When Kurumu awoke, she did not awake with Tsukune in her lap. She woke in his arms instead. They were both in the shade of one of the trees in the park. How she found herself there she did not know. What she did know was that Tsukune was still with her and he was holding her. The moment her eyes met his she had forgotten all of her worries and she felt safe. Kurumu felt safe in his arms, comforted by his smile and happily lost in his caring eyes. The moment seemed to last forever and she relished it. She then saw his lips moving but she could not hear his words. After a few seconds his words seem to reach her ears and her whole world began to crumble.

"I can remember everything now. I know what I have done, and I can never forgive myself." Tsukune said her.

Kurumu's heart stopped and her breath caught in her throat. Her eyes began to sting with tears and her hands began to shake. She was losing control of herself and everything she had fought she hard for, was now crumbling before her.

"I thought I was to weak and helpless to stop the enemy, but the real enemy was me." Tsukune told Kurumu, his grip tightening on her.

Kurumu clutched his shirt tightly and tried to speak but her words seemed to have failed her. She wanted to tell him she was sorry. Sorry that she could not have saved him in time. Sorry that she had manipulated him all of these years and made him believe in all of the lies she had told him. She knew she had betrayed him and hurt him deeply. Her words failed her because she had no excuses, her motives were purely selfish. She wanted him so badly. . .no, she needed him. Tsukune was everything to her and she could not live without him, even if she had to sacrifice everything to keep his heart.

"The truth is. . .I was scared." Tsukune said and Kurumu looked up at him in teary eyes.

"The last time I told someone that I loved them. . .she died." Tsukune said barely above a whisper and his grip tightened on Kurumu.

"But I am not afraid anymore." he told her and looked down lovingly at her.

"I love you." Tsukune told her.

The air seemed to have rushed back into Kurumu's lung and it felt like an enormous weight had lifted off of her shoulders. The world had stopped and nothing existed but her and Tsukune. Her heart began to swell and she started to feel warm all over and flushed.

"I love you Kurumu." Tsukune told her again.

All of a sudden the world had to speed up to make up for lost time. The meaning of his words began to sink in and Kurumu began to cry happily. She hugged him tightly and cried on his chest with a smile on her face. Their connection had never been stronger as their love pored through it.

"I thought I had lost you!" Kurumu cried and Tsukune held her closely.

"I thought that, if you had remembered that you would fall away from me and leave me all alone!" she cried in his arms.

"I thought that you would hate me!" she cried even more.

"Kurumu. . ." Tsukune said quietly.

"I love you!" she said and kissed him vigorously.

"This whole time I was searching for the final piece of my heart. When you were the one keeping it safe this whole time. I wish I would have known sooner." Tsukune said gently.

"It is okay, as long as you are with me here and now. Then nothing could ever separate us again." Kurumu said passionately in his arms.

Tsukune closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He took the time to savor the sweet fragrance from Kurumu's hair, and allowed it to distract him a moment longer. When the moment had passed his mind began to swirl with thoughts and memories. The mounting turmoil raged in his mind like a fierce storm.

"Tsukune, are you okay?" Kurumu asked noticing his blank stare.

"Kurumu. . .there is something that I have to tell you." he said looking down into her eyes.

"There is something that I have to tell you too." she said looking down at her stomach.

Sudden sadness gripped them both, and they could not think of anything else but the cause of it. Before either one of them could tell the other, a few individuals appeared out of the forest. They both realized that they were the guards that were watching over them. They probably felt the power surge and had been keeping people away from the area. He could see that Kyoko was being forcibly restrained by one of the guards. He was at least thankful that they were protecting his family, especially from himself. He gave her the okay sign and she stopped struggling so much. Next to them was the lifeless succubus that had tried to take his life. He supposed she would have succeeded if Kurumu had not come to bring him back. Kurumu saw him staring at the blonde succubus.

"I didn't even know her name." Tsukune said quietly.

Kurumu studied him closely but his face remained expressionless. Tsukune finally looked away and saw Kurumu looking at him worryingly.

"I'm fine Kurumu. I won't cry for anyone but you." Tsukune told her and hugged her close.

He helped her stand up and together they made their way towards Kyoko. When they were close enough the guard finally let her go. Kyoko rushed up and hugged them both tightly.

"Tsukune! I was so scared I couldn't do anything. Then these guys came out of nowhere!" Kyoko cried frantically.

"I know Kyoko, its okay. They are here to protect you." Tsukune said reassuringly.

Tsukune lead them out of the woods. Emotions were high and everyone was troubled by one thing or another. Nobody said a word as they all agreed to head back home. When they had arrived, Kurumu had already guessed what Tsukune was planning. It was not safe for his family it they stayed any longer. Tsukune looked around the house but his parents had already left. Kyoko and Kurumu were sitting together on the couch.

"Kyoko, me an Kurumu have to leave. It won't be safe for you if we stay. " Tsukune told her.

"What do you mean? Is someone after you? Is that why there are those men out there?" Kyoko asked pointing outside.

"Don't worry Kyoko, we will be fine." Kurumu said will a confident smile.

"Tell mom and dad bye and we will visit as soon as we can." Tsukune said.

"What about the baby? I want to be their." Kyoko said concerned.

A troubled expression passed through both of them. Tsukune knew he had to protect Kurumu and the baby. He hoped that everything would go according to plan. He couldn't afford another incident, Kurumu looked like she could barely stand. He also noticed that she had been worried about something.

"I'm sure we can figure something out." Tsukune told her.

Kurumu's smile suddenly returned and she hugged Kyoko goodbye. Tsukune hugged her next and they said their goodbyes.

[~][~][~]

Kurumu followed Tsukune, honestly having no idea how they were supposed to get to the Snow Village. They were both in very deep thought but they didn't mind the silence. It was more of a breather from earlier events. They had been given a ride to the train station by one of the body guards. They train took them out of the city and into the county. Kurumu quickly fell asleep on his lap while Tsukune absentmindedly stroked her hair. He was thankful that the long train ride had given him time to think. After a few hours the train made a stop in a small town at the bottom of a mountain. He gently nudged Kurumu awake and together they exited the train. They both stared at the snow covered mountain. This was where Fong-Fong had told them to go.

"We are a day early, so we should probably find somewhere to stay" Tsukune told Kurumu.

She merely nodded and they began to walk around the town. Unlike everywhere else they had been, Tsukune thought it was odd he wasn't sensing any other ayashi. He knew the snow village would be protected by their barrier, so he didn't expect to sense any of them. The only ones around them were oblivious humans. The whole world seemed to be in a frenzy but this small village at the bottom of the hill was relatively peaceful. They eventually found a cheap hotel to stay at. It was a small run down place, but the rooms were nice and clean. They both laid down next to each other, still mentally and physically exhausted from earlier events. Tsukune's hand searched out Kurumu's and he held it tightly. She scooted closer to him and laid her head down on his shoulder. Whenever she was close to him she felt safe and that everything was going to be okay. All of her previous worries began to wash away. She felt like she was floating away with him. She wouldn't want to be anywhere else but by his side. She had always fantasized about being with Tsukune and now she had his heart, as he had always had hers. She felt completed and nothing was ever going to separate them.

Tsukune leaned his head on hers. It took him so long to realize it, but Kurumu had been right all along. They were destined to be together. She had tried so hard to make him see it, even when she knew that holding on would kill her. He knew how far gone he was in thee last three years, and how much she sacrificed to bring him back. Now he would never go back, as long as Kurumu was with him. He was incredibly grateful and now he loved her so much. The small moments like this are the ones he treasured. Were he could hold her close and forget about everything but the moment. They fell asleep together letting their temporary happiness envelope them. . .and set aside troubling thoughts.

[~][~][~]

Her eyes opened slowly and began to adjust to the darkness. She sat up and moved her feet off to the side of the bed. She shuddered slightly as her feet touched the cold stone floor. Only the light from the moon filled the room. Her long hair reflected in its light as she tossed it over her shoulder. She stared blankly at the floor as her hand raised up to her chest. Her finger tips brushed against the faint scar in the center of her chest. It didn't take long for her to realize that something was missing. She immediately began to throw the sheets off of the bed and frantically started looking for her most precious possession.

"No, no no!" she cried as she threw off all of the blankets and pillows.

She stopped suddenly when she heard the clink of metal on the stone floor. She spun around and saw what she was desperately searching for. She dropped to her knees and picked up a small charred rosary with both of her hands.

"Oh, Omote I thought I lost you." the silver haired vampire said as she held it close to her heart.

She wiped away a tear and placed the rosary on the end of her choker. She waited a few seconds but nothing happened.

"It's okay, you don't have to come out if you don't want to." she said softly to the rosary.

Out of the corner a small bat watched her from his perch. The vampire took a deep breath and reopened her eyes, she saw the bat watching her.

"Are you hungry? I dont know what Kokoa used to feed you." she said but the bat remained silent.

"Still do not want to talk to me? Fine!" she said and tuned away.

Moka started getting reading for the upcoming day. She opened her giant closet doors and shuffled through the clothes. She pulled out two similar dresses but couldn't decide which one she liked better.

"What do you think Omote?" she asked standing in front of the mirror.

Silence filled the room and she began to get annoyed.

"How about this one?" she asked but got no reply.

"Omote, Omote, Omote..." she mumbled quickly.

"Where are you!?" she suddenly screamed and threw aside one of the dresses.

"Don't ignore me, I know your there!" she yelled and went back to looking at the dress in the mirror.

"Do you like this one?" she asked holding it up.

"Fine, don't talk to me. I don't care what you think anyway. Why would I care what anybody thinks!" she said angrily.

"Who?" she asked suddenly.

"Tsukune...? Why would I care what he thinks!? He probably has one of those tramps hanging of his arm right now!" she yelled and immediately went silent.

"No...there all dead, there all thing. . .he killed them, it's all my fault. No, it's all his fault! I hate him, I hate him...NO!" she screamed suddenly.

"You were the one who loved him! You were the one he loved! Omote!...why wont you talk to me? Where are you?" she asked the silent, cold room.

She stood in front of the mirror for several minutes, her mind unable to grasp reality. Then as if somebody had pushed reset, she blinked and continued to ready herself for the day. The sun began to peek through her window. As soon as she was finished there was a knock at her door.

"Enter." she called out.

A well dressed man in uniform stepped in bowed before her. He straightened up and desperately tried not to tremble.

"Ms. Akashiya. . ." the man began.

"Get lost! I don't want to hear it." she said sharply.

"But. . ." he tried again.

"I'm going to see my sisters. I don't want to be troubled by pointless things." she said and the man bowed and left immediately.

Moka checked to make sure she had her rosary and exited the room. The small bat flew from its perch and landed on her shoulder. It never said a word and it never left her side. Moka didn't mind the company, especially on days like this.

Soon she found herself standing outside before three graves. The bat flew from her shoulder and onto the tombstone on her right. She knelt down and payed her respects to each of her sisters. She talked to each of them for a while, telling them things she would never be able to tell them again. Before she left, anger began to consume her. Twisted memories of the past began to overwhelm her and her blood started to boil in rage.

"I swear, I will avenge you. . .all of you." Moka said holding her rosary tightly.

[~][~][~]

Tsukune and Kurumu checked out of the hotel early. They followed the directions that Fong-Fong had given them. It was a trail up the mountain marked by small piles of three rocks stacked on top of each other. It was not much more strenuous hike than the one in Hawaii, but both of them had been prepared this time. Kurumu was determined to stay in front, which Tsukune didn't mind. Every now and then she would look over her shoulder and smile at him.

The farther up they went the colder it became. The snow was also becoming deeper, but the trail was still visible. After a few hours of hiking the trail lead them to a large clearing. Tsukune stopped and looked around at the beautiful scenery. The snow had covered everything like a blanket. His attention was drawn towards the top of the mountain when a snowball exploded across his chest. He was slightly startled and looked at the playful culprit. So he decided he would play along.

"Look what's that!?" Tsukune said suddenly and pointed behind Kurumu.

"Where?" she said and turned around.

As soon as she turned around she felt a snowball smash against her back. She stood still for a few seconds and then turned around feigning anger.

"I can't believe that worked." Tsukune laughed.

"Why you. . ." Kurumu said and unfolded her wings.

"Uh oh." Tsukune managed to say before she tackled him to the ground.

They went rolling through the snow laughing. He loved the sound of her laughter. It was like a beautiful melody that played on your heartstrings. He couldnt think of anything that sounded more beautiful. they rolled to a stop with Kurumu on top and Tsukune holding her close. So close he could feel her heart beating right next to his. Suddenly the wind kicked up and swirled the snow around them. When the snow settled Kurumu was still laughing but Tsukune was now focused on something else.

"Um Kurumu, I think you should get up now." Tsukune said as best as he could without alarming her.

Kurumu stopped laughing and looked up. Standing around them were a group snow maidens wearing their kimonos. Kurumu quickly stood up and brushed the snow off of herself. Tsukune stood up and smiled at them but they all remained expressionless. They had come out of nowhere, so Tsukune assumed that they must be close to the barrier. None of them said a word as they silently led them out of the clearing.

I really liked this chapter myself. I am starting to bring everything together. I had always planned on bringing Inner Moka into the story. I also had a lot of different ideas for her, but I figured I would make her hateful and slightly insane. I hope that her scene got that message across. I mean she literally had everything taken from her, even her outer self. I did leave hints if anybody noticed, granted they were not very obvious.

I hoped you liked this chapter. As always, I enjoyed writing it. Sorry for the long wait. I really do try and write as much as I can.

Thanks for a reading and please review.