Chapter 15- Confrontation

Shura dropped to her knees. She started to pant. Fighting off the hold of such a powerful demon had taken quite a toll on her body. But she was confident enough she could take him now. She beamed down at her swords. Shura had heard tales of legendary soul cutters, but to create one of her own had been nothing more than a dream.

She tossed her head back and let out a maniacal laughter.

"I did it! I beat you! All this time you've mocked me and then you even dared to overstep your bounds. Serves you right you bastard."

Her happiness quickly vanished. She remembered the man behind her who she would now have to face. Shura also became conscious of the tears that had been pouring down her face. She quickly began to wipe them away, hating their foreign feel.

Haru was facing her, his face uncertain to her. She grimaced.

"Haru… I-I'm sorry." said Shura, "You have to believe me. That wasn't me who said those things."

Haru said, "I believe you. The spiteful bellowing of that thing made sure of that."

"What was that thing?" he asked.

"Nothing. Just a demon I should have gotten rid of a long time ago. He'll be back, in possession of Jaken no doubt. But I'll protect you." she said.

She noticed Haru looked quite bewildered from her statement. Shura said, "I suppose a more proper explanation is in order."

He replied gravely, "I'm sure you have some questions for me too."

"I intended to tell you one day about my past. I was just waiting for the time to be right."

"I can't say I blame you." said Shura, "You didn't know what I would do."

"Call me foolish, but somehow I knew that you wouldn't kill me."

"Did you?" she said.

"Yes, as you are now." said Haru. He put a hand on her bare shoulder, something that made her jump a bit.

"I'm sorry. I suppose I should keep my space."

"Huh? Don't worry about it."

Shura said, "There's something I want to know. You spoke of it once, but it's festering at me more now."

"I think I know what this is about. It's okay. Ask away."

"You were a great warrior. To lose that, to lose your eyes, must have been infuriating. How could you accept it so easily?"

She added, "How could you so easily accept me?"

"Being left in the darkness was terrifying." said Haru, "I was weak and alone. But I had no choice but to accept it if I wanted happiness. I began to see the world then in a way I never could when I had my eyes."

"And you were able to learn to fight in the way that you do?"

"I suppose. Smell and sound were things I could sense all my life. And any seasoned warriors can detect killer intent. In the darkness, I just attuned these skill sets. But by then, I'd lost my desire to do battle."

He continued, "You also asked how I could accept you. It's simple really. In accepting life, I came to accept everyone for who they were. I became free by finding this peace."

Shura said, "It sounds like giving up."

"I didn't give up. Only we can choose our happiness Shura. And I chose mine. I don't regret it. After all, I found you didn't I?"

"Haru…" she said, a blush betraying her feelings.

There was an awkward silence for a minute. Shura occasionally glanced over at Haru and back at an especially interesting stone in the distance.

"Hey…" said Shura avoiding eye contact.

"What is it?"

"Let me rest on your shoulder. The ground is uncomfortable."

"Um, okay." he said. Shura scooted in next to him until she could feel his hot breathe on the side of her neck. She slid down a bit until she was lying against him. She shut her eyes, trying to calm the happy flutter of her heart.

Being here with him was amazing. She momentarily forgot the glory of battle.

To think someone else would steal my thoughts. And tear my passion in two. But it could never work out. I can't stay with him forever.

I know now why you accepted me. But this is all so strange. You were a marvel to me, the man who spoke to me so casually. Not as a warrior, just a man. Others ran at the sight of me, with good reason too. But you simply sat there. And I kept coming back to meet you. You fascinate me so.

"Haru…" she said, "I'm glad to have met you."

She felt his breathe pause for a moment.

"I'm glad to have met you Shura and I'm glad you're here with me now."

If only this moment would never fade…

"But it must…" she said.

Haru said, "Eh?"

"I'm going for a walk."

Shura began to get up when Haru caught her by the wrist.

"I'll come with you."

Shura frowned and said, "No. You stay here. I need some privacy."

"Did I do something wrong?" he asked.

"Don't worry about it. Ugh… I'd be leaving now if I could, but he'll definitely be coming back here. So at least be reasonable and give me some space."

"As you wish." said Haru, "I understand. Really I do."

"No you don't."

Haru said, "You said it yourself. You wish you could leave now. I know, for someone who lives such a dangerous lifestyle, being around me must be dreary. I don't blame you for growing bored so fast."

Shura said, "That's not it! Why can't you just leave me alone for a few minutes? It's… it's because of you I feel this way. And I'm not trying to sound cold and angry… I'm no good with this sort of thing. I don't know the first thing. And I can't! I can't!"

"Shura…." said Haru, "Are you drunk?"

"Am… I… what? You think I've been fighting drunk?"

"Never mind. I'm sorry!" he said, waving his hands apologetically.

"That's better."

"I'm glad you're opening up Shura, but I'm not sure what it is you're trying to say."

Shura looked down to the hand so desperately clutching her slender wrist. Her ferocious gaze weakened.

"I… can't stay here." Shura said.

She felt Haru's hand slip away. Shura knew what she said had hurt him. She cursed her foul tongue.

Shura said, "I want to be here. That's why… I don't know what to do. If I stay, I might do something I regret and then when I leave, you won't understand."

"I'm still confused by all of this." he said, "But please… don't go. You've been gone so long and I'm afraid if you go too far, you won't be coming back. You'll just forget about me."

"Haru… I could never forget you."

She intertwined her fingers with his and pushed him gently down again onto the grass.

"As you wish, I'll remain here for now. You should be grateful really. No one gets to tell me what to do."

"I know. It means a lot." He said.

"There you go again… saying those stupid things."

"I apologize."

"Don't. You're smart to yes, but you don't owe anyone an apology. You're so sweet."

She started pushing him down on the ground.

"Shura… what are you… wait a minute!"

Softly, she said, "Let me try something…"

Shura leaned forward and shut her eyes. Her lips met the soft touch of his and her milky cheeks turned scarlet. If she'd been looking, she would have seen his were too.

"You—You kissed me." he said.

You did, didn't you? You've become so comfortable around me, I let my guard down when I should have been raising it. Shura, are you sure you're feeling okay? This is crazy.

Shura found herself surprisingly unembarrassed despite her beforehand worries. She had felt so inclined to kiss him right then, as if his very presence was inviting her. No doubt she would regret it later though. But for now, her body was heating up and her mind was overcome with ecstasy.

"You kissed me." he repeated.

Author's Note: She kissed him. XD