Disclaimer: Don't own it.
Warnings: Language and violence in this chapter.
Author's Note: OMG GUYS I'M SO SORRY! Life has been really hard on me the last well…several months and I haven't been able to bring myself to write. I just started writing again and it feels so AMAZING! I just want everyone to know that I have NOT given up on or forgotten about this fic. I still love it and cant wait to start working on it again. It's refreshing, after a long break. =)
Oh, also, BE SURE TO GO READ MIZUKI ASSASIN OF THE MIST'S POEM "SEA OF DARKNESS" ON THIS SITE! GIVE HER REVIEWS TOO! SHE DESERVES THEM! It's based on chapter 3 of this fic. I told you guys to do that the last time I updated, but seeing as that was a looong time ago, I figured I should remind all of you again. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE give her feedback!
Also, I KNOW THIS CHAPTER IS SHORT!I'M SORRY! I could've continued writing, but I wanted to leave you guys with something before I started writing a really long chapter so you wouldn't have to wait any longer for something.
End of Chapter 20: Difficult Battles, Difficult realizations:
Xemnas watched as Hidenori began to do something odd. He wasn't morphing as Shigemi had done, but he was changing. His appearance was becoming less harsh, more human. His claws and fangs were shrinking, replaced by human hands and teeth. His hair was becoming smoother and the red in his eyes fading. When Hidenori was done with his transformation, two mismatched eyes stared into his own amber ones.
One blue eye, one green eye.
A very familiar pair of mismatched eyes.
Xemnas could only gaze in horror.
He looked exactly like Zack.
Chapter 21: Troubles Are Ahead
"No…but…how…" Xemnas stuttered and stared at an older looking version of his dead lover. What was going on?
"You still don't see it? You can't see the truth? How thick are you? Don't you understand anything?" Hidenori said rancorously.
Hidenori clamped a previously clawed hand to Xemnas's jaw, forcing the silverette to look him in the eyes.
"I'm his father."
Xemnas's eyes widened with understanding. Zack had been killed by his own father, his own blood. Hidenori had forsaken his only child in the worst way possible.
"He…he was your son…"
"He was also a traitor. He betrayed his clan to live among humans. That is unforgivable. Then he met you. He claimed he loved one of the lowest forms of existence; a Nobody. That is the most evil of sins among our clan. I should have killed you the day I took Zack's life. Now I've been given another chance to complete what I was supposed to. I'll relish in your suffering, human."
Hidenori's claws formed again, lazily running a single nail over Xemnas's cheek, creating a shallow cut. Xemnas shuddered as the Zack look-a-like collected the blood from the small wound and licked it off his finger.
"You have sweet blood. Now what should I do to you first?"
Xemnas never found out what Hidenori was planning to do to him that day. Before he could carry on with his task, two distinct gunshots rang out over the canyon. Hidenori was slouched over, a bullet in his right shoulder. Xemnas and the others found Haydn standing on a higher boulder with his gun pointed in Hidenori's direction. Kane, who had previously been restraining his older brother, was lying on the ground no more than a foot away, blood oozing from a bullet in his side .
"What did you do Kane?" Hidenori barked. "How did he get you? Useless child!"
"If you were smarter, Hidenori, you would know that having your youngest and most inexperienced minion detain me was a foolish decision. You should've know better."
"Hmm…perhaps I underestimated you. I never thought you would go as far as to hurt your dear little brother."
"Don't, Hidenori. I only did it because it was the only way I could get to you."
"Yes, just like leaving Kane behind was the only way you and the love of your life could successfully betray the clan."
Clearly, Hidenori was trying very hard to get under Haydn's skin.
It was working.
"Shut the fuck up!" Haydn screamed as he fired his gun again. The bullet flew right between Hidenori's eyes. A wave of relief spread through Xemnas's veins fleetingly, thinking it was over. However, revulsion took over moments later.
He wasn't dead.
A bullet was in his head, yet he was still alive.
Hidenori laughed in a hysterical way. Everyone stared with their mouths open. It just wasn't possible that this man was alive, that he could pull a bullet out of his own head without any signs of pain, that a bullet wound could dissolve as if it had never been there.
"No…it can't be.." Haydn whispered, his eyes large and terrified. Hidenori laughed again.
"Well, it seems our last encounter proved to be effective, Haydn. You don't remember a thing, do you?"
With the way Haydn stared at him, it was clear that he didn't know there was anything to remember.
"We'll be leaving now. I think we should let these stupid humans figure out what has happened themselves."
Hidenori's dogs and minions released their captives and departed through multiple dark portals. Haydn began shaking and fell to his knees. They were gone, but how long would that last? How could they defeat a man who couldn't die?
For now, it seemed the battle was over.
Author's Note: Cliffhanger? Maybe? Anyway, reviews please! I give digital cookies! I enjoyed this chapter a little too much, even though it's so short. :/
