Part 46: Memories

Raven and Shadowcobra reappeared in his room. Raven pushed herself away from him and fell back onto the bed. She glared up at him, enraged.

"Why did you leave them?" she demanded. "We could've helped them! We could've fought that thing!"

Shadowcobra held his head down. "There was no way any of us could fight that thing. None of us stood a chance."

"We could have a t least tried!" she got up, intending to leave the room. She was going to look for the monster. "I'm going to go after that thing and save my friends, alone." At these words, Shadowcobra grabbed Raven's wrist. She struggled to break herself free. "Let me go!"

"I can't let you do that, Raven," he said.

"Why the hell not!" she yelled at him.

"Because…" he started.

"Because?" she asked, confused.

He pulled her towards himself, wrapping his black clad arms around her. "I don't want to lose you."

Raven's eyes widened, surprised. "Shadow?"

"The Titans are important to me, every single one of them," he started. "Especially you."

Raven blushed.

He let go of her. "I'm not strong enough. I won't be able to save you from that thing, like I wasn't able to save her."

"Her?"

He looked at her, "Raven, do you know why I became a Zodiac Knight?" She shook her head. "While we think of a way to fight that thing, let me tell you about her, about Misha."

Flashback, Shadowcobra's POV:

All my life, I was always alone. It was true I had my family, but there was one thing I never truly had.

Friends.

I had none. Not because I was shy or anything, but because of my powers.

I was unable to control my powers that came from my mixed human and vampire blood. Emotions were my weakness and my enemies.

Until I was fifteen, I stayed in the mansion. This worried my parents since they knew I was lonely, but they didn't know what to do.

One night, I went out to clear my head. I heard a girl screaming for help and I rushed to help her. She was being assaulted by a rather large male. Using my martial arts training, I subdued the male. I left before the girl could say thanks, but I accidentally left my wallet.

My wallet that had my name and address.

She came the next day to return it to me and then asked if we could go out and hang out. I reluctantly accepted her offer.

I wasn't supposed to fall in love with her. I didn't want to fall in love with her.

However, in a very short time, she was able to break my outer shell and I was instantly in love with her.

The time we spent together was precious and I slowly realized that my powers were at a controllable level. I crafted a black pendant for her and she wore it on her everyday. I knew she loved me and I loved her. I had never been so happy in my life. Our relationship lasted for 3 months.

Then, tragedy struck.

Misha was diagnosed with leukemia and she needed an operation. Unfortunately, there weren't any compatible donors but Misha still wore that smile on her face. The smile that made me fall in love with her.

I visited her everyday at the hospital. She had so much hope and she told me not to be afraid.

For the next two weeks I would still visit her, bringing gifts and flowers. She liked those gum drops things so much so I brought them to her.

But…one day, tragedy struck. I went to visit her on the same day they were going to have the operation. I went into the room to see the bed empty. Angrily, I grabbed a nearby doctor and demanded he tell me what happened. He told me, in a sad voice that Misha didn't make it. My eyes widened with shock and I shook my head in denial. No! No! No! I dropped my gifts to the floor.

She was gone forever.

The nurse that was taking care of her gave me a letter. She said Misha wanted me to have it. I read it:

Dear Ichijyo:

Today I'm finally going to have my operation. I'm not scared because I know that you'll be there for me. When I'm better, we can go out again. Just have hope, I will get better after this. Trust me and always be happy.

Love, Misha.

I dropped the letter and hung my head low. In a long time, that was the first time I ever cried

After the funeral, her family disappeared, probably too grief stricken over her death. I wasn't the same since that day and I became recluse. I secluded myself from others, even my own family. I thought no one would ever understand my pain

No one but Yoshido.

He approached me and we talked. He gave me the snake deck and I became Shadowcobra. I accepted because he told me that if I wanted my greatest wish fulfilled, I would have to fight.

If I wanted the power that would enable me to bring Misha back, I would have to become the last Knight left.

End Flashback…

Normal POV:

As Raven listened to his tale, she saw the tears that he shed every time he mentioned Misha.

He must've really loved her. She thought.

"I gave up trying to bring her back since she deserved to rest in peace and I knew that she wouldn't have wanted me to kill. All she wanted was for me to be happy." Shadowcobra wiped the tears away with his gloved hand. "Now you know why I became a Knight, Raven, and why I can't lose you." He sat down next to Raven and wrapped his arms around her. He kissed the side of her head and wept.

"I'm sorry," she apologized, "I had no idea."

"It's alright," he said. "There's no need to apologize." He regained his composure and wiped the remaining tears away, but Raven stopped him as she wiped his tears away for him.

Such a poor beautiful creature, she thought. Like me he lived in loneliness even when he had his family and friends. She lightly kissed him. But don't worry, because you won't lose me, ever.

To be continued…