Of Angels and Vampires
Chapter Two
The Girl
And
The Nigousan
By Fallon
Kasumi exited the sub station, running up the stairs with a quick pace. She merged in with the moving crowd in Kyoto, slowing down to put her mp3 player in her red tote bag. She needed to be on the lookout, as the voice of Suzumi in her head had told her so. A million things were going through her mind: how could two souls intertwine with one body?
She dodged bumping shoulders with people that walked past her as she was making her way towards her apartment to meet up with Satoshi.
Kasumi opened the door and slammed it shut. She did a quick pace up the stairs to apartment 212. She was expecting Satoshi to be waiting for her at her door, but he did not appear. She stuck her key into the door knob, turning the key and opening her door. She quickly shut it, throwing her bag on the kitchen floor.
Kasumi sat on her couch, digging her fingers into her red hair. How could it be? How can it be possible?
Questions ran through her mind. She sighed, placing her hands down on the sofa.
"Suzumi, how can this be?" she asked.
'You're my incarnate, Kasumi, I have become a part of you because I know that my father will be looking for me.'
"Your father?"
'Yes, my father is ruler of the Japanese Vampires. He has been looking for me since I disappeared long ago. I was reincarnated with you when you were born. My people have been lead to believe this because the lineage of the Nigousan. I am chosen to become the Nigousan when my race is beginning to decline, but I will have to refuse.'
"Why do you refuse?"
'My father wants me to embrace my destiny of becoming the Nigousan to save our people, but I have different things in mind. I feel it is not my duty to save my people because since my father is the leader, I think it should be his duty.'
"So, how did you become a part of me?"
'After I had died, my soul wandered, looking for the right young woman to become a part of, trying to hide from my father and my people. I didn't want them to find me, to awake me and have them use me for something that really isn't necessary. I went from one body to the next after they had died. I saw many different things, felt different things…love, sadness, anger…I had fell in love with many men, but there was one man I could never forget.'
"Who?"
'His name was Takeshi, I'm not sure if he is still alive to this day, but I was a young girl when I fell in love with him. Before I left, I told him that I would find him again. Centuries went by and I never ran into him…my heart aches for him, for he was my first love. I still hope to see him again, and I hope it is soon.'
Kasumi sat on the sofa, staring at the floor. "You have waited all these years for him and running from your father?"
'Yes, I have. I don't want to face what I must become, because it is foolish for my father and my people to believe in such a thing. I hope that you're careful to where they never find you, but I have this feeling that they are getting closer.'
"What will happen if they do?"
'They will take you away, to my father's palace, and there they will make me come out and force me to take my duty.'
Kasumi was about to say something, but was suddenly interrupted by a loud knocking on her door.
"Who is it?" She asked, placing her hand on the door knob, looking through the peep hole of her door.
"Hey, it's me Satoshi!" Satoshi said, giving her a big smile towards the peep hole.
Kasumi opened the door, standing aside, "I was wondering what happened to you, what took you so long?"
Satoshi walked inside as Kasumi shut the door behind him. He took at seat at her sofa, sighing and putting his hands behind his head, "Well, I had to stop by Kenji's place; he invited me over as I was on my way here. So I had to stop by to see what he wanted."
"And?" Kasumi said, sitting down next to him.
"And I went there and he was showing me the news of how Tokyo Tower was vandalized by an unknown source. They're still investigating of what happened there."
"Tokyo Tower was vandalized? What happened?" She asked, she then felt a sharp pain in her head. "Ow!" She yelped, quickly putting one hand on the top of her head.
"You ok?" Satoshi asked, putting his hands on her shoulders.
"Ye-Yeah, I'm fine." Kasumi replied, still having her hand on her head. "Do the police have any idea how it was vandalized?"
"Don't know, they said it might've been a shoot out for Yakuza, but they aren't completely sure. It could've been anything. No witnesses were at the scene."
"Hmm, that's strange."
'I know who it was, Kasumi.' Suzumi finally spoke.
'You do?' She thought, replying back.
'Yes, there is a war going on between the Angels and Vampires, it has been for centuries.'
"What?" She blurted out, feeling shocked.
"Huh?" Satoshi looked at Kasumi, "Do you want to say something?"
Kasumi shifted in her sitting position, coughing, "Ah, no. I really didn't want to say anything!" She blandly played that off, not a very good cover-up.
Satoshi gave her an odd expression, "Well, do you want to go out to eat or something? Maybe go over to Kenji's to find out if he has heard anything else?"
Kasumi nodded her head, "Sure, why not." She replied with uncertainty in her voice. She hoped that whoever is looking for her, won't find her while she out.
"Is something wrong Kasumi? Are you sure you want to go over there?" Satoshi asked, he seemed a little concerned. "Yeah, I'm sure. Nothing is the matter, Satoshi, I'm fine, really. Let's just go over to Kenji's." Kasumi got up and grabbed her red tote bag, heading towards the door.
"Alright," Satoshi said, getting up and following her to the door. "I just don't want you to feel like this is going to be a mistake. We could just stay here, you know?"
She stopped as she opened the door, shaking her head, "No, I want to go over there, to find out what he knows and maybe we could hang out there."
Be careful, Kasumi. Be on the look out for them. Suzumi warned her. We have to stay low, remember?
'Yes, I know, it's not that long of a walk, we'll be fine.' Kasumi felt uneasy, but she had to go over there to find out what happened…maybe these could be clues to what she could find out about the Japanese Vampires.
Yukinari wandered the halls of the palace, recalling his memories when he was last here. He knew it had to do with something of his daughter's disappearance, his second wife leaving him, and him being all alone.
He entered one of the rooms, which happened to be his chambers at the time. The curtains that hung from the bed posts were tattered and torn; the lavender color was faded, barely visible from recognition. He placed one hand on the right post, gazing down at the destroyed bed. He recalled the memories of the many nights he spent here, making love to his two previous wives and to the time he felt lost after everything he loved had left him.
Shurii appeared standing in the doorway, watching his leader look upon old memories. He cleared his throat to make his presence noticed, "Sir," he spoke as Yukinari turned around. "What is it Shurii?" Yukinari replied.
"I hope you don't mind me interrupting, but I wanted to inform you that our men are still out there searching for Suzumi."
"Any sign of her?"
Shurii bowed his head, "No my lord, but they will quickly report back when they find her."
Yukinari placed a hand on his wounded left eye, sighing, "You know what I was thinking, Shurii?"
"What is that, my lord?"
"Since we are home, I believe we should rebuild the palace, fix it up."
Shurii nodded, "I couldn't agree with you more, sir, to celebrate Suzumi's return as well as ours to the palace?"
"Of course," Yukinari replied, smiling, "A celebration sounds excellent, but we need to fix this place up to make it look decent."
"Yes sir, I will gather a group of individuals to start cleaning up right away!" Shurii bowed, exiting Yukinari's chambers.
"Ah, I am fond of your quick actions, Shurii." Yukinari said as he watched Shurii leave. He knew he could never be disappointed with his companion. He soon followed behind Shurii, watching him gather a few strong men to move the debris from the main hall. Women brushed the dirt and dust off the walls and the floors with brooms and hung scrolls of Japanese art: a picture of the late Yoshitomo, cherry blossoms and sheets of various colors on the walls and paper lanterns hanging from the ceiling.
Yukinari observed the people running about clearing the floors, two men ran towards him with a large throne that they placed behind him. Yukinari settled into the chair, still watched his people run back and forth, working hard to clean up.
"This is wonderful, it seems like things are coming into place now." He said, "Once when Suzumi returns, our home shall be complete and we can finally restore order to what it was before…destruction upon the humans." He said, as a grin crept upon his lips. "We will finally rise from the ashes, become the fear that all of Japan has known to feel! Re-awaken that fear in their hearts. We will be victorious!" He shouted, standing up from his throne, throwing his hands in the air and let out a roaring laughter, the people did not stop from their duties, they continued their tasks.
Hanako walked down the long hallway towards Mayura's chambers. She received a message from one of her servants, asking her to come over to her place to discuss the war with the Japanese Vampires. She finally approached the double doors that were painted gold; she inhaled and exhaled, hoping that this discussion wasn't going to turn out bad.
Hanako knocked on the door until hearing Mayura's voice, "Enter," she spoke. Hanako slowly pulled the door open, peering in and seeing a bright light coming from the room. Mayura stood out on her balcony; both of her hands were raised towards the night sky as she held a glowing light above her head. She looked over her shoulder and seen Hanako standing there, bowing before her. She smiled, looking over her shoulder. The light dispersed instantly as she lowered her hands to her sides.
"Good evening Hanako," she greeted, waving her hand as a signal for Hanako to rise.
"Good evening, Lady Mayura." Hanako replied, slightly nodding her head.
"Do you know why I have sent for you, General?" Mayura asked, approaching Hanako.
"Is there a possibility that we might discuss the war with the Japanese vampires?" Hanako replied.
"Yes, indeed it is, my dear," Mayura smiled, "after your dismiss from the council, I had spoke with the members about your duty of being General. Some disagreed with my decision of making you General, but others were on my side to say I had done the right thing."
Hanako was silent for a moment, not knowing what to say. She knew she had made a huge mistake to listen to that vampire that wanted her to spare Yukinari's life.
"Do not dwell on your mistakes, Hanako; like I have said before, I don't want you to kill the vampires all at once." Mayura said, walking around Hanako in a circle, examining her.
"I followed as you instructed my lady, but I fear it was a mistake that I did not kill Yukinari, for you and I know very well that he has his intentions of searching for his daughter. He may have found her by now." Hanako said; her eyes cast down to the floor.
"Yes, he might have, but I believe he may not have found her just yet," Mayura stopped her pacing and stood in front of Hanako. "Even if he finds her, though it may turn out that it will make them stronger, I believe we still have a chance of defeating them."
Hanako nodded, lifting her eyes to stare into Mayura's rudy-red eyes. "It hard to have such faith, my lady, but I know my duty as General is that I cannot let you or Gaia down."
"I know you are trying your best, Hanako, but I want you to know that I have great faith in you that you will be able to succeed. It does not matter what others think, it is about you and the position you are in. I choose you to be in this position because I knew you had the abilities that complete it. You need to be optimistic, you need not to worry."
Mayura placed her hand on Hanako's shoulder, smiling. "You can do this, Hanako."
Hanako smiled, "Thank you ma'am, your words mean a lot to me. I am glad you have support in me."
"I always will, Hanako, there is not a doubt in my mind if anything terrible would happen with your position."
"Thank you."
Mayura embraced Hanako for a few moments. Hanako felt the warmth from her body surround her, giving her a feeling of relief and hope. How could she ever let her down?
"I have something to show you, General," Mayura said as she pulled away from her, walking towards the balacony. Hanako followed, wondering what it was that she wanted her to see.
"The light I was holding above me was showing me what Yukinari's next move is, though there is no doubt that he is getting closer to capturing Suzumi, her incarnator." Mayura lifted her hands again to the sky, a bright light suddenly appear before the two women. The light shined a yellow-golden color, revealing the image of Yukinari standing amongst his people, watching them run about.
Hanako was shocked, she recognized the place he was in. "Has he returned to his palace?"
"Indeed he has, Hanako." Mayura replied, "He is rebuilding the palace to celebrate the return of his daughter and his people's return to their home. I have a feeling this return to the palace will automatically indicate that they are starting over again."
Hanako shook her head, in disbelief, "No, this cannot be…I should've ignored that vampire…I should've killed him!"
"Do not blame yourself Hanako, this is not the end." The image changed as did the color of the lighting to a pale blue, revealing a young girl with red hair, looking uneasy.
"This is Suzumi and her incarnate, a young girl named Kasumi."
Hanako looked closely at the girl, she undoubtedly resembled Suzumi, same features—eyes, hair. It was like Suzumi had never died, though if the Japanese vampires were looking her, this girl would be easily noticed for the taking.
"So she has returned, my lady?" Hanako kept her eyes on the girl.
"Not quite," Mayura replied, lowering her hands as the light slowly faded, little droplets of light scattered on the floor. "The Vampires have yet to find her, once when they do, they'll have her gather her people, awaken other humans who are incarnates of past vampires, they'll come to her, quickly repopulating."
"What does she have to do in order to call out to the others?"
Mayura and Hanako went inside her chambers, sitting on her bed. "In order for Suzumi to embrace her position as Nigousan, a ceremony is preformed for her, there she will awaken her powers that will call out and draw the people to her."
Hanako was taken aback, is this how Yukinari will grow stronger? "Might I ask of how you know this, my lady?"
"I know the ways of the Japanese Vampires because I, like you, had fought Yukinari's father, Yoshitomo, long ago. This was long before you were born, but I knew of the Nigousan and had witnessed the birth of Yukinari, all by watching from a distance and with the help from the Council."
Hanako was surprised by how Lady Mayura knew so much, she was wise for her position as Leader of Gaia, having so much experience with the war with the Japanese Vampires and among other wars with the supernatural beings.
"You witnessed the birth of Yukinari?"
"Yes, I had seen it from a distance since I heard that Yoshimoto's wife was bearing an heir to his regime. I knew that this would embark a new beginning for the Earth and Gaia. With Yukinari being brought into this world had stirred fear among the people of Gaia. We all knew that the Japanese Vampires were going to grow stronger with the birth of Lord Yoshitomo's son."
Mayura moved towards her bed, sitting down and turned her attention towards Hanako, continuing her story, "We began to plan the battle with the Japanese Vampires, I was leading my army to the palace and they could sense our presence right away."
Hanako sat down by Mayura, listening carefully, "What happened next?"
"We tried to throw down Yoshimoto and his men, but their numbers were too great, so we had to leave and try again later, which we did. The second time we came back, Yukinari was a young boy and I had killed his father right before his eyes."
Hanak gasped, Mayura shook her head. "It was all I could do, either I was going to die or Yoshitomo was, so I had to make the choice."
"This gives Yukinari another reason to hate us." Hanako whispered.
"Yes, but they have always hated us since the beginning; good versus evil. They have loathed the beings of Light for what we stood for, defending mankind. All they want is fear and destruction, it is what they thrive and feed off of." Mayura sighed, shifting her eyes to her teal-colored blankets.
"The beings of Darkness and Light, Angels and Vampires." Hanako muttered, pulling her attention away from Mayura for a few moments.
"All right General, I think it is best that you should go." Mayura spoke, breaking Hanako's thoughts. "I need to sleep and I shall see you in the morning."
Hanako nodded, "Yes my lady, good night." She got off the bed, bowed, and left the room.
Mayura pulled the blankets from her bed and settled herself in, looking out at her balcony that exposed the night sky. She was thinking back at the time she had killed Yoshitomo, recalling those words he spoke to her.
Yoshitomo fell to his knees, dropping his sword to his side. He felt the blood pour out from his stomach as he gazed at the woman before him. Her red flaming hair flowed at the slight breeze that passed as did her three wings that sprouted from her back. Her ruby eyes were as narrow as her sword that pierced him a deathly blow. He turned his head, looking at the young boy who stood a few feet away from him. The little boy's mouth gapped opened as tears were streaming down his face. His mother held him tightly in her arms, weeping.
"Papa," he whispered.
Yoshitomo quickly shifted his head back to the woman, extending his arm and pointing at the little boy, "My son," he gasped, "will end your race. You and your people. Every single one of you! Gaia will no longer exist when he is ruler!"
The woman placed her hands on the hilt of her sword, "Gaia will continue to exist." She replied, keeping her hands on the hilt, "No one can destroy us, not even your heir."
His eyes widened as she quickly pulled the sword from his stomach. Yoshitomo fell forward as one side of his face was buried in the dirt.
Mayura lied down in her bed, staring at the ceiling, 'Please Hanako, do not fail Gaia.'
Hanako walked down the long hallway, thinking to herself about Mayura and the Japanese Vampires.
'I won't let Lady Mayura down, I can't.' She thought, walking briskly to her home. 'Even if Yukinari finds Suzumi, there is still a chance that we can win.' She reached for her door, opening it and closing it behind her. She leaned against the door, sighing heavily. 'I can't fail, I must succeed.'
Kasumi observed nervously the crowd around her, keeping a close watch if she and Satoshi were being followed.
'There's no use in watching your back, just get there so they don't see you.' Suzumi said.
Kasumi followed close behind Satoshi, she quickly moved and walked beside him, bumping shoulders with the people that walked by.
"Are you sure you're ok? You seem nervous." Satoshi asked, grabbing ahold of her hand and stroking her skin.
Kasumi looked down, surprised, "Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just a little nervous to hear about that news of Tokyo Tower." She smiled at him.
"Alright, just checking, we're almost there." Satoshi replied, leading her away from the crowd and into a building that seemed ten stories high.
"Great." She sighed, relieved.
A man dressed in black stood among the crowd, watching the couple enter the building. He turned his head towards another man standing a few feet away, seeing the same as he did. The man nodded to the other. A woman approached the man that had seen the couple, "I saw them enter that building," he said, pointing to it. "Report this back to Lord Yukinari, hurry." The woman nodded and said nothing, turning she moved quickly away from the crowd into an ally way. She folded her hands with two of her next fingers pointing upwards close to her mouth. She whispered something and in a flash she disappeared.
Satoshi opened the door and shut it behind him, letting Kasumi walk in front of him. They walked up the stairs to the fifth floor, hanging a left down a long hallway of brown-colored doors, each with numbers etched with black and gold numbers in the center. Satoshi and Kasumi stood at the fifth door down from the entrance of the hallway, apartment number 505. Satoshi pounded on the door, waiting for a few minutes for a reply, "Just a second!" A voice yelled. They heard a loud thud! then the door swung open revealing an out of breathe Kenji. He smiled at them, opening his door wider for them to come in, "Hey guys, c'mon on in!"
The couple entered his apartment, Satoshi gave a firm handshake to Kenji, "Well, I'm back again Kenji, did you find anything more about what happened to Tokyo Tower?"
Kenji made his way back to his computer desk, showing the latest news on the "vandalized" Tokyo Tower. "They found traces of blood on the floor, but no bodies were found. It seems like whoever was there must've gotten into a fight, killed a few people, and drug the bodies out so no evidence were left behind."
The three gathered around Kenji's computer, looking at a news website of the investigations of what had happened three days ago. It seemed to be the big story of the past few days, Tokyo Tower being destroyed by an unknown group. Could it have been gangsters in a quarrel?
Kenji clicked on a link, revealing a streaming video, "This is what's happening right now, the police have been at it all day."
The video showed yellow tape wrapped around the building with reporters scattered all over the place. A female reporter with lavender-colored hair appeared on the screen, "As you can see, police are still investigating of what happened to Tokyo Tower. There have been reports of no witnesses, as they assume this happened sometime around midnight. Police have found only one piece of evidence and that are various streaks of blood around the Tower. Those blood samples are currently going under some tests and we will have more reports of that later. Right now they do not have any suspects, though they do assume it might have been gang-related. Though the question is, how did they get in when the Tower was closed? Questions have been raised, but solutions need to be found. I am Yumiko Tsukada reporting for Fuji News Network."
"Hmm, if they've found blood, then I'm sure they'll be able to find whoever did this." Satoshi said, stepping a few step back from the two people.
Kasumi kept her eyes on the computer screen, reading the headlines that were plastered all over the webpage.
'It's them, Kasumi. This is the war of the Angels and Vampires.' said Suzumi.
Kasumi nodded her head, feeling a slight tingle of pain in her head that began to grow stronger by the minute. She dare didn't winch, she moved towards Kenji's hallway, turning, "Could I use your bathroom, Kenji?"
Kenji smiled, "Sure, go ahead, it's just down that hallway."
Kasumi walked down the hallway to the bathroom, she shut and locked the door behind her. She moved towards the sink, leaning on it. She had her head down, staring at the dripping water that leaked from the sink. She sighed, tilting her head up and looking at herself in the mirror. Her reflection did not show herself, but Suzumi. Suzumi was identical to her, but with short red hair.
Kasumi gasped as Suzumi shook her head.
"Don't be afraid,"
"My reflection—"
"You're my incarnation, remember?"
Kasumi slightly nodded her head, calming herself. "So that's where the battle took place then, Tokyo Tower?"
"Yes, and this is only the beginning. They're out there Kasumi, looking for you. When you were out there walking here, I don't know if you noticed that you were being watched."
The girl leaning on the sink narrowed her blue eyes, "What? No, I hadn't—"
"You should've! Now they're coming after us!" Suzumi cut in with her brow furrowing.
The two men that had watched Satoshi and Kasumi enter the building, walked up the stairs. One was tall and broad-shouldered with short brown hair. The other was a little shorter than the first one; he had short brown-red hair. Both dressed in black, the man signaled to the other to move down the hallway. They moved quietly down the hallway until they reached apartment number 505. They stood by each side of the door, looking at each other.
"So, have you asked her out yet Satoshi?" Kenji asked, smiling.
"Not yet," Satoshi replied, slightly blushing.
"You wuss, quit beatin' around the bush and just ask her!"
"Lay off, I'm just giving it some time!"
Kasumi came running out of the hallway into Kenji's living room, "We need to get out of here, now!" She yelled, reaching for her red tote bag.
"Why, what's going on?" Kenji asked, quickly getting up from his chair.
"What's the matter?" Satoshi questioned, moving towards the girl.
"Don't ask why, we need to go!" Kasumi was about to head for the door until it suddenly burst open.
The three froze, Kasumi's eyes widened at the sudden impact, there two men entered Kenji's apartment, their eyes focusing on Kasumi.
"We've been looking for you for quite some time now, Suzumi-nigousan." The man with short brown hair hissed, approaching towards her.
Kasumi's eyes suddenly turned a light blue color, glowing. "Don't call me that! I will never return to my father!" She yelled.
Both Satoshi and Kenji looked at the girl shocked, "What? What's going on? Kasumi?" Satoshi muttered, not knowing what to think.
Kasumi turned her head to the young man, her eyes were of a dark and light blue glow, "I'm sorry you had to see this, but this is a long story, and I think its best that you two leave."
Satoshi looked at Kenji, filled with confusion and fear.
"No one is going any where, the only place you're going Suzumi-nigousan, is to the palace where your father waits." The man hissed. He motioned for the other to move closer towards the two young men. "Take the two young men and I'll take Suzumi." He commanded, the man with auburn-brown hair nodded, leaping towards Satoshi and Kenji.
"NO! Don't hurt them! They aren't involved in this!" Suzumi screamed. Her eyes flicked a light blue color again, trying to summon her powers to stop the young attacking the others.
It was too late, the man with auburn-brown hair grabbed Satoshi by the neck, putting him in a headlock, Kenji screamed, running towards the man and Satoshi. "You bastard! Let him go!" The man held out his hand and a sudden wave came over Kenji, knocking him backwards into his bookcase. He slammed into the bookcase with a loud crash! and he was out instantly from the books falling on top of him.
Satoshi tried to break himself free from the grip he was in from the man, but the more he fought, the tighter grip was around his neck. He could see everything around him fading into darkness, all he could hear was the redhead screaming.
"STOP THIS PLEASE! LET THEM GO!" Suzumi screamed.
The man with brown hair gave a low chuckle, "You have no choice my dear, either you come quiet or we will kill your friends."
Suzumi growled, narrowing her light blue eyes at him. 'I can't summon my powers here or else they'll die...'
"As much as I wish not to go, then I will do this for the safety of my incarnator's friends…" Suzumi sighed, looking at both Satoshi and Kenji. "Once when we get to the palace, I demand that these two remain safe in exchange for my return. Understood?"
The man with brown hair nodded, "Absolutely, Suzumi-nigousan." He walked towards the door and bowed low to her. "Without further ado, we must return. Your father would be delighted to see you have returned."
"Tsk. Delighted that I have returned to do his dirty work. How pathetic." She snapped, moving towards the doorway. She stopped and waited for the two men to gather Kenji and Satoshi. She had hoped they weren't going to use them in any harmful way.
They exited the building and teleported to the palace in Kyoto, once when they approached the gates; Suzumi narrowed her eyes at the palace. She noticed that it had not changed much, but it was clean due to her people returning home. 'I am not looking forward to this.' She thought bitterly. 'What are your plans now father?'