"Love isn't a decision. It's a feeling. If we could decide who we love, it would be much simpler, but much less magical."

-Trey Parker and Matt Stone (1998)-

"Serpent's Curse"

By: FenixPhoenix (Giselle González)

Chapter 7: "Irony"

Takeshi Koga could not believe it, Sakaki Kenji -the first man who'd wronged him- had come to help the second! He punched the bark of the tree he was perched on and clenched his teeth so forcefully, he fear they would shatter.

Could fate really be this cruel? How could Kami, God -or whoever weaved his destiny- do this to him? Why mock him by bringing back the man he wished to kill but couldn't? Fuck! Who'd created the Anemona's unreasonable rules anyways? Who had been as stupid as to ask all the members to teach lessons instead of punish when clearly… clearly, Kenji and Kyo both deserved to be punished for their sins!

But perhaps this is a much more fitting fate for them, a voice argued in his head, shoving away some of his heated feelings. Maybe Kenji is already dead and Kyo could soon join him…

Sudden laughter brought tears to his eyes. He wasn't angry anymore. In fact, he had not felt this happy in a long time! The last time he felt his heart pounding with such joy was when he'd defeated Kenji all those years ago, ripping from him the one thing he cherished more than his own life!

"Now… now it will be your turn to break, Onime no Kyo…" He whispered, smiling awkwardly at the oblivious group.

-o0o-

Sakaki Kenji explained what he'd found through years of obsessive research about Koga and his new clan. Before that, however, he relayed a brief summary of Takeshi's old clan, the same clan Kenji had destroyed when he was young and stupid.

He explained that the Koga clan had a black serpent as a symbol, which represented their cunning abilities of manipulation and sadistic nature. The Kogas were taught since birth to never to leave a grudge unattended or vengeance unfulfilled. It became something so ingrained in their nature, that Takeshi's new clan hadn't been able to break him of it.

"After I destroyed the Koga clan, I allowed Takeshi to walk away unharmed, knowing that one day he would seek revenge. I was so sure of myself, that I thought the threat entertaining. Little did I know that he would become a problem I would forever regret not dealing with when I had the power to do so," Kenji shook his head, trying to shake off the ghost's grip that made a shudder run down his spine.

"So he joined the Anemona Clan," Akira finished for him, tilting his head in Kyo's direction. "That was one of the clans you destroyed, wasn't it?"

Yukimura nodded, "Indeed, five years ago, if memory serves. However, it is still quite a mystery," his eyes zeroed on Kyo, "why you did it."

Kyo shrugged, "Beats me. I don't even remember the damn clan." He turned to Kenji, "What did this new clan teach the cub anyways?"

Kenji took the vase of flowers and studied the plant. "The Anemona clan was actually born in Greece a couple of centuries back. One of the members came to Japan and liked it so much, he decided to stayed. He formed his own clan, following the same rules of his previous one… The rules themselves are quite ironic."

"Why do you say that?" Yuya inquired.

Kenji addressed her. "The members of the Anemone clan, contrary to the Koga clan, cannot hold grudges or seek vengeance. They're only allowed to inflict pain in order to teach a lesson."

"Lessons?" Benitora crossed his arms, "Isn't revenge a kind of a lesson too?"

Kenji shook his head. "Not according to the Anemona clan. The lessons are meant to enlighten a person, make him or her better. Revenge, on the other hand, creates an unbreakable cycle of anger, retribution and pain." Kenji put the vase back on the table and smiled sarcastically. "They're a bunch of delusional psychopaths, if you ask me." It was hard for him to keep his hate from showing. How could he? Koga and the Anemona Clan had stripped him from the love of his life. They'd killed Masaki and had left him with nothing worth to live for. "They delude themselves into thinking they're peaceful warriors. They believe that their lessons are better than revenge, when fact is," he focused on Yuya, "their lessons are crueler; they are crueler."

"Save your riddles and just tell me what to do," Kyo ordered curtly.

Kenji took a moment to bring his emotions back under control. "The members of the Anemona believe that the best way to teach a lesson to those who do not fear death, is to destroy that which they hold most dear…," his eyes jumped from Kyo to Yuya, who started blushing.

"How... do you even know this?" Yuya asked, hugging herself. He could see her hands shaking, despite how much she wanted to hide that.

Kenji sighed and, like he had done with Yukimura a few months past, he share with them his story. The story about his tragic life, which came to an end with Masaki's death… for it was, in that day, that Sakaki Kenji had also died and learned his lesson by doing so.

Shinna Yuya could barely keep her tears at bay when Kenji finished. She understood him in that moment, better than she'd ever done. At the same time, Yuya wondered if Masaki had suffered. She knew it was selfish to think about her instead of Kenji, but she couldn't avoid it. She was scared. She didn't want to end up like Masaki, waiting for another way… hoping for another chance… wishing a little more time.

"So the flowers are meant as goodbye?" Sasuke asked, pointing at them. He seemed to regret his words when she turned to him. But he was right, wasn't he?

"There is more to the flowers than that," Kenji corrected. "They are meant as a symbol. The name of the Clan sprung from a tale of Greek mythology. It was said that the Goddess Aphrodite was madly in love with a mortal hunter named Adonis and had thus become his lover. Ever since she first saw him, she would go hunting with him to protect him from all harm. One day, however, Aphrodite had to leave to attend godly business. Afraid that something might happen to him, Aphrodite forced Adonis to promise he would refrain from hunting in her absence.

"Adonis did so, but an hour after she was gone, he succumbed to temptation and decided to hunt near the edge of the forest. Without realizing it, he moved deeper into the forest, into danger. In and in he went until suddenly he was attacked by a wild boar. Adonis lost his weapon and, defenseless, the boar pounded him brutally and left him to die. Aphrodite, who was crossing through the skies, cast a look down and saw her lover attacked. She went to his rescue, but by the time she arrived, it was too late. Adonis laid dying.

"Kneeling beside him, Aphrodite declared to her lover 'I shall remember you Adonis and so shall all the world. From your blood will grow a flower, quick to blossom in the spring and all too quick to die' (1)."

"So... that would make Koga the boar," Akira offered softly.

"And that makes me Adonis," Yuya added. She was glad her fear hadn't taint her tone, but it was hard keeping it at bay. God, it was so damn typical! Kyo had to be the one who couldn't get hurt, while she died just for disobeying! Maybe Kyo was right. She was more of a nuisance than an asset.

"Yuya-san…" Yukimura sounded worried, which sort of irritated her. What was he worried for?

She hadn't intended to, but suddenly she was laughing and she couldn't stop. It didn't even come out pleasant, instead the sound was harsh, crisp and peppered with crazy. She was trying to keep calm, but God this was hilarious! She was in danger of dying, again! That seemed to be the only thing she was an expert on, being on the verge of death! And Koga's words, his last message and warning, ringing in her head wasn't helping.

"He even told me: 'You will bloom like a rose during winter, Yuya-San and, like a flower, you will wither away' he said!"

"Yuya-san, it'll—"

Yuya stormed out of the room before Benitora could finish breaking her. She left because she needed air! She left because she was drowning in despair! She left because, truth be told, Yuya was having trouble coping with the slow and painful death that awaited her…

Tokugawa Benitora watched her go with a heavy heart. He hated that she was in harm's way, just as much as he hated Kyo. He should have protected her! It was his duty!

"Shouldn't someone go after her?" he asked, looking at Kyo, demanding that he do something. After all, it was not him she would want comfort from.

Kyo, as impassively as always, shrugged. "That's your job," he reminded, "So go and baby-sit her."

Benitora bit back his retort. There was no use fighting him. Antagonizing the man would accomplish nothing and they all knew it. It was the wrong choice and he doubted he was the only one thinking that. Yet none dared contradict the great Onime no Kyo, not even him. So did as told and left to find her, hoping he would be able to sooth some of her worries.

-o0o-

Shinna Yuya couldn't understand her fear. This was not the first death sentence she'd received. Not very long ago, Shinrei had reduced her lifespan to mere days by injecting a water dragon inside her. For some reason, she hadn't been afraid then. So what had changed? Back then, there had been this strange feeling of confidence in her friends, especially in Kyo. She had known, without a shadow of a doubt, that he would save her. Yet, Yuya wasn't as sure now. Why? Hadn't he shown her that he was strong enough to defy everything and everyone? Had he not shown her, more clearly in the last few days, that he cared about her enough to protect her -to fight to keep her by his side? So why this hesitation? Why this sudden doubt?

Was it perhaps because she saw in Kenji a shadow of Kyo? Kenji had been unable to save his love one, despite his skill and fame. Was she projecting him onto Kyo? Would Kyo be unable to save her because he was so similar to Kenji? Were they meant to follow that same scripted tragedy? Would they ever live their happily-ever-after? And if that was so, then what about Kyo? Would he go around traveling around the world wearing a strange smile, hoping to impart the lesson he'd been taught through suffering?

Then it hit her. Yuya was afraid to die, yes. But, more than that, she was afraid to leave her lover behind; to be unable to watch him grow and love and change. She was afraid that he would become Kenji and wear an empty smile for the world to see. A smile that everyone would describe as odd and enigmatic, just like she'd done...

No…! She was not ready to die! There was so much she wanted to do, so much she wanted to share with him… They had just started their life together, for crying out loud! It was not fair that it should end without leaving anything behind as proof that they'd been together!

When Yuya heard someone approaching, everything crumbled, as if that person was a rock dropped on the glass of her feelings. The glass shattered and the emotions rushed out in a wild torrent that left her trembling.

"I don't want to die…," she confessed; shoulders shaking, her eyes burning, heart aching.

Tokugawa Benitora's heart broke at the words of the woman he still loved! Oh, it was true. It didn't matter how much he told himself he could never have her… his heart still pined for her. He closed the distance between them and struggled for something to say? He wanted to tell her that everything would be alright, but he couldn't! He wished he could take her away from all danger and give her the happiness she deserved, yet he doubted she would want that… him. He doubted she would want him.

"Maybe this time…," Yuya continued, hugging her body as if to keep from breaking, "we're not going to make it. Maybe... we just aren't meant to be…"

Benitora's heart raced. Did she feel something for him too? Could it be…?

"I finally found someone I felt safe with… someone with whom I'm happy… " still with her back to him, she brushed at her tears. "But even if I don't make it… know that I regret nothing… because I love you..."

Benitora's eyes widened.

"…Kyo," she finished, turning around to find him there, frozen by a shattered hope and a broken heart. He closed his eyes, trying to hide his bittersweet tears. For a slim moment- I am a fool, he thought, and this time his heart agreed.

Shinna Yuya closed her eyes. Her cheeks were burning with embarrassment and anger. How stupid of her to think that Kyo cared! That he would actually follow her!

"I…," Benitora looked just as embarrassed as her, if not more.

The tears in his eyes made her see red. How dare he look at her with such pity! She turned around and, with her back to him, ordered crisply, "Go away! I want to be alone."

"I…I understand," Benitora whispered, hurt.

Yuya regretted her words. His intentions were good, she knew that! How could she blame him for what Kyo did –or in any case, what he hadn't done? She didn't want to be a monster, least of all to him.

"Benitora," Yuya called, glancing at his retreating form. He turned around and waited for her to say something. "Please… don't tell anyone what I said…"

He forced a smile, "I won't. You can always trust me, Yuya-han."

"I know... thanks."

-o0o-

Onime no Kyo drained the last of his sake and fished around Yuya's bag for another bottle.

"Perhaps you should have gone," Akira suggested.

Kyo shrugged. "She'll be fine." To Kenji, he said, "Apart from killing Koga… is there another way to break the curse?"

Kenji scratched his chin , "I'm sure of two ways. One, which you have already guessed, is to kill Koga before the curse kills Yuya-san." Kyo flinched at that, but kept his cool. "The second is to find another member of the Clan who would be willing to lift the curse."

"Unlikely," Yukimura sighed, "Koga is the last survivor."

"Good job, Onime no Kyo," Sasuke muttered.

Kyo's calm was already hanging by a thread, so he decided to ignore the insolent shinobi for now.

"So we must kill Koga," Akira concluded.

"Maybe…" Kenji looked like he'd just remembered something.

"Well what?" Kyo pressed when he didn't continue, hoping he hadn't sounded as desperate as he was feeling.

"There may be another way. There was a rumor but," he stood up, "I have to look into before I raise false hopes. I'll start immediately. We don't have much time."

"Much time…? How long does it take for the curse to finish its job?" Sasuke was on his feet, his concern evident.

"Almost a week has gone by since the attack, hasn't it?" Kyo nodded. "Then we only have three weeks, so I suggest we send people to look for Koga, just in case my research amounts to nothing," Kenji reasoned.

"Sasuke, help Kenji with his research," Yukimura ordered.

A solemn Benitora chose that moment to step back into the room. Kyo waited for Yuya to follow, but she didn't. He turned to the man, studying his tensed form. What happened?

Shrugging, Yukimura addressed Akira, "The rest should concentrate on finding Koga."

Kyo nodded, "I'll join the search while-"

"No, you won't," Benitora interrupted with a tone that reminded them that he too was a man of skill... and temper.

"Oh?" Kyo quirked an eyebrow, challenging him to speak his mind.

"You're a fucking bastard, you know that! She needs you, don't you understand? Are you seriously that self-centered?" Benitora snarled, pointing at the door. "You should have gone after her not sent someone else to do your job! Step up and be the man she needs you to be for once! Or damn better set her free!"

The string of his composure broke and anger rushed forward, burning him from the inside out. He wanted to kill Benitora, to cut him in half right where he stood. Yet, his words rang true and he hated him for the reality-check.

"My deepest regret was that I did not spend more of her last days with her," Kenji said, standing between them, ready to stop them or placate them. He turned to Kyo, his eyes an ocean of sadness. Kyo hated that look. "We'll do our best… but it amounts to nothing if she gives up before we find a solution."

Kyo relaxed and, faking indifference, proceeded to the door. Before stepping out, however, he added, "Don't screw this up. Or you'll have me to answer for."

He left after that, before anyone got hurt, especially him.

-o0o-

Shinna Yuya looked up. The sky was already dark, with stars glinting in it, unconcerned and uncaring. She hadn't moved an inch since Benitora had left. It annoyed her how alone she felt... and forgotten. Why hadn't he come? Did he hate her now? Was he annoyed? Her disappointment was worse than being angry at him and it was crushing her!

"I'm sorry, Yuya-san..."

Her eyes widened and every muscle in her body coiled in preparation to flee. She turned around, feeling her heart thumping in her temples. For a moment, she'd hoped it had been her imagination, but she was mistaken. Koga stood there, a meter or so away, looking at her with mismatched eyes full of pity.

Takeshi Koga locked eyes with her. He didn't know why, but he found himself searching within that emerald depths for a hint of how she felt. He waited for her to say something, but when she didn't, his frustration resurfaced.

It was not his fault that she had to die! She had claimed that fate when she'd fallen for a demon!

"I said I'm sorry," he repeated, feeling -despite his reasoning- guilty. Why, though? Why did he feel this for her and not for Masaki? It was so... irritating! Maybe it was because Masaki had had a hand in the annihilation of the Koga clan while Yuya was completely innocent? Could that be it? Could it all come down to something as abstract as innocence?

No, that wasn't all. There was something about her that interested him personally. Did he yearn for her? Did he yearn for the love she professed for the red eyed demon? After all, he'd known that love once… A love he'd lost when the Anemona had been attacked!

He squinted and, for a moment, the image of Nozomi flashed before his eyes, like a ghost wearing the face of the girl before him. Was that it? Did he want her to live because he saw a ghost of Nozomi in her? Nozomi… had been his first and last love, stolen by Kyo's blade when he'd raided the Anemona.

"I'm sorry," he repeated, not to Yuya, but to that ghost.

"I heard you," Yuya said calmly, but she looked as though she was ready to run.

"It's your fault," he tugged at his braid nervously. "You shouldn't intertwine your life with a demon…"

Shinna Yuya said nothing. It was strange. Before her stood the man who would kill her –who in a way, had—and yet she could not bring herself to hate him. She realized why in the way his tone seemed to ring with raw honesty and sadness; in the way he stood before her, armed but vulnerable, trying to excuse why he'd targeted her. She found the answer in the way he seemed conflicted, a far cry from what he'd seemed liked the day he'd plunged his blade into her back.

Koga, worst than Kenji, had lost it all. He'd lost his entire family to Kenji and then, just when he thought he could be happy again, he'd lost it all to Kyo. So how could she hate someone so broken? Someone so hurt by fate? No, what she felt for him was... empathy. Not that many years ago, she had embarked on a similar mission, hadn't she? When her brother had been killed, Yuya had wanted nothing else than to destroy the person who took his life. It was anger born from a deep feeling of love and loss. So how could she hate him without being a hypocrite?

"I understand why you're doing this," she confided, truly believing it.

Takeshi Koga blinked in confusion. Her lips parted and suddenly, she was smiling. It wasn't fake! He could tell when it was fake and this wasn't. It was the most genuine thing he had seen since Nozomi, and the most beautiful.

"It doesn't have to be this way," he offered eagerly. "If you leave him… if you walk away now… I can lift the curse and you can live the rest of your life, healthy and happy. If we don't tell him, then Onime no Kyo will learn his lesson and you will not have to die."

Yuya continued to smile at him, her savior-turned-killer. "It is true, I do not want to die," she confided, and Koga was relieved. Yet, before he could say anything else, she added, "But I don't want to die precisely because I want to be with Kyo… A life without him is not worth living."

Koga reeled back, baffled and angry. Why? Why was she being so difficult? Disdain pushed pity out of the way, making him sneer. She wasn't like Nozomi, not at all! Stupid, silly little girl!

"It's a shame you feel this way…"

Yuya shook her head, "I regret nothing."

Takeshi moved back, away from her and towards the shadows. "Then you shall wither away…," he reminded, melting into the darkness.

Shinna Yuya brought her hands up to her face, hiding her tears, muffling the sobs ripped from her throat. When the tears stopped, she brushed her cheeks dry and made a decision. She would not give up. She would not stop. She would live... even if she had to fight to do so.

With that new found resolution, she answered Koga's challenge.

"I won't make it easy… Koga-san."

To be continued…

Notes:

(1) This is actually a real story of Greek mythology. Mythology; 2003, pg 61; Global Book Publishing, Australia.