Shall We Dance?

[Sakume]

For those of you who don't know, this is a character fiction for Sakume and Raziel. Please enjoy, and wait until the end to comment.

Chapter One
Signing Up

Murmurs everywhere swirled throughout the thick smoky air. Carefully, the figure made his way through the crowded bar, squeezing through the spaces of the wooden chairs that were nearly touching each other. He kept his cape on; just because he felt so used to the article of clothing he didn’t think to remove it. His hood covered most of his face, although he didn’t really need to show so much worry. If she were here, he would have picked her scent up extremely easily. Pulling up a worn, though smooth stool, he seated himself gingerly upon it, straightening just long enough to have the bartender, a gruff man in his fifties, face the lycan.

“How’s it going, Raz?” The man asked, polishing a goblet as he spoke, the warm voice a definite welcome in the view of where the werewolf was. To tell the truth, Harvey did not expect to see Raziel around ever again. What the werewolf was doing back in this town, who knew.

“I’ve realized something, Harvey. I’m going to stop running. I can’t continue to run from my problems, so I finally made a promise to myself to face them.” The man said, tucking a strand of his wispy hair behind his ear. “I have too much running on my life to die now.”

“Finally you realize that. I’ve been trying to tell you the same ever since I’ve met you.” The bartender sighed with a somewhat entertained chuckle. “Still, it’s been nice to see you in here again. You used to show up nearly every single night. The same as the usual, huh? You were planning to get stone drunk, then, just like old times?”

Slowly, Raziel shook his head. “No, I don’t think so. I may even give up on alcohol for now.”

“Out of money?” Harvey asked, raising an eyebrow. If he knew Raziel, he was sure that would be the only reason the werewolf would pass up a drink.

“I guess you could say that.” Raziel shrugged. “I mean, if you think that’s the best way to describe my situation. I’d err on the side of completely dirt poor.”

“Well, there’s one way you can get some money, you know.” The bartender suggested, lowering his tone quite a considerable amount.

“Oh? What’s that?” Raziel asked, curious. “I could use it, if not for me, then for someone else. Spill it, Harvey.”

“You know, there’s something different about you lately. I don’t know exactly what it is, but it’s different. Well, you can pull it off with a little help. You see, every year about this time there’s a ball held here for descendants of nobility. The top dancer in this ball receives quite a large sum. Now my son himself has been going to this ball quite a lot. As you can tell, we’re obviously not nobility, but he fakes the paperwork and gets in easily because of his good looks and polite nature. Now, I just have a feeling you could pull this off with a little work. The ball is in about a week. You just need a little training and you could do it.”

“You think so?” Raziel responded, deep in thought about this idea. “Sounds good to me. She could use some money. In fact, all of them could.”

“Girl troubles?” Harvey raised an eyebrow quizzically, pushing a mug frothing with beer towards his guest. “This one’s on the house.”

Raziel nodded his thanks to his friend, sipping down a bit of the mug’s contents.

He approached the piece of parchment nailed to the wall, arriving at exactly the same time as the woman. Indeed, she was pretty. Her brunette hair framed her heart-shaped face, dark eyes nearly exactly like Raziel’s staring into his face. Her lips were perfectly shaped, although a tiny bit chapped. She had bushy eyebrows, the kind that a person might expect to be caterpillars perched above her eyes, but they were good-looking on her. Her form was slender, although not entirely skinny. She was a lovely woman, overall, most likely a bit younger than Raziel.

The two seemed to wait for one another, both reaching for the pen at the same time, both sharing the same awkward chuckle and few moments before attempting again. Finally, Raziel met her hand, but only for a moment before handing the pen to her. “You go ahead. You were here first.”

She flushed and nodded shyly. “Are you attending, perchance?” She asked softly, scrawling a rather fancy long cursive signature on the paper.

“Indeed I am.” Raziel responded, leaning slightly over her shoulder in curiosity as to what others had put.

“Mm. Then perhaps we shall be paired. After all, it is a masquerade, is it not? And the pairings are chosen randomly, I mean, perhaps we shall meet there.”

“I would like that very much.” Raziel commented; glad to have an excuse just in case he couldn’t make it inside. He could have backup with this girl, who obviously knew exactly what she was doing. Not including the fact that she did have a certain serene beauty about her. “What is your name?”

“Serenity Alrista Cleverwood the third.” She replied with a pleasant smile on her face as she curtsied. “And you, sir?”

Raziel paused, caught completely off-guard. He glanced sideways at Harvey, and then at some of his surroundings, stammering. “I-I-I mean, my name is… Lunar Prince.”

“Oh, that’s your masquerade name?” She responded, obviously very interested.

“Yes… exactly!” Raziel wished deeply this girl would become his sister; they looked somewhat alike, easy to mix up, even easier with a mask. Well, it would make it easy to tell who she was at the ball.

She nodded curtly with a short curtsey once more. “I hope you and I are paired together, Lunar Prince.”

“Perhaps we shall.” He watched her, dumbfounded as she walked out. “Agh! Another one! I have enough problems with ladies!” He exclaimed, heading back to the bar and downing the rest of his drink. “Alright, Harv.” He glanced up, raising one eyebrow and smiling. “Teach me your stuff.”

.................................................. ....................................


“You’re sure this is the way?” Her cold, empty voice asked, blades positioned just below the makeshift doll’s neck.

“Yes!” The child continued to cry, nodding her head. “I’m sure! Don’t hurt my dolly!”

Sakume rolled her eyes, tossing the piece of rubbish over her shoulder into a nearby mud puddle and pushed the child back, following the directions. She knew Shinu would not be happy to return and find her gone from their temporary home, but still. He wasn’t her mate technically yet. So she still had some time. She sensed his smell, the one she could never escape very near to here. Why would he be here, though?

She was sure he had gotten over that. Oh well. Who knew why men acted the way they did? “Hmph.” She approached the bar, long after the hours were over, throwing her weight against the door and knocking it down with a crash. “Drinking again, dear brother?” She questioned the silence, slightly confused. Raziel hadn’t started delving into the world of alcohol ever since that day not too long ago. Why would he start now?

“You, there!” A man approached her, the hired hand of the janitor. “You can’t be in here! It’s after hours!”

Sakume snorted softly, tossing her hair back. If she were to find her brother, she could ask this man. He most likely knew all that went on during the day in this rat’s nest. “You will tell me. Have you seen a man in his middle twenties with blue hair in here today?”

“I can’t release any information.” The man puffed out his chest, obviously proud of himself.

“You will tell me.” She pushed off of the nearby wall, launching herself at his figure, easily pinning him against the floor, one blade piercing through each wrist. Immediately, blood gushed from the open wound, trickling along the floor and spurting out to spatter along the girl’s face. She poked her tongue out, seeking the droplets of the life fluid. “Tell me.”

“Agh!” The man cried out in pain, struggling for a few moments. “Yes, yes he was here! Earlier tonight! But he left not too long ago!”

“Damn it!” Sakume exploded, hurling a chair against the nearby wall to watch it break in half. “He was right here, right in my hands! I missed him!”

“But I heard him say something about a ball! And money!” The man stuttered, blinking back several tears. “I’m supposed to attend, too! I’m Terry! I attend every year! I can’t just not show up! Please! Spare me! I’m royalty!”

Sakume leaped up, coming down upon the man with her blades and gravity paired. She forced the blade through his eyes, the other hand slitting his throat, covering herself in his blood, her strands of hair dripping the stuff. “Me too.”

His blood now formed a pool beneath him. Sakume wrinkled her nose, unhappy to see the resulting gore. She felt slightly guilty for killing him, but he didn’t matter. She waltzed over to the piece of parchment, curiously surveying the names for a few moments. A masquerade? Well, that was promising. What? You had to be royalty? Well that was easy enough. She bent down near the body, scooping a mug of blood from below and walking back over. She dipped a quill inside the mug and scrawled her name. “New Bloodwake.”

She left the mug and quill on a nearby table, uncaring about the body. No one probably knew him anyway, and if they did like he claimed, they were better off without him. She sniffed slightly, wondering about this ball. She would have to wear a dress, wouldn’t she? She hated dresses. She also would have to attend it, but she had a dress back at the cave she would take. No one would have to know anything. She would finally get her revenge. She cackled to herself as she walked out the door, preparing herself for the future taste of her brother’s blood.

[Sakume]

Chapter Two

Lessons on Proper Etiquette

A bead of sweat formed upon his face, his fingers twitching just a little. The bead trickled down, falling off the side of his chin. His pulse thudded in the back of his head, like a drum that wouldn’t stop, shaking his whole body. Suddenly, he struck.

“Wrong!” With a stern smack, Harvey whipped a rolled-up newspaper out and smacked Raziel over the nose.

“Ow!” The lycan yelped, grabbing both hands over his nose. “What the hell did you do that for?” He asked through angry sparkling eyes, rocketing out of his chair.

“I don’t know. I just wanted to see if it hurt.” The man remarked, holding one hand behind his head in embarrassment.

“Yes, it hurts!” Raziel barked, simmering back down into his seat with a whimper.

“Well, good! Because I’m going to keep doing it until you get this right!” He positioned the newspaper threateningly above the man’s head. “Now… which fork is the salad fork?”

“I…I…” Raziel eyed the threat dangling above him, trembling. “This one!” He reached out. Smack. “OW!” He jumped slightly back, whimpering. “This one!” He picked a different utensil. Smack! “Stop it!” Raziel cried out loud. Harvey shook his head and narrowed his eyes at the forming tears in Raziel’s eyes.

Though the man was strong in some points, with the thoughts of going to a ball, he was weakened. “Okay… It must be this one.” Smack. Raziel jolted back, tipping his chair and slipping with a thud to the floor. “But… But…” He shot up, stretching to his full height as he glared at his trainer. “Harvey! That’s the only goddamn fork left! By the process of elimination and reasoning, it has to be that one!” Smack. Smack. Raziel clutched both hands over his sore nose. “What was that for?”

“One, you will not cuss in my house. My wife is upstairs. Two, you have to learn to expect the unexpected. The salad fork was never on the table.” The man moved to a nearby stove, taking off the teapot to let it cool for a few moments.

Raziel groaned from the floor. “I’ll never get this right.”

“Sure you will. You just need a tiny bit more practice. Now get up. I want you to dance.”

“What?” The lycan mumbled as he picked himself off the floor, unfastening his cloak and laying it on the back of a chair nearby. “Dance? Harvey… I don’t dance.”

“Well, you will now.” The man spread his arms and bent down slightly. “There. I’m a woman. And I just curtsied to you. Now what do you do?”

“Harv, no offense, but I really can’t see you as a woman.”

The man picked up the newspaper and casually thudded it in one hand. “What was that?”

“I… I, uh… bow!” Raziel quickly dipped.

“Do it again, but slower. What was that one girl…” Harvey pursed his lips, laying the newspaper aside. “Lorelei, that’s right! Pretend I’m Lorelei.”

Raziel paused for a few moments, staring at Harvey. He exhaled softly, dipping slowly and elegantly, extending a hand. “Would you… do me the honor?” He breathed, looking up.

“Wow. That’s pretty good.” Harvey said, watching as he stepped forward. However, as soon as the music started, Raziel was a different story. “No, no, no! You lead! You’re the man! And unless you want to crush the girl’s feet, you’d better stop stepping on them!” Harvey shook his head, sighing deeply and sitting down, massaging his sore toes. “You’ll never get it like this. What happened to pretending I was Lorelei?”

“You broke the illusion when you spoke.”

Harvey shrugged. At least this excuse made sense. “Look, Raziel. I’ll be blunt. I don’t think this is working out as well as I suspected. I’m not saying you can’t go. I’m just saying you might want to reconsider a few things. We need to face the facts. You just don’t have the grace, the elegance, and the knowledge to pull off fake nobility.”

Raziel seemed in thought for a few moments, back turned to Harvey as he considered what the man had said. “I don’t have the grace…”

“No, you don’t. You can’t tell a soup spoon from a dessert spoon. How do you expect to pass yourself off? Just face the facts. You’re not a prince.” Harvey said, stirring a bit of sugar into the cup of steaming water.

“No…” Raziel felt the rising of an epiphany. “I’m not.”

“I’m glad we see eye to eye.” Harvey murmured.

“No, no, Harv. Hear the emphasis. I’m not a prince.” Raziel glanced down towards his neck for a moment, one of his hands enclosing about his necklace, where the dull white pearl hung. “But I know someone who is.” He laughed out loud. “Damn it all, why didn’t I think of that before?”

Smack.

…………………………………………………………………………………………

“So are you going to tell me more about this dance or what?” She spat, coming out of the dressing room with her dress on. It hung perfectly upon her figure and she actually slightly favored it. She knew Shinu would not be happy about her disappearing, and was pretty sure he could figure out where she was with ease. It had been a few days, and she needed to make sure everything looked good about her. If she was going to fake royalty, she needed to make sure that she at least looked the part.

Her eyes flickered towards the shadows in the corners of the room every few seconds, nervous. She had to do this. She would finally have the chance to find her brother and kill him. She knew he was going to the ball, and she would find him there. No matter what. It was what she always wanted. She knew it.

“What would you like to know?” The girl asked, turning a very pale color.

“First of all, you’re going, aren’t you?” Sakume hissed, planning already.

“Yes. Of course. I always go. In fact, I have… someone I want to meet there.” The girl stammered, blinking back at Sakume, wriggling her body, although it was no use. She felt the coarse ropes dig into her.

“Then what’s your name?” Sakume asked, circling the chair as if she were a vulture eyeing a rotting carcass.

“Loving Sunsets…” The girl whispered, trembling a little under the pressure.

Sakume whirled around and slapped the girl hard across the right cheek. “Not your masquerade name, idiot! Your real name!”

“Serenity Alrista… Cleverwood.” The girl sobbed now, her cheek stinging.

“Good… I can use that. Now then, who are you meeting?” Even though Sakume didn’t want the girl to know she cared at all, she would need someone to talk to at the ball, anyway. They looked somewhat alike. Maybe this guy would mix them up.

“Lunar Prince…” She cowered. “I don’t know his real name!”

“I’ll be sure to send him your apologies for not attending, then, won’t I?” Sakume spat, smiling wryly at the girl’s shocked expression. She began to head out of the small closet she locked the girl in, chuckling to herself. “Someone will come and find you. They usually take out the trash in about… oh, a few days…” She burst into laughter as she slammed the door shut.

“But… But what am I supposed to do until then? I’ll starve! Please, let me out!” The girl’s muffled voice could hardly be heard. “It’s so dark!”

“Then let the darkness take you…” Sakume said, picking up the bottom of her dress and giving a short wave. “It has already taken possession of me.”

[Sakume]

Chapter Three

Truth lies Within

His boots pattered slowly, fearfully, up the stairs. He whispered curses in his native language as he watched the blades of grass sway in the wind’s gentle embrace, eyes downcast. I can’t do this. I just can’t. The message swirled in his mind, pinpointing itself between each lobe of his brain, throbbing with each pulse. I can’t do this.

“Yes, you can. Just go up and give them your name.”

Harvey had left the werewolf on his own now, to fend for himself. After all, the man was twenty-six years old. If he couldn’t take care of himself now, how did he expect to get anything done in the years that followed? He therefore left the lycan to care for himself, having taught him everything he could think of. Strangely, Raziel seemed to have a great idea of how he could act like a prince, but would not reveal it. This surprised Harvey, but the man decided to let the werewolf do as he wished.

“I can’t…” Raziel mumbled, glancing up towards the warm glow of the indoors and the emanating light through the sparkling glass. “I just can’t.” The lycan was understandably shaken by the thought of a formal gala, especially since Raziel had always been a down-to-earth person.

A great sigh erupted from his mind, and the voice charmingly replied. “Then move over, idiot.” Raziel clutched his chest, falling to his knees for a split-second until the white enveloped him. A dim light, so as not to attract attention, but the guards and guests were much too involved to even notice the new figure brushing himself off.

Standing taller than Raziel by a few inches, the White Knight blinked calmly, fixing his gloves and cape, his attire completely composed of dark blue and ebony white. Even his shoulder-length hair was a bright, clear, and white. His icy orbs were well-concealed behind the standard white jeweled mask, nearly feminine in appearance. He approached the guards, intricate fluidity in his steps, and every flicker of his eyes was reeking of royalty or some nobility. He glanced with a bit of a bored glazed look in his eyes, raising one eyebrow. “The Lunar Prince is here.” He stated, sounding not the least bit interested.

While one man began to check the list hurriedly in his right hand, flipping pages, the other just stared at the White Knight. “You don’t seem to be in here, sir. May I have your name? Your real name?”

After a moment pausing, The White Knight chuckled. “Not on the list?” He erupted into a full-hearted laugh. “My good sir… do you know who I am?”

“No, it couldn’t be!” One guard remarked. “Sir Terry? You really had us fooled, sir.” Both immediately acted to open the door, neither bothering to question any further. “We should have known, sir. You did hint that you would be unrecognizable this year.” He nodded after a few moments.

“Thank you, gentlemen.” The White Knight brushed through the doors, only pausing for a moment to hear a carriage rattling up behind him. This was undoubtedly containing another couple just waiting to enter and take part in the festivities. Once inside, the White Knight took in his surroundings, sure to gain his bearings in case of needed escape.

“Who’s Terry?” Raziel asked, voice becoming dim. It was time already?

How should I know? He’s some random guy that apparently likes to flaunt his looks. Don’t worry so much. Sounds like you’re getting weak already. After we get done winning this dance contest or whatever it is, we’ll switch again. As much as the White Knight hated to admit it, he wasn’t strong enough to take over the lycan’s body. Not yet. For now, just rest. Let yourself fade back into my consciousness. No reply came, so The White Knight relaxed, gazing about the huge interiors.

A chandelier hung gingerly from the top of the building, diamonds dangling to reflect the different patterns of light upon the marble floor. Several couples were already dancing, even if the contest hadn’t officially begun yet. Food lined dozens of banquet tables, so delectable-looking that the White Knight could hardly help himself.

He headed over to the wines, picking a bottle up and popping the cork with ease. The entire scene of the ball nearly seemed like a dream, vast colors and swirling dresses flowing about the feet of the women that wore them. Each woman was beautiful, especially one that caught the White Knight’s eye. Obviously they had just entered, as she was new to his eyes. He knew every woman before but this one.

She danced with a grace severely lacking in the other couples, the man forming somewhat of a backbeat with the music due to his polished sword tapping along his waist. The White Knight eyed the intricate sword nearly nervously. This man was obviously a fencer, or something along the sort. Something about his stance, the way he held himself, told the White Knight that he knew fighting techniques, and he had fought before. Obviously very young as evidenced by the youthful sparkle in his eyes, the White Knight wondered what he was doing with an older woman. Well, a little older, anyway.

She looked to be in her late twenties. His eyes once again drifted to the sword; he had forgotten he was staring. What did he have to worry about? As he looked closer, the stranger’s vibrant green hair stood out to the man, complimented well by the dark green suit he wore, completely green. Well, it was easy to guess what color the man favored the most. Strange, he nearly felt in his gut that the man had met him before. No, impossible. He turned his sights from the man to the woman he was dancing with.

The delicate flower whirled nearly effortlessly, the bottom of her dress flowing out. The White Knight liked this woman already, not just because she was the most radiant one he had seen so far, but because she wore all white. Thin gloves on her hands and a tight blonde bun formed from her hair accentuated her figure well. She laughed from across the floor as her partner twirled her. The two looked to be the perfect couple; their smiles both said that they adored each other. The White Knight faded out of reality for a few moments, deep in thought about his own past and if there had ever been a girl he loved.

“I’ll take some of that.” The White Knight turned, blinking in surprise. There was a new girl staring at him, arms crossed, and a rather irritated look on her face. “Well? I said pour it, waiter man, or I’ll take my wine from your…” She cut off, pausing before putting a smile on her face. “Just pour it.”

“I’m not a waiter. If you want your own wine, you can damn well pour it yourself.” He said, watching her expression erupt from its previous fake smile to an angry glower. “Ah. That’s what I like to see. A woman who knows what she wants, huh? Allow me.” He snatched two glasses up, balancing them in one hand and equally pouring an amount of the sparkling red wine into the shiny goblets.

“Well.” She accepted it, giving him time to look her over. She wore a lovely emerald green dress, thin straps just covering her shoulders and two slits up the sides of the dress to reveal her thighs. “It’s nice to see some people take orders.” She accepted the glass, sipping. Her brown hair hung beautifully about her shoulders, even if she probably didn’t mean it. She was slim, pretty for a woman, even so much as to possibly rival the other one. However, unlike the other woman, this one didn’t seem to have a partner.

He sipped his own glass, tasting the wine and sloshing it around his tongue. “What’s your name?”

“New Blood Wake.”

“Suits you.” He watched her glance towards the shadows. “Lunar Prince is mine.”

“Lunar Prince?” She repeated, glancing back at him. Both watched the dancing for a few moments. “You seem to know what you’re doing.” She replied after a moment. “Why are you here, anyway?”

“To win the money for the dance-off. Only one problem remains. I have yet to find a dancing partner. You seem to be free. What about you, why are you here?”

Why am I here? To find Raziel and kill him. He’s close, but I can’t smell him. I know he’s here, though! He has to be! “Same.” She replied, not wanting to reply with her true reasons.

“Then it would seem we are in good conditions together, are we not?” The White Knight replied, holding out a hand after giving a sweeping bow. “Please do me this honor, New Blood Wake? Either way, I’ll win. Seeing your face behind that mask at midnight will be worth it.” Of course, by that time, The White Knight knew Raziel would be in control, but it was alright with him. He felt attracted to this woman, yes, but it was good for the werewolf to get some contact with women every once in a while.

“Yes. I will.” She whispered, taking his hand after glancing towards the shadows once more. Her eyes met her mate’s, as he stood in the corner, staring straight at her. She took her hand from the White Knight’s for a moment, looking to his puzzled expression and back at the shadow. He was gone. Sakume glanced around, but did not see him. He knew, didn’t he? That she didn’t mean it. She hoped so. She didn’t want anything to stop them. Not that she felt extremely attracted to Shinu or anything, but she knew he was… well, a good provision for her goals. Now that she was close to achieving them, she would have time for things like possible romances and feelings.

They walked out onto the dance floor, twirling in time with the music. Time flew by, the couples one by one fading out, leaving finally The White Knight and the couple he had seen enter at first. Midnight was nearing, and neither couple showed any sign of weakness. The blonde woman equaled Sakume in every move.

Outside, people crowded to see what would happen. If midnight came first, the couples would remove their masks and kiss. It was tradition, and it was not easily broken. The driver of the carriage that had taken the green-haired man to the ball also peeked through the window in curiosity, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. Two couples left. What a beautiful sight. After he finished rubbing down his horse, Raz, maybe he would see what remained, and who the winner was.

The clock ticked away the minutes until finally, there was the loud bonging of the twelfth hour. Everyone, including the couples, still remaining equally matched, stopped. The White Knight turned as the final gong sounded, seeing the woman in white and the man in green already kissing, looking very blissful. He turned back to his partner, and reached a hand gently up to her mask, she doing the same. He lifted her mask, exposing her dark eyes, and she revealed him, the two watching one another.

Sakume noticed Shinu once more, most likely just watching her for now, and glanced down. The White Knight noticed this, and tilted his head. “New Blood Wake, may I ask you a personal question?”

“Yes?”

“What is your name? Your real name?” He grimaced, knowing it would come soon. He had to tell her!

Sakume paused for a moment, leaning up and taking his head down towards hers to whisper. “Sakume. Sakume Oscuridad.” Before he could reply, she leaned forward, pressing her lips to his for just a split-second, to keep the tradition as the people chanted for them to do so. A bright light shone as the White Knight lost his control, flashing to blind all nearby. The woman staggered back, her brown hair falling with her figure as she slumped to the floor in confusion. “Wha… What happened? Lunar Prince?” She glanced up, and silently inhaled.

“Sakume?”

[Sakume]

OoC: This is the last chapter. You may comment. Thank you for reading, hope you enjoyed.

Chapter Four

Murder on the Dancefloor

“Sakume?” Raziel asked, hardly able to call the words to his lips. “You’re here? But how? Sakume!” He rocketed to his feet, stumbling back, as great attention was given the couple.

Her eyes sparkled with pure anger, the need for vengeance welling up inside her chest. Her lips parted to reveal her sharpened, ebony fangs. “You…. Raziel. You’re here. I thought you were, no, I knew it. But where is the Lunar Prince?”

“He’s… here. He’s within me.” Raziel replied, backing away still, heading for the front entrance. “Please… Sakume, won’t you believe me? I would have done everything to save our parents. I’m sorry they died, but that was a long time ago! You have to believe it! You know you believe it!” He nearly got hysterical with the first uttering out of his mouth.

“You’re wrong…” She whispered, weapons lowered and teeth clenched, the entire fury of a woman rising up within her, all her hatred, pure loathing of her brother’s soul ground up from the depths of her heart. “You’re wrong! I’ll kill you now and be done with it, just like I killed Yosuke!” She lunged for him, by now, guests, at least the rich ones, were careening for the exit. Most of the ball’s guests had cleared before Sakume reached Raziel and exchanged a few blows, but some remained, including the green-haired man and the woman.

Raziel blocked with his twin daggers, finding himself pushed back as Sakume’s anger overtook him. Each chaotic slash towards his body grew more and more difficult to block each time. He bent down with a fluid movement, sweep-kicking her feet out from under her. “Sakume! Don’t you see? You’re only fooling yourself! Understand!”

“Die!” She yelled, a sudden force coming from the floor as her eyes briefly flashed, the dark sort of liquid seeping up and wrapping itself around Raziel’s legs. It made him sink, and he suddenly fell through the floor, up to his waist, before it stopped. He blinked, a dagger in each hand, struggling furiously.

“What the hell is this?” He shouted, shifting his weight from side to side in a frantic effort to escape the confinement.

Even Sakume herself seemed unsure as to what the blob of black matter was, but she was pleased by it. “This is what I have learned, brother.” She leaped down, bringing her fist back and beginning to repeatedly slam it into his face. Blood flew from his nose and mouth, his split lip already trickling.

Raziel could not attack his sister; he knew this. Unlike her, he had no desire to inflict pain upon his loved one. He could, however, defend himself. He brought up both daggers as her fist approached once more, twirling and with a fluent motion, slicing part of her wrist open. She cried out in pain, backing up, eyes flashing. An aura of darkness grew about her, forming what almost looked like a cape. She whirled around; pleased that nearly everyone had left. The only ones left were those that competed with them before… and Shinu. She saw him watching, saw the need in his eyes to come and destroy her brother.

“Don’t interrupt me!” She cried in his direction. “This is my duty! Mine alone!” She released her claws from where they had been strapped on her back. Many had assumed them part of her intricate costume, but no, she knew Raziel would be here, and he wouldn’t fight her. The battle was won. She struck them together with a small clang and pointed them at him, pushing off with her heel, the claws lengthening slightly with a dark extension.

Raziel met her with his daggers, one pushing each claw back, his strength greater than hers. “Sister… I don’t want to hurt you. Please understand this. Can’t you remember? Let go of your hate before it destroys everything you ever knew!”

She snarled, her lip curling up. She allowed her heart to be hardened, her stubbornness reflecting as cold as stone. “I’ll never let go! I don’t care! Let them suffer! It’s my choice! I have my pride! I’ll never…” She prepared her claws for a quick blow, a surprise attack from the side. “Let… go!”

Suddenly, just as she reached him, a bright flash pressed her back, hurling her into a wall of the ballroom, where her body crashed into the stone, cracking it. The White Knight snapped his eyes open, watching her slump down to the ground. Easily, he straightened, a white glowing staircase appearing to help him out of the shadow sinkhole. He stepped out, and wiped a bit of the blood from his nose.

“This is what he’s learned. He and I are partners now, like it or not, and I will not allow him to die. Not like this.” He reached a hand back behind his cloak, withdrawing his long, favored weapon from the hilt. The strange, silvery metal glimmered as he removed it, almost endowed with a holy power in itself. “This is the Sword of Atlantis. It is the gift of the sea. Bestowed to me… You do not know what a gift you possess. You have a family, someone that loves you. Why would you throw it all away?”

Sakume got to her feet easily, cautiously eyeing the new man, angry at herself for kissing him. “You… I hate you. You want to help him. He let my parents die… he did. It’s his fault!” She lunged towards the figure, dark energy crackling around her.

“Father…” Lucien lifted his eyes towards the heavens, raising his sword slightly. “Give me the power to show her the error of her ways. Let me become… the White Knight.” He watched her grow ever closer, and moved at the last second so as to dodge, yet unprepared for the darkness about her. It was razor-sharp, and ripped straight through his turtle shell armor. This surprised the White Knight greatly, as turtle shell was extremely thick stuff. He lifted his sword now, the different patterns of coral within the hilt shimmering with the light from the chandelier.

She charged again, too involved with her hatred to notice he had prepared himself for this attack. He would not let her harm this body. It was his only chance, and as she neared, he made this quite clear. “Even now.. I wish your brother had chose another… working like this… on his behalf. It’s the last thing I wanted. Why do you force this…” She attacked again, and he barely dodged, the shadow from her body digging into his skin from a distance, slowly poisoning his body. He felt the pain throb through his mind, hard. The room became enveloped slightly in the dark streams of shadow.

“Fine… never mind this… I will show you how wrong you are, one way or another. You stubborn foolish girl!” After a split-second, and a brief flash of white, the two battling became visible once more to the brief vanishing. Sakume had Lucien’s sword run straight through her body, blood trickling out both sides. She fell slowly down to her knees, eyeing him and his sword with disbelief. “How… how could this happen?” She managed to gasp. “I… didn’t… couldn’t…”

Lucien jerked the sword out of her body without pity, eyes sparkling dangerously. He would not let this girl live to hunt another day. Truly, the White Knight was not a bad person. He struggled with his decision. How could he do this? Without her death, his vessel would surely perish, and he with it. He couldn’t allow that. At the same time, both of the men on the opposite side of the room began to intercept. Lucien made his move to kill her.

“Stop!” The cry echoed out among the quiet, dim interiors, and all movement halted. The company turned to see who had spoken. “Sakume…” A figure came closer, the carriage driver from earlier; one that had been watching from the window outside.

The werewolf turned, ready to lunge upon the person that dared speak her name so boldly. Only when she saw the figure’s appearance did her weapons clatter to the floor, the purpose of using them meaningless. She stared, unbelieving of the sight before her. Even though a few trickles of blood leaked from between her lips, they moved, uttering a silent breath. “Father.”

“Sakume…” He ran. The man, though looking about his age of fifty or so, sprinted towards the two figures. He looked at The White Knight, who blinked in surprise, before fading back, leaving Raziel to return to his normal body. “Raziel…my son…”

The blue-haired lycan stared at his father, who looked a bit older than the last time he had seen him. His clear face was now coated in a scruffy dotted coat of stubble, and his dark eyes showed years of hard work and recognition. Though older then Raziel recalled, his father still looked quite fit and athletic, at least to the point of being able to continue working his trade. “You’re alive?”

“Yes… Oh, son. I looked for you. I would have returned home, but, things were so strange for those years after that attack…my God, look at you. You’ve grown… and… Sakume.” He took her in his arms, watching her simply breathe as she looked from her brother to her father in bewilderment. Everything she had ever believed was now changing.

“Will she be alright?” Raziel asked, the sword gone with the disappearance of the White Knight, but the wound remaining. “Father, please. Tell me she’ll be alright.”

“I believe she will survive. But we must take her to my shop. She can rest there. I have herbs that can heal her quickly. Son, how I’ve missed you… I never thought… but never mind that, we can all tell of our pasts and journeys together later on, after your sister is healed. I… I don’t understand, son. Why would you? No, tell me after we get your sister to safety. There is no time now. But we’ll need transportation.”

Raziel glanced upwards; the moon was only shining at half capacity. “I can run, but only carrying her, not both of you.”

“I can help.” A soft, loving voice echoed as the blonde woman stepped forward. “Let me try.”

“No. I will take her to this place.” The darkness swelled out as the other watching the battle stepped forward.

Raziel did not agree with this, but the most important matter at hand was Sakume’s life. They needed to save it while they could. “Very well.” He said, eyeing the dark man. “Take her. My father will tell you where to go. Father, I will meet you n one week at the local tavern. Come then and we will talk. Sakume and I… we do not see things eye to eye any longer.”

The father nodded slowly. “We have much to talk about, my son. Until then.” He took his daughter in his arms as she faded into unconsciousness, and handed her, somewhat unsurely, to the terror of death. “Come, friend. I will show you where it is she shall rest.” Whether or not Shinu acknowledged the man remained to be seen, but he nodded, holding the wounded lycan close and following as the carpenter shot into the darkness.

Raziel stood silently for a few moments, and then gazed about at the lackluster dance. How horrible it was to know he was partially responsible. If only he had been able to go in this never would have happened. He sighed, and felt a hand rest on his shoulder. Turning slightly, wiping away the blood from his lip, he faced the blonde once more.

“It wasn’t your fault, you know.” Her soft voice said, gentle eyes telling of a kindness behind them.

“I know.” Raziel replied. “It’s just…so hard to believe it, you know? I’ve always known this day would come, I just… and now my father is alive? That’s… this is overwhelming. He was dead. I saw him with my own eyes; get dragged off into the forest. What should I do now? Everything, ever since that day, has been insanity for me, a living hell.”

“Everyone has days like that.” This time it was the man that spoke, still very serious and professional in appearance. “Life is difficult, but there are ways to see the good in it that makes it worthwhile. You just need to keep moving on.” Even though the man spoke with a semi-friendly tone, Raziel sensed a great tone of bitterness behind it.

“Hm…” He eyed the man, and something stirred within him, a passion to fight him. “We’ll meet again. And when we do… I want to see your talent.” He turned, disappearing into the night, heading to the forest, the place he felt at peace. He was quiet for a while, bandaging his wounds and washing out the many cuts, helping his body heal as soon as possible. He glanced into the water, the reflection of the White Knight staring at him. “Well. You sure did something good.”

“How was I supposed to know? I saved your life… what now?

“Well… surprising turn of events. I don’t understand it. How can my father be alive? That’s the first order of business. I have to speak with him, sort things out. Sakume will stay with him; maybe he can convince her of what happened. If anyone can, it’s him. This doesn’t mean anything. I’m going to go and do what I was doing before… I’m on my way. Once I get there, and that’s sorted out, then we can do what you wanted. What is it you wanted?”

“I have to find out more about my home. Atlantis is in ruin, they say, well, I’m going to find out. We’ll be paying it a visit. And maybe once I’m near there, able to take more control of your body and stay longer, I’ll be able to remember… whatever it is I’ve forgotten.”

“So thanks to Sara and the luna bracelet, what do you know?”

“I know that there was a prince. That the prince of my country found that princess... They fell in love, and that wasn’t good. She was from the land, he from the sea. Two lands could not combine like that. So he helped her get the bracelet to save her country, even if she couldn’t be with him. And that prince had a best friend…”

“A best friend? I didn’t hear that part.”

“I know… Just the same, it just clicks. He had a best friend, but the best friend was in love with the princess… and the prince… grew jealous. He… did something, something that caused Atlantis to crumble. The princess of land was never again discovered. There is a legend about her soul still contained in her favorite piece of jewelry. No one knows exactly what it refers to, though. So few knew her as well as the prince.” The White Knight paused. “I also know that I knew the prince well… he seems so familiar. And that the prince was not only the prince of Atlantis, but he could control the whole sea’s powers… with something…”

“What about the flute we found with Sangre?”

“That is the flute of the waters. It has magical properties. It allows one to call upon help from the sea, to control the sea’s creatures. It’s for those originated in land. I think it belonged to the prince, just to play, but I don’t really think he needed it. We could use it, though. Especially if you learn how to play it… do you realize… sense that foreboding feeling? The one that says something bad lurks in the future?”

“What other foreboding is there?” Raziel chuckled. “Yes… I’ve sensed something bad… but I wasn’t sure. What is it? Do you know?”

“No… but I think… whatever it is… is trouble. Hm… well… be careful. I’m here, and I will be. To protect you and to find out what causes such trouble for the world. Together, we will conquer.”