and here is chapter 16, i decided to give everyone two chapters in one go. i hope that you all review and tell me how it is. don't worry about the length though, they get a lot longer.

Chapter 16:Will You Save Me?

-Tenma's POV-

"What is it, onii-chan?"

Ichijo turned around, and I felt his heart skip a beat. "Takuma! What's wrong?!"

"Don't turn around!"

Kotoru's voice was harsh, but that made me worry.

"You half-blood vich!"

My eyes widened "Ichio..."

"How dare you do that to my grandson you dang leech!" He hit me hard across the head, knocking me out of Ichijo's hold.

My head was bleeding, some of it had fallen into my eyes, mixing with my hair, and making it difficult to see.

"Tenma!" I heard Ichijo shout, but I couldn't answer, I was too dizzy.

And then I felt myself being picked up, only to be thrown around, a cold hand grasping my throat, and I couldn't breathe.

"Let her go!" Then I was knocked to the ground, my head landed on something soft, and a familiar scent filled my senses. "Takuma?"

I promised, I'd put my life on the line to protect you." He said, smiling.

"Ichijo, get her out of here!" Kotoru shouted, moving in front of us.

"How are you supposed to stop him?" Ichijo asked, standing up and bringing me to my feet.

"Tenma, use that spell, please."

"Spell?" Ichijo asked.

"It's a 'spell' or concentration of my energy, and basically it'll give him a temporary figure." I clarified.

"Why do you have to perform it?"

"Onii-chan can control spirits, and I know how to control the body, but what one of us can do, the other cannot." I answered.

"Short-term please?"

"he's going to get us out of here, but I won't be able to get away." I clarified.

"Why won't you?" Ichijo asked, worry clear in his eyes.

I slowly turned to him. "Takuma, can I trust you with my life?"

"Of courrse" he said.

"I'm glad."

"Ashes across time, soul from above, clay of Earth, come together and form a new body and mind, soul and heart. Bring yourself together as one."

Next thing anyone knew, Kotoru's slight see-through apearence became completely solid, a now strong wind blowing his hair.

I felt my body fall, only to be caugh in gentle, warm arms. "Tenma, I've got you."

"Takuma, put her down!" Ichio commanded.

"Grandfather..." Ichijo muttered.

I loosly gripped his shirt shaking my head. "Please just go." I mouthed.

"I'm sorry grandfather, but I won't give her to you."

And then a strong wind cam forward, pushing us away, and Ichio away.

"go! Get her out of here!" Kotoru shouted.

Ichijo took off immediately holding me tightly against his chest.

-Ichijo's POV-

I don't exactly know where I am, but I know I'm deep in a forest.

"This place looks like where I found Tenma earlier..."

"that's because it is," a voice called.

I strengthened my hold on a sleeping Tenma, but not enough to wake her. "Who are you?"

Then a woman appeared, she had long black-violet hair, and the same piercing violet eyes Tenma had.

"Why do you..."

"...look just like the woman you're cradiling protectively to tyour chest? Because, I am her, or what she used to be." The woman answered.

"but I can tell, you're a pureblood, but Tenma-"

"Was born as the pureblood pride and joy of the seijun clan. And how they act is dispicable!" She cut off, eyes turning maroon.

"Can you elaborate?"

"I am, mor eimportantly, her memories and power. They're all sealed away, thus me standing before you." She elaborated, sitting next to me, reaching her hand out to Tenma, but I pulled Tenma back, bringing her closer, out of her reach.

"I'm not going to hurt her. I just want to show you something." She said gently.

I moved closer to her somewhat, still at the ready to attaqck.

"the woman went to left the back of her shirt, but I stopped her. "What are you doing?"

"She's wearing more than one shirt." She said, smirking.

She then removed the back of the shirt completely, showing Tenma's black, backless shirt. But what go to me, was the black burned skin that took up almost all of the girl's small back.

I felt my tmeper rise at the sight. "Who did that to her?" I asked, rage evident in my voice.

She ignored my question. "It's called the black fire curse. And soon it will take her life."

I felt my blood run cold. "She'll...die?" My question came out in a short gasp. All the air gone from my lungs.

"I'm sorry, but yes" She said, her expression downcast.

"How can I help her?!" I asked desperately.

I sw sorrow in her eyes, and my heart sank, realization hitting me. "no...she can't die." I gripped her tightyly to me, salty tears clowding my sight. "She can't...isn't there a way?"

"The person who she was closest to as a child, they have to drink her blood, and then she needs mine. But that's only temerary, another pureblood will have to finish it." She said, stroking Tenma's cheek.

"How am I supposed to know who it is?" I asked.

"Look into your memories. You'll find the answer."

I was confused, but I closed my eyes and looked into all the memories I had. My eyes widened.

"It's...me?" I asked.

"Yes. But now, there's a question for you: can you take the blood of the woman you love, and risk her life? Or will you take the safe route and let her suffer, after you promised to take away the pain?" She asked, completely serious, her once gentle smile was long gone, now replaced with a scowl. "What will you do?" She asked.

I focused my eyes on her weak form, and I decided...