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”… one Yin and one Yang, this is the Dao …”

Yukiina seldom had trouble sleeping. If that was the case it would be for two reasons: either she had a vision or premonition which was not difficult being a demon or something was about to happen and she could not stay put waiting. Sometimes she could be a bit impulsive but she was never foolish and at times like that she usually went for long walks to calm her feisty spirit or practice on her own under the cover of night. Ever since she came to serve the Emperor of Kutou as his bodyguard she was offered a home and a land she could protect and it gave her a sense of security. Nonetheless, she was still… different. She had a secret no one could learn or else she would be cast aside immediately, for who would want a demon among their ranks? She knew that the Emperor, being as wise as he was, would probably understand if she told him but she could not bring herself to burden his shoulders with her own problems. He had plenty to worry about himself. She was wearing her usual attire, and a small cloak that still allowed for movement should she need to draw her weapons. Her hair was tied in a braid and she had her mother’s hairpin, the only thing she still had of her parents, along the coat of arms in her armour.

There was one person, however, who knew her secret: Tsuki. Yuki also knew her secret though. For some reason, one day they became very close friends and confide in one another. She had been adamant at first because, after all she experienced during her lifetime, she found it incredibly hard to trust others. But something about Tsuki made her feel like she could trust her with everything and anything and she did the same for her. They helped one another and this friendship was one of her greatest treasures. She zealously protected her as if she were the elder sister she never had. This included protecting her secret, no one could find out that Tsuki was a lady because she wished to remain next to her brother and protect others, as well as herself. And Yukiina understood that all too well. She felt the same way, both experienced a traumatic childhood and that activated their self-preservation skills in ways few people ever had. Their senses were more acute and their minds analysed things quicker than most, that resulted in the being outstanding bodyguards. Although Yukiina was not the only bodyguard to protect the Emperor, she certainly earned her keep as one of the top five persons he trusted with his life.

Her steps barely made a single sound, and this came naturally to her after many years of being trained in the arts of the shinobi. She did not even realise she was doing that, her mind was too busy considering the many thought that launched at her, as if they were itching to come to life as soon as she woke up. Her golden eyes sparkled deeply as she stopped at the bridge overlooking the lake and the moon. She took a deep breath and exhaled deeply in order to release her frustration. She placed her hands on the railing and leaned forth looking at her reflection on the cool water. She struggled to feel emotions or even be as expressive as humans seemed to be compared to her kind, really. It worried her that she might have been too broken to be put back together. How much longer would she be able to keep this up? How much longer would she have a place to call a home, a Lord to protect, a friend to cherish and a promise of a better tomorrow if she could not learn to unlock her imprisoned heart? Her past marked her so that she became a rather efficient bodyguard or assassin who could easily mask any feeling, but that was also because she could not feel like most beings could. Sometimes she felt lost in herself, desperate to find the light amidst her own darkness, as if she were missing a part of herself that needed to click with her and help her break free from her prison.

She tried several times, she was a gentle with the Princesses as possible, she tried to be as pone to Yuki as their situations allowed and she tried to learn as much as possible form Shun’s wisdom. But it came to no avail and it scared her. She dreaded the day in which everyone realised how different she was and discovered that she was a demon. Her thoughts brought her to Taiyo, Yuki’s brother. She thought perhaps it was because he was akin to her friend, but this very thought made her blush. She gently placed her hands on her cheeks, confirming they felt warm and she silently panicked. Even though she suspected she was the only person awake at that time. Everyone else was fast asleep. So why was she so concerned about blushing? It made no sense, unless, there was something else. But she silently reminded herself that she could not feel emotions, she had been hurt in ways that could not be repaired. And yet she considered the person Taiyo was and she decided to walk along the bridge to ignore her embarrassment at thinking of a man any other way but a comrade. She regained composure when she considered that he had several suitors, two ladies in particular that wanted to earn his favour and surely he would never favour a demon. She gasped in dread, what was wrong with her? She could not think about romance, about earning the favours of a gentleman. It would result in her drawing him into the darkness of her existence, she could not do something so treacherous to anyone. She gently clapped both hands on her cheeks to stop her trail of thought and decided to cross the bridge and focus on the cool air instead, anything but the turn her thoughts seemed to have taken.

Looking back toward the palace she felt reassurance. She was grateful to Emperor Shun, of course, not just anyone would welcome a stranger and accept her sword as the means of protection. The Emperor was benevolent and he truly saw the potential and worth in his subjects and that had inspired a respect and reverence in her heart for this land and its inhabitants. She vowed to protect them to her last breath, particularly Emperor Shun and the Princesses. That led her thoughts on a different tangent. Many persons doubted her skills as a woman at first, but soon she showed her powerful skills and horned abilities and no one doubted her ever again. She felt comforted in remembering how hard she had worked upon her arrival to earn everyone’s respect, not only among her fellow guards, but with the people of the land. She knew some women admired her, for not only did she earn the respect of the people but she also represented the strength some women could have in order to perform a task as difficult as being a royal guard was. She was capable of fulfil her role and was not afraid to put her life in danger in order to do so, as the Emperor’s bodyguard.

It could be said she was content with her life now… not happy though since she did not know the meaning of said emotion. The only emotions she could remember were angst, hatred, anger and despair and whenever that happened she felt as if she was being dragged deeper into unexplainable darkness, a dark void with no bottom and there was no end to how deep she could fall. It had taken every ounce of energy for her not to go mad with the pain but eventually she learned to mask her emotions and soon after she realised she had no emotions left within her. She was like an empty shell, a body devoid of soul. Albeit, that did not mean she did not feel. She just lost the ability to let them come out as easily as most human did and for that she was slightly jealous. And if they did come she never knew what to do with said emotions. She obviously felt the pain of a wound or torture but that was about it. She recognised those feelings quite well. At the moment she only existed to regain the honour of her clan and, if possible, find a way to avenge her family although that would be truly difficult. She had to remember that, she needed to keep her aims at heart and protect everyone from Asroth. Her enemy was powerful, cunning and smart. No, she could not think about that now, she would have to wait. Her red eyes examined her profile as the still water resembled a mirror, she simply looked at herself with no emotion, blankly. She was now a bodyguard and it was not difficult for her since she had learned lot during her life to carry out that job even though she had previously been forced to be a ninja. She sighed though and feeling sick of her own reflection she looked up at the moon.

Her steps brought her along the body of water as she enjoyed the reflection of the moon. Its light was piercing white and as strong as truth itself and yet it was truly beautiful and overwhelming. It made things sparkle with an etherial light, her own hair shone with a silver light and she thought it was ironic how it reminded her of the meaning of her name ‘snow’. She enjoyed its glow and, albeit most people would find it cold she sensed some warmth in its light. She turned her gaze to the stars, she was still aware of her surroundings and even when she slept she never lowered her guard. It was like second nature to her now. But she had managed to still enjoy her alone time whenever possible. It helped her keep her thoughts in check and relax as much as she could. Now that she was an imperial guard, particularly the Emperor’s personal guard, she seldom had time for herself. It also served as a reminder that she was alone and she lost too much to seek companionship. Not that she complained about being busy, as it allowed less time to think and torture herself over her past and the many things that could not be changed now. And at times she still dreamt of the time when she was a slave. She could scarcely believe all the torture she had endured in her life. She sighed and shook her head, no point bringing it up now. She had to find a way to let go, but the memories of her murdered family tortured her and made her think that the only way she could find peace was in reclaiming their honour. Would she be able to do this as long as Asroth remained unbeaten? If only she could speak with her family now, where were they when she needed their guidance? She lightly shivered but did not look away, the light of the stars and the moon were soothing. She was not afraid of the dark but rather the emptiness and despair it represented to someone like her.

Her fringe shook lightly with the cool wind and she closed her eyes for a brief moment as it caressed her cheek. Her hands closed into fists as she bit her lower lip and concentrated on the beauty around her. She did not want to give in to the dark memories and negative emotions they brought her. Little could be done now but it was difficult for her to overcome her past and move on, it felt as if… so long as she had these unfinished businesses with Asroth and his pets, she would never be able to look ahead and live a more meaningful life. Yet, could someone like her be allowed to hope? She was uncertain as her hands relaxed, she did not know whether the world had cursed her or if it pitied her and promised her a happier life. What was happiness? She had brief memories of a time when she recognised this emotion, but she had been young and innocent then. Now, the sheer memories of her past happiness made her much more miserable regarding what became of her.

The palace was at peace and everyone else was asleep, she could hear the crickets confirm this and all the night creatures went about with their lives. She knew that partly she gave up her feelings and womanhood because she was afraid of suffering any more, her past had been such torment that she feared if she opened up to others they might betray her and even more… reject her once they learned of her past. She already knew, in any case, being an oni (demon) put a label on her she could not easily be rid of. What is more, she was rapped in the past, thus her possibilities of meeting someone who could love her or at least accept her were zero to none… Few would ever understand that she had not willingly suffered such humiliation but that was the cruelty of this world, this society… They dictated difficult canons of propriety and if these were violated for whichever reason, people immediately disapproved of you… So all she could do now was lead an honourable life that would fix her clan’s reputation and avenge the suffering her family and clan went through due to Asroth’s malice. She sighed in frustration but then gasped silently when she saw a shooting star pass by, they said that whenever that happened it was a good omen… something good would happen. Was it foolish of her to want to believe that superstition just this once? Closing her eyes she prayed that it were so.

Taiyo had late guard duty that evening. It was a peaceful night, but not so much as a murmur of trouble. I found himself with plenty of time to think, and with the moon as bright and clear as it was tonight, his thoughts almost naturally turned to his twin sister, Tsuki. She'd been sent away to guard some ambassador, save he'd asked Shian if the Emperor had been displeased with her service, although he had been careful to phrase his questions so that they did not give away his sister's secret. To the best of his knowledge, only I've other person in the capital knew that his sister was working in disguise as a man. That person was Yukina, a fellow guard and the only real friend Tsuki had made since they left home. He had no idea what had made his sister trust this woman, he knew only that they had traded a secret for a secret, and grown closer because of it, but he never asked what Yukina's secret was. He did not figure it was his business. Still, it was nice to finally see his sister open up to others, after so long.

He thought of this as he moved along the perimeter of the Palace grounds on patrol. Absolutely, he looked to the sky, and saw a shooting star. Smiles, he made a silent wish that his sister was safe and would soon be returned to him. He followed the path of the star, and saw a figure near the small lake on the grounds. Frowning for a moment, he wondered if one of the princesses had snuck out for a walk, but then in the clear moonlight he got a better look at the person, and raised an eyebrow. It was Yukina. Well, this was fortunate. Tsuki had asked that he tell her about her new assignment, and give her the address of where she could be reached. Spotting a couple more guards heading his way on patrol, he wiped them down and quickly asked one of them to cover the rest of his route while he took care of something. They agreed, and chuckled when they saw him rush off to meet a young woman, Although neither of them recognized her from this distance.

Taiyo approached slowly and quietly, not wanting to disturb her as she seemed as deep in thought as he had been earlier. Still, once he drew close enough not to be overheard by others, he called out to her in greeting. “Yukina-sna! Good evening. I’m surprised to find you out this late.” He gave her a friendly smile as he drew nearer, lowering his voice once he stopped before her. “Tsuki asked me to find you when I had the chance. She’sbeen sent away to be the personal guard for some Ambassador. I do not know what prompted it, or how long she will be, but she asked that I give you the address, in case you needed to reach her.” He drew a folded piece of paper from his pocket and offered it to her. It was only then that he recalled she’d had the early shift that morning, which was why Tsuki couldn’t deliver the message herself. His eyes turned concerned. “Forgive me if I overstep my bounds, Yukina-san, but is all well with you? I would think you’d be asleep at this time, as I understood that you’d had a long day today…”

Yukiina wished she could stay in this place and near have to go back. The stars shone so bright and the lake irradiated the light of the moon. Her scarlet eyes shone like gems and her dark hair had an etherial glow, which spread about her. Despite how tremulous her mind had been when the nightmare woke her up she was now feeling at peace and even found herself smiling softly as she watched an owl stare at her with his big and rounded eyes that glowed in the dark. Her demon senses were rather acute and she could see things that humans could not, she could also sense whenever someone spoke to a certain stance and even feel them approaching. That is why for a moment she heard voices but she was too focused on the landscape and her enjoyment to pay attention to who the voices belonged to or what they could be discussing. She blinked once, the smile still gracing her lips before her senses alerted her of someone walking her way. It was a rather unexpected thing as it was quite late at night and everyone she knew or worked with should be sleeping.

As the footsteps approached she realised her demon nature was already working on everything she knew about her coworkers to guess who the person was. Judging by the speed of the pace, the weight of the steps, the quick or slow breathing and the scent. She found her cheeks blushing slightly because it was the man she had been thinking of minutes ago. There was no doubt in her mind and she was beginning to feel slightly shy about him approaching her. Maybe he was going to ask her about something related to there job and she was already thinking of improper things! She took some breaths to calm down albeit her cheeks did not cooperate and still looked rosy. She blinked once and managed to regain composure just as he reached her.

“Yukiina-san! Good evening. I’m surprised to find you out this late.”

She turned to look at him with a gentle smile on her lips, “Good evening, Taiyo-san.” She nearly gasped at how the moonlight touched his long blue hair and his blue eyes had a sparkle of its own. He truly was a handsome man and as he stood in front of her she could not stop herself from noticing how much taller he was and how fearsome he would be were he fighting his foe. She blinked blushing slightly catching herself before she stared at him any longer and appeared strange. Why had thoughts of such nature invade her mind out of a sudden? She had never had such thoughts before, only recently had she started to see Taiyo in a different light and it surprised and terrified her because she had never felt this way before. Looking back at his clear blue eyes she found she had not yet answered his first comment, “I… I had a nightmare.” She confessed and felt rather silly after stating so. She watched the guards walk in the opposite direction and she wondered if he had asked them to finish the task for him so that he could talk to her. She felt warmth in her chest, where the heart was, and she wondered why.

A cool breeze shook her dark hair and cloak and she closed her eyes to enjoy it. Usually she avoided speaking with any of her colleagues and liked her solitude. The only exception to this rule was the Emperor Shun, for whenever he required her assistance, and Tsuki, because she was her best and most treasured friend. Which is why, she found it strange that she did not feel like avoiding Taiyo as she would with all her other coworkers. She did feel shy, however, but that was a whole other matter. She was coming to realise she felt something draw her to him, like a magnet and she also found him attractive and interesting. She knew he was a strong warrior and few of their coworkers could spar with him, that’s how skilled he was and that was something she had always admired.

“Tsuki asked me to find you when I had the chance. She’s been sent away to be the personal guard for some Ambassador. I do not know what prompted it, or how long she will be, but she asked that I give you the address, in case you needed to reach her.”

Yukiina heard his words and felt a bit sad, whenever an Emperor appointed a bodyguard to an important political personality, that most likely meant she would be permanently relocated to live with her protégé in order to keep him safe. “Tsuki…” She accepted the piece of paper and turned to look back at the stars, she hoped she would be safe and her new protégé did not give her a hard time. She knew Tsuki would be okay, albeit she had told her of her deep desire to be close to her twin brother, maybe this was a challenge for her friend. She was happy for her, in a way, for that meant the Emperor believe she was a very talented guard and would do a great job. However, that meant she would be back to being on her own, she would definitely send her letters and visit whenever possible, but it would not be the same. “You got this, Tsuki…” She whispered as she closed her hand around the piece of paper in an attempt to let her friend know she was rooting out for her.

“Forgive me if I overstep my bounds, Yukina-san, but is all well with you? I would think you’d be asleep at this time, as I understood that you’d had a long day today…”

Yukiina was a bit surprised that Taiyo had not excused himself as anyone else would after relying a message to her and even mores when he still wished to speak with her and the words he uttered were the most considerate words anyone had ever spoken. Of course that was not including Tsuki.

She looked into his eyes for a moment and could tell he truly was concerned. She almost felt as if she wanted to tell him what the problem was but she was so afraid. On the one hand she was not sure he would appreciate learning she was a demon and, on the other hand, if she told him anything about her past his life would be in danger. There was no telling what Asroth would do to him or Tsuki. And yet, she could not ignore his kindness. It was true that it was surprising that someone like Taiyo would care about Yuikiina when there were other lonelier women who constantly fought for his attentions, but she found she appreciated being the recipient of said attentions. “I appreciate your concern Taiyo-san.” She had never had such a serious conversation with anyone except for Tsuki so it was hard to find the right words. “I have been dreaming of the past and it makes my heart uneasy. I’m not sure why but I fear the darkness might return and… I might be forced to leave this place I have come to call my home.”

She was so focused on what she was saying trying to find the words she did not realise she had moved to stand closer to him. “I hold this place dear to my heart, and as such I could not put the lives of anyone here at risk.” However, she had to build up enough knowledge so that the Emperor Shun would know how to defeat her enemies should they try to take over the kingdom. And perhaps she could destroy her enemy from within or at least die trying. She had suffered so much already, but she would not let him destroy the people she cared about. It did make her wonder if he already knew where she was and was planning to destroy Kutou anyway. “Then again, the kingdom might be in trouble anyway.” She noticed the owl she had been looking at took flight and that also made her realise just how close she was to Taiyo. How did they get so close? Better said, how did ‘she’ move so close to him? She looked into his eyes in surprise at her boldness and for a moment forgot about everything else they had been talking about.  

“Good evening, Taiyo-san. I… I had a nightmare.”

Taiyo smiled gently at her soft greeting. Her face was truly beautiful in the moonlight, especially with that graceful smile and… was that a hint of pink coloring her cheeks? It was charming, though he had no idea what had put it there. As he took in the details - an idle habit from years of being a guard - he was struck for the first time with just how lovely she really was. He was not even aware that his smile had brightened a bit more. His expression became concerned when he heard the latter half of her statement. “A nightmare? I am truly sorry, Yukina-san, /do you want to talk about it? Sometimes talking these things out can help ease your mind.”

He gave her a moment of privacy - relatively speaking - to deal with the news of his sister’s departure.He knew it was going to be hard for both of them, just as it was hard for Tsuki, but he silently vowed to look after Yukina, since his sister was not there either. He didn’t know her story, but the fact that his sister trusted her was good enough for him. When he asked what was troubling her, he saw several dark thoughts cross behind her stunning eyes, and for a long moment he thought to speak up again, or comfort her in some way.

"I appreciate your concern Taiyo-san. I have been dreaming of the past and it makes my heart uneasy. I’m not sure why but I fear the darkness might return and… I might be forced to leave this place I have come to call my home.” “I hold this place dear to my heart, and as such I could not put the lives of anyone here at risk. I hold this place dear to my heart, and as such I could not put the lives of anyone here at risk. Then again, the kingdom might be in trouble anyway.”

Part of Taiyo wasaware that she moved closer as she spoke, but he could tell it was a subconscious action. Her thoughts or dreams truly frightened her, and she was seeking comfort. Listening to her quietly and devotedly, he gently placed a hand on her shoulder. “We all have dreams of the past… of the worst days we’ve ever experienced… of the things we did wrong, and the things we should’ve done, but were too afraid. That darkness never goes away, Yukina-san, it is simply something we learn to ignore. We must take the good things in our lives now and craft a light bright enough to keep that darkness at bat.”

He thought for a long moment before addressing her other comments. “As for this kingdom and its people, we are not so ill prepared as you may fear. The Emperor and the other Seishi are mostly already gathered here, and with Akahanna-san also here, she will have the power to summon Seriyuu in no time, and that will mean peace and prosperity for Kutou. And on a more personal note…Tsuki and I will fight alongside you to keep this palace and its people safe. Fear not, Yukina-san…whatever comes, you need not face it alone.” He gave her shoulder another gentle squeeze and then dropped his hand to his side, though his expression was gentle and encouraging.

“A nightmare? I am truly sorry, Yukina-san, do you want to talk about it? Sometimes talking these things out can help ease your mind.”

Yukiina looked up at him for a moment, taking in his words. Her scarlet eyes sparkled for a moment and her lips curved into a gentle smile. She was truly surprised with how concerned he was for her and even offered to hear her out of that enabled her to feel better. She had never had anyone come to her aid when she needed someone. She had always fought her wars alone and so his company was refreshing and rather enjoyable. He was such a kind man, it touched her heart. No wonder she felt so at ease with him standing next to her, he was a wonderful person just as Tsuki was. She would not want her dear friend to be mopping about things she could not fix with the blink of an eye. “Thank you, Taiyo-San.”

If she were to take his words and the comfort he offered, where would she begin? She did not want to reveal too much of her past including the fact that as a demon she had a power slightly similar to that of the Emperor, it was more like premonition. She could see past or future events but it happened whenever her nature allowed and she was never in control. It was such a puzzling skill come to think of it.

After a short moment she looked back into his beautiful deep blue eyes and said, “I was walking around a barren land, a wasteland full of ashes and fumes as if a great siege had taken place and scorch was all that remained. The longer I walked into the dream the more I realised it was the capital of Kutou and, well, panic took me. I could not find a single loving soul and after a moment I found the Emperor, Tsuki and…” She blushes slightly, “you, all three of you had met a devastating end and it pierced my heart but, then I heard a voice I had not heard in a while and that felt as if I had been thrown into the pits of despair.” She had just admitted she cared deeply about Taiyo and was truly embarrassed. She looked down for a moment realising what she had just told him and nearly facepalmed.

She was not sure why she said any of what she did, in all honesty. Usually she could keep everything hidden in the depths of her heart and tell everyone she was fine and then go about her own business but something about Taiyo, like Tsuki, inspired something in her. She felt she could tell him everything that troubled her and he would not judge her, he would keep the secret and he would take it upon himself to protect her. It also troubled her because she did not want to lose anyone else, after the destruction of her clan and the death of her beloved mother she had been alone for a very long time. Until she came to serve the Emperor of Kutou, what kind of ungrateful person would she be if she did not spare them the darkness? Taiyo… Tsuki… they were such wonderful people they did not deserve any of this. Her darkness was her own to carry.

After a moment of composure she looked back into his eyes. She wondered what he thought of all she told him and if he deemed her pathetic. Part of her was curious as well, after all, she did not interact much with others. And there was something about his company she seemed to enjoy, perhaps just this once she could bask in the pleasant sensation and get to know him better. Surely that was alright. He did not seem to mind her company or the fact that they stood so close to each other. And she found she did not mind either.

“We all have dreams of the past… of the worst days we’ve ever experienced… of the things we did wrong, and the things we should’ve done, but were too afraid. That darkness never goes away, Yukina-san, it is simply something we learn to ignore. We must take the good things in our lives now and craft a light bright enough to keep that darkness at bat.”

Yukiina was a bit surprised at the wisdom such a young man could find from his own personal experience and what he has learned from life. Strangely enough she found great comfort in his words and she did not mind much feeling his hand on her shoulder. At first she felt an initial urge to pull away, ever since Asroth broke her during her years as a slave she had struggled greatly with getting close to others and welcoming any form of physical contact for it always brought back memories of the atrocities he committed against her. She nearly shivered but, as her eyes met Taiyo's, she felt a reassurance she had never experienced in the years she had lived. Her scarlet eyes sparkled with the moonlight and she took in his words. She analysed them and knew he was right, the problem was she knew Asroth would never stop looking for her. Once he wanted something it was already his, even if that something was a loving being like Yukiina.

“I have tried to live past the darkness and this life in Kutou has been a beacon of light for me. I fear though that this peace will not endure and I will be forced to face that past.” She was a martial artist, she was skilled with her weapons to the point of mastery and she was a demon so she was much stronger than a mortal man. But her enemies were demons and they had done terrible things. “I do not know if I’ll be strong enough to fight this darkness.” She was mostly whispering to herself but due to their proximity Taiyo could hear her, most likely. “I’m not sure why but…” She looked curiously at him and she smiled in disbelief, “I don’t usually speak of this with others, but… somehow I feel like I wish to confide in you as much as I already trust you.” What a strange feeling, and she knew this was not biased as she knew now she had heeling for him. No, this was much deeper than that, maybe for once she wanted to believe someone could help her when no one had ever tried.

“As for this kingdom and its people, we are not so ill prepared as you may fear. The Emperor and the other Seishi are mostly already gathered here, and with Akahanna-san also here, she will have the power to summon Seriyuu in no time, and that will mean peace and prosperity for Kutou. And on a more personal note…Tsuki and I will fight alongside you to keep this palace and its people safe. Fear not, Yukina-san…whatever comes, you need not face it alone.”

The more he spoke the more he surprised her. And the more time they spent together the more she came to realise she did not feel hesitant or threatened in any way, rather she found enjoyment in it and wished it would never end. Usually she would reject any offer of help, not that she received many anyway. But something in his eyes made her believe everything he said and she found herself longing to lean on someone for she had always stood alone. She felt tears in her eyes, she had suffered in silence all her life. “Taiyo-san… I… I don’t know what to say.” She felt his hand leave her shoulder and for some reason that made her feel exposed to the enemies in her life. Confused about such a sensation she turned her back on him so he would not see her cry. She rushed to dry her tears with her sleeve, “I… I have never been offered words like those you just gifted me.”

She tried to regain composure but his words had made her so happy. She did not have to fight alone this time. “I will then entrust myself to you, Tsuki and the Empire.” She could hardly believe her own words and how much he had influenced her thoughts to the point of accepting the aid he offered. “Thank you, you have made me so happy.”

“I was walking around a barren land, a wasteland full of ashes and fumes as if a great siege had taken place and scorch was all that remained. The longer I walked into the dream the more I realised it was the capital of Kutou and, well, panic took me. I could not find a single loving soul and after a moment I found the Emperor, Tsuki and…you, all three of you had met a devastating end and it pierced my heart but, then I heard a voice I had not heard in a while and that felt as if I had been thrown into the pits of despair.”

Taiyo listened to her dream, giving it the serious contemplation it deserved before he answered her. “I can see why that would trouble you, Yukina-san, but I do not think you need to fear that those events will come to pass. The Emperor is not just a kind man, but he is also a strong Oracle. I have faith that he would foresee that level of destruction long before it arrived at our door, and would take steps to circumvent it and protect his people and country.” It touched him to know that she had been concerned for him in this dream as well, and although he told himself that little details like that meant nothing in dreams, he still couldn’t help but feel touched. “As for the fates that we suffered…I can promise you that as long as I have breath, you and Tsuki will not suffer any hardships it is within my power to prevent, and as the one that Tsuki trusts most besides myself, I will protect and assist you just as I would her. Whomever that voice was from your past, they will not find you alone and in despair, should they ever return.” He was surprised by the vow he had just made, and even more surprised to realize that he meant every word. “Tsuki has had to leave this place, so I believe we must work together to ensure that we are both well enough to go to her, should we need to… That means that I will look out for you, if you will look out for me.”

“I have tried to live past the darkness and this life in Kutou has been a beacon of light for me. I fear though that this peace will not endure and I will be forced to face that past. I do not know if I’ll be strong enough to fight this darkness. I’m not sure why but… I don’t usually speak of this with others, but… somehow I feel like I wish to confide in you as much as I already trust you.”

Taiyo felt his heart go out to the sweet, strong woman, and he moved his hand to take one of hers, a simple, comforting gesture. “The thing is that you don’t have to face this alone, Yukina. You can count on myself and Tsuki to stand beside you, and like the sun and the moon for which we were named, we will continue to help light the way for you. You are the first person Tsuki has opened up to since… Well, since events that she has forgotten, but which have changed her life greatly. I let her forget because it causes her less pain, but I remember them still.” He had not spoken of these events since they happened, and did not feel it was his place to tell Tukia everything, but he did want her to understand why he was grateful for her friendship with his sister, and why he would look out for her. “I am honored that you trust me. I’ll keep any secrets you see fit to share with me, just as you have kept Tsuki’s secret for her.”

“Taiyo-san… I… I don’t know what to say. I… I have never been offered words like those you just gifted me. I will then entrust myself to you, Tsuki and the Empire. Thank you, you have made me so happy.”

He was moved when he saw the tears in her eyes as she turned away. He always had a soft spot for a woman who was crying. It reminded him of all the tears Tsuki shed after her attack, and the helplessness he felt when he could not ease her pain. Gently, he reached to turn Yukina back to face him, and reached up to wipe the tears away with the back of his finger. “Please don’t cry, Yukina. Even if they are happy tears…I would much prefer to see you smile.” He didn't even seem to realize how close they stood now, or how intimately he was behaving, between placing a hand on her shoulder and wiping away her tears. He had not even realized he had dropped the honorific when he addressed her. He could not explain his behavior, but he knew that he felt compelled to protect and comfort this woman. just as he did his sister.

No, not just like Tsuki. There was something else there that he could not yet identify. Shaking his head, he dismissed the thought for now. There was time enough later to contemplate this all when he was finishing his rounds for the evening…

Yukiina knew that opening up to another human being was risky, given the circumstances and that there was no guarantee that her enemy would not find out and that would put Taiyo and Tsuki in danger. She knew both had been through a lot, especially Tsuki, and she did not want her to be put in a situation, once more, where she would rely the darkness that took hold of her when she was younger. She treasured them like family, they were at this point all she had, Asroth and You destroyed her clan and then took her mother hostage in order to ill use her and abuse her. But now, she decided to ignore this for the first time in her life. She would break free for the shackles of her self-imposed rules for the first time and breathe deeply, enjoy the wind caress her face, accept the aid offered by these two persons who in such a short period of time had welcomed her into their lives and the confinement’s of their past experiences. And she wished to do the same. She wanted to let them be part of her own. But how could she achieve this aim without putting their lives in danger or revealing too much information on an enemy that could use a threat to the four kingdoms? Instead of panicking at the thought of exposing herself to someone fearing rejection or that the very persons she opened up to should perish she decided to focus on breathing and not making a fool of herself. At least for now Taiyo did not turn away when she spoke of her nightmare and he seemed to be taking in eery word she spoke.

“I can see why that would trouble you, Yukina-san, but I do not think you need to fear that those events will come to pass. The Emperor is not just a kind man, but he is also a strong Oracle. I have faith that he would foresee that level of destruction long before it arrived at our door, and would take steps to circumvent it and protect his people and country.”

What Taiyo was telling her made perfect sense and in other circumstances she would have taken his words at face value and not worry about it. It was true that nightmares belonged to the realm of dreams, nevertheless, Yukiina had experienced this darkness before, this exact scene. Her village burning to the ground, everyone tortured, massacred and destroyed and Yukiina and her mother had been captured to sere the man responsible for their pain. The man who tortured her in every possible way and the fact that he was a powerful demon, it did not make her too hopeful to think of how much power he held back then and he probably became even stronger. How could a kingdom face him? Thus far only one demon stood between him and Kutou and that was Yukiina and if she faced him she did not know if she would be strong enough to face him, to fight him and deny him anything. That is how much he broke her and she had only managed to escape because she was lucky. Should he find her, his wrath would be greater than ever.

Her scarlet eyes looked up to meet his deep blue gems and she released a breath she had not realised she had held for as long as she spoke. She was surprised at the level of wisdom this young man possessed and she found herself seriously considering his words despite the darkness that was still inside her. “Yes, I know of the power of the Emperor of Kutou and how much he cares for his people. But this darkness… it is of a different kind. Albeit, I'm sure his inions would warn him.” Sometimes she wondered if she should speak to the Emperor directly and expose things about her enemy in case he decided to attack this kingdom or threaten it in any way. But speaking out lout of things she experienced, she had never done that. She kept everything inside and never looked back. A bit like Tsuki, but mainly because she was too scared to face her past.

“As for the fates that we suffered…I can promise you that as long as I have breath, you and Tsuki will not suffer any hardships it is within my power to prevent, and as the one that Tsuki trusts most besides myself, I will protect and assist you just as I would her. Whomever that voice was from your past, they will not find you alone and in despair, should they ever return.”

Yukiina’s resolve to suffer her grief on her ow wavered at his words. She had only trusted her instincts for as long as she lived, she had no faith on anyone else and yet. Her eyes stared deeply into his own as if searching for the answer to the enigmas that still troubled her. She felt her heart soar at his oath and she was surprised to find she believed him. She swore she would never get close to anyone, and here she was, baring her past before his very eyes and she felt she could do it without regret. “Taiyo…” She whispered as if she were under a spell, unconsciously dropping the honorific and need backing away from their closeness. Both still stood very close to each other. She never had anyone works so hard to earn her trust, to comfort her and to swear to protect her. She had always been exposed to torture and suffering. She felt a warmth in her heart spread through her body, “I…” She felt tears in her eyes, he was not aware of what his words meant to her, to someone like Yukiina who had never had a person to rely on, “You are so dependable… thank you.” She smiled softly for a moment trying to coney what words could not, her gratitude ran deeper. “I treasure your oath and will never forget it, even should I face despair once more, your words will guide me in the darkness.”

“Tsuki has had to leave this place, so I believe we must work together to ensure that we are both well enough to go to her, should we need to… That means that I will look out for you, if you will look out for me.”

Not only did he bring her comfort but he also respected her current position as one of the Emperor’s guards, he saw her as an equal in a fight and that made her smile at him once more. She decided that she would do for him the same he did for her. Her eyes still glistening with withheld tears of joy. She then took a deep breath and said softly, “A great darkness may envelop us all but my heart will not waver, I shall make use of all my skills, powers and will to fight alongside you and Tsuki and the whole of Kutou and I will be truthful with you and protect you for what you represent to Tsuki and what you have come to represent to me.” With a slight touch of vermillion on her cheeks she did something that was traditional in her demon clan. An oath was usually part of a ceremony where both parties exchange something meaningful but as neither of them were high ranked officials she decided it would not be too bold if she offered him something rather intimate. She touched her hair for a moment and found a small lock. She took the small knife she usually hid in her book and cut that lock of hair. By this point her cheeks were rather flushed but she ignored that and looking into his eyes she placed the lock of hair inside a small scarlet handkerchief she usually carried with herself alongside a silver chain. This signified that the recipient could use the lock and put it on a necklace as they did in her clan. As she folded the handkerchief and offered it to Taiyo she gently kissed his cheek to seal the words that were to follow, like a gentle breeze in a meadow she whispered, “I, Yukiina, swear under my clan name, Nobuna, to protect you and what you hold dear not only with my skills in battle but also on a more intimate level to aid you when you seek counsel, illness befalls you or to listen and support you when you need a shoulder to cry on.”

One of their fellow guards was walking around on patrol when he noticed Taiyo and Yukiina, he was not close enough to hear what they were saying, but the fact that both were standing quite close to each other, speaking softly and the way they looked into each other's eyes made him draw the conclusion that these two were intimately involved. He nearly gasped when he thought he noticed Yukiina offer Taiyo a lock of hair. This was a pledge, it was more serious thane expected. So are they betrothed? And how was it that no one had ever heard anything about their relationship nor did they ever show anything in public? He stretched his head in confusion and then went back to finish his shift and go to sleep, surely he was seeing things, or was he? He had even seen her kiss him.

“The thing is that you don’t have to face this alone, Yukina. You can count on myself and Tsuki to stand beside you, and like the sun and the moon for which we were named, we will continue to help light the way for you. You are the first person Tsuki has opened up to since… Well, since events that she has forgotten, but which have changed her life greatly. I let her forget because it causes her less pain, but I remember them still.”

Yukiina felt her cheeks warm once more and hoped she did not look ridiculous when Taiyo took her hand. It was strong, determined and warm and she looked at their hands as they touched and she realised her hands looked rather small compared to his. It was a very comforting feeling and she nearly wished this moment did not end. “The sun and the moon.” Her eyes moved to look back at the moon for a moment as she considered his words, “And you would fight any enemy, no matter what or who they are for someone like me? You would guide me away from the darkness…” Her fingers gently intertwined with his and her eyes shone with the moonlight as if to signify she would take a step forth and follow the sun and the moon just because she had a feeling that, this time she truly was not alone. He then spoke of the incident that had changed Tsuki’s life forever and it pained her that both twins had suffered and still due thanks to the misdeeds of someone else. Even though Taiyo said he remembered everything that happened Yukiina loud her friend so she would not ask for him to confide in her on a topic that it was best to lead alone for she did not want any more pain to be caused to her dear friend Tsuki.

“I am honored that you trust me. I’ll keep any secrets you see fit to share with me, just as you have kept Tsuki’s secret for her.”

Yukiina smiled softly at him before she said, “Then allow me to offer the same to you. Anything you disclose with me, it shall need lead my lips.” She nearly forgot about the time about anything around them, all she was aware of was the lake and the handsome man standing in front of her. She wondered, would he change his mind and turn away if he learned that she was a demon?

“Please don’t cry, Yukina. Even if they are happy tears…I would much prefer to see you smile.”

She gasped silently when he turned her back to face him and he used his finger to gently remove the tears from her eyes. He was such a gentle soul, such a caring man. She knew he did not deserve the darkness that followed her everywhere, Taiyo and Tsuki should be spared any more suffering and yet she could not deny the longing in her heart to confide in them and to get closer to them. She allowed him to get closer, to dry her tears and she offered him the smile he so requested, “Taiyo…” A soft shade of pink touched her cheeks as she slowly leaned up for her lips to meet his own. She was not sure what made her do this but she longed to taste his lips, to unleash these feelings he evoked on her. And yet she was denied. She stood still for a moment and gasped taking a step back.

It was a sensation she had not had in a long time, it was a sensation similar to when she had premonitions. Her eyes suddenly glowed and a wind gust enveloped her. She saw a wasteland, was she looking into the past? No, she did not recognise the place. She was bound and being pulled by the chains by a dark-haired demon she had never seen before. And then she looked into the eyes of the one man she feared more than death, Asroth, he smirked and said, “I will be coming for you… You know that cannot escape me.” Something inside her reacted at such a vision, it could be real, it could be a warning or simply the thoughts she had been considering all evening. She wind faded and she fell on her knees feeling a great pain on her head. She placed her hands on each side of her head to stop what was happening. She gasped and closed her eyes, if Taiyo looked into her eyes now, he would know and she did not want to lose him so soon. The sound of a heartbeat got louder in her ears in a threatening way. No, she could not do this now, usually demons controlled their transformation into their ancient powerful forms (for those like Yukiina who had ancient demon lineage). But whenever a demon felt threatened they could transform out of self-preservation and she knew that she was feeling great anxiety after that vision. She was sobbing silently, could not stop the tears in her eyes. But she fought the demon inside her and the effort of controlling her powers and stop herself from transforming was the last straw for her and she passed out whispering Taiyo’s name before she blacked out.

”Taiyo… I… You are so dependable… thank you. I treasure your oath and will never forget it, even should I face despair once more, your words will guide me in the darkness.”

Taiyo felt something stir within. He found he liked the way she spoke his name, with no honorifics. It made him smile and long to hear it again. He spoke her name in a whisper without ever realizing he did so. ”Yukiina…“ Was that a strange thought to have, given the serious nature of their conversation?

“A great darkness may envelop us all but my heart will not waver, I shall make use of all my skills, powers and will to fight alongside you and Tsuki and the whole of Kutou and I will be truthful with you and protect you for what you represent to Tsuki and what you have come to represent to me. I, Yukiina, swear under my clan name, Nobuna, to protect you and what you hold dear not only with my skills in battle but also on a more intimate level to aid you when you seek counsel, illness befalls you or to listen and support you when you need a shoulder to cry on.”

He was a bit surprised by the solemn oath and the meaningful gesture. His cheeks tinged pink when she kissed him, but he gave a nod, accepting the lock of hair. “Thank you. This gesture is not lost upon me, and I vow I will return it in kind as soon as I am able. I…don’t have a chain on my person that I could offer to you…” He hoped she could see the sincerity in his eyes. This was not simply a way for him to shrug off her wonderful gesture. He was already thinking of a chain his mother had given him ‘in case he should meet a lovely young lady…’ Maybe it would be best not to mention that part…

“The sun and the moon. And you would fight any enemy, no matter what or who they are for someone like me? You would guide me away from the darkness…”

Taiyo looked into her beautiful scarlet eyes. When he answered, his voice was soft, warm and genuine. “Of course we would. I could not spare my sister her darkness, but I have promised that no one we cared for would suffer in such a way again.” He gave her hand another gentle squeeze. “I hope you will tell me if you start to feel despair or fear. I will do all I can to help you steer clear of it.” This was a bold claim, but not one he would make lightly. “I… want to help look after you, Yikiina…” Not sure why he said that, he still knew it to be the truth.

"Taiyo…"

He looked down into her eyes, and took a single step closer, closing the already minimal distance between them. The way she leaned up… did she want to kiss him? He was surprised to realize that he hoped so. His hety thudded in his chest, but it was excitement rather than fear or unease with the situation. He had just started to lean down to meet her lips when she suddenly pulled away and dropped to the ground with her hands to her head. “Yukiina? Yukiina!” By the time he dropped to his knees beside her, he could see that she was silently sobbing. “What’s wrong?” He recognized when she lost consciousness, and he moved to catch her before she fell the rest of the way to the floor.

Carefully lifting her in his arms, Taiyo made sure he knew how to get to her room before setting out. He wanted to make her comfortable in the hope that she would recover quickly. He also hoped he wouldn’t bump into anyone on the way. He wouldn’t know how to explain what had happened. Reaching her room, he carried her to the bed and sat down, leaning to place her gently beside him. As he did, he gently kissed her cheek. “Yukiina…”

”Yukiina…”

She turned to look at Taiyo for a brief moment and noticed the smile on his face. She felt a shiver run down her spine at the emotions he evoked in her. Just hearing him whisper her name made her feel elated. She smiled softly as if in a trance, she was not sure why it felt so special. In fact she could not recall the last time someone addressed her without honorific. She noticed the way his eyes looked at her with such joy and tenderness it made her cheeks turn a soft shade of pink. Something inside her made her whisper his name with the same tenderness he transmitted toward her, “Taiyo.”

“Thank you. This gesture is not lost upon me, and I vow I will return it in kind as soon as I am able. I…don’t have a chain on my person that I could offer to you…”

She noticed the blush when she kissed his cheek and it nearly made her blush in kind. Maybe it had been bold of her to make such oath but she wanted to do something meaningful for him due to him offering his aid. She looked down in embarrassment when he said he wished to offer her something in return in kind. She truly was not expecting such reaction, she was not expecting to receive anything at all because what she did, she did form the heart as it was customary in her clan. Still she nodded softly, “You don’t have to but I appreciate the gesture.” She smiled gently looking at the water below as it stirred with the blowing wind. She had not expected Taiyo to be such a king and gentle man, maybe she had not given him a chance to show her before as she tended to keep her distance form everyone else for the most part due to her past trauma. Even though she still felt somewhat bashful she looked up at him and smiled gently before she kissed his cheek in the spur of the moment trying to coney feelings she had not known she could experience.

“Of course we would. I could not spare my sister her darkness, but I have promised that no one we cared for would suffer in such a way again…. I hope you will tell me if you start to feel despair or fear. I will do all I can to help you steer clear of it.”

She felt the gentle squeeze on her hand and her fingers slowly and her so slightly intertwined with his own. “I will, it might take me some time as I’m not used to it but. Taiyo, I wish to confide in you.” And she truly did. Taiyo, like Tsuki, had an air about them that made Yukiina wish to trust them in ways she had not trusted anyone, not even her own discussed mother. She wanted to tell him everything and hope that the solace they were building together would not collapse once he knew her secrets. But then again, she also wanted to know more about him, “I hope that, you will also come to me and confide in me in kind. I… want to get to know you better… to be… closer to you.” She blushed softly but her eyes did not leave his. For some reason she felt like she could not stop herself from telling her how she felt about him and nothing would stop the words coming out. Would he feel offended?

“I… want to help look after you, Yikiina…”

She blushed lightly for a moment and nearly thought she had heard him wrong. She looked into his eyes for moment, Scarlet eyes sparkling with the light form the moon as she tried to regain enough composure to react in some ways to his words. No one had ever told her with such tenderness that they wished to look after her. The thought itself made her body shier slightly. So many thoughts came to her mind, memories of when she was younger and saw the other demons of her clan start lives of their own, get jobs, get married and start their own families. Back then she thought she would like to have a normal life like that, however, being the daughter of the clan leader she would have to be careful with eery decision she made. That was, of course, before her clan was absolutely destroyed, she was all that was left of it. She was not sure why these thoughts came to her mind, maybe because… Taiyo had spoken such a simple wish, something that echoed in normality and made her think of all the things normal people did with their loved once. Going on dates, spending time together, laughing together and even crying together… She wanted that, she wanted to have someone she could depend on, someone she could spend time with. Her eyes sparkled with affection as she slowly moved closer to him, “Taiyo…” Their fingers still intertwined she placed her free hand on his chest feeling his heartbeat she looked at her hand for a moment, considering how wonderful it was that Taiyo was here with her. She then looked into his eyes for a moment before she leaned on him slightly so that she could stand on her tip toes and gently closing her eyes her lips sought his in a gentle and slightly shy kiss.

“Yukiina? Yukiina!”

Yukiina felt as if she heard a voice but wherever she looked there was darkness. This had not happened to her in a very long time. Could it be her enemy was drawing near? She hoped that would not be the case. And yet she could not ignore the gentle voice calling out to her, she heard concern and knew this person cared a lot about her. She slowly stood up and looked around unsure which way to go. She decided she felt a light breeze and walked in that direction. It was true that she had no idea where she was going but, perhaps, going was better than standing where she was.

As she moved she felt the darkness try and chain her to the ground and she fell with a heavy thud. She knew she was walking in the right direction because someone was trying to stop her. She was afraid and a nice she recognised laughed at her and told her it was fruitless to escape. However, she fought until she managed to break free form the restraints and she sprinted toward the wind as it felt stronger and stronger.

“What’s wrong?”

“Hmm…” She stirred slightly in Taiyo’s arms but was still unable to wake up. Yet she was at peace now. The exhaustion of the premonition mixed with the darkness made it so that now she slept peacefully. She was much younger in her dream and she was with her family. She was very happy to see her family again when suddenly she was told her family had something, a surprise for her.

”Yukiina…”

She was given a big teddy bear and she was very happy. Her parents asked her what she would call it, as Taiyo leaned to kiss her cheek, Yukiina moved gently toward him and embraced him warmly whispering, “Taiyo… teddy…” She puled him toward her and rested her head on his shoulder with a happy smile.