Chapter 1 ~ awakened~

Her head hurt for a while. She'd been half-dreaming, remembering things.

The woman felt lost, she could sense her long hair flowing like she was under the water.

Thunder crashed in the distance. Something was wrong. But she couldn't seem to wake up, to stop herself from this horrific feeling.

'What happened?' She wondered to herself. However, her mind was too unfocused to try to recall. Like she was lost in a rolling circle.

" Stop it…" A scream echoed in her mind and her heart started to race as images of the incident returned. Of her running away from her own house, crying. There was a blinding light that followed closely behind and then…what happened?

She felt something cold drop at her forehead, the mere act of moving was a trial for world peace, ceasing all intelligent thought for the want of a motion.

The wind bellowed like a roaring wolf, followed by thunder sounds like the sky itself was cracking down.

Rainstorm?

At last, she cracked her eyes open, at first there was nothing but mad confusion of colors. Slowly she was able to see blonde hair in front of her. Still too groggy to care much, she moved her head to the side where her eyes could see orange light.

"Well, look who's awake." An arrogant voice broke the silence.

She knew that voice, how? Arms held unto her and she felt herself propped against something.

Sitting now, her vision started to clear slightly. The man's red eyes were focused on her.

"Kazama…Chikage." She heaved the words.

His lips moved into a slight smile. " Princess Sen of the Yase Village. Fancy meeting you here."

More focused now, she observed their surroundings. It was slightly damp and dark, with only the light of the fire to illuminate it. It was a small cave.

She was tucked in what seemed to be Kazama's dark brown haori.

"What happened?" She asked.

Kazama folded his arms and heaved a sigh. No matter what he felt about her, what he saw was just too much to bear. " I hoped you would tell me that. I found you injured and alone in the middle of the road." In Sen's eyes, there was a sincere look of confusion while she listened.

" Who had the audacity to lay a finger on a royal demon? Where is Kimigiku? She failed her job miserably." He continued.

Thinking back about it, she couldn't remember anything at all. He has a point, her bodyguard should have been there to protect her from whatever happened in her house. Kazama was silent at first, a great deal of concern was evident in his face.

" Are you feeling well princess?" He asked. Princess Sen honed her thoughts again but came up blank. It is almost lucky of her to remember her own name. That was far from normal. Panic started to overcome her thoughts.

" I don't….know." She stuttered, her voice so soft and fragile like her heart would break at any second now. "I feel like a child who just opened their eyes into the world." Then, Sen paused for a moment, collecting her scattered thoughts. "After that, I was left alone to learn to grow up."

Kazama ran his fingers through his hair. The man can quite understand what this must feel like. To lose one's sense of their memory is a terrible pit of despair. Much greater than whatever incident she went through that caused her injury.

" Who are you and what did you do to Kazama?" The question almost made him laugh, at least she still had that side of her. He crossed his arms and a smirk broke into his face.

"Excuse me you royal pain, how terrible of me to save your life,"

Sen gritted her teeth, and a sense of familiar annoyance is coming back. " There he is, the Kazama I know all too well." She replied.

…

A while later, the storm raged even more to the point one would imagine a flood would follow. Kazama huffed and returned near the crackling fire, no words to be said. So the two stayed silent, listening to the storm outside, with no signs of it ever stopping.

Unsure of what else to do, she turned her back to him and tried to relax for the moment, maybe she would remember what happened.

Sleep started to creep on her again, once her eyes lulled shut a voice echoed.

"The second Death, that never dies,

That cannot die when time is dead:

Live Death, wherein the lost soul cries,

Eternally uncomforted."

She felt her body stiffen the more the voice spoke these words. She felt nothing but fear as if something terrible has befallen her from those words. She tried to speak but the princess couldn't move an inch from her body.

"Dark Angel, with your aching lust!

Of two defeats, of two despairs:

Less dread, a change to drifting dust, Than your eternity of cares."

She felt nausea claw at her throat, Sen moved her head to the side and a liquid spewed out of her mouth. She jolted and lurched forward falling on her stomach, shaking all over. A moan escaped her lips.

She never wanted Kazama of all people to see her like this, however…all of this was real, she was too sick. She felt his hand hold her forehead for a second.

" That can't be right," Kazama whispered. " You were recovering well earlier." He held onto her waist and slowly lifted her up into his lap to look at her face and abdominal wound.

She couldn't see him, however, she felt his warmth. Everything was blurry, the only thing slightly clear is his blonde hair leaning over her face.

" Can you hear me?" His voice echoed like the man was far away.

"Yes…" There was an unmistakable tremor in her voice. Then everything went black again.

….

She stirred from her slumber after what felt like a lifetime coma. Her body ached in several places, but overall she felt well again. Looking at the cave entrance the light of the sun was visible, she could see the forest outside.

She looked to her left and spotted Kazama sleeping, propped against the wall of the cave.

Could it be that...?

Sen shook her head to erase such a thought, Kazama might have an annoying attitude, but he would never do such a thing. Again She recalled traveling back to her home, that is the Yase Village…then what?

" Good morning princess." Kazama's voice severed her thought process. Looking back at him, she forced a smile, after all, he deserved some gratitude for what he did for her.

" Good morning." She bowed her head slightly. " Thank you for your help."

Kazama couldn't help but smile at her reaction, she is calm at last, who would have thought?

An awkward silence fell between them once again, for she was unsure what to say to him. They aren't friends after all. They barely spoke here and there. She fidgeted slightly and returned back to watching the forest outside. " I think I will go out to see the area and perhaps catch something to eat." Suggesting to herself. A chuckle was the answer she got.

"What could you have done?" said Kazama. " Just Keep yourself out of the matter and let me handle it."

Anger bubbled within her, it was so like him to get on her nerves like that. " I never know until I try." She lashed it out. " I'm not a helpless little girl you know."

The smirk never left his face which frustrated her even more. " Fine, do as you like." He answered. " We are in the enchanted forest, a secret place only demons know of. I thought it would be the best place for you to recuperate."

The enchanted forest was in the far north of Edo, near the ocean where Hakodate is on the other side. Like its name, this forest was like a paradise, filled with giant immortal trees and plants that never withered. One tree leaf could be used as a blanket, the grass is tall enough to cover the sunlight in some parts. The place has the clearest waterfall anyone could ever see. No one knew why this forest existed…and how it was possible to grow to that level.

Some think a race of giants lived in this place and for some reason, they died out.

Many demons sought this forest for shelter during their travels. Like a place to camp and then leave.

Sen didn't say another word, at last, she pulled herself up and felt like needles were poking her feet, she bit her lip and leaned over the wall of the cave for a second until the feeling returned to her legs. She started to walk outside of the cave. Pushing the damp grass off her way, she reached a wide clearing. The line of trees looked like it could go on forever. When she came upon a peaceful-small pond. She could not help but wade into the refreshing, clear water.

The cool water tickled her skin.

" I needed this." She chuckled and dipped her hands in the water. For a moment she had forgotten about her own troubling problem and took a seat on the grass where her legs remind in the water. If only the world could stop for a while, at this very moment.

However, she knew running away would solve nothing. Sen needed to return to her village and find her friend, check her house. She glanced back at the cave entrance and wondered what would she do about Kazama. He did save her life, maybe she needed to talk to him about her going back to her village. Come to think of it, why was he here? Wouldn't he be away trying to pursue Chizuru?

Speaking of the demon, she spotted him walk out of the cave and just lay against its wall, with his legs stretched. She pushed herself off the water and started heading his way. Millions of questions playing in her head. She couldn't read the expression on his face at all.

"Why are you here?" She asked immediately. Kazama chuckled before answering her.

" You should be thankful that I was here, otherwise you might have died."

Sen rolled her eyes before she chose to change the question, see how he would react to this.

"So you finally stopped chasing Chizuru and Hijikata for your so-called pride and bloodline?"

She could see very clearly her question made him tense. His body stiffened slightly before he avoided her eyes. " There comes a time when you realize your actions are wrong." He whispered. " You have no choice but to accept it and learn to move on."

That was the most unexpected answer she ever heard from him. It's like she fainted and woke up to a new twisted world, where her friend vanished and Chikage Kazama appears to be a quiet decent person. She took a step towards him and then tumbled. Once again like her strength was zapped out of her body. She could see Kazama leaning over and holding her shoulders. " Princess?"

She coughed, but each new breath only made it worse. Her eyes stung when she tried to keep them open to look at the man before her, so she let them drift shut.

"Princess?" Kazama called out again. Taking one more deep breath, she opened her eyes and felt her body return to normal. She slowly removed his hands from her and shook her head to get rid of the dizziness that plagued her head.

" I'm fine." She said and stood on her feet.

" No, you are not, I've never seen a sickness like this before." His eyes drifted to her midsection, a move that was not lost on her

" Enough gawking, it's so unseemly." She yelled. Still silent, Kazama pointed at her stomach. Sen followed his finger and looked at her bandages. The clean white was now covered in crimson dark color. " Why?" She whispered. Without waiting for her to say anything else, he held her hand and escorted her back to the futon he made for her to rest. Once she laid down, Kazama said. " Lay still. I shall go and get some herbs,"

…

Kazama walked out of the cave to find a sage plant. It was said its effect is good to reduce sickness symptoms. He went over to the clearing and started to observe his surroundings.

Creak

The sound startled him, he took a stance immediately and held the hilt of his sword. The forest was supposed to be clear of danger, but better be safe than sorry. The sound came from within the grass behind the pond. A dark shadow was moving there. Kazama gritted his teeth and took two steps forward. His senses are heightened, however, he couldn't tell what kind of creature was standing there. Human? Demon? Animal?

" Come out and face me with honor." He addressed it. The grass parted slightly, revealing an old man with his walking cane. The man had the thickest beard he ever saw in anyone. It went down to his chest. He looked like a traveler who went through hell and back. Kazama relaxed his grip and took a breath. " You have startled me. Introduce yourself, how come you are here?"

The old man was silent at first, watching the demon with a strange glint in his eyes. Before he moved forward and sat down in front of the pond with his legs folded together. " Destiny has started to move." His voice was thick and deep like he was a smoker his whole life.

Annoyed, Kazama turned his back to him and was about to leave to search for what he sought. The princess cannot stay there alone for too long. He took one step…

"If you walk away you will die." The old man yelled.

Kazama's temper started to rise, it was a terrible mistake to use threatening words against him of all people. He could never tolerate such disrespect.

" How dare you threaten me!" His voice was cold as he glanced back at the old man who never left his spot.

" It is not a threat." The old man answered without fear. He dipped his fingers in the water and pulled it back to look. " That woman is cursed, she will drag you down with her. Leave and let her help herself." Furious, Kazama drew his sword and charged toward the man, he had heard enough of this rubbish.

No one can get away with this. With the sword shining in the sunlight he aimed at the man's throat and moved in a blur. Inches away from his face, the man moved to the side, dodging the charge and letting Kazama stumble awkwardly for the surprise.

"What?" He whispered and turned to see the man smirking. The old man breathed loudly, a strange move that made Kazama feel like his legs were heavy. The sword fell from his arms and he struggled to keep himself standing….panicked. No, he mustn't fall, that's a disgrace to his name and ability. " I suppose the young men of these days do not take kindly to warnings." The old man Shrugged.

" Who are you?" Asked Kazama, " I demand an answer. Because I can sense that you are not a demon, nor you are a human."

The old man ran his fingers through his thick beard and whispered. " I'm what you could call a scholar. I have seen so many things and know of many fates. That woman trotted in an uncertain path, someone targeted her." He paused for a second." I wouldn't be surprised if she has been raped."

Kazama's face softened, he couldn't say anything to that. His eyes lowered to the ground, his lips moved but no sound came out. That's unforgivable if it's true. Did someone dare to take away the princess's purity? Who has the absolute audacity for such a thing? he deserves death as punishment.

No, that cannot be true. " Just leave this place at once, I'm in no need of your help.." He did not wait for the old man to answer and just went on his way, deeper into the green grass until he spotted the plants he sought out.

"When the time comes, you can find me here." He heard the old man calling out.

Kazama ignored him and cut the plants off, then he hurried back to the cave. The closer he got the more he heard her painful moans.

The young princess was shaking while she was completely covered by his haori.

Carefully he stepped closer and lifted the haori off her face. Her eyes were closed but her brows were furrowed, she constantly moaned, from whatever pain she was in.

He placed his hand upon her forehead and whistled. Her temperature was flaming hot. " What happened to you?" he wondered. Then he went on to make the drink for her, he had enough water supplies for this. For he was on a trip to see the new spot where his clan would choose. He used his dagger to break the plant into small pieces and placed them into a bowl and then he dangled the bowl above the fire.

His mind strayed again, wondering what could he do to help. The princess is in shape to walk, so a trip may not be the best idea, but then again, if they stayed here, she could die from whatever sickness has befallen her. The fever is not breaking, no matter what he does. He glanced back at the sleeping princess for a second." Then I have to use my powers, teleport fast, to where there could be a doctor." He mumbled to himself

….

Sen felt like she had not eaten anything for hundreds of years once she opened her eyes. Kazama shook her awake gently. " Just let me sleep…" she stuttered. He placed his hand behind her neck and lifted her head slightly to drink. She managed four to five gulps before coughing and couldn't drink anymore. Still, it was like a saving grace, she felt some energy has returned to her and she propped herself against the wall, breathing. She could see Kazama watching her with such focus that it made her uncomfortable. Still, she understood why. He was worried about her declining health. " I need to find a doctor for you, can you walk?"

That is all for now.