Fan Fiction ❯ Shadow and Desire : Kage and Iyoku ❯ Kage and Iyoku ( Chapter 1 )

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Mystery

The moonlight shone down from the night sky, illuminating a tall dead tree. Its branches long since leafless reached up towards the heavens as if to grasp any life it could. Down its center it was spilt, the edges singed by a lightening bolt. On the highest branch a lone flower bud waited to bloom.

“Life even in death,” a male voice echoed in the silence.

Stepping up over a rock a young man, appearing to be 26 years of age, became visible in the light. Black short curly hair caught in the moonlight and shone. Ice blue eyes held a far distanced look behind a pair of black wire rimmed glasses. All he wore to protect himself from the cool November air was a black tee-shirt over a grey long-sleeved shirt and a pair of blue jeans, no shoes or socks. Long nails resembling claws and pointed fangs were what raised the question of his humanity.

Sitting under the dead tree the man smiled sadly and closed his eyes. Leaning his back against the trunk of the tree a soft sigh past through his lips. After several moments of sitting with his eyes closed he reached into his pocket with a clawed hand. Pulling out a black mini-recording device he licked his bottom lip, preparing to speak.

“November the third, two-thousand eleven,” the man paused and opened his eyes.

Pushing down the record button on the mini-recorder he started again, “November the third, the year two-thousand eleven. It has been eight years to the day since you vanished from this world and my life,” the man paused again at a lose for what to say next.

“Ironically this is the ninth year I have been blessed with the honor of knowing you. Actually, it must be many more but it is nine years of knowing you personally…

I know I was never open about my emotions. You always said `Kage be more open'. It took me eight lonely years to change. Time did change this demon. I could never express to you everything, and still may never get the chance. In the case you ever get to hear this recording or if by the lucky chance I get to see you, I want you to know two important things. First and foremost, I have always loved you and always will. Second, though you are gone your still the only thing I think about.”

Pushing the stop button Kage closed his eyes again. Yes, he had finally said it, he loved her. It took him eight years and her missing for him to finally vocalize his feelings, but he did it. Perhaps the ability for him to vocalize it came from the new job of writing, which could make any cold hearted demon say what he felt. Taking a deep breath he pressed the record button and continued his tape to his lost love.

“I can not stop thinking that your sudden disappearance is somehow my fault. It is a mystery to me to this day and I can not stop the irrational worrying in my heart. I am a demon; we are not raised to be like this, even back when we were in love I was cold hearted and mean. I do not see how or why you were able to trust me so easily. Was it my heartlessness that finally drove you away from my arms into another's? Was it because of the last fight we had? Or was it something else… Perhaps you actually did find someone who was able to say what they felt. If I was then what I am now, I can not help but think you would still be here. Thoughts like these torment me on a day to day basis.

Occasionally I think that maybe you were summoned back to heaven. That is a high probability; you were high up there on the angelic scale. We did always know that one day we would be separated, but you could have-no would have still given me a warning. We could even still see each other if you went back to heaven, that's what loopholes, are for.

Other times I fear the worst. You were sick; being on this unclean plane for so long did have negative side-effects. Also I was not the only demon sent up from hell to destroy you and your protectors. I was not always there; other demons could have gotten to you. This thought of your death is by far the only one that can bring me close to tears.”

Over head an owl flew silently. Its large wings cut through the air smoothly as it circled in on the dead tree. Landing on the high branches of the tree that owl gave a soft `hoot' and ruffled its feathers. Loose feathers fell and landed softly on and around Kage. Looking up in surprise, expecting something else his eye's raised in hope. Only seeing the owl he shook his head and smiled sadly, picking the feathers off his body.

“Like you I had a, though it is now forsaken, mission. That mission was to kill the champion of heaven and its protectors. You were sent to destroy the champion of hell. Funny, how we turned out to be lovers and sworn enemies at the same time. Never in the twenty-six thousand years of my existence did the thought or idea of falling in love cross my mind, let alone with an angel. But I did fall in love, and fall hard I did.

When we first met nine years ago, yes I can still remember every detail of the first day we met, I felt nothing but hate. I recognized you as an angel instantly, with your typical angelic blonde hair down to your curved hips, and brilliant baby blue eyes, not to mention the strong aura you were emitting. I did not know at that time you were the champion, and you did not even see me as a threat even less as a champion of Hell.

You were garbed in mortals clothing, much like I wear now. A simple white tank top a bit too tight and pair of loose blue jeans, I remember these because after my first attack I had to buy you knew ones. My initial attack caught you off guard and ended with you demanding repayment. I never did buy you new ones, and I am beginning to regret it. Your demands frightened me; they were so vain nothing that I had expected from an angel of your stature. But you were you and as I learned the vain attitude I had seen was a side effect of the illness you angels get when cast down. After that fight I vowed to kill you the next time we met, in that I would only succeed once.”

Kage again had to stop. This was going to be a painful thing to tape but it had to be done before the chance escaped him. With an upcoming deadline for a novel and with the aftermath of that he would have no time. If he did not have time he would forget, he had always been that way.

Running his hands through his hair he let out a sigh. He missed the old grey-white hair that was down his back. He also missed his curved red horns, but those had been sacrificed to save her life once and it was not in vain. Running his tongue over his fangs he sighed again. He still had his demon powers but they had become dormant with the lack of use over the years. Pushing the record button once again Kage continued onwards.

“The next time we met, I kept to my word. This time and only this time you fought back. I was badly wounded and instead of leaving me to die you brought me home with you. Your protectors were not amused and left you. When I woke up I tried to attack you again only to be forced down for as you said `the betterment of my health'. So stay down I did.

It was over the next few weeks I got to know you better. At the time I could not show my growing attachment to you, for I was still being closely monitored. Every chance I got I would try to find an excuse to be alone with you. To my supervisors they thought I was planning the perfect death but in reality I just wanted to know you better.

You had told me you were planning on cutting off your splendid white wings to live amongst them. That was alone a deadly sin from either plane so of course I disapproved. It was in this time I learned that you were named Iyoku, a beautiful name for a beautiful woman. You were younger then me by a thousand years exactly. You looked 17 but definitely did not act it. You loved to cook and bake and one day dreamed of settling down and having children. Also I finally learned that you were the champion, the one angel I had to destroy.

Once I was healed you invited me to stay longer. It was then I noticed your feelings. At first I did not stay with you because I was scared of what I myself was feeling then I was scared I would actually harm you. I had learned so much from you about the mortals and their feelings. I intentionally broke your heart that time so you would not ask me back in your life. It would make our lives easier to remain enemies. Your protectors returned and I planned my next move.

During this time of our separation my demon over lord gave me the weapon to destroy you. Renewed in my dark powers I went to you again. You still welcomed me with open arms, and I remember seeing the tears in your eyes as I sliced through your two youngest defenders, killing them instantly. With their blood spilt I felt better then ever. Hungrily I looked towards my target, you. You did not fight back as I struck you down, you did not even cry out in pain. Iyoku… you did nothing… you laid there limp and cold as stone. You were dead… Your blood stained through your summer dress and you protectors began to arrive. I had no choice but to flee.

The exact details are forgotten to me but I remembered hearing of a powerful half demon half angel who could raise the dead. I rushed off to find him, only to find that I would need to sacrifice something of my own. I gave up half my powers in the form of my horns and half my hair. It was a weird thing to give up but if it meant I would be able to see your smiling face again I would willingly give up my life. It was done and you were revived.

Your protectors left you permanently after that. They said they would not protect an angel who was breaking the rules. You know longer cared and neither did I. However I was not free of my supervisors. They knew what I had done and for that I was punished. Again you took care of me in a hidden location from everyone else.

It took until late October for my wounds to heal and by then we had become lovers. You were the closest friend I had and I loved you. I could not tell you, my ego was still too big for me too admitting it. But you accepted my drop of cold and heartless attitude as enough.

We were happy living in the small cottage together. You said it was your dream house. I always teased you for it, we were young and in no rush to settle down. Nothing seemed to be stopping us. That was when you started to get sick. You passed them off as mere flu and cold virus's but when your feathers started to fall out I knew something was up. It was my turn to nurse you back to health; which by the by was totally new for me. Despite my efforts you got worse and worse. Yet every morning you would wake me up with a reassuring kiss and smile, like everything would be okay.

Well are you happy? Nothing was okay! You vanished as quickly as the lightening hit the tree! You left me alone, all alone…”

Kage broke down and had to struggle to push the stop button. He was rambling now, and that was pointless. If Iyoku was going to ever get this he wanted her to know everything about him. Hopefully she would forgive him and remember the good times. That would not happen if he was upset and yelling in the mini-recorder. After taking a couple moments to calm himself Kage started up again. Yet on the other side of the tree someone was listening quietly.

“The day you vanished I had fallen asleep beside you early on in the evening. It was storming outside and I had to firmly lock the door to keep it from blowing open. I awoke later in the evening to find you gone from the bed. That entire evening you had been strangely silent and you being gone I knew something wasn't right. Placing my clothes back on in a rush I noticed the door was open and I rushed out in the pouring rain and storming clouds to find you.

Following my nose I found you standing under this apple tree. Its blossoms were open, strange for it being night and all. Anyways, you were leaning weakly against the tree looking at me in pain. You were trying to talk but I could not for the life of me make out what you were saying over the storm. I tried to tell you to come back but you could not hear me… You looked at me and smiled and mouthed `I love you'… Then the lightening struck in a blinding flash. The tree caught fire, but that was not what caused my alarm. You were gone. All that was left was a brunt patch of ground and the heart pendant you always wore,”

Kage stopped again sobbing with tears. He could swear he heard a choked cry of some sorts behind him, but he ignored it. It was far too often this would happen to him. He would think about the night she vanished and always we would break down. Clearing his throat, Kage took a deep shaky breath and began to finish off his tale, his voice hoarse with emotion.

“After that day and for the next years till now and beyond, I have and always will continue to search for you. I began by asking everyone you had ever met. Of course I did not get much from them as they hated me. I tried your friends for the first two years, convinced they had taken you back. A part of me still believes they do know where you are.

The remaining years I took a career and a mortal appearance to get the job. I became a journalist to get the ability to search in missing persons reports. It did me no could and I quit earlier this year. To make money I became a novelist selling tales of us, hoping one would cross your eyes and you would come back to me. It has yet to pay off.

Some day I hope to see you again, even if just for several seconds. I want you to have this tape recording so you can finally hear those words you used to always want to hear from me. I am saying them now though, Iyoku, all the time. I love you,”

“I love you too,” Kage whipped around to see a women stepping out a deep crimson portal in the ground.

“I-I-Iyoku?” Kage stumbled over his words not believing who he saw before him.

If it was her she had changed dramatically. If it was not for her painfully familiar voice and scent he would never have recognized her. Her once long blonde hair was black and short. When it used to lie flowingly around her body it was flipped up around her face and head. Her eyes still held the same warmth they used to, but one was grey and had a deep scar across it, she was blind in the eye. Her normally pale clad figure was dressed in black and crimson. Her shirt was indescribable; a black skin tight top with crimson strips tying around the neck and abdomen, there was no back showing deep ugly scars of where her wings used to be. Iyoku's skit was short and black, showing her long legs. Her entire body was covered in scars from looked liked demon's claws. Most noticeable was the tattoo in the center of her forehead, right between her eyes, extending above her eye brows. It was an old demonic symbol, past down in his family line as a mark to their slaves.

“Kage, my love,” Iyoku nodded and smiled.

Nothing was said as the two embraced. Tears past silently down both their cheeks as they held each other tightly. They stood embracing for several long minutes. Before parting their embrace Kage kissed Iyoku on the lips. Then gently all over her face, then gradually each of her revealed scars. Iyoku laughed when he kissed the inside of her elbow and gently pushed him away.

“Kage, do you not want to solve your mystery?” Iyoku joked and flicked his nose.

Kage nodded silently and took her hand in his. He could not speak. After eight years he could not believe she was back. It was all too much, but he had to know. Taking her back to his spot under the tree he pulled her into his lap and rested his head in the crook of her shoulder and neck. She adjusted herself making them fit together like they used to when they sat like this.

“That night eight years ago, I was summoned back to heaven. I faced a jury of my peers, where they found me guilty of breaking several rules. Of which our love was only one. My punishment was eight thousand years in purgatory, to face whatever they saw fit. I begged them to let me send word of my where about, but that too was a punishment, to not contact you until my service was complete.

Time went on. I was tortured the first five thousand years. They tore my wings out and clawed me repeatedly. The scars you see are only the ones they wanted you to see. They hoped after all this you would despise me, but they saw your love for me while I was gone. They mentally tortured me, telling me you had married and had a family, that I was all alone in the world. I almost believed them for a long time, but something told me you wouldn't forget me.

After the five thousand years I was auctioned as a slave. Ironically I was bought by your mother, who by the way is very nice and sends her love. She liked me but she could not do anything about my punishment. She had to treat me as equal to any of the other slaves. However I got to sleep in your old room and was not beaten as hard as the others. The last three thousand years were easy and I got to learn about your family. Did I mention your mom sends her love and,” Iyoku blushed and fiddled with her fingers.

“And?” Kage asked still getting over the story he had just heard.

“She sends her love and her blessing for us,” Iyoku smiled and kissed the bottom of Kage's chin.

“Her blessing? She expects us to get married,” Kage smirked and looked down.

“Well of course, I mean I did go through Hell and back for you,” Iyoku pouted and looked up at him.

“Then I suppose we should,” Kage grinned widely, things were easily slipping back into their old routine.

“Was that a proposal? If so then yes,” Iyoku jabbed her finger into Kage's chest.

“Oh! I have something that you left behind,” Kage reached deep into his pocket and pulled out her necklace.

Iyoku took it softly and smiled. Holding it up to the night sky she blew on it softly and it spilt into two. The crystal heart pendant spilt into two half hearts. The chain once gold thread was woven silver. Placing one half around Kage's neck then the other upon herself she smirked.

“I was going to do this eight years ago,” Placing her lips gently in an angelic chaste kiss against his. Whispering as she pulled back “Lets go home.”

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Pronunciation key

Kage- Kaw-geh (Japanese for Shadow)

Iyoku- Ie-yo-ku (Japanese for Desire)