and knees. From there, she watched incredulous as he tried to run away but the stranger threw his blade like a lance and nailed him on the back, killing him on the spot.

It took her a moment to register that she'd been saved, that she was alive and mostly unharmed. She stood up and gazed at the last body, already soaked in blood, and sagged with relief. A gust of wind reminded her that her chest was still exposed, so she pulled her yukata close, clutching at the fabric.

"T-thank you," she said, recovering her feet and turning around to look at her hero, only he was no longer there.

She started searching for him, but something connected with the back of her neck. The pain was sharp, like a sting from a bee, and it made her stagger forward a couple of steps. Then her sight blurred then dimmed, leaving her in darkness…

-o0o-

Onime no Kyo towered the bloodied figure of Kenta. He was on his back, breathing heavily, coloring the grass below him a rusty red. Inserted into the pit of his stomach was muramasa. Kyo clasped the hilt and twisted it, making him scream.

This was perfect. He was going to take things slow, in punishment for what he'd done to Yuya. When he lifted the pressure, Kenta opened his eyes. Kyo frowned. There was something in his eyes that didn't seem right. Kenta chuckled, choked, spat some blood and then chuckled some more, red teeth grinning up at him. His amusement wasn't faked. Kyo could see it in the man's dying eyes. It was unmistakable! It was triumph!

"You…lose," Kenta spat.

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Kyo knelt beside him, his eyes cold and, hopefully, unreadable.

"I… was… bait."

"Where is he?" Kyo hissed, realizing why things hadn't seemed right from the start. He pretended he wasn't affected, but it was becoming more difficult to maintain the charade by the second.

The man chuckled, saying, "He is… with… your…"

Kenta chocked and gave his last trouble breath before he could finish. He died unable to see the look of utter fear that appeared in the orbs of his killer. Onime no Kyo stood up and ran towards the inn, ignoring the gash on his side as his every thought… his every fear whirled around one name. One person. One woman. His woman!

Yuya.

To be continued…