In The Darkness

This time it was very different. This time things could go wrong at any given time. But she hoped that the katana hidden under her haori were enough to face any danger that could appear.

She approached the entrance to the tavern and noticed that Kaito wasn’t on the steps, as before. She stepped out into the chilly night air and sighed with ease. Stretching her arms and legs, the young woman sat down on the steps and looked at the seemingly calm and sleeping village.

Soon enough, she heard footsteps approaching from behind.

«Can I offer you my company, pretty lady?» she heard Kaito smirk again.

«Sure, I don’t mind.» She replied, looking up at him and noticing his strange glance.

He sat down and offered her his wine bottle – by the sounds of it, he just filled it with a new portion of wine. Kara took it and cheered at him, before taking a big gulp of the strong and sweet wine.

«Mmm! I’ve been yearning a taste of wine for the last few days!» she said with a flirty smile, giving back the bottle.

«Long road?» Kaito winked at her, and Kara felt a wave of shivers run down her spine.

«Very.»

«So what are you three looking for?» Kaito sipped some wine and smiled.

«Nothing in particular, we were wondering of strange meetings or people just because we encountered someone peculiar on the road to here.»

«Someone… peculiar?» Kaito asked, glancing at Kara very intensely.

«A man. Very… strange and twisted. He ran off, but we were puzzled at who he was.»

«We don’t have anyone like that around here. At least, I haven’t seen one like that.» Kaito handed her the bottle again and Kara suddenly saw a thin scar running around his wrist.

«I’m not sure if we saw a live man or a ghost. Maybe we were simply tired from all the riding…» she said, sighing.

«Ai, ai, ai… when you’re tired, you can see things that are not there.» Kaito leaned back on the steps lazily.

For a couple of moments they sat in silence – Kara sipping the wine, and Kaito looking up at the moon with a cocky smile on his face.

«You know…» he said suddenly, leaning to Kara a bit. «I am wandering what your name is. I have told you mine, but none of you three said yours.»

She looked at him with a smile and offered her hand for a handshake:

«Mariko.»

He gently shook her hand with a smile on his lips and nodded:

«A beautiful name for a beautiful woman, ai!» then he looked back into the tavern and smirked. «Tell me, why are you out here, while your friends are back there alone?»

Kara smirked, already knowing how to twist the truth to play the part:

«They decided that I was not very nice today, so asked me to leave them be while they… enjoy each other’s company before going to bed.»

Kaito chuckled and jumped to his feet, then turned to her and bowed, offering his hand.

«Then can I offer you to take a refreshing stroll with me, beautiful?» he asked with a smirk on his lips.

Kara smiled and took his hand, standing up. He acted like a gentleman, but his amber eyes seemed very sharp, suspiciously cunning – even more than before. But Kara followed his lead, feeling that this might prove useful.

«Have you ever watched the moon just for the sake of enjoying its light, Mariko?» Kaito asked, caressing her hand, which he held on his arm.

«I actually enjoy looking at the moon. I find it… rejuvenating.» Kara replied with a smile.

«Kumo ori ori… hito o yasumeru… tsukimi kana.» Kaito sighed out.

«Oh! The moon gazing where some clouds… From time to time repose the eye!» Kara struggled to remember the words, but managed to translate them anyways.

«Ai, ai, ai! You are beautiful and know haiku!» Kaito chuckled.

«I try my best.»

«You are a wonder! A sight for sore eyes! These filthy peasants know nothing of art! They do not appreciate beauty like I do!» the young man showed her a very charming smile.

«Sometimes people decide that beauty is nothing compared to a full belly and a roof over their heads.» Kara smirked.

«But it’s a pity, wouldn’t you agree? They live in such a beautiful land, and don’t notice it at all!»

Kara took a sip of wine and offered him the bottle – he barely drank the wine, having her sip all the time. She knew what he was trying to do, but tried not to show it.

«Mizika-yo ya… Yume mo utsutsu mo… Onazi koto.» Kara said, trying to remember one of the haiku poets she had ever read – Takahama Kyoshi.

Kaito laughed, clapping his hands:

«The short summer night… The dream and real… Are same things.» He translated. «Amazing! I love it!»

«I hope I didn’t spoil the haiku by my awful knowledge of this wonderful language.»

«Not at all! You sound much better than most people here, my dear.»

Kara didn’t like to be addressed in such a familiar way by people she just met, but this time she needed to play her part well to see if Kaito knows anything. For the time being she just needed him to think she’s a little drunk and charmed by his act.

«Thank you.» She smiled at him and he smiled back.

All this time he was leading her through the village and only now Kara understood where – a little ways off there stood a small hill with a single sakura growing on top. And he was leading her there, but what seemed like a beautiful spot from afar, up closer was, in fact, a cemetery.

«I hope cemeteries don’t frighten you?» Kaito asked with a very chilling smile on his face.

«Not at all, I find them relaxing. They are tranquil and quiet.» Kara replied. «I don’t like people very much, you see…»

«Oh, I am honoured to be one of those you found worthy of your precious time, Mariko.» He gestured towards the tree. «Come, I want to show you the magnificent view.»

When they approached, Kara saw the vast lands that lay under that hill, and sighed – whatever his act was, the view really was beautiful and worth seeing.

Kaito started laughing – it began with a quiet chuckle that very soon turned into a loud and vicious laughter that sent a new wave of shivers down Kara’s back.

«I love your scent… Marrriko.» Kaito’s voice shifted into a more growling range and when Kara turned to him, ready to bare her swords, she noticed how quickly Kaito’s figure shifted from a handsome young man to a twisted angular mess of long sharp joints. His eyes turned dark and his fingers grew longer and sharper in a matter of seconds.

«And I’ll love cutting that smile off your ugly face.» Kara bared her teeth.

«We’ll see about that, Sacrifice!» Kaito darted towards her, but she jumped away from his claws, unsheathing her katana.

She knew something he did not – she had her friends around, and at least two of them were following her all the time while they were walking away from the tavern. But before they would engage in battle, she needed to make sure to distract this creature as much as she could.

They began their fight, swirling in a deadly dance – the creature fast and bloodthirsty, and Kara – with a clear purpose in mind. She tried her best not to let him near and slashed at his flesh, sometimes even feeling her swords cut deep. But whatever she did – it seemed that the creature didn’t mind the wounds and recovered from them very quickly.

As Itsuki jumped into their fight, the creature darted to the side and suddenly – at Kara, grabbing her right arm.

Something hissed, and Kara felt her arm burning. Clenching her jaws, she kicked the creature in one of the joints, but it didn’t let go. Ayame appeared in time, cutting of its hand. Kara stumbled back from the fight, desperately trying to get the creatures hand off her arm. The pain burst again and again – in overwhelming waves, and Kara started growling, bending the clenched fingers from her arm, and once that didn’t help – began hitting the limb higher with her sword.

It took her a few moments and, finally, the stump fell to the ground, freeing her from its grasp.

Not being able to hold her katana with the right arm anymore, she sheathed her weapons one by one and saw the bottle under her feet. It was a long shot, but she looked at the creature, which seemed quite unbothered about the loss of a limb, and decided to give it a try. She tore a piece of her sleeve off and wet it with the wine, then quickly set out a spark with her sword and it flamed up.

«Strong wine!» Kara sighed with ease and ran towards the fight, looking for an opportunity to set the creature aflame.

As Itsuki and Ayame stepped aside to each take a swing at their opponent, Kara threw the bottle, aiming straight at the creature’s face.

The clay bottle broke and spilled the burning contents onto the creature, blinding it and burning through its skin.

Having such a great moment, Itsuki brought his sword down across the creature’s head, cutting it in half and sending it to the ground – lifeless and twitching.

Kara walked up, watching the body burn, and sighed – it seemed that the creature was now, finally, dead.

«Are you alright?» Ayame asked, glancing at Kara.

The young woman shook her head instead of replying. She pulled up her sleeve to see how extensive the burn was, but was surprised to see what the creature had done. The burn was located over her tattoo – the very rune she had made a long time ago. And it was shaped just like it!

Shocked to see this, Kara stepped back from the shinobi.

«No… this can’t be!» she looked at the burning body.

She turned away and started walking back to the tavern, unable to process something she thought to be impossible. How could it be possible at all if the rune was made in a completely different world?

Hurt and in shock, she stepped down the hill, ignoring her friends, until Itsuki ran up and stopped her, grabbing her shoulders and making her look at him.

For a few long moments Kara continued mumbling about the rune and demons and a blood sacrifice. But then Isuki shook her, trying to get her attention.

«What are you talking about?» he asked, freaked by her state.

«He marked me!» Kara whispered. «That bastard marked me as a blood sacrifice!»

She showed him the burn that now covered the rune – exactly how the rune was done, but now it was a real burnt rune, instead of a tattoo on her skin.

Ayame ran up, looking very concerned for Kara:

«I’ve ordered the men to burn the body and whatever we cut from it. They will report when everything is done.» She said, and looked at Kara. «What did that thing do?»

Kara showed her the burn and Ayame took her arm and examined it with a very puzzled look on her face.

«Is it possible that demon knew you?» she asked finally.

Kara shrugged her shoulders, not knowing the answer to that question.

«I don’t know…» she said. «I don’t think so.»

«Demons have a dark need to play on people’s fears and belief.» Itsuki said firmly. «My guess is that demon could have been in your world and seen you. That’s why he was so interested in you from the start. And that is why he marked you… with the rune you put on your skin years ago – because he had already seen it.»

A little lost, and still in shock, Kara let Ayame put some kind of herb onto the burn and bandage it. Itsuki – however worried he was – asked her to take Kara back to the tavern and stay with her until he will return.

Kara didn’t mind – she let Ayame walk her back and even agreed to lie down in the room that Kaito provided in the first place. As she closed her eyes, succumbing to the dizziness, Ayame sat next to her – a silent guard and caretaker for the moment.

«Rest for now, Nakano…» Ayame whispered, holding Kara’s hand. «Don’t let this bother your sleep.»

«I don’t want to be a sacrifice…» Kara replied, feeling sleep take over.

* * *

She was running – barefooted, on sharp rocks and twigs on the forest floor. The night was silent, cold and intimidating. There wasn’t a breeze of the wind, there were no animal cries and calls that usually filled the air – there was nothing. But someone was chasing Kara. It was something big, vicious, bloodthirsty and extremely fast.

The woman knew she didn’t stand a chance against the hunter that pursued her. She understood this because she saw that the hunter wasn’t alone. Everywhere she looked – there were eyes in the dark – glowing, hateful eyes of demons that were after her.

Whatever she tried – they were there to cut off any way of escaping them and their master, who was always behind Kara, but never stopping.

She was getting tired, breathless, but she felt that if she would stop – he would get her and then…

Tripping over a rock, Kara fell down onto the moist, fragrant earth. Her hands desperately grasped at everything they could find. She needed to get up – her life depended on it!

Suddenly she clenched a large branch and turned to hit her attacker, feeling the burning sensation in her rune that was burnt into her right arm. Through the black mist in her eyes, she could barely see who it was – right in front of her – leaning in and…

«Nakano!» his voice finally got to her, and she recognised Itsuki – eyes wide in fear and holding the blade of her katana with his bare left hand. «It’s me!»

Kara realised how tense her body is, and looked at her palm – she was holding Kurayami. Confused and shocked, she released the hilt and crawled back, understanding what she had done.

«I’m sorry!» she whispered, feeling tears bursting from her eyes. «I’m sorry!»

Itsuki put her katana aside and moved closer to her. Before she could move away, he embraced her gently and pressed to himself, trying to calm her down.

«It’s alright, calm down. It’s me. It’s Itsuki…» he whispered to her ear, slightly rocking her to give her a sense of movement and warmth in his arms.

«I’m sorry…» Kara sobbed very quietly.

«I know. You didn’t mean to. You just had a nightmare, that’s all.» He caressed her hair, making her feel less and less fragile. «You’re safe. I’m here and I won’t let anyone hurt you.»

«Why am I so weak?»

«You are not weak… Remember!» Itsuki leaned back to look into her eyes. «Remember and come back to me!»

Kara looked down at her bandaged arm – from under the linen bandages she could see the top part of the bracer that was tattooed around the rune.

«That’s right!» Itsuki smiled. «Remember how strong you are! Don’t let that demon win!»

«It hurts…» Kara whispered, touching the rune that was hidden under the bandages.

«It hurts being strong! But we endure it to fight our battles and win!» Itsuki cupped her cheek and made her look at him. «And I will lend you my strength any time you need it.»

Kara studied his sad, gentle eyes and nodded.

«Thank you.» She whispered, covering his hand on her cheek with her palm.

She looked at his left hand and saw that it was bleeding. Itsuki noticed that and squeezed his hand into a fist.

«Don’t worry about it. I’m fine.» He said, pressing his forehead to hers. «It looks worse than it is.»

«I’m sorry.» Kara reached out and he allowed her to hug him, pressing her against his chest again.

«And I am sorry that I wasn’t fast enough to stop him from burning you.»

«It’s not your fault.» She smiled faintly.

He kissed her, feeling her shivering a little, and embraced her once more, before letting go.

«Never forget!» Itsuki touched her left arm, where she had her motto tattooed. «Gods favour the strong. You are strong. Don’t ever forget that, Nakano.»

«I’ll try not to. I promise.»

«I will remind you if you will.» He smiled, caressing her cheek.

«Thank you.»

«I suppose you won’t be able to sleep, so, maybe, you can join me in circling around the village while most people are still sleeping?»

Kara nodded, finding it very hard to admit what made her wake up in such a violent manner. A distraction was welcome, and she definitely needed to clear her head.

«On one condition…» she whispered, taking his left fist into her hands. «You let me bandage your wound.»

Itsuki sighed and agreed with a sad smile.

After Kara cleaned his palm and bandaged it, feeling very guilty for hurting him, she stood up, grabbing her katana. But Itsuki, rising next to her, caught her by the shoulders and embraced again.

«I love you, Nakano.» He whispered to her.

«I love you too, Inei.» Kara pressed against his chest, grateful that he was so gentle and understanding.

As they left into the chilly night, Itsuki stayed near Kara – yet he was vigilant and ready to face any demon that could appear.

Things still felt very calm – people were slowly waking up, as the sky on the horizon already began brightening. Very soon, the street was filled by people that began their usual morning routines – gathering their things and going to the fields, setting up the shopping carts to sell their goods, starting their trade and going about their business. Children appeared too – running and playing before their parents would hurry them to begin with their chores.

Kara and Itsuki studied the people closely, finding them quite mundane and not dangerous in any way. Even though her arm hurt from the burn she had suffered at night, Kara kept herself collected and tried to see everyone who lived in the village.

At some point a group of children surrounded Itsuki and Kara and ran around them, playing tag. Itsuki didn’t mind them, but Kara suddenly tensed up, as her burn began aching more than a moment before. She looked at the children, trying to figure out if it was one of them, who could have triggered it, but the children giggled and ran off, too busy with their game to notice anything.

Wincing at the pain, Kara gently rubbed her burn.

«Are you okay?» Itsuki asked, glancing at the children.

«My burn hurts again. Badly…» Kara sighed, noticing how the pain started to lessen its grasp on her injury. «I’m okay. I’ll live.»

They continued their way and spent a couple of hours investigating the village and speaking to some of the people. However, everyone seemed to be in great spirits and not knowing of anything strange happening.

Finally, they approached an old woman, who was sitting near a small shrine and looking at the children that were playing nearby.

«Hello, young ones.» She said with a small smile, greeting Itsuki and Kara. «I’ve heard there were travellers in our village. Have you come to pray at the shrine?»

«No, grandmother.» Itsuki replied. «We wanted to ask you if you have seen anything strange around here lately.»

«Oh, there’s a lot going on nowadays. Demons hunting in the forest… kitsune sighted near our village…» the old lady answered. «But who would believe an old woman like me?»

«Tell us.» Itsuki sat down next to the old woman and Kara stepped aside – towards the shrine, to examine it.

«A month ago a little girl came to our village. Before she arrived, we only had one creature living in the woods and killing deer and sometimes wolves.» The old woman started her story. «It ate all our dogs too…»

Kara did notice that this village was strangely lacking dogs or even cats.

«But after the girl came and Akiko took her in…» the old woman shook her head. «We are having more and more trouble. And a kitsune seems to be running about at night.»

«What trouble are you talking about?» Itsuki asked.

«First, our chickens began disappearing. Then Akiko’s husband fell sick and died. Now Akiko herself is sick. Our fields are infested… And the children are having nightmares almost every night.»

Kara stepped up to the shrine a little closer and noticed a small girl glancing from behind it. When the young woman approached, her burn burst with a new wave of pain, confusing her of the unusual way pain seemed to be coming and going in an unexpected manner.

Trying not to show how much pain she was in, Kara leaned in towards the girl.

«Hello, little one.» She said with a friendly smile.

«You killed Kaito!» the girl hissed quietly, surprising Kara.

Before the woman could do anything – the girl ran off, disappearing in the thicket. Puzzled at this strange encounter, Kara glanced to Itsuki and wondered if she should interrupt his conversation with the old woman. She decided to wait, cradling her aching limb and watching the thicket, where the girl seemed to be hiding.

Finally, Itsuki thanked the old woman and walked up to Kara.

«Did you find anything?» he asked her.

«A strange girl…» she replied, feeling her burn stop aching. «A very strange girl.»

«How’s your burn?»

«I’m not sure…»

«What do you mean?»

«One moment it hurts like it did when I got it, but a few moments later it’s as if nothing’s there.» Kara shrugged her shoulders, not understanding what was happening to her.

«I’ll ask one of our mystics to take a look, when they get here with Lord Ryuu.»

«Don’t bother them. I’m sure they have enough on their plate as it is.»

«Nakano, I am only worried for your well-being. If that demon poisoned you or cursed you – we need to know.»

«Fine. I’ll see the mystic.»

«Thank you.»

«Meanwhile… Can we set up someone to watch Akiko’s house?» Kara whispered to Itsuki, hoping that the girl is long gone and not listening in to their conversation.

«Oh, so you were listening!»

«More than that… I think the girl I’ve met is the girl that old woman was talking about. And this child seems… very unusual.»

«Is this that intuition of yours, or an observation?»

«She knows that we killed Kaito.»

Kara noticed Itsuki tense up in a split second. He looked in the direction the child ran off, then glanced back at Kara and nodded.