Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ This Is Forever ❯ Destined For Love, Worry, and Stupidity and Destined To Protect ( Chapter 6 )
[ X - Adult: No readers under 18. Contains Graphic Adult Themes/Extreme violence. ]
By: laichi16 
Anime/Manga: Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Hentai / Drama / Comedy / Angst | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 12.01.2008 | Pages: 7 | Words: 7.8K | Visits: 492 | Status: Work In Progress
Anime/Manga: Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction | Genre(s): Romance / Hentai / Drama / Comedy / Angst | Type: Alternate Universe | Uploaded On: 12.01.2008 | Pages: 7 | Words: 7.8K | Visits: 492 | Status: Work In Progress
This Is Forever
Chapter 11: “Destined For Love, Worry, and Stupidity”
Kaoru stirred and sat up; the bright sunlight hurting her eyes. Her head was pounding like a god’s war drum, and she assumed it was from sleeping in the wrong position. When she sat up, Kaoru realized that she had been resting her head on Battousai’s chest, and he was lying down with her on the couch.
The girl promptly got up from the couch, causing her to trip on the demon and fall to the floor. The fallen prince stirred, and he opened his beautiful, yet scary, amber eyes. They landed on Kaoru, who was lying on her back, staring up at him in disbelief.
“Oh, it’s you.” He said, his muscles relaxing when he knew there was not an enemy around.
“What’d you mean by that!” Kaoru yelled indignantly, the pounding in her head increased. “I should be the outraged one here!”
“Who said anything about being outraged?” Battousai asked, sitting up.
Kaoru fell silent, an annoyed tick on her lips started. "This was so indecent! When I fell asleep, you should've said 'Kaoru, you should get up and go into the bedroom to sleep.'
That would've been the right thing to do!"
"You can't expect too much out of a demon, though." Battousai announced like it was a fact.
Kaoru opened and closed her mouth, completely at loss for words. The prince was right; she can not expect much out of a demon, and a male demon at that. She got herself up off the floor, straightened her clothes out, and huffed.
"Fine; I forgive you."
Battousai looked at her like she just undressed and laid herself on the couch. She forgave him for something he did not know he was supposed to do?
Kaoru looked towards the bathroom, and exclaimed, "I'm taking a bath."
The demon smirked and replied, "Do you want me to take one with you?"
Suddenly, sexy images unwillingly entered Kaoru's mind of her and the demon prince in the bath tub; the soap bubbles surrounded them, but she could vividly see his naked body from the waist up. His muscles were tight with desire, his golden eyes blazing hot for her, and rivulets of water flowed down his perfect skin. She wanted so much to trace her
tongue where those drops flowed…
"Hello!" Battousai yelled again, and snapped his fingers in her face.
Kaoru blinked up at the demon and promptly blushed when she realized her thoughts had taken a turn for the worst.
"Nani…?" Kaoru asked, breathless as she tried to still her pounding heart.
"I said I was jesting. You really need to lighten up, princess."
"Kaoru. We made our introductions last night, so it's only fitting that you should stop calling me princess and start calling me by my rightful name."
Battousai—no, Kenshin—nodded once and said, somewhat hesitantly, "Kaoru."
"Good… Kenshin," Kaoru whispered, and diverted her eyes towards the bathroom. "I'm going to get cleaned up and then I'm going back to the Aoiya."
"Fine."
"What're you going to do?" Kaoru asked, suddenly interested in his well-being, although she did not want to admit it.
"Well, I figured I could hang out with you and the others at the Aoiya since I need a place to sleep. I can only frighten the manager of this place for so long without paying rent.”
"NO!" Kaoru yelled, making Kenshin jump. Other unwanted thoughts once again started to form in her mind; they were alone in the Aoiya, in her room. He was lying on her futon, clad in nothing but the futon sheet and his sexy smirk. His golden eyes were ablaze with hot desire for her…
Kaoru screamed and ran into the bathroom, slammed and locked the door, and promptly undressed and almost threw herself into the shower. She turned on the cold water and let the icy coldness flow over her like a rain storm in the middle of winter.
Her body shivered, but she refused to put the hot water on the mix with the cold. I deserve this as punishment, Kaoru told herself. It's only dutiful that I endure it.
Kaoru, Princess of the Heavens, committed her first sin by lusting, and she was lusting after a demon. She was no longer worthy to be a goddess again.
OOOOOO
Kenshin was thoroughly confused when Kaoru spent close to an hour in the shower after her little episode.
He went into the kitchen and looked around for something to eat. When he found nothing,
Kenshin went next door to ask for some food; something he hated doing, but he swallowed his pride for Kaoru's sake, because she needed to eat something.
The woman was about late thirties, and as ugly as homemade sin. She gladly gave the stranger a few eggs, a cup of rice, and some slices of ham. What disturbed Kenshin the most was the fact that the woman opened the door, clad in only a bikini, which she most definitely did not have a figure for.
Forcing a smile, Kenshin thanked the mortal woman for her kindness and he quickly went into the apartment. The water was still running in the shower as he made a simple breakfast as fast as he could.
Kaoru came out of the bathroom dressed in a fuzzy, pink bathrobe and her hair was wrapped in a pink towel to dry; she was also shivering and looking thoroughly miserable.
The demon prince lifted an eyebrow at her as he set the breakfast plate on the table. The princess looked at him in confusion, as well as suspicion.
“Are you trying to poison me?” she asked as she looked at the plate of breakfast, which was eggs and rice with slices of ham mixed in with it.
“No, it’s breakfast.” Kenshin replied as he gathered the pots and pans and placed them in the sink.
Kaoru slowly sat down, picked up the chopsticks and took one bite. She then glared at the red headed demon, which made him very uneasy under her unblinking stare. It reminded him of that one Italian figure skater whose male partner dropped her during an Olympic competition.
“Does it taste horrible?” Kenshin asked, trying to appear calm.
“No, not at all.” Kaoru replied as she continued to glare at him. “In fact, it tastes excellent.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“It’s better than my cooking!”
Kenshin stared blankly at Kaoru before he fully started laughing. That caused the princess to glare even more deeply at him.
“I hate you.” Kaoru whispered as the redhead finally calmed down.
“Yes, I know; and I hate you, too.” He countered with a chuckle.
Kaoru finished the meal, and then looked at Kenshin, noticing he did not eat. “Where’s your share?”
“I’m not hungry.” Kenshin replied with a shrug and then got up to wash the dishes.
Kaoru looked at the demon prince for a minute before saying, “You’re coming with me.”
“Nani?” Kenshin asked with a blank stare.
“You’re coming with me to the Aoiya.”
“I thought you don’t want me there, and I’m sure the others share the same opinion.”
Kaoru opened and closed her mouth like a fish submerged in air. She had forgotten what the reaction of her friends would be when she shows up with the very same demon who tried to kill her after turning her into a mortal.
“Um… I’m sure they’ll warm up to you.” Kaoru finally said with a nervous laugh.
Kenshin shook his head while he rolled his eyes; the princess could be so naïve at times.
Yet that was what also made her so attractive.
Smirking crookedly, the prince finished washing the dishes before he nodded. “As soon as you get dressed we can go. I’m sure you don’t want to be walking around in just a bathrobe in this neighborhood.”
A glare was the only response.
OOOOOOO
It was cold and dark, save for a few beams of light that barely managed to make its way through unknown spaces of the room. An occasional dripping of liquid could be heard in the corner, or somewhere in the room. It seemed loud as it echoed through the room.
She glared at him though aqua-marine eyes, and pouting, moist pink lips. How could she have been so stupid? She should have told Aoshi-sama and the others where she was going; what here plans were!
Now she was stuck here with a horrible person that made her shiver from the evil aura that came off of him in waves.
“Who’re you?” Misao asked, trying to keep her voice calm.
The man, who was looking in the mirror, turned around to look at the girl tied up on the floor. His turquoise eyes trailed over her body, even though his expression held no interest in her obviously feminine curves.
“Who’re you?” he asked the girl, a smirk played on his lips as his hand went to the bandage on his cheek.
The girl glared back at him for an answer, and Enishi laughed to himself. Of course the girl would be spunky when asked a question; she was quite a hellcat when she fought him. Still, he won the battle, obviously, for he was more powerful that a scrawny little girl.
“Let’s start with your name.” Enishi started, picking up a sewing needle, a candle and a bottle of black ink.
Misao looked skeptical as she looked at the small, seemingly innocent weapon held between the man’s fingers. It did not look like much, but the priestess had no doubts that he can and will somehow use it for extreme pain.
“Tell me your name first.” Misao responded, still as stubborn as the man she loved more than her life.
“Enishi,” the man replied with a maniacal grin on his face as he lit the candle’s wick.
“Second Prince, now only heir to the Throne of Hell; brother to one named Battousai.”
Misao involuntarily shuttered at the title the man—no, demon—informed her of; brother to Battousai. The man smirked at the mortal girl and commanded, “Now, your name.”
“Misao,” the priestess replied, looking nervous at the needle still held between Enishi’s fingers.
“There’s no special title to go with that?” Enishi asked, and then pointed to the patch on his right cheek that covered a wound. “You don’t fight like an ordinary mortal girl, so you must have a title with your name. What is it?”
Misao shook her head to give a negative reply. Enishi smiled, ever-so innocently and indicated to the contents on the table.
“A sewing needle, lit candle, and an ink bottle,” the demon stated with obvious pride.
“One of the many tortures I developed for my father; however, mortals have been using it
for centuries ever since they invented all three for an old fashion tattoo. When done right, it can have an excellent result with little pain. If done wrong, it can still have an excellent result, but with a hell of a lot more pain involved.”
“Misao,” she said after a moment hesitation, but when she saw the second demon prince hold the needle over the candle flame, she spoke. “High Priestess to the goddess, Kaoru, Princess of the Heavens.”
The turquoise eyes of Enishi lit up with interest, and the maniacal grin widened. “How interesting.” He said, finally setting the needle aside.
The piece of paper that Misao had when she what looking for Kaoru was now in Enishi’s hands, and he was reading over it. He obtained the paper after he rendered the priestess unconscious after giving her a major blow to her head.
“What would this be?” Enishi asked, looking expectantly over the top of the paper towards the hellcat.
“I wouldn’t know.” Misao responded with a shrug.
Enishi sighed dramatically, set the paper aside and walked towards the girl. Misao had her hands bound together behind her back, and her ankles her bound together in front of her.
When the demon slid the left side of her shinobi off her left shoulder, the priestess gasps indignantly and her feet made contact with Enishi’s manhood.
Enishi yelled in pain, and cursed obscene names at Misao as he whirled around and backhanded her. “Bitch!” he yelled.
Misao, despite her now split lip, laughed at the demon prince howling and rolling around on the floor.
“You’re going to pay for that one.” Enishi hissed, finally able to get back on his feet.
Misao knew that this demon was not playing around now, but she could not help but feel a sense of brief satisfaction at seeing a demon prince howling in pain. Her only wish was that Aoshi could have seen it. Then again, he probably would have thought her to be stupid for putting herself in this position in the first place, and not letting the rest of the Oniwabanshuu take care of it.
“I’ll ask you one last time,” Enishi started, his voice tone very deadly. “What’s this paper for? ‘Kyoto Park, Restaurants… Gynecologist’?”
Misao blushed, and stuttered, “Oh, you didn’t know? I had a… gynecologist appointment later today.”
“Virgin mortals don’t go to a pussy doctor.”
Misao’s eyes widened at the vulgar language of the demon prince. Even Battousai was not as vulgar as his brother!
“Nani?” Enishi asked with a raised eyebrow. “I’ve said worse. Now, once again, what is this paper for?”
“Just my list for things to do, places to go.”
Enishi once again set the paper aside on the table. He reached over, grabbed Misao by her bound hands, and pinned her to the floor. He tore the left side of her shinobi off, this time being extra cautious to pin the girl’s legs down.
Misao’s breath hitched in her throat. Is he going to rape me?!
The thought of being violated by a demon repulsed her; made her sick. Enishi pinned
Misao to the floor with his legs as he reached over, grabbed the sewing needle, put it in the candle’s flame until it grew red, and then dipped it in the black ink bottle.
Without asking anymore questions, the demon placed the sewing needle on Misao’s milky-white skin and slowly, ever so slowly, stabbed her skin with the - needle. Enishi repeated this several times, in different places.
Misao felt as if her skin was on fire, and the ink burned like a serpent’s bite. She tried to hold her tongue still, to stave off the cries that burned in her throat, but after enduring the procedure three times, she finally let her pain be know, and she screamed so hard, so loud, that her ears rang after her cries died out.
Breathing hard, and shaking, Misao opened her eyes, hoping not to see the turquoise eyed monster, but her hope died in her when she saw him looking down at her, a sick, satisfied look on his face.
“Do you want to answer correctly this time?” Enishi asked, getting the needle ready for another round.
Still shaking, Misao breathed in a shuttering gasp, “I—I was s-searching for-for my friend. She’s l-lost, I mean, m-missing. I wrote down all-all the possible places she-she could be.”
Misao hated herself at that moment for being so weak that she could not even endure the pain of a - needle. Instead, she just might be selling out Kaoru.
“Who is your friend?” Enishi asked, going back to preparing the needle.
“My friend that lives down the street.” Misao answered, and once again she felt the - needle piercing her flesh, right where her left shoulder was; the ink once again stinging, burning its way though her.
She remained silent, longer this time, but once again she had to scream out some kind of relief to the pain she was feeling.
“Who were you searching for?” Enishi asked once again, and Misao gave the answer she last gave him.
The - needle pierced her flesh again and again, without mercy, and Misao could feel her flesh swell; could feel the wounds bleed, but she would not give away Kaoru. Not once, or ever, will she give away Kaoru to such a rotten, evil demon.
OOOOOOOOO
When the couple made it to the Aoiya, Kaoru could feel a sense of unknowing fear and anxiety radiating off of its walls. Something was wrong, but what, the fallen goddess did not know, but she was going to find out.
“Wait here.” Kaoru commanded Kenshin, and she entered the restaurant through the back door.
When she entered, Kaoru saw all the keepers of the restaurant arguing over something or another when she heard Misao’s name being mentioned. Aoshi was leaning against the wall, looking relaxed, but Kaoru could see the worry and anxiety evident on his face.
“Um, Tadai ima?” Kaoru announced unsurely, and the keepers of the Aoiya were suddenly bombarding her with questions and comment that she did not understand, except one: Do you know where Misao is?
All the chaos of questions was increased when Akira, Soujiro, Sano, and Yahiko came into the dinning room, and started asking the poor girl more questions of their own.
“Misao is missing?” Kaoru demanded to know, ignoring all other unimportant questions; worry now increasing in her.
“She didn’t come home yesterday.” Okon announced. “We thought she found you, but now you’re here, and she’s still missing…”
“Do you have any idea where she might be?” Okina asked, his face looked worn and older than he already is.
“Iie—no, but—“
“But I might.” A new member of the interrogating party announced.
All different color eyes turned and looked at the newest arrival to the Aoiya. He was
leaning casually against the wall, unemotional, and unafraid of the hatred that suddenly was directed at him.
“What the hell are you doing here!” Okina demanded, his frown deepening when Kenshin stood close to Kaoru; too close.
“Matters of hell do bring me here,” the demon said casually, looking at Kaoru, to which she mouthed, “ Bastard.” And he chuckled. “However, I might be able to help you find the headache of this place.”
“We don’t want to deal with you, or have any business with you.” Okon announced, placing her hands on her hips.
“Okay,” Kenshin agreed with a shrug of his shoulders. “Good luck trying to find her on your own… and on time.”
“Matte,” Aoshi exclaimed, standing up fully on his feet. “As much as I don’t like him, he might be able to help us.” When the rest of the Oniwanbanshu started to protest, the leader held up his hand. “Our only concern is finding Misao, and we need his help.”
Aoshi turned towards the redheaded demon and asked, “Where do you think she is?”
“Tell me what you found out about her kidnapping, and I might know.” Kenshin
announced, knowing that Aoshi just swallowed his pride to ask for his help, and the fallen prince was enjoying it as much as he can.
Aoshi explained that all they could find of Misao was a few of her weapons, which were eroded, like they were dipped in acid.
“Did you happen to save at least one of them?” Kenshin asked, and Omasu hesitantly handed one of the Kunai to Kenshin.
The demon inspected it, although it was a different sort of inspection. Mortals look through their eyes, but Kenshin was looking though aura.
When something or someone is cut or pierced with a weapon, a little piece of that person’s aura stays on the object; almost like a fingerprint. This aura was one that the demon prince knew all too well.
“Enishi.” Was the only thing Kenshin uttered.
“Who?” Sano asked, although the name rang a familiar tone to it.
“Enishi,” Aoshi answered, his outward appearance calm, but his heart was pounding in fear. His Misao was in the hands of one of the worst demons imaginable. “He is said to be the second demon in line for the throne after Hiko decides to go into retirement. Battousai is first and Enishi second, being the younger male of the demon royal family.”
“Demons have royal families?” Yahiko asked in disbelief.
“Hai, we do,” Kenshin answered, tossing the shinai on the table, where it was embedded into the wood. “Although I am now, um, cut from the line.”
“Nani!” Kaoru shouted indignantly, but she did not care. “What’d you mean ‘cut from the line’!”
“Exactly what I just said,” Kenshin said, though he was not going to explain the whole story to everyone, especially Kaoru. “I was given an assignment, I didn’t full-fill it, and now I can’t receive the throne.”
“When were you going to tell me this!”
“I didn’t know I was your personal secretary that had to inform you, the boss, of everything that happens.”
“It’s my job to know!”
“Well you should do your job better!”
“I would if you hadn’t turned me into a mortal!”
“Um, are you two through arguing?” Okon asked, not knowing if she was doing the right thing in interfering. “Misao’s life, I assume, is on the line, remember?”
“I’m not through yelling at you, yet.” Kaoru exclaimed in a whisper so only Kenshin could hear. “Alright, do you know where Enishi and Misao are?”
“Hai, but everyone might want to bring weapons for the battle that will occur.” Kenshin answered, and everyone eligible to fight scattered around to gather their weapons of choice.
Kenshin mentally kicked himself for willingly helping to rescue a mortal. He was about to ditch everyone when he saw the blue-eyed beauty smile gratefully at him, and Kenshin knew he could not back out now.
To Be Continued…
This Is Forever
Chapter 12: "Destined To Protect"
It all started with a song; a male’s voice singing in such beautiful tones that any mortal would do anything just to hear it. It was the wind, it was the water, it was the earth, and it was life; The First Song.
Tengoku and his brother Hiko created life through their singing; such power brought life to the dead planet which everyone now lived on. The beautiful song then had another join in; a female. Such a beautiful voice she had that both gods could not help but be very smitten with her.
Tochi, the most beautiful goddess in the Heavens also helped to generate life with the help of her two suitors.
So beautiful was Tochi’s voice that Tengoku’s heart swelled with love and pride, so much so that his eyes filled with tears, and born out of that tear was Izanagi.
To the people of the Sinto belief, Izanagi was the one who created everything. However, he played a part in the creation of time, of earth, and of life. He created the islands of Japan and everything within that abounding land.
Three gods and one goddess created everything that existed in Japan, and from there, the immortals prospered.
Yet why did two gods and one goddess decide to start life? Why sing the Life Song that created everything, healed everything, and lived in everything? Did they find it pleasing, or did they do it because they needed to feel important by creating lesser being so they could be worshiped?
Or was it something more, something indescribable to mortals to even think of? Was it a thought from poetry, from songs, from stories, or, dare it be said, from love?
However, to Tochi, creating was like a game to her; she could create just as easily as she could sing it away. Perhaps that is why she is known, to those most closest to her, as the Omega goddess; the one that always ends everything.
OOOO
The trip to Enishi’s hiding place was very silent. Few words were spoken among the five individuals walking in a group; Kenshin, Kaoru, Aoshi, Akira, and Soujiro.
The rest of the Oniwanbannsu were told to stay home and watch the restaurant, Sano and Yahiko included, much to their dismay. This was a battle for only the high priest, the two gods, one demon, and one goddess-turned-mortal.
"Do you even know where you’re going?" Akira demanded, thus breaking the long and growing uncomfortable silence.
Kenshin took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and slowly sighed before answering, "Yes, I do because it’s always the same place us demons start at when we come up from hell. Do you know where you’re going?"
Akira and Kenshin glared at one another, the fallen demon prince knew whose side the god was on, and it wasn’t on the Heaven’s side. So why did Kenshin not say anything?
No one would believe a demon over a god; even someone as understanding and intelligent as the priest, Aoshi.
"Can we please keep going?" Kaoru asked, genuinely afraid for Misao’s safety. "This really isn’t helping poor Misao-chan."
"Fine." Kenshin relented, rolling his eyes downward, opposite of the Heavens. "We’ll go rescue that priestess."
OOOOOO
Misao sighed in the darkness, her shoulder throbbing painfully, and her physical strength drained; but she was strong in spirit and in her will because she did not sell out Kaoru and the others.
Yet, as Misao looked into nothingness, she wondered if she would be able to hold out just a while longer. Yes, she would! She was Makamachi, Misao, priestess to the goddess Kaoru; she will not say a word!
Misao sighed again, shifting around to become comfortable, which was practically impossible because the floor was cold and hard, as was the air that surrounded her, and her wrists were bound together behind her back.
Often times, Misao wondered why this demon guy was keeping her. Horrid thoughts filled her mind, and she shook her head at each one of them. Demons would not want anything to do with a mortal, right?
All thoughts left the high priestess as the basement door swung open, and light suddenly split the darkness, and pierced Misao’s ocean-blue eyes with pain as they tried to adjust to the light.
"Well isn’t she a cutie?" a female voice cooed, and Misao heard two pairs of feet coming down the stone steps. "She’s so cute; I could just eat her up!"
"Would you like her for a present, Ada-chan?" a male voice offered, one that Misao recognized as the demon that tortured her.
"Well, let me see if she qualifies."
Misao could finally open her eyes, and she saw the demoness before her; she had dark blue hair, almost black, like the deep part of the ocean before it grows black. Her eyes, however, were darker than said deepest part of the ocean; they were the purest back Misao had ever seen.
The demoness, Ada, as the other demon called her, cut her binds with what looked like a knife, and Misao thought this a very peculiar choice of weapon.
Without hesitating, Ada made a swift, shallow cut on Misao’s right hand, and the demoness licked the beads of blood that came flowing out, her expression one of pure joy as if expecting the metallic substance to taste good.
Ada’s expression, however, turned sour, and she quickly dropped Misao’s hand, turned her head and started spiting and blowing raspberries.
"She’s no good, Eni-chan," Ada exclaimed in dismay. "She’s had her first blood flow!"
"First blood flow?" Enishi repeated with a questionable eyebrow raised. "I thought she was no more than a child."
"I’m sixteen." Misao growled with annoyance, her head held up in defiance.
"You know I don’t like anyone that’s reached manhood, or had their first blood flow!"
Ada complained like a spoiled child, completely ignoring Misao.
Misao then realized who the demoness was; she was Adachigahara, the demoness who loves children… in the culinary sense.
"We could always put her in the brothels, Eni-chan." Ada suggested, once again pretending as if Misao was not there.
"Brothels?!" Misao shouted indignantly, for it was indignant for a high priestess to be in demon brothels.
"No, I think I have a much crueler form of games planned for our dear priestess." Enishi replied with the most horrid, cruel smile on his face.
Oh, gods, help me! Misao cried out in her mind as her shoulder once again throbbed in pain.
OOOO
There it was; the hiding place of Enishi. It looked more like a mansion than a hiding place! It could easily be found, and yet it was perfect; no one would dream of finding a demon in such an elaborate and extraordinary place.
"Weapons ready?" Kenshin asked, turning back to his comrades who all silently nodded.
"Here we go, then."
OOOOO
"Enishi-sama," an Akuma demon called from the top of the stone steps. "There’s a group of mortals coming here, one of them is your demon brother."
"Ah, Battousai, so you decided to fight on the mortals’ side of this war, huh?" Enishi said to himself, a huge grin on his face. "Interesting."
"Eni-chan," Ada began, making a motion towards Misao. "What do we do with her?"
"Take her out there with you, but make sure you keep her close to you; do not let her out of your site." Enishi replied, walking up the stone steps and out of the basement.
"Follow me, priestess." Ada commanded, looking mournfully at her knife, which she never got to use.
Misao complied, mostly because she wanted to see if Aoshi was with the "group of mortals."
Would he come rescue me? Misao pondered to herself as she and Ada walked up the stone steps, through the mansion, and out the front door.
After being in the basement for some time, the sudden, brilliant sunlight on Misao’s eyes was torture. The pain felt as if someone was stabbing her eyes with a blunt blade, and trying to pry them out.
Ada pushed Misao along, and the poor priestess had no choice but to allow it, for she was blinded for the moment. When they came to a stop, Misao felt her bounded hands being pulled towards someone, and then she was pressed up against that someone.
Misao blinked her eyelids rapidly for a few minutes, and saw the white-haired demon holding her close to him. Disgust filled the young woman’s stomach, and she tried to pull away, but Enishi held her bound hands stead fast.
As she looked to her left, Misao saw who the people were that came to rescue her; there was Soujiro, and Akira, the two gods sent to check up on Kaoru. Continuing her eyes’ quest, she saw Kaoru, the goddess-turned-mortal, who was trying to hold her Sword of Shinjitsu steady, but having much trouble, for one has to be an immortal in order to handle the sword.
Misao was genuinely curious and surprised when she saw Battousai standing among the mortals and gods, fighting on their side. She heard that he was there, for she obviously heard it from the Akuma demon, but she did not believe until she saw him herself.
And there was Aoshi. He did not look once at her, but kept his gaze strictly on the second demon prince, Enishi. Even though Misao knew that it was part of his training as an Oniwanbannshu leader to never give away any emotions, Misao felt her heart sink to the pit of her intestines. Just look at me; just once, Aoshi. However, when he did not comply, she continued to see who else came.
"Is that your lover?" Enishi whispered in Misao’s ear, and the priestess knew who he was referring to.
As an answer, Misao shook her head, not having the power to control her voice, for the demon was very close to her neck; his lips barely touching her sensitive skin. "You lie, bitch." Enishi hissed, now looking her deep in her crystal-blue eyes.
"I do not speak falsely." Misao whispered back. "I love him, hai, but he does not return my affection."
Enishi turned away and sighed. "I can see you speak the truth. How pathetic you mortals are."
"At least we know what love is, and how to love. Demons know nothing but how to hurt, how to create chaos and anguish; and that’s what you are."
"Is that what you’ve been told?" Enishi smiled fairly bitterly. "Then let’s see if you can prove that the ‘love’ you feel for that other mortal is worth dying for."
Enishi brought Misao closer with the most horrible sneer that she had ever seen on his pretty face. The demon turned towards the group before them with that same sneer displayed.
"I’ll make an exchange!" Enishi shouted to the comrades before him. "The Princess, Kaoru, for the priestess!"
Misao suddenly realized what Enishi was doing; he was testing the strength and will of the rescue group; as such, she also realized his meaning behind, "Then let’s see if you can prove that the ‘love’ you feel for that other mortal is worth dying for."
She was going to die today, and she could not stop it. Misao suddenly became aware of beautiful orchard they were on that will be used as a battlefield. She became aware of how green the trees were, how green the luscious, soft grass was, and how beautiful the birds were sang.
Yet most of all, she became aware of the man she loved most, gazing at her, though it was only for a second, it was also forever. His eyes were bluer than Misao remembered them, and he was far more handsome than she remembered. All she did was smile at him; just smiled and faced the death she was going to have.
OOOOOOOO
"Get ready; this battle is going to start." Kenshin said to the people of the group. He gave one last glance at Akira, and the state of ease he was in gave him away as to who he was allying with.
They saw Enishi come up through the orchard, the ninja girl following blindly behind. The group saw the demon whisper to the priestess, and then called to them, "I’ll make an exchange! The Princess, Kaoru, for the priestess!"
Aoshi looked briefly at Misao, and she smiled at him; a secret smile that he did not know the meaning of, which terrified him, for he always knew what his girl was thinking.
Before anyone in the group could say anything, Kenshin shouted to his brother, "No exchange, asshole!"
"Have it your way!" Enishi shouted, and gave a hand command to six of his Akuma demons.
The demons were a good seven feet tall with fire for hair. Their skin was a deep bronze color, their eyes carried the flames of hell in them, and they wore at their sides, swords; in their hands they carried axes.
At Enishi’s hand command, the Akuma demons charged at the group of five, their weapons ready to slice, kill, and mutilate.
The Akuma demons, which were charging in a line, suddenly split up to attack the individuals in the group. One demon charged up to Aoshi, one charged to Soujiro, another charged to Akira, one more charged to Kaoru, and two charged to Kenshin.
It was easy for Soujiro and Akira to defeat the Akuma demons, for they were gods, and they could just blink, and the demons would be reduced to dust. The first thought that came into Soujiro’s mind was check on Kaoru.
Kaoru, due to the weight of her sword, was having a rather difficult time. Her sword felt as though it were weighted down with an anvil. It grieved Kaoru to realize how weak she was; to fully know that she was no longer a goddess.
Soujiro was about to interfere when Kaoru shouted, "Save Misao!" When her friend looked like he was about to hesitate, the fallen goddess shouted again, "Save Misao! That’s a command!"
Soujiro then took up his sword and went to save Misao from Enishi’s clutches, with Akira in tow.
Kaoru turned back to the Akuma demon before her; at seven feet tall, his ax was huge, sharp, and gleamed in the sunlight. The fallen goddess’ heart pounded, and again, she knew fear; it iced her blood and froze her lungs.
Kaoru shook her head and forced her fear away. She had to live through this! She will not die today!
Forcing her sword blade upward, the Akuma demon charged at her; his ax at the ready to decapitate her head.
Kenshin rolled his eyes as two Akuma demons charged at him. He sighed and leaned against his sword as if leaning on a walking cane. Akuma were just pawns to drain the strength out of the other aponet before facing the real challenge.
Unsheathing his sword with a sigh, Kenshin got into battle mode and with a few swings of his sword, the two Akuma demons were hacked to pieces.
One piece of a leg, however, went sailing though the air and it hit the legs of the Akuma demon Kaoru was facing. The Akuma lost his balance and fell forward, right on the woman.
"Kaoru!" Kenshin shouted and ran towards the fallen Akuma, his sword slicing away at the demon.
When the body was in pieces, Kenshin began shoving the pieces away. He finally got the right pieces, the chest, off of Kaoru.
As soon as the heavy burden was thrown off her, Kaoru began coughing and rasping for air. She saw the redheaded demon, on his knees, looking down at her in genuine worry, and the first thing she said was, "Where’s my sword."
Kaoru sat up and looked around while Kenshin sighed and rolled his eyes. He drummed his fingers on the ground and sighed again.
"You could thank me for saving you." Kenshin exclaimed, expecting some form of gratitude.
"For what; almost crushing me?" Kaoru argued, still searching for her sword.
"No; for saving your life." Kenshin argued back, getting back up on his feet.
"Actually, you didn’t save my life." Kaoru exclaimed proudly, pointing to her sword embedded in the Akuma’s chest. "He was dead before you decided to make chop stew out of him."
"You got lucky." Kenshin muttered.
"Whatever; we have Misao to save. I hope Soujiro and Akira are alright."
"At least one of them is." Kenshin muttered again and followed after Kaoru.
Aoshi was having no such luck that Kaoru had. He had disarmed the Akuma demon, but lost one of his twin kodachi in the process. The demon then drew out his sword and now they were hitting blades.
Aoshi tried his special attack several times, and all the Akuma did was receive something like a paper cut. The skin was not only bronze color, but also seemed to be made of bronze.
Despite being tired and energy deprived, Aoshi continued to fight; the memory of
Misao’s warm, loving smile always in his mind.
OOOOO
Misao watched Aoshi battle the Akuma demon, and she wished she had her weapons with her so she could help, even if it was just a little bit.
Enishi continued to remain beside her until they saw four people of the group charging towards them, and the demon took a step forward.
"So that’s the great Kaoru?" Enishi questioned to himself, even though Misao could hear.
The demon took in Kaoru’s crystal-blue eyes, fairly feminine figure and short black hair; as black at midnight. He, then, understood why his brother fell in love with her, although he did not venture to admit out loud, if even to himself.
"No much of a prize, although she does have short hair like Akira claimed."
"What?!" Misao shouted, not believing a god would have anything to do with the demon ahead of her.
"Oh, you didn’t know? You have a traitor in your mists." Enishi announced as if talking about how green the pasture is.
"You lie!" Misao accused, not wanting to believe it, even though it made perfect sense.
"Am I?" Enishi challenged, throwing a curious look at the priestess.
When Enishi came forward, Misao drew back in repulsiveness. Enishi then grabbed the
Akuma demon’s ax; the one Aoshi disarmed, forced Misao around, and cut her binds.
Misao looked at the demon in curiosity and asked, "Why do you free me?"
"Go to him, priestess." Enishi said, indicated to Aoshi, whom was still fighting the
Akuma demon.
Misao looked at Aoshi, looked at Enishi, and back to Aoshi, and then she started to run towards him; to the man she loved. The demon was planning something, and she did not know what it was; all she knew was that where Aoshi was, she was safe.
Despite the calls from the other four, Misao kept running. She was about a third of the way to him, when Misao heard a whistling noise. She briefly saw the ax swinging through the air, thrown by Enishi.
Aoshi’s back was to them, when he gave the final blow to the Akuma demon, slicing his throat. He would not be able to turn around in time to block the ax’s blow.
Smile and face your death, priestess. Enishi thought, as he smirked his smug smile and watched the sense play out before him.
The rest of the group gave warning calls to Aoshi as the priest began to spin around, and then all went into slow motion.
He suddenly saw Misao standing in front of him, heard the sickening sound of a blade entrenching into flesh, saw his woman lurch forward and into his arms.
What just happened? Was all Aoshi could think of.
He suddenly saw a small, seemingly innocent trail of blood flow out the corner of Misao’s beautiful pink lips, and saw her face grow deathly pale. She then smiled up at Aoshi, the same secret smile he saw earlier, and then she fell limp in his arms, a pool of blood around them both, and absorbing into the fabric of their clothing.
Life; it all began because of a Song of Love.
To Be Continued…
Chapter 11: “Destined For Love, Worry, and Stupidity”
Kaoru stirred and sat up; the bright sunlight hurting her eyes. Her head was pounding like a god’s war drum, and she assumed it was from sleeping in the wrong position. When she sat up, Kaoru realized that she had been resting her head on Battousai’s chest, and he was lying down with her on the couch.
The girl promptly got up from the couch, causing her to trip on the demon and fall to the floor. The fallen prince stirred, and he opened his beautiful, yet scary, amber eyes. They landed on Kaoru, who was lying on her back, staring up at him in disbelief.
“Oh, it’s you.” He said, his muscles relaxing when he knew there was not an enemy around.
“What’d you mean by that!” Kaoru yelled indignantly, the pounding in her head increased. “I should be the outraged one here!”
“Who said anything about being outraged?” Battousai asked, sitting up.
Kaoru fell silent, an annoyed tick on her lips started. "This was so indecent! When I fell asleep, you should've said 'Kaoru, you should get up and go into the bedroom to sleep.'
That would've been the right thing to do!"
"You can't expect too much out of a demon, though." Battousai announced like it was a fact.
Kaoru opened and closed her mouth, completely at loss for words. The prince was right; she can not expect much out of a demon, and a male demon at that. She got herself up off the floor, straightened her clothes out, and huffed.
"Fine; I forgive you."
Battousai looked at her like she just undressed and laid herself on the couch. She forgave him for something he did not know he was supposed to do?
Kaoru looked towards the bathroom, and exclaimed, "I'm taking a bath."
The demon smirked and replied, "Do you want me to take one with you?"
Suddenly, sexy images unwillingly entered Kaoru's mind of her and the demon prince in the bath tub; the soap bubbles surrounded them, but she could vividly see his naked body from the waist up. His muscles were tight with desire, his golden eyes blazing hot for her, and rivulets of water flowed down his perfect skin. She wanted so much to trace her
tongue where those drops flowed…
"Hello!" Battousai yelled again, and snapped his fingers in her face.
Kaoru blinked up at the demon and promptly blushed when she realized her thoughts had taken a turn for the worst.
"Nani…?" Kaoru asked, breathless as she tried to still her pounding heart.
"I said I was jesting. You really need to lighten up, princess."
"Kaoru. We made our introductions last night, so it's only fitting that you should stop calling me princess and start calling me by my rightful name."
Battousai—no, Kenshin—nodded once and said, somewhat hesitantly, "Kaoru."
"Good… Kenshin," Kaoru whispered, and diverted her eyes towards the bathroom. "I'm going to get cleaned up and then I'm going back to the Aoiya."
"Fine."
"What're you going to do?" Kaoru asked, suddenly interested in his well-being, although she did not want to admit it.
"Well, I figured I could hang out with you and the others at the Aoiya since I need a place to sleep. I can only frighten the manager of this place for so long without paying rent.”
"NO!" Kaoru yelled, making Kenshin jump. Other unwanted thoughts once again started to form in her mind; they were alone in the Aoiya, in her room. He was lying on her futon, clad in nothing but the futon sheet and his sexy smirk. His golden eyes were ablaze with hot desire for her…
Kaoru screamed and ran into the bathroom, slammed and locked the door, and promptly undressed and almost threw herself into the shower. She turned on the cold water and let the icy coldness flow over her like a rain storm in the middle of winter.
Her body shivered, but she refused to put the hot water on the mix with the cold. I deserve this as punishment, Kaoru told herself. It's only dutiful that I endure it.
Kaoru, Princess of the Heavens, committed her first sin by lusting, and she was lusting after a demon. She was no longer worthy to be a goddess again.
OOOOOO
Kenshin was thoroughly confused when Kaoru spent close to an hour in the shower after her little episode.
He went into the kitchen and looked around for something to eat. When he found nothing,
Kenshin went next door to ask for some food; something he hated doing, but he swallowed his pride for Kaoru's sake, because she needed to eat something.
The woman was about late thirties, and as ugly as homemade sin. She gladly gave the stranger a few eggs, a cup of rice, and some slices of ham. What disturbed Kenshin the most was the fact that the woman opened the door, clad in only a bikini, which she most definitely did not have a figure for.
Forcing a smile, Kenshin thanked the mortal woman for her kindness and he quickly went into the apartment. The water was still running in the shower as he made a simple breakfast as fast as he could.
Kaoru came out of the bathroom dressed in a fuzzy, pink bathrobe and her hair was wrapped in a pink towel to dry; she was also shivering and looking thoroughly miserable.
The demon prince lifted an eyebrow at her as he set the breakfast plate on the table. The princess looked at him in confusion, as well as suspicion.
“Are you trying to poison me?” she asked as she looked at the plate of breakfast, which was eggs and rice with slices of ham mixed in with it.
“No, it’s breakfast.” Kenshin replied as he gathered the pots and pans and placed them in the sink.
Kaoru slowly sat down, picked up the chopsticks and took one bite. She then glared at the red headed demon, which made him very uneasy under her unblinking stare. It reminded him of that one Italian figure skater whose male partner dropped her during an Olympic competition.
“Does it taste horrible?” Kenshin asked, trying to appear calm.
“No, not at all.” Kaoru replied as she continued to glare at him. “In fact, it tastes excellent.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“It’s better than my cooking!”
Kenshin stared blankly at Kaoru before he fully started laughing. That caused the princess to glare even more deeply at him.
“I hate you.” Kaoru whispered as the redhead finally calmed down.
“Yes, I know; and I hate you, too.” He countered with a chuckle.
Kaoru finished the meal, and then looked at Kenshin, noticing he did not eat. “Where’s your share?”
“I’m not hungry.” Kenshin replied with a shrug and then got up to wash the dishes.
Kaoru looked at the demon prince for a minute before saying, “You’re coming with me.”
“Nani?” Kenshin asked with a blank stare.
“You’re coming with me to the Aoiya.”
“I thought you don’t want me there, and I’m sure the others share the same opinion.”
Kaoru opened and closed her mouth like a fish submerged in air. She had forgotten what the reaction of her friends would be when she shows up with the very same demon who tried to kill her after turning her into a mortal.
“Um… I’m sure they’ll warm up to you.” Kaoru finally said with a nervous laugh.
Kenshin shook his head while he rolled his eyes; the princess could be so naïve at times.
Yet that was what also made her so attractive.
Smirking crookedly, the prince finished washing the dishes before he nodded. “As soon as you get dressed we can go. I’m sure you don’t want to be walking around in just a bathrobe in this neighborhood.”
A glare was the only response.
OOOOOOO
It was cold and dark, save for a few beams of light that barely managed to make its way through unknown spaces of the room. An occasional dripping of liquid could be heard in the corner, or somewhere in the room. It seemed loud as it echoed through the room.
She glared at him though aqua-marine eyes, and pouting, moist pink lips. How could she have been so stupid? She should have told Aoshi-sama and the others where she was going; what here plans were!
Now she was stuck here with a horrible person that made her shiver from the evil aura that came off of him in waves.
“Who’re you?” Misao asked, trying to keep her voice calm.
The man, who was looking in the mirror, turned around to look at the girl tied up on the floor. His turquoise eyes trailed over her body, even though his expression held no interest in her obviously feminine curves.
“Who’re you?” he asked the girl, a smirk played on his lips as his hand went to the bandage on his cheek.
The girl glared back at him for an answer, and Enishi laughed to himself. Of course the girl would be spunky when asked a question; she was quite a hellcat when she fought him. Still, he won the battle, obviously, for he was more powerful that a scrawny little girl.
“Let’s start with your name.” Enishi started, picking up a sewing needle, a candle and a bottle of black ink.
Misao looked skeptical as she looked at the small, seemingly innocent weapon held between the man’s fingers. It did not look like much, but the priestess had no doubts that he can and will somehow use it for extreme pain.
“Tell me your name first.” Misao responded, still as stubborn as the man she loved more than her life.
“Enishi,” the man replied with a maniacal grin on his face as he lit the candle’s wick.
“Second Prince, now only heir to the Throne of Hell; brother to one named Battousai.”
Misao involuntarily shuttered at the title the man—no, demon—informed her of; brother to Battousai. The man smirked at the mortal girl and commanded, “Now, your name.”
“Misao,” the priestess replied, looking nervous at the needle still held between Enishi’s fingers.
“There’s no special title to go with that?” Enishi asked, and then pointed to the patch on his right cheek that covered a wound. “You don’t fight like an ordinary mortal girl, so you must have a title with your name. What is it?”
Misao shook her head to give a negative reply. Enishi smiled, ever-so innocently and indicated to the contents on the table.
“A sewing needle, lit candle, and an ink bottle,” the demon stated with obvious pride.
“One of the many tortures I developed for my father; however, mortals have been using it
for centuries ever since they invented all three for an old fashion tattoo. When done right, it can have an excellent result with little pain. If done wrong, it can still have an excellent result, but with a hell of a lot more pain involved.”
“Misao,” she said after a moment hesitation, but when she saw the second demon prince hold the needle over the candle flame, she spoke. “High Priestess to the goddess, Kaoru, Princess of the Heavens.”
The turquoise eyes of Enishi lit up with interest, and the maniacal grin widened. “How interesting.” He said, finally setting the needle aside.
The piece of paper that Misao had when she what looking for Kaoru was now in Enishi’s hands, and he was reading over it. He obtained the paper after he rendered the priestess unconscious after giving her a major blow to her head.
“What would this be?” Enishi asked, looking expectantly over the top of the paper towards the hellcat.
“I wouldn’t know.” Misao responded with a shrug.
Enishi sighed dramatically, set the paper aside and walked towards the girl. Misao had her hands bound together behind her back, and her ankles her bound together in front of her.
When the demon slid the left side of her shinobi off her left shoulder, the priestess gasps indignantly and her feet made contact with Enishi’s manhood.
Enishi yelled in pain, and cursed obscene names at Misao as he whirled around and backhanded her. “Bitch!” he yelled.
Misao, despite her now split lip, laughed at the demon prince howling and rolling around on the floor.
“You’re going to pay for that one.” Enishi hissed, finally able to get back on his feet.
Misao knew that this demon was not playing around now, but she could not help but feel a sense of brief satisfaction at seeing a demon prince howling in pain. Her only wish was that Aoshi could have seen it. Then again, he probably would have thought her to be stupid for putting herself in this position in the first place, and not letting the rest of the Oniwabanshuu take care of it.
“I’ll ask you one last time,” Enishi started, his voice tone very deadly. “What’s this paper for? ‘Kyoto Park, Restaurants… Gynecologist’?”
Misao blushed, and stuttered, “Oh, you didn’t know? I had a… gynecologist appointment later today.”
“Virgin mortals don’t go to a pussy doctor.”
Misao’s eyes widened at the vulgar language of the demon prince. Even Battousai was not as vulgar as his brother!
“Nani?” Enishi asked with a raised eyebrow. “I’ve said worse. Now, once again, what is this paper for?”
“Just my list for things to do, places to go.”
Enishi once again set the paper aside on the table. He reached over, grabbed Misao by her bound hands, and pinned her to the floor. He tore the left side of her shinobi off, this time being extra cautious to pin the girl’s legs down.
Misao’s breath hitched in her throat. Is he going to rape me?!
The thought of being violated by a demon repulsed her; made her sick. Enishi pinned
Misao to the floor with his legs as he reached over, grabbed the sewing needle, put it in the candle’s flame until it grew red, and then dipped it in the black ink bottle.
Without asking anymore questions, the demon placed the sewing needle on Misao’s milky-white skin and slowly, ever so slowly, stabbed her skin with the - needle. Enishi repeated this several times, in different places.
Misao felt as if her skin was on fire, and the ink burned like a serpent’s bite. She tried to hold her tongue still, to stave off the cries that burned in her throat, but after enduring the procedure three times, she finally let her pain be know, and she screamed so hard, so loud, that her ears rang after her cries died out.
Breathing hard, and shaking, Misao opened her eyes, hoping not to see the turquoise eyed monster, but her hope died in her when she saw him looking down at her, a sick, satisfied look on his face.
“Do you want to answer correctly this time?” Enishi asked, getting the needle ready for another round.
Still shaking, Misao breathed in a shuttering gasp, “I—I was s-searching for-for my friend. She’s l-lost, I mean, m-missing. I wrote down all-all the possible places she-she could be.”
Misao hated herself at that moment for being so weak that she could not even endure the pain of a - needle. Instead, she just might be selling out Kaoru.
“Who is your friend?” Enishi asked, going back to preparing the needle.
“My friend that lives down the street.” Misao answered, and once again she felt the - needle piercing her flesh, right where her left shoulder was; the ink once again stinging, burning its way though her.
She remained silent, longer this time, but once again she had to scream out some kind of relief to the pain she was feeling.
“Who were you searching for?” Enishi asked once again, and Misao gave the answer she last gave him.
The - needle pierced her flesh again and again, without mercy, and Misao could feel her flesh swell; could feel the wounds bleed, but she would not give away Kaoru. Not once, or ever, will she give away Kaoru to such a rotten, evil demon.
OOOOOOOOO
When the couple made it to the Aoiya, Kaoru could feel a sense of unknowing fear and anxiety radiating off of its walls. Something was wrong, but what, the fallen goddess did not know, but she was going to find out.
“Wait here.” Kaoru commanded Kenshin, and she entered the restaurant through the back door.
When she entered, Kaoru saw all the keepers of the restaurant arguing over something or another when she heard Misao’s name being mentioned. Aoshi was leaning against the wall, looking relaxed, but Kaoru could see the worry and anxiety evident on his face.
“Um, Tadai ima?” Kaoru announced unsurely, and the keepers of the Aoiya were suddenly bombarding her with questions and comment that she did not understand, except one: Do you know where Misao is?
All the chaos of questions was increased when Akira, Soujiro, Sano, and Yahiko came into the dinning room, and started asking the poor girl more questions of their own.
“Misao is missing?” Kaoru demanded to know, ignoring all other unimportant questions; worry now increasing in her.
“She didn’t come home yesterday.” Okon announced. “We thought she found you, but now you’re here, and she’s still missing…”
“Do you have any idea where she might be?” Okina asked, his face looked worn and older than he already is.
“Iie—no, but—“
“But I might.” A new member of the interrogating party announced.
All different color eyes turned and looked at the newest arrival to the Aoiya. He was
leaning casually against the wall, unemotional, and unafraid of the hatred that suddenly was directed at him.
“What the hell are you doing here!” Okina demanded, his frown deepening when Kenshin stood close to Kaoru; too close.
“Matters of hell do bring me here,” the demon said casually, looking at Kaoru, to which she mouthed, “ Bastard.” And he chuckled. “However, I might be able to help you find the headache of this place.”
“We don’t want to deal with you, or have any business with you.” Okon announced, placing her hands on her hips.
“Okay,” Kenshin agreed with a shrug of his shoulders. “Good luck trying to find her on your own… and on time.”
“Matte,” Aoshi exclaimed, standing up fully on his feet. “As much as I don’t like him, he might be able to help us.” When the rest of the Oniwanbanshu started to protest, the leader held up his hand. “Our only concern is finding Misao, and we need his help.”
Aoshi turned towards the redheaded demon and asked, “Where do you think she is?”
“Tell me what you found out about her kidnapping, and I might know.” Kenshin
announced, knowing that Aoshi just swallowed his pride to ask for his help, and the fallen prince was enjoying it as much as he can.
Aoshi explained that all they could find of Misao was a few of her weapons, which were eroded, like they were dipped in acid.
“Did you happen to save at least one of them?” Kenshin asked, and Omasu hesitantly handed one of the Kunai to Kenshin.
The demon inspected it, although it was a different sort of inspection. Mortals look through their eyes, but Kenshin was looking though aura.
When something or someone is cut or pierced with a weapon, a little piece of that person’s aura stays on the object; almost like a fingerprint. This aura was one that the demon prince knew all too well.
“Enishi.” Was the only thing Kenshin uttered.
“Who?” Sano asked, although the name rang a familiar tone to it.
“Enishi,” Aoshi answered, his outward appearance calm, but his heart was pounding in fear. His Misao was in the hands of one of the worst demons imaginable. “He is said to be the second demon in line for the throne after Hiko decides to go into retirement. Battousai is first and Enishi second, being the younger male of the demon royal family.”
“Demons have royal families?” Yahiko asked in disbelief.
“Hai, we do,” Kenshin answered, tossing the shinai on the table, where it was embedded into the wood. “Although I am now, um, cut from the line.”
“Nani!” Kaoru shouted indignantly, but she did not care. “What’d you mean ‘cut from the line’!”
“Exactly what I just said,” Kenshin said, though he was not going to explain the whole story to everyone, especially Kaoru. “I was given an assignment, I didn’t full-fill it, and now I can’t receive the throne.”
“When were you going to tell me this!”
“I didn’t know I was your personal secretary that had to inform you, the boss, of everything that happens.”
“It’s my job to know!”
“Well you should do your job better!”
“I would if you hadn’t turned me into a mortal!”
“Um, are you two through arguing?” Okon asked, not knowing if she was doing the right thing in interfering. “Misao’s life, I assume, is on the line, remember?”
“I’m not through yelling at you, yet.” Kaoru exclaimed in a whisper so only Kenshin could hear. “Alright, do you know where Enishi and Misao are?”
“Hai, but everyone might want to bring weapons for the battle that will occur.” Kenshin answered, and everyone eligible to fight scattered around to gather their weapons of choice.
Kenshin mentally kicked himself for willingly helping to rescue a mortal. He was about to ditch everyone when he saw the blue-eyed beauty smile gratefully at him, and Kenshin knew he could not back out now.
To Be Continued…
This Is Forever
Chapter 12: "Destined To Protect"
It all started with a song; a male’s voice singing in such beautiful tones that any mortal would do anything just to hear it. It was the wind, it was the water, it was the earth, and it was life; The First Song.
Tengoku and his brother Hiko created life through their singing; such power brought life to the dead planet which everyone now lived on. The beautiful song then had another join in; a female. Such a beautiful voice she had that both gods could not help but be very smitten with her.
Tochi, the most beautiful goddess in the Heavens also helped to generate life with the help of her two suitors.
So beautiful was Tochi’s voice that Tengoku’s heart swelled with love and pride, so much so that his eyes filled with tears, and born out of that tear was Izanagi.
To the people of the Sinto belief, Izanagi was the one who created everything. However, he played a part in the creation of time, of earth, and of life. He created the islands of Japan and everything within that abounding land.
Three gods and one goddess created everything that existed in Japan, and from there, the immortals prospered.
Yet why did two gods and one goddess decide to start life? Why sing the Life Song that created everything, healed everything, and lived in everything? Did they find it pleasing, or did they do it because they needed to feel important by creating lesser being so they could be worshiped?
Or was it something more, something indescribable to mortals to even think of? Was it a thought from poetry, from songs, from stories, or, dare it be said, from love?
However, to Tochi, creating was like a game to her; she could create just as easily as she could sing it away. Perhaps that is why she is known, to those most closest to her, as the Omega goddess; the one that always ends everything.
OOOO
The trip to Enishi’s hiding place was very silent. Few words were spoken among the five individuals walking in a group; Kenshin, Kaoru, Aoshi, Akira, and Soujiro.
The rest of the Oniwanbannsu were told to stay home and watch the restaurant, Sano and Yahiko included, much to their dismay. This was a battle for only the high priest, the two gods, one demon, and one goddess-turned-mortal.
"Do you even know where you’re going?" Akira demanded, thus breaking the long and growing uncomfortable silence.
Kenshin took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and slowly sighed before answering, "Yes, I do because it’s always the same place us demons start at when we come up from hell. Do you know where you’re going?"
Akira and Kenshin glared at one another, the fallen demon prince knew whose side the god was on, and it wasn’t on the Heaven’s side. So why did Kenshin not say anything?
No one would believe a demon over a god; even someone as understanding and intelligent as the priest, Aoshi.
"Can we please keep going?" Kaoru asked, genuinely afraid for Misao’s safety. "This really isn’t helping poor Misao-chan."
"Fine." Kenshin relented, rolling his eyes downward, opposite of the Heavens. "We’ll go rescue that priestess."
OOOOOO
Misao sighed in the darkness, her shoulder throbbing painfully, and her physical strength drained; but she was strong in spirit and in her will because she did not sell out Kaoru and the others.
Yet, as Misao looked into nothingness, she wondered if she would be able to hold out just a while longer. Yes, she would! She was Makamachi, Misao, priestess to the goddess Kaoru; she will not say a word!
Misao sighed again, shifting around to become comfortable, which was practically impossible because the floor was cold and hard, as was the air that surrounded her, and her wrists were bound together behind her back.
Often times, Misao wondered why this demon guy was keeping her. Horrid thoughts filled her mind, and she shook her head at each one of them. Demons would not want anything to do with a mortal, right?
All thoughts left the high priestess as the basement door swung open, and light suddenly split the darkness, and pierced Misao’s ocean-blue eyes with pain as they tried to adjust to the light.
"Well isn’t she a cutie?" a female voice cooed, and Misao heard two pairs of feet coming down the stone steps. "She’s so cute; I could just eat her up!"
"Would you like her for a present, Ada-chan?" a male voice offered, one that Misao recognized as the demon that tortured her.
"Well, let me see if she qualifies."
Misao could finally open her eyes, and she saw the demoness before her; she had dark blue hair, almost black, like the deep part of the ocean before it grows black. Her eyes, however, were darker than said deepest part of the ocean; they were the purest back Misao had ever seen.
The demoness, Ada, as the other demon called her, cut her binds with what looked like a knife, and Misao thought this a very peculiar choice of weapon.
Without hesitating, Ada made a swift, shallow cut on Misao’s right hand, and the demoness licked the beads of blood that came flowing out, her expression one of pure joy as if expecting the metallic substance to taste good.
Ada’s expression, however, turned sour, and she quickly dropped Misao’s hand, turned her head and started spiting and blowing raspberries.
"She’s no good, Eni-chan," Ada exclaimed in dismay. "She’s had her first blood flow!"
"First blood flow?" Enishi repeated with a questionable eyebrow raised. "I thought she was no more than a child."
"I’m sixteen." Misao growled with annoyance, her head held up in defiance.
"You know I don’t like anyone that’s reached manhood, or had their first blood flow!"
Ada complained like a spoiled child, completely ignoring Misao.
Misao then realized who the demoness was; she was Adachigahara, the demoness who loves children… in the culinary sense.
"We could always put her in the brothels, Eni-chan." Ada suggested, once again pretending as if Misao was not there.
"Brothels?!" Misao shouted indignantly, for it was indignant for a high priestess to be in demon brothels.
"No, I think I have a much crueler form of games planned for our dear priestess." Enishi replied with the most horrid, cruel smile on his face.
Oh, gods, help me! Misao cried out in her mind as her shoulder once again throbbed in pain.
OOOO
There it was; the hiding place of Enishi. It looked more like a mansion than a hiding place! It could easily be found, and yet it was perfect; no one would dream of finding a demon in such an elaborate and extraordinary place.
"Weapons ready?" Kenshin asked, turning back to his comrades who all silently nodded.
"Here we go, then."
OOOOO
"Enishi-sama," an Akuma demon called from the top of the stone steps. "There’s a group of mortals coming here, one of them is your demon brother."
"Ah, Battousai, so you decided to fight on the mortals’ side of this war, huh?" Enishi said to himself, a huge grin on his face. "Interesting."
"Eni-chan," Ada began, making a motion towards Misao. "What do we do with her?"
"Take her out there with you, but make sure you keep her close to you; do not let her out of your site." Enishi replied, walking up the stone steps and out of the basement.
"Follow me, priestess." Ada commanded, looking mournfully at her knife, which she never got to use.
Misao complied, mostly because she wanted to see if Aoshi was with the "group of mortals."
Would he come rescue me? Misao pondered to herself as she and Ada walked up the stone steps, through the mansion, and out the front door.
After being in the basement for some time, the sudden, brilliant sunlight on Misao’s eyes was torture. The pain felt as if someone was stabbing her eyes with a blunt blade, and trying to pry them out.
Ada pushed Misao along, and the poor priestess had no choice but to allow it, for she was blinded for the moment. When they came to a stop, Misao felt her bounded hands being pulled towards someone, and then she was pressed up against that someone.
Misao blinked her eyelids rapidly for a few minutes, and saw the white-haired demon holding her close to him. Disgust filled the young woman’s stomach, and she tried to pull away, but Enishi held her bound hands stead fast.
As she looked to her left, Misao saw who the people were that came to rescue her; there was Soujiro, and Akira, the two gods sent to check up on Kaoru. Continuing her eyes’ quest, she saw Kaoru, the goddess-turned-mortal, who was trying to hold her Sword of Shinjitsu steady, but having much trouble, for one has to be an immortal in order to handle the sword.
Misao was genuinely curious and surprised when she saw Battousai standing among the mortals and gods, fighting on their side. She heard that he was there, for she obviously heard it from the Akuma demon, but she did not believe until she saw him herself.
And there was Aoshi. He did not look once at her, but kept his gaze strictly on the second demon prince, Enishi. Even though Misao knew that it was part of his training as an Oniwanbannshu leader to never give away any emotions, Misao felt her heart sink to the pit of her intestines. Just look at me; just once, Aoshi. However, when he did not comply, she continued to see who else came.
"Is that your lover?" Enishi whispered in Misao’s ear, and the priestess knew who he was referring to.
As an answer, Misao shook her head, not having the power to control her voice, for the demon was very close to her neck; his lips barely touching her sensitive skin. "You lie, bitch." Enishi hissed, now looking her deep in her crystal-blue eyes.
"I do not speak falsely." Misao whispered back. "I love him, hai, but he does not return my affection."
Enishi turned away and sighed. "I can see you speak the truth. How pathetic you mortals are."
"At least we know what love is, and how to love. Demons know nothing but how to hurt, how to create chaos and anguish; and that’s what you are."
"Is that what you’ve been told?" Enishi smiled fairly bitterly. "Then let’s see if you can prove that the ‘love’ you feel for that other mortal is worth dying for."
Enishi brought Misao closer with the most horrible sneer that she had ever seen on his pretty face. The demon turned towards the group before them with that same sneer displayed.
"I’ll make an exchange!" Enishi shouted to the comrades before him. "The Princess, Kaoru, for the priestess!"
Misao suddenly realized what Enishi was doing; he was testing the strength and will of the rescue group; as such, she also realized his meaning behind, "Then let’s see if you can prove that the ‘love’ you feel for that other mortal is worth dying for."
She was going to die today, and she could not stop it. Misao suddenly became aware of beautiful orchard they were on that will be used as a battlefield. She became aware of how green the trees were, how green the luscious, soft grass was, and how beautiful the birds were sang.
Yet most of all, she became aware of the man she loved most, gazing at her, though it was only for a second, it was also forever. His eyes were bluer than Misao remembered them, and he was far more handsome than she remembered. All she did was smile at him; just smiled and faced the death she was going to have.
OOOOOOOO
"Get ready; this battle is going to start." Kenshin said to the people of the group. He gave one last glance at Akira, and the state of ease he was in gave him away as to who he was allying with.
They saw Enishi come up through the orchard, the ninja girl following blindly behind. The group saw the demon whisper to the priestess, and then called to them, "I’ll make an exchange! The Princess, Kaoru, for the priestess!"
Aoshi looked briefly at Misao, and she smiled at him; a secret smile that he did not know the meaning of, which terrified him, for he always knew what his girl was thinking.
Before anyone in the group could say anything, Kenshin shouted to his brother, "No exchange, asshole!"
"Have it your way!" Enishi shouted, and gave a hand command to six of his Akuma demons.
The demons were a good seven feet tall with fire for hair. Their skin was a deep bronze color, their eyes carried the flames of hell in them, and they wore at their sides, swords; in their hands they carried axes.
At Enishi’s hand command, the Akuma demons charged at the group of five, their weapons ready to slice, kill, and mutilate.
The Akuma demons, which were charging in a line, suddenly split up to attack the individuals in the group. One demon charged up to Aoshi, one charged to Soujiro, another charged to Akira, one more charged to Kaoru, and two charged to Kenshin.
It was easy for Soujiro and Akira to defeat the Akuma demons, for they were gods, and they could just blink, and the demons would be reduced to dust. The first thought that came into Soujiro’s mind was check on Kaoru.
Kaoru, due to the weight of her sword, was having a rather difficult time. Her sword felt as though it were weighted down with an anvil. It grieved Kaoru to realize how weak she was; to fully know that she was no longer a goddess.
Soujiro was about to interfere when Kaoru shouted, "Save Misao!" When her friend looked like he was about to hesitate, the fallen goddess shouted again, "Save Misao! That’s a command!"
Soujiro then took up his sword and went to save Misao from Enishi’s clutches, with Akira in tow.
Kaoru turned back to the Akuma demon before her; at seven feet tall, his ax was huge, sharp, and gleamed in the sunlight. The fallen goddess’ heart pounded, and again, she knew fear; it iced her blood and froze her lungs.
Kaoru shook her head and forced her fear away. She had to live through this! She will not die today!
Forcing her sword blade upward, the Akuma demon charged at her; his ax at the ready to decapitate her head.
Kenshin rolled his eyes as two Akuma demons charged at him. He sighed and leaned against his sword as if leaning on a walking cane. Akuma were just pawns to drain the strength out of the other aponet before facing the real challenge.
Unsheathing his sword with a sigh, Kenshin got into battle mode and with a few swings of his sword, the two Akuma demons were hacked to pieces.
One piece of a leg, however, went sailing though the air and it hit the legs of the Akuma demon Kaoru was facing. The Akuma lost his balance and fell forward, right on the woman.
"Kaoru!" Kenshin shouted and ran towards the fallen Akuma, his sword slicing away at the demon.
When the body was in pieces, Kenshin began shoving the pieces away. He finally got the right pieces, the chest, off of Kaoru.
As soon as the heavy burden was thrown off her, Kaoru began coughing and rasping for air. She saw the redheaded demon, on his knees, looking down at her in genuine worry, and the first thing she said was, "Where’s my sword."
Kaoru sat up and looked around while Kenshin sighed and rolled his eyes. He drummed his fingers on the ground and sighed again.
"You could thank me for saving you." Kenshin exclaimed, expecting some form of gratitude.
"For what; almost crushing me?" Kaoru argued, still searching for her sword.
"No; for saving your life." Kenshin argued back, getting back up on his feet.
"Actually, you didn’t save my life." Kaoru exclaimed proudly, pointing to her sword embedded in the Akuma’s chest. "He was dead before you decided to make chop stew out of him."
"You got lucky." Kenshin muttered.
"Whatever; we have Misao to save. I hope Soujiro and Akira are alright."
"At least one of them is." Kenshin muttered again and followed after Kaoru.
Aoshi was having no such luck that Kaoru had. He had disarmed the Akuma demon, but lost one of his twin kodachi in the process. The demon then drew out his sword and now they were hitting blades.
Aoshi tried his special attack several times, and all the Akuma did was receive something like a paper cut. The skin was not only bronze color, but also seemed to be made of bronze.
Despite being tired and energy deprived, Aoshi continued to fight; the memory of
Misao’s warm, loving smile always in his mind.
OOOOO
Misao watched Aoshi battle the Akuma demon, and she wished she had her weapons with her so she could help, even if it was just a little bit.
Enishi continued to remain beside her until they saw four people of the group charging towards them, and the demon took a step forward.
"So that’s the great Kaoru?" Enishi questioned to himself, even though Misao could hear.
The demon took in Kaoru’s crystal-blue eyes, fairly feminine figure and short black hair; as black at midnight. He, then, understood why his brother fell in love with her, although he did not venture to admit out loud, if even to himself.
"No much of a prize, although she does have short hair like Akira claimed."
"What?!" Misao shouted, not believing a god would have anything to do with the demon ahead of her.
"Oh, you didn’t know? You have a traitor in your mists." Enishi announced as if talking about how green the pasture is.
"You lie!" Misao accused, not wanting to believe it, even though it made perfect sense.
"Am I?" Enishi challenged, throwing a curious look at the priestess.
When Enishi came forward, Misao drew back in repulsiveness. Enishi then grabbed the
Akuma demon’s ax; the one Aoshi disarmed, forced Misao around, and cut her binds.
Misao looked at the demon in curiosity and asked, "Why do you free me?"
"Go to him, priestess." Enishi said, indicated to Aoshi, whom was still fighting the
Akuma demon.
Misao looked at Aoshi, looked at Enishi, and back to Aoshi, and then she started to run towards him; to the man she loved. The demon was planning something, and she did not know what it was; all she knew was that where Aoshi was, she was safe.
Despite the calls from the other four, Misao kept running. She was about a third of the way to him, when Misao heard a whistling noise. She briefly saw the ax swinging through the air, thrown by Enishi.
Aoshi’s back was to them, when he gave the final blow to the Akuma demon, slicing his throat. He would not be able to turn around in time to block the ax’s blow.
Smile and face your death, priestess. Enishi thought, as he smirked his smug smile and watched the sense play out before him.
The rest of the group gave warning calls to Aoshi as the priest began to spin around, and then all went into slow motion.
He suddenly saw Misao standing in front of him, heard the sickening sound of a blade entrenching into flesh, saw his woman lurch forward and into his arms.
What just happened? Was all Aoshi could think of.
He suddenly saw a small, seemingly innocent trail of blood flow out the corner of Misao’s beautiful pink lips, and saw her face grow deathly pale. She then smiled up at Aoshi, the same secret smile he saw earlier, and then she fell limp in his arms, a pool of blood around them both, and absorbing into the fabric of their clothing.
Life; it all began because of a Song of Love.
To Be Continued…