~*~ Prologue ~*~

In the world of sorrowful dreams, there are no loved ones.
I even can't stop living, so what should I do?

It was raining that cloudy afternoon as the lithe teen walked calmly down the long winding dirt road. It wasn’t a real rain in most senses of the word, it was merely more than humidity and less than an onslaught of raindrops. Whatever one decided to call it, the figure seemed to regard it’s persistence with distaste. A slender hand that resembled untouched ivory tugged lightly at the white oxford that elegantly hugged the contours of the slender abdomen. The decidedly feminine form seemed to move with grace in utter silence. Pausing a moment, the head crowned in shoulder length deep brown hair honestly in some lights resembled the truest of ebony. With the rise of her chin, the hair slid backward from her face and hung like liquid silk against her back and shoulders. The smooth curve of her porcelain neck seemed to crane with the grace of a bird peering up at the overcast sky with coffee colored eyes swirled in a light pine green.

As if noticing her pause, the wind made up for the lack of movement around her and swirled around her form in a near dancing manner that reminded one of a playful child. A soft caress steadily swept past her smooth cheek causing her to come blinking out of her daze. Turning her head slightly, she noticed the sparse yet elegant rain of soft white petals that seemed to be stained crimson. Dogwood. They were the petals of a dogwood tree. Sighing softly, she arched a single brow elegantly before shifting the weight of her backpack about aimlessly. It was getting late, and she needed to keep moving.

Smiling lightly, she began to move again ignoring the moisture that clung to her ivory skin and the silk like caresses of petals as they lighted her almost sensually. In her mind it was rather intoxicating, and that disturbed her. Letting out a soft sigh, she paused at the dirt drive that pushed out from the tree-garnished road leading to some unseen home in the foliage. Turning like it was of some mere habitual task, she traveled up the road not heeding the sound of laughter up ahead. “Shuurin!”

At the sound of the laughter filled call, she looked up with a blank look in time to feel the impact of a small body latching onto her leg. “Aa… Hanamizuki… Must you be such a bundle of energy?” Peering downward at the ebony haired girl gazing up at her with sunshiny brightness she was forced to smile back.

Automatically she braced herself as another form forcefully attached to her free leg and smiled up at her with an identical set of hazelnut eyes. They were twins. One girl, and one boy that mirrored one another perfectly. In her mind, they were positively adorable. The oldest by a few seconds was Hanamizuki, the Japanese word for a dogwood tree. This caused her to smile all the more. Living in the States proved to be interesting having the names they bore. The littler of the two was the ever-silent Akikaze. His name meant autumn breeze, closely resembling her own, Shuurin, which meant autumn rain. “Aki and I were waiting for you big sister! You’re late!”

At her somewhat stubborn words, the girl released the older girl’s leg and stepped back in order to glare at her big sister defiantly. “Daddy is annoyed! He’s been looking for you all afternoon.” It never failed to amaze Shuurin how well the child talked for her age. And it seemed that that wasn’t the only overbearing quality she displayed.

“Has he? I’ve missed you as well little Mizuki… and you as well Aki.” They were at the age of five now, and she herself was now sixteen. Sighing softly she used one hand per child to brush back their ebony locks as they fell into the wide innocent coffee colored eyes. This caused both to giggle then run away in a fit of childish antics toward the house they lived in. She often wondered why she looked so different from the two little angels that bounded ahead of her. Her hair wasn’t true ebony, and her eyes were tainted with green. It wasn’t that she found it as an unpleasing attribute; it just made her curious. She was indeed different.

Moments later found Shuurin stepping in through the front foyer and carefully setting her backpack aside out of one’s way. As silent as she had been, it mustn’t have been silent enough. “Shuurin Yamazakura!” It was her father. Shivering slightly, she walked quietly down the hall only to stop in front of the open door leading into her father’s study.

“Yes dad?” It was apparent she was nervous, he didn’t often use their full names to call for them, and the tone was what she saw as unsettling to say the least. The ebony haired man didn’t bother to look up. He merely waved a hand indicating for her to enter.

As she did, he paused and glanced past her to the identical set of prying light brown eyes. “Shut the door Shuurin… And you two go elsewhere please… and stay out of trouble.” This brought about a chorus of giggles and the thundering of tiny feet as they fled down the hall in the direction of the stairs that led to their bedroom.

Shuurin sighed and obeyed all to slowly. She wasn’t sure she wanted to know why her father was angry. In a way, she thought it might have been about school, but he’d never showed interest before, and she didn’t really see why he would now. “Aijou…” Looking up sharply, she caught the tired lines that stretched over his forehead. He hadn’t called her that in years. “I need to speak to you… About what’s been going on… at your school.”

Rolling her eyes, she slumped into the chair opposite his desk and slouched slightly. The elegance seemed to slip away from her demeanor faster than a drop of water off of a duck’s back. “What about it?”

This brought about a warning look from the man with chocolate brown eyes. “It’s not like I don’t know about you causing trouble and hurting your classmates. And if you think I’m going to scold you or punish you, you are sorely mistaken.”

She couldn’t help but blink. “What do you mean? Aren’t you mad at me?”

Remaining silent for a moment, she watched his fingers tap a lone piece of paper that lay centered before him. “I can’t say I am not upset, but I am fully aware of the fact that you don’t know how or why you’ve hurt those people. Do you?” Another steady glance turned upon her as his brow arched in silent question. Shuurin shook her head mutely not daring to speak up. “Do you know what our family name means Shuurin?”

Creasing her brow in thought, she finally shook her head. “I’m sorry… I can barely remember most of the Japanese vocabulary you taught me… What does our name have to do with me hurting people?”

That’s when the proud man slumped into his chair slowly looking small and almost frail before her. “It means ‘wild cherry tree’. It’s not your true surname. As you know, I am originally from Japan. I chose that name in order to cover up who our family truly was, and in the same moment, remind me constantly of why I am here.” Steepling his fingers together, he gently allowed them to sturdy his brow. “I’m rather old Shuurin… but you can’t tell, can you?”

Shuurin blinked slowly then shook her head. He was right, he was far into his fifties, but he surprisingly resembled one in his late thirties. Their mother had died a year after the twins were born, leaving her to be the only mother figure, and her father the lone parent. He hadn’t spoke much on his heritage, and the fact that he brought it up rather disturbed her. “Shuurin… You aren’t normal per se. I had hoped, that since I disgraced my family years ago, the family ties and bloodlines would refuse to pass… much less grant… you the abilities you now have.” He was truly dancing about the subject. She could see it in his eyes and hear it in his words. “You’ve been born with a high level of onmyoujitsu within you… A type of onmyoujitsu that is only found within my family.”

This caused her to frown deeply in thought. “Onmyoujitsu? Isn’t that yin and yang magic that is based in Japan?” At her father’s nod, she felt her jaw drop. “You mean to tell me that I’m some sort of magical freak?”

The eldest Yamazakura nodded slowly unwilling to speak just yet. Glancing down at the letter again he couldn’t help but sigh. “I wanted to pretend that I was wrong… That I hadn’t sensed the cursed smell of onmyoujitsu on you… but with these events, it’s become painfully clear to me. And with that knowledge… I’ve made a decision. You need to learn how to utilize it in order to control it. That’s why…” He paused a long moment in hesitation unwilling to continue. “I’m sending you to Japan to study for as long as it takes. I can’t have you hurting others in your school due to your ignorance…”

“WHAT? You can’t do that! I’m a sophomore in high school! You can’t uproot me from that now!” Her voice trembled and quaked as she shook her head. How could he do such a thing to her? Didn’t he love her at all? “I refuse! Give me one good reason why I should!”

“Sakurazuka…”

“Sakura what?”

The man studied her face a moment then nodded his head. “That is your true surname. And mine as well. It’s the name held by a long line of onmyoujitsu assassins… Otherwise known as the Sakurazukamori. This means roughly, the cherry tree assassin. The blood of the victims is fed to the tree as a sick means of worship that I could never stomach.” Standing from his chair, he walked slowly over to the large window looking over the grove of wild cherry trees and dogwood. He looked so old and tired that it caused her to quake in her very being. “Do you know why the cherry blossoms are pink, Shuurin?”

Blinking in surprise, she shook her head even though she knew he wasn’t looking. “No… I suppose it’s some chemical reason… but honestly I don’t know.”

The father smiled into the glass and nodded his head slowly. “Most likely, but let me tell you why they are… Many years ago, an emperor decided that he did not like the bleak white petals of the cherry blossom and made a decision. He ordered that a Samurai was to be buried beneath every Sakura tree in Japan. The tree would then drain the blood and in turn, the petals would then turn a light shade of pink.” Making a look of disgust, he didn’t bother to look at her. “Thus the beginning of the Sakurazukamori. But in truth… the group is very… misleading.”

Shuurin blinked in an attempt to shed the shock from her eyes. “That’s… horrid… what… do you mean…. Misleading?”

“In all truth, the Sakurazukamori are not per se, a group. There is only ONE at a time.”

“How can that be? Don’t tell me you are the Sakurazukamori!” Shuurin stared at his back with wide eyes feeling her joints freeze.

This brought about a dry laugh that made her cringe. “Thank the Lord no… My sister… was the Sakurazukamori last I knew. Our father had been before her… She and I were raised under a caretaker, and taught the ways of onmyoujitsu. It was to be decided which of the two of us would take his place. In truth, I don’t know who was stronger. But I didn’t care… At the age of fourteen, I fled from Japan as fast as I could, wanting no part in my family’s disgraceful name. Because, you see, in order to succeed a previous Sakurazukamori, the successor must kill the previous. As well as all others close to them.”

Shiver after shiver traveled down her spine as she took the story in. She wouldn’t have believed it normally. Her favorite phrase was ‘I’m not superstitious’. But due to her experiences in school, all the pain she’d caused unintentionally with her outbursts, forced her to believe. “Because you ran away… your sister didn’t see you as close then?”

Another dry chuckle erupted from him. “Close? We weren’t close. There was no such thing as close in the Sakurazuka family. Close was just the term used to surmise those that could become competition. And me running away proved I was no such thing.” Turning back to her he gave her a sad look. “It seems I’ve passed on a sad fate to you Aijou. Please forgive me. Because of this power, I want you to be able to protect yourself. That’s why I want you to learn. To help both yourself and others. But… whatever you do… flee from anyone bearing the name Sakurazuka.”

Nodding her head slowly, she knew she wouldn’t be getting out of this one. Slowly her eyes drifted to the paper on his desk. It was neatly covered in Japanese writing that seemed very formal and in a way, elegant. “Whom will I be learning from?”

Smiling at her consent, he returned to his desk and picked up the letter. “A few years after your birth, I contacted a well known family in Japan known for their pure form of onmyoujitsu. They are called the Sumeragi clan. Throughout the years, the twelfth matriarch of the clan has communicated with me in regards to my former life. For, the Sumeragi and Sakurazuka’s have been at odds for many centuries. For my help over the years, she has agreed to take you in and help you.”

“Sumeragi?” Sighing softly he gave another reluctant nod. “You will take good care of Mizuki and Aki while I’m gone? They’re going to be quite the handful without me around…”

Her father smiled lightly. “You can come back and visit as often as we can afford. And letters will be sent continuously in your absence. I will not lose the daughter I love so dearly. You are my Aijou… my eldest daughter. I will eagerly await your return.”

Sakurazuka… Could the current Sakurazukamori be so bad? Frowning to herself, she quickly returned his warm smile and nodded her head. “I’ll write often. I suppose… Japan will be entertaining…”

~*~ Chapter One ~*~

I've lost everything I love. Even so, I searched.

The beauty of protecting someone... that is just an illusion.

A toy… A mere thing… It was all a game… The lone figure shook visibly as long strides covered the concrete walk. It was aimless and pointless what he was doing. Wandering around a park wouldn’t change what was, but he didn’t want to think that. In the midst of the swirls of sakura petals, the raven haired figure trembled even more trying to dodge the objects but to no avail. Wide eyes of deep shadowed emerald seemed to stare at them like they were plagued with some sort of blood sucking magic, but little did others know, that this wasn’t far from the truth. Maybe it wasn’t these particular trees, but there was one… One that did exactly that.

Pausing in his steps, he stepped off the path and watched a happy couple walk by. In utter silence he found that he couldn’t look away. That what he saw, was what he had wanted. But it seemed he’d been too gullible and naïve. He’d fallen for someone that didn’t even exist. Someone that in the end stole everything from him: his love, his heart, his happiness, and his beloved and precious twin sister. “Hokuto-chan…”

He waited a long moment, almost hoping she’d answer, but as always, it didn’t come. He was just being foolish. Letting out a long sigh, his gaze fell to the concrete walk. There was just nothing left. “Sumeragi-sama?” Looking up sharply, he found that the voice came from behind him. Turning slowly, he felt a soft ebb of magic wafting off of the person that seemed oddly familiar.

Meeting the face, he noted the dark hair, that for the most part looked black, and the set of eyes that were a majority coffee brown swirled with a touch of emerald. Though very new, he found the person strangely familiar. Her eyes hid behind black wire frame glasses that weren’t quite oval in shape, but for all he cared at the moment, it didn’t matter. “Hn?”

Blinking in surprise, the young girl arched a dark brow at him slightly. “I’ll take that as a confirmation.” A small teasing smile crossed her ivory countenance as she straightened the collar of her sleeveless coat that had tails that reached her knees at best. And the clothing was a deep blue or maybe even black. But what caught his eyes was the smile that was so kind and happy, yet had no emotions attached to it.

Training his emerald eyes on her a moment, he couldn’t seem to come up with a coherent and understandable sentence, so he settled on a fragment instead. “You are?”

Bowing in a near dramatic and playful way, the girl gave him a wink from behind the thin glasses. “Yamazakura Shuurin. And you are the adorable Sumeragi Subaru I presume. I’ve heard that you had green eyes that none could miss.”

He could only stare at her for a long moment and revel in the pain of being reminded. She somehow, someway, resembled HIM and he didn’t know why. Her mannerism was like his, her smile, her glasses, even the hair and the brown color that resided in her eyes. But most of all, it was the magic he sensed coming from her. It was all too much like Sakurazuka Seishirou. “Yamazakura?”

This time she gave him a bland look of boredom before looking up the path for a brief moment in thought. She seemed to be concentrating on something, but he didn’t know what. “Yes? I’m a…” Thinking a bit distractedly, she finally turned to look at him with the same cool smile and calm demeanor. “A gaijin? I think that’s what it is called. Please be kind for I speak rather little Japanese even after living here for two years.”

Subaru flinched at the look and let out a soft sigh only causing her to laugh slightly. It was a beautiful laugh, and to one that didn’t know better, it was real. But Subaru knew that laugh. It was perfect, yet empty. “You are a funny one Sumeragi-sama. Anyway, you’re grandmother has asked me to get you. She wishes to speak with you.”

Oddly enough, it didn’t surprise him. Glancing at her a long moment, he felt himself ask a complete question that he didn’t even think he was capable of. “Are you coming along?”

This seemed to catch her off guard for a moment as she stared at him silently. Removing her glasses a moment, she rubbed the bridge of her nose persistently. “As honored as I am for the invitation from such a cute Sumeragi, I must decline. I am merely a student and I need not get involved in family matters. Besides, my being under her tutelage is a mere favor to my father. I’ll respect the Sumeragi family.”

The ever-present smile remained on her lips before she gave him a mock salute and started to walk away with elegant strides. “I’ll see you around adorable Sumeragi-sama…” Turning to look at him, she sent him another wink and then disappeared into the sakura rain that seemed to engulf the path.

For a moment, he felt at a loss. She wasn’t his Seishirou… Check that, he never was his. But at least everything about her resembled the illusive assassin. Suddenly a thought hit him as he turned in the direction of the main street, he’d never met Yamazakura before, and she’d said she’d been serving his grandmother for two years. Had he been so deeply engrossed with his sister and Seishirou to not even notice the apprentice with the suspicious aura?

Shaking it off, he realized that he was well on his way to where his grandmother was staying. Was he so lost? Raising a lone hand, he ran the slender fingers through the short ebony locks trying not to let his mind lapse into memories again. Stepping up to the door, he knocked softly and wasn’t surprised at the instant response. “Come in Subaru-san…”

Thirty minutes later found them sitting across from each other silently drinking tea. She seemed to keep a close eye on his actions and to his surprise; she seemed deeply disappointed in him. “Ano… Doushitano obaasan?”

“Subaru… I hate… that you are so different now. I actually miss having to calm you down when you’d get overly excited.” Sighing softly, she knew it was a pointless battle. But she also knew that he wasn’t the only one that was grieving, and she wished he’d realize that as well. “It’s been nearly eight months…”

Moving uncomfortably at the topic she was pressing, he tactfully maneuvered around the question as best as he could. “You’ve been teaching the art of onmyoujitsu to someone for two years? Why haven’t you told me?”

The older Sumeragi sighed once more and shook her head causing her to look even frailer than normal. “I did… You were too busy to notice with your moving to Tokyo.” Pausing for a moment, she set her teacup onto the floor before her and then glanced up at Subaru for a long moment. “What do you think of her?”

Shrugging, he strategically didn’t tell her about the uncanny resemblance and merely gave an overall vague opinion. “She seems nice enough. Polite and light hearted. And for only being at it two years, very strong.”

“So you noticed… In truth it’s rather frightening. I would have sent her home, but it seems she still can’t control aspects of those powers, and that would put others in danger, including herself.” Subaru watched her a moment and tried to read the thoughtful expression only to fail miserably. It was obvious that she didn’t want to tell him everything. That’s when he heard her mutter something softly before dismissing the matter. “Better she learn our trade than the one she was born for… But no matter. I am fond of her nonetheless.”

“She… has an odd surname.”

“Yamazakura? Yes… I suppose.”

“She said you were doing this as a favor to her father…”

“Subaru…” Meeting his eyes, he read the caution there. “This subject shouldn’t be touched when you are so obviously still mourning for Hokuto… and… him.” It wasn’t really a dark or evil tone that she used to address him, just a sadness and a want to just forget.

“I don’t understand…” He didn’t. Why would this girl and her father have anything to do with Seishirou or Hokuto?

Giving a soft sigh, she stared down into her cup. “Ever since just before you were born, a young man by the surname of Yamazakura has been kindly sending me letters of information about the Sakurazuka clan. The information I have regarding the Sakurazukamori has all come from that girl’s father.”

“But! How would a gaijin know anything about them?” He hadn’t meant it, but it came out as a defense in honor of the man he had so loved even after his betrayal. But the fact that he still loved him and defended him after he’d killed his twin disturbed him horribly.

Glancing at her grandson blankly, she could only shake her head. “I’d rather not tell you at this point Subaru. Just forget about it for now.” Watching him nod slowly, she nodded in return. He didn’t need to know the truth. He’d probably do something foolish, and she couldn’t allow that.

~*~

The steady rhythm of her heels on concrete seemed to be the only sound as she ventured deeper into Ueno Park, due to the drastic drop in people there seemed to be. For the most part, if she did see another living breathing person, they tended to be hiding beneath the steady veil of light pink that consisted of sakura petals. All of them were couples. In a way it made her sick. Sighing softly, a slender hand then rose in order to shove the tousled bangs of deep almost black from her eyes. Glancing around quickly, she couldn’t help but frown.

She could feel it, the steady throb of energy that seemed to radiate from the area as blatantly as a forest fire. Yet, she couldn’t pinpoint it. What seemed to bother her more was that the Sumeragi head didn’t even seem to feel it in the least. It was obvious that he was dazed, but THAT dazed? That was just humiliating. To think she was under the tutelage of the Sumeragi family, and their head couldn’t even sense something THIS apparent because he wasn’t on the place people called earth.

Giving a smug look, she stopped and peered at a rather large tree that stood amidst the other less spectacular trees. Narrowing her eyes behind the wire framed glasses, she began to head in it’s direction cautiously. It wasn’t like she didn’t know what she was doing, as a matter of fact, she knew EXACTLY what she was doing. Stopping at the base, she slowly crossed her arms and stared at the old weathered bark that covered it’s surface. It was all just so ethereal, though, she knew why.

The Sumeragi onmyoujitsu was just that. Made for those in the Sumeragi family. She mastered it well enough, but for some reason there were still other points about her abilities that needed to be capped, but the more she tried to learn from the old matriarch, the less confidence she had that she’d ever learn. That’s when she decided that it was time to do something that both the Twelfth head and her father had strongly opposed. It was time to meet the family.

Shuurin smiled softly then trailed her eyes upward to stare at the limbs and at the person that she had already known was there. He was like a dark spot on the snow due to the contrast that his dark clothing created against the blanket of light pink blossoms. She couldn’t make out his face for it was shadowed by one of the many gnarled branches. “So… You’re the one…”

The person tilted their head slightly in curiosity before leaping from the branch with ease. Landing elegantly before her, he then carefully brushed off his dark colored trench coat in a manner that clearly said he was in no hurry. Upon his satisfaction with his appearance, he then looked up at her through jagged bangs of soft ebony. “I have no idea what you are talking about. You must have the wrong person for I am just a normal everyday person.”

Watching the careful smile cross his handsome features, she couldn’t help but scoff. Where many others would have bought that smile rather quickly, she was immune and saw it for what it was. “Normal people don’t stand in trees.” Her simple even tone caused his smile to vanish quickly, and then be replaced by an amused smirk.

Green flecked eyes watched the taller man reach into his pocket and pull out a pack of cigarettes, and then casually dump one into his hand. Twirling it till it sat between his index and middle finger, he then placed it between his lips lightly and lighted it in a flash of soft firelight. Upon putting the pack and lighter away, he drew in a long drag before breathing the smoke out slowly. “I suppose your right. Who is it that you think I am?”

Snorting derisively, she kept her arms crossed over her chest with an un-amused look. “You’re far too sarcastic for your own good.” Scrunching her nose at the smell of the smoke, she reflexively took a step backward before continuing. “I don’t know your name. I’m just a stupid gaijin who knows a tad about sakura trees and has a long line of onmyoujis in the family. Unless of course, Sakurazuka rings a bell.”

The man then smiled all the more and allowed his body to lean against the trunk of the tree gently. “You talk too much little girl. You shouldn’t bother with things that are far out of your league.”

“Out of my league maybe, but I’m not just a little girl.” Returning the smile, she stepped forward and delicately took the cigarette from between his fingers and stared at it a moment making a face. “This… is a disgusting habit.”

This caused him to frown as he delicately retrieved the item she took from him. “What are you trying for?” Raising his countenance to fully meet hers, he couldn’t help but marvel at how much she looked like him. Except for minor differences, she could have been the perfect image of him. “You could get hurt…”

His voice was so calm, and even though threatening, it was also very relaxing. A voice that one could easily love, if they didn’t know the connotation behind it. “What are you going to do? Lob cherries at me?”

At this, he couldn’t help but laugh lightly as a bright smile curved his lips. “You’re quite bold for an amateur onmyouji. You really should be careful. Though, you amuse me. Who are you and how did you find me? Much less know who I am…”

Narrowing her eyes, she reached out and gently grasped his sunglasses and pulled them down slightly. There to her amazement, were two completely mismatched eyes. One was a misted silver color that caused her to blink, but the other eye caused her to freeze in place. It was the same golden brown of her eyes without the flecks of green. Taking in a deep breath, she then retracted her hand noting the look of sheer amusement on the man’s face. “I…” Shaking her head she then hardened the expression again to one of nonchalance. “You are the Sakurazukamori…”

“I am… But that didn’t answer my question my young onmyouji…” Leering at her tauntingly, he carefully withdrew the sunglasses completely and smiled at her in false warmth. “I don’t care for people that avoid topics.”

Regarding him a moment, her vision was then drawn to the surroundings as they faded to an eerie ink black color. Blinking once in surprise, she then pushed the feeling away and looked at him seriously once more and returned the mirror image of his smile. “My dear cherry lobbing assassin… before I tell you that. I have to ask you one question. Why cherries? I mean, they’re so harmless. Why not something like… a coconut? At least those are painful on impact.”

Smirking, she watched the man chuckle in pure amusement not noticing the bright pink glow coming from the branches above. Where she hadn’t offended the assassin himself, it was obvious she had offended the tree. Staring at him in disbelief, she saw him straighten, cough, then glance up at the tree smiling coolly. “Gomen ne.” Looking back to her, he continued to smile. “Now that your done putting my profession down, I’ll ask you again. Who are you?”

“Yamazakura Shuurin.” He didn’t show it, but she knew what he was thinking. Her name was useless to him and told him nothing. Smiling a bit playfully, she didn’t even seem to care about the deadly ground on which she tread. “What’s your name?”

Gazing at her a moment he kept the cool smile firmly in place. He looked so empty to her save for the look of keen interest in his solitaire golden brown eye. “Sakurazuka… Seishirou… You’re name is unfamiliar. But I can tell that you reek of Sumeragi magic and something akin to mine. You are quite the puzzle Shuurin-chan.”

Arching a brow at him, she spoke to him in an equally calm and teasing tone. “Chan?” Snorting softly, she brushed it aside and then managed to smile. “My true surname is… Sakurazuka…” This brought about a falter in his mask of being perfectly emotionless. “My father… was your uncle. I… am your cousin. But that’s all you need to know other than one single piece of information. I want nothing to do with being the Sakurazukamori… I just…” Giving a long pause, she wondered if her decision had been wrong. But her beliefs held firm, and she once more looked at him with a light smile that had nothing attached to it. “I need someone to teach me how to use the magic used by the Sakurazuka family. Otherwise, I might have dangerous problems in the future.”

Part of Seishirou wanted to laugh at her absurd request, while the other part found it hard to turn her down. His only relative that he never knew he had, was asking him for help. “You aren’t just trying to steal my job?”

Growling softly she dropped her hands to her sides and closed her eyes. She wouldn’t lose her temper, that wasn’t like her. After capping the anger, she once more looked at him with a cool smile and nodded her head. “I don’t wish for your job. I may be of the Sakurazuka bloodline, but in truth I am a Yamazakura. I want nothing to do with that tree. Who wants to be a cherry lobbing sissy anyway?”

Blinking in surprise at her control and close resemblance to himself, he finally managed to smile and overlook the putdowns that she seemed to eagerly put out. “I see… But what do I get in return?”

In return? She hadn’t thought of that. Sighing softly, she dropped her eyes to the ground in thought. “I have no clue. What sort of payment do you wish for?”

Stepping forward, Seishirou dropped the cigarette then cradled her chin between his thumb and index finger. Pulling her upwards, he met her eyes and stared deeply for a long moment. She blinked a few times in surprise, but that soon vanished and an equally serious and emotionless expression crossed her face. “Hm… You seem to be a near carbon copy of myself.” This caused his smile to widen reflexively. “I’ll teach you what I know… if you swear to be mine in the sense that you do everything I tell you. Go where I tell you. Act as I tell you… And… you receive the mark of the Sakurazukamori on your hand to ensure that I know where you are at all times. And should you betray me… I will kill you. That’s my terms. Oh… and one more thing…” Looming closer, she felt her stomach turn slightly in fear even though it didn’t show in her expression. Nearly pressing his lips to her ear, he whispered softly his final request. “You denounce your apprenticeship to the Sumeragi’s… But, don’t break ties. That’s suspicious. No one is to know of your ties to me…”

Watching him move away, she realized that she had stopped breathing. Staring at him with widened eyes, she quickly brushed the look away and peered up at him blankly. “Seishirou-kun… I…” This wasn’t as easy as she had thought, but part of her had expected this. It was already asking a lot that she wanted him to trust her; it was only fair that she prove herself trustworthy. “Accept. But I have to say one thing. I’ll keep my personal space… and you’ll keep yours.” Glaring at him coldly, she wasn’t surprised to hear him break out into laughter.

“You… are quite the spunky one. I like you… cousin.” His expression then melted into a dangerous look as he reached out and took her hand gently in his. Pulling it upward, he curiously noted the way that she didn’t seem to resist at all. Tilting his head downward, he then mouthed a quick chant and then pressed his lips to the back of her hand tenderly.

Gasping softly from the pain it caused, she forced herself to remain limp and completely awake. She could feel the warm red liquid slipping down her ivory skin from the forming of the mark, but she didn’t care. In a way, it seemed almost comforting to her. Watching him pull away, he slowly lifted his head and smiled at her lightly before moving away. This surprised her, from what she had been told, both hands were usually marked, and it seemed he had no interest in marking the other. “Seishirou-kun?”

“Nani, Shuurin-chan?” Still smiling lightly, he dropped back against the tree once more and buried his hands into his pockets.

“You… only marked…” Watching the wave of amusement wash through his eyes, she inwardly groaned. He was playing games with her, and from the looks of it, he did that a lot.

“I only needed to do one hand for you. You are far too receptive… It’s almost like you’re already broadcasting your existence to me on purpose. Now… are you ready to learn how to… as you so eloquently put it… lob cherries?” Smirking at the look of bemusement, he began to chuckle. “This… is truly going to be… amusing… my little cousin.”

“I want to learn… but I refuse to lob cherries! I’d lob a grapefruit or apple before I used something as harmless as a cherry.” Smirking back in equal amusement, Shuurin felt something inside of her stir to life. She liked being around him far too much. And in a way, that scared her.

Seishirou merely beamed and then reached out to pat her head lightly in a teasing manner that made her frown threateningly. “Let me show you… just how ‘harmless’ a cherry is my little Shuurin-chan.” With a deep smirk, the man started to talk in a soft and animate tone. He told her about the history of the Sakurazuka’s… Their purpose… and the abilities that solely belonged to them. And that’s when she knew that she had been right in her actions, even though the lady Sumeragi and her father would never understand.

~*~

Every move hurt beyond reason, and just the trifle effort to breathe left her utterly breathless. At the moment, she would have sighed, but the effort in itself vetoed the idea. Slowly she lowered down onto the hard wood floor before the teacup that had been set for her. She wasn’t one who really enjoyed a formal tea ceremony, especially when you are in as much pain as she was in that one particular moment. Though, it couldn’t be helped for the Lady Sumeragi preferred this to normal tea drinking situations.

Slowly eyes of golden brown tainted with green rose to look at the weathered old woman as she poured the tea in utter silence. Arching a brow slightly, she couldn’t help but wonder why the silence seemed to be so thick you could nearly touch it. Watching the graceful motions, she couldn’t help but allow herself to be slightly awestruck. As tiring as the process was, the Lady Sumeragi was always able to perform it within perfect grace. “Sumeragi-sama… I need to speak with you on an important matter.”

The matriarch regarded her carefully for a moment before returning to her duties. Both were equal in tone, never rising above a calm soft tone that could sooth out any disturbance. “I see. What is it child?”

Frowning at the response and question, she felt her shoulders slump slightly only causing more self-inflicted pain that also reminded her of why she had asked to have a private conversation with the former head of the Sumeragi clan. Though, a promise was a promise, and betrayal to that promise would be fatal. “I believe, that I no longer need to be under your tutelage. I feel there is nothing more that I can learn… and I wish to return to school and get on with my life.”

Lady Sumeragi smiled softly and rose her gaze to meet Shuurin’s as she filled the cup before the younger. “Is that so?” Filling her own cup, the young Yamazakura could see that the old woman was planning to speak further. That is, until a knock sounded at the door and interrupted her in mid action. Pausing, the elderly woman glanced at the door and sighed softly. “Come in.”

The door slid open slowly to reveal a somewhat tall and lithe figure standing there staring down at the floor solemnly not bothering to look up. “Sumimasen Obaasan, I didn’t mean to interrupt, but you asked me to tell you exactly when I arrived.” The head of the Sumeragi clan bowed slightly and at that moment, finally looked up and saw whom his grandmother was having tea with. Staring at the girl for a long moment, he finally blinked and backed away starting to close the door. “I’ll go now.”

He truly intrigued her. The brokenness she saw in his eyes puzzled her beyond means and she wanted to know what had caused it. Just by feeling his aura, she could tell he had been very strong and full of life not long ago. She’d heard about the passing of his sister, and that she’d been murdered, but she didn’t see how even something so tragic could break someone so thoroughly. “Please… Join us? It would be wrong to turn away such an adorable Sumeragi when he’s only just arrived. Do you not agree my lady?” Turning, Shuurin smiled in cool warmth toward the younger boy before giving his grandmother a questioning glance.

Her words and voice had frozen him in place. Half of him wanted to just run and the other wanted to join them. She was so much like Seishirou that it quite frankly scared him. Deep shadowed eyes of green then rose and rested on his grandmother whom seemed to be staring at him. He could see the debate in her eyes before she finally managed to nod her head. “Join us if you like Subaru-san.”

A nod was all that he could give her. Walking stiffly over to the girls, he’d barely managed to close the door in the process. The Lady Sumeragi indicated for him to sit anywhere, but the girl smiled lightly and patted the floor beside her. It was as though he were on autopilot as he almost mechanically sat down beside her. From the corner of his eye he could see her soft smile and almost tired looking eyes. “What were you discussing before I interrupted?”

Shuurin took on a straight face as she looked away from him in thought. She didn’t figure it would hurt for him to know what was going on. He seemed nice enough and in a sense polite, so there would not be any prying questions. “I was just asking your obaasan to allow me to leave her tutelage for I believe I’ve learned enough. It’s not like I wish to be an onmyouji as a profession.” Turning back to him, she smiled once more and was surprised to see him blink in surprise.

It wasn’t like he blamed her for wanting to live a normal life, but it didn’t seem right. Somewhere deep in her eyes, he saw a hunger that needed to be fed, and he was sure it was the hunger for more magical knowledge. “Why would you wish to quit so soon?”

She had to look away. He seemed to be staring straight into her heart and she didn’t like it. Even Seishirou didn’t push things that far. He kept a distance from her and she did the same for him. For some reason, Subaru unnerved her terribly. “I never wanted to be an onmyouji in the first place. Father made me…”

Subaru watched her silently surprised to see her looking so openly emotional. Every time he’d been in her presence, which had been all of twice, she’d been very in control and perfectly emotionless. She was like a porcelain doll with a bright smile that was purely lifeless. But now, the look of thought and sadness that washed over her face as she stared at her teacup, made him think twice about that image. “He had good reason to send you to me… And you understood that…”

Both of the teens then looked up at the lady as she spoke her words calmly. Shuurin merely nodded her head and looked away trying to work all of the emotions out of her expression. It wasn’t like her to look so vulnerable. Emotions to her were stupid and only took away one’s life. She had nothing to be happy for anymore. She’d lost that the day her father forced her to leave home. Forced her to leave behind her beloved Hanamizuki and Akikaze. “Why did her father send her here if she didn’t wish to be?”

This made Shuurin blink. The question was oddly innocent and yet full of concern that seemed so warn and faded. It seemed to be a strain on the young boy’s already broken and crippled heart. Before she could answer, the lady Sumeragi answered for her. “Because she is of a special family, and if she didn’t learn how to cap off her abilities, she could have hurt many people.”

“Special… family? Like ours?” Subaru gave his grandmother a perplexed look, before glancing at Shuurin quickly. He knew what it felt like to be forced into something due to family position, and he knew how it felt to wish it didn’t have to be like that.

It was time to cut the elder off as Shuurin spoke in a soft tone. “Yamazakura… is sort of a false name that covers who we are.” Looking up at him carefully, she felt her head begin to pound the longer she looked at him. Carefully removing her wire framed glasses; she peered at him again with a near frigid gaze. “But I’m sure that your obaasan doesn’t wish for you to know much about my family.” With that, she smiled softly and forced herself to stand. Replacing the glasses, she met the eldest Sumeragi’s glance and spoke softly. “I still wish to be friends with the Sumeragi family. Your family has done much for me in the past two years and I think of them as my own. Though, I’d like to move to Tokyo for a few years before returning to the states. I’ve already written my father on the matter. If it’s ok with you, I’d like to come visit Sumeragi-sama.” Smiling briefly, she watched the former matriarch nod. “Sugoi. I’ll be leaving now. It was a pleasure Sumeragi Subaru-san. Sumimasen.” Giving Subaru a soft smile, she then turned on her heel and proceeded out of the room.

He couldn’t help but watch her leave. It was unknown to him why she actually made him feel something at all when his heart had been so numb ever since the betrayal and the death of his sister. It was obvious that she knew there was more to his current state than what met the eye, but he could also tell that she was hiding something. Looking to his grandmother silently, he contemplated on the situation before speaking in the soft voice he as of late, often used. “What family… obaasan?”

The woman shifted uncomfortably then shook her head slowly letting off a long sigh. “That girl… I care very much about her. You’ll be in Tokyo off and on… Please, keep an eye out for her. For… the family she is apart of, doesn’t take well to relatives.” Falling silent, she knew that the statement had caused the boy’s eyes to widen drastically. “She… is…” She couldn’t say it. All the time she had worked with the polite young teen, she still didn’t want to believe.

“Obaasan… She’s… not related to him. Is she?” At the question, the woman looked away and closed her eyes. She hadn’t denied it. That meant that the girl was indeed related to Seishirou. But just because one was related… Didn’t mean they looked like the other, did it? Much less act similar. And if he was correct, she’d never even met Seishirou, so it wasn’t that she was trying to be him. No, he was the one trying to be him. Lowering his head slowly, his eyes drooped sorrowfully. “You think she’s looking for him, don’t you?”

Once again she didn’t respond. There was no telling what was going on in Shuurin’s head. The young girl of eighteen never showed enough of her emotions to go on. “Just… keep an eye on her. I don’t want… her to get hurt.” Subaru only nodded to her then rose to his feet slowly. Tired eyes watched him leave the room and slowly close the door behind him. All of their conversations seemed to end that way. She had lost the grandson she had once had in order to acquire this boy that seemed to be utterly detached from the world.

~*~

It hadn’t taken her very long to get packed. She didn’t particularly like having an over abundance of items as it was. Trips back and forth to the U.S. had decided that for her. Glancing once around the small-undefined room, she shouldered her backpack and then retrieved the two solitaire suitcases. It wasn’t that hard to walk away. She had expected it to hurt far worse. With a slight shake of her head, she calmly turned and left the room traveling down one of the many halls of the Sumeragi Estate.

To say she hadn’t loved it there would have been a lie. The people and the surroundings had truly been picture perfect. She’d been rather happy indeed. Though, she hadn’t felt right. Something icy remained rooted firmly in her heart keeping her from truly enjoying anything. In the end she always blamed it on who she was. Not every family had roots in the dark form of onmyoujitsu. That’s why she had to feed that hunger which seemed to claw at her soul deep within.

That’s why she went to find him. In a way, he’d surprised her greatly. He was very classy, well dressed, and good-natured. Well, that was what he wanted everyone to see. Sakurazuka Seishirou was your typical everyday guy until you looked deeper within. Under the amiable exterior was a black void that ruled his every move. He was what people wanted to see, but what they didn’t see was the uncaring assassin that preyed upon human blood in order to feed his beloved Sakura Barrow. Well, perhaps beloved wasn’t the word.

Giving a dry smirk, she then glanced down at her left hand that now hid beneath the thin fabric of a black glove. The mark for the time being was still quite visible, and she definitely didn’t wish for the Lady Sumeragi to see. It wouldn’t due for her now former mentor to know that she was now under the tutelage of their greatest enemy. But somewhere in her reverie, she wasn’t paying attention and the next thing she knew, she was falling backward after running into something.

Cursing under her breath, she closed her eyes knowing full well that she was too sore to put any extra effort into catching herself and had resolved to hit the floor. That is, until someone caught her by her forearms and righted her gently. “Gomen nesai…” Opening one eye at the plaintive tone, she was surprised to meet the steady gaze of shadowed emerald. Recognition flickered in her coffee colored eyes as she regained her balance. “Oh… Yamazakura-san… Leaving already?”

Staring at him a moment, she finally nodded her head to the current head of the Sumeragi clan. With his now shortened ebony hair and deep green eyes, she easily considered him good looking, but the haunted look in his eyes disturbed her. The glances she’d taken of him in the previous years, he’d been so happy and… well… cute. He’d looked so young, but now he looked as though he’d aged twenty years. “Call me Shuurin please… and yes, I am leaving. I’m sorry that I ran into you Sumeragi-san.”

Subaru watched her straighten her load not truly acknowledging his presence any longer. It struck him strange that she did such a thing. Most of the Sumeragi household went to great links to talk to him and went as far as attempting to cheer him up. Shuurin on the other hand almost seemed oblivious to his very existence. “Aa, if you will call me Subaru.” Studying the nonchalant nod of her head he felt the frown on his face grow. “Can I carry something for you?”

This caused her to finally look up and arch a fine eyebrow of false ebony. “If you like… But I can manage, it’s no big deal.” Green flecked eyes watched him carefully before a careful smirk tugged at her lips. His rigid stance and countenance told others that he just didn’t care, but underneath it all, she saw more. He looked so confused and in horrible pain. Not for the first time, she found herself curious over the whole ordeal. Raising her hands with the suitcases, he reached out to take them with movements very similar to a machine. “Are you sure you’re human?”

Jumping in surprise, his emerald eyes widened. “What do you mean by that?”

She could see his discomfort as he turned to follow her already retreating form. “You move like a machine. For someone that used to be so graceful looking and alive, you look like an android now.” Turning her head to the side she gave him a steady look that faded to a near sympathetic smile. “But you know… It doesn’t hurt you.”

Curiosity crept into his eyes as he tilted his head in silent question. No one had ever spoken to him so bluntly, and the accusations were rather intriguing even though he didn’t want to admit it. “What do you mean?”

“What do I mean? You seem to ask that a lot. You’re an intelligent boy, you should be able to figure it out.” The singsong voice she spoke in caused the younger teen to furrow his brow slightly only making the amusement in her eyes grow. “Very well… I mean that your actions, though comforting to yourself, kill those around you. I don’t particularly care one-way or the other. But I do care about Lady Sumeragi, and it’s quite apparent that you don’t. I’m not one to give myself away to make others happy, but I’m not going to look gloomy and morbid either.” Turning away from him, she felt a haunting smile curve her lips staining her eyes with a dangerous glint. “I think smiles are far more diverse and exciting. For just because you smile… it doesn’t mean you feel it. But people are blind… and they don’t realize that. Isn’t being human blissful? Ah the ignorance…”

Subaru nearly fell away from her in shock. He couldn’t believe the words that she uttered much less comprehend the hidden connotations. “You act like it’s a good thing to fool people…” The tone of his voice had dipped drastically as he suddenly remembered who she reminded him of. And the words she spoke, sounded like something Seishirou would say.

“Take advantage of every point within your life. Live and see how things turn out. No point in walking around like a living corpse.” She was enjoying herself far too much. Subaru was far too easy to disturb and it rather delighted her.

“You sound so much like him…” He hadn’t meant to say that aloud, but when he saw the blank expression on her face he knew he had. “I…”

“Him? Who do you speak of Subaru-san?”

Shaking his head, he carefully pushed open the door leading outside. It was time for him to change the subject. “Obaasan says that you are a Sakurazuka…”

This caused her to smirk dangerously as she approached the cab she had called for. “I never was. My father was. Does it really matter? It’s not like I’m the next Sakurazukamori.” Tossing her backpack into the backseat, she caught the look of terror and anger that flashed in the dark green eyes. Pausing in her movements she whispered to the driver before looking back at him. “Open the trunk?”

A click sounded and she pulled the young onmyouji around in order to put the items down. To him she seemed far too relaxed about their topic and he had to say something. “You shouldn’t joke about that…”

“Who said I was? Who wants to be a cherry lobbing sissy?” Smiling to herself at that comment she gingerly closed the trunk and headed for the back passenger door.

“You have no idea how evil he is!” There was a frantic pitch in the once steady depressed voice that she’d never heard before. It almost inflicted a since of fear and urgency in her that she quickly capped off with a careful masked smile of nonchalance. It seemed to make him even angrier than before, but she didn’t pay him any heed and just dropped into the seat still facing him.

“Subaru-san…” The smile faded slowly as she looked up at him with an open expression of concern. “I don’t know why you are saying that to me… It’s not like I don’t know. I can tell you’re hurt, and I’m sorry. Something tells me it has a lot to do with my relative, but I don’t know for sure…” At the flicker in his eyes she knew that she was right. “You shouldn’t worry about me, and get on with your life. Just forget about me and forget about who I am. You need to learn how to live again… Ja ne, Subaru-san.” Smiling once more, she spun and closed the door before he could answer.

As he stepped away, she smiled lightly giving him a slight wave. She didn’t know what was bothering him, or what had happened, but she wanted to find out. But not from him. She was sure that her dear cousin would have quite an animated story to tell if she could get it out of him. Sighing softly she sunk into the seat closing her eyes as they pulled away. There would be no more Sumeragi influence in her life, and she almost regretted that. Almost.

~*~

Perched in a low branch of a tall tree, Shuurin watched the world pass below her. The sun was shining so brightly that it burst through the leaves and shed fragments of golden light all over her dark clothed form as well at the shaded area below. It was like a broken apart jigsaw puzzled strewn out over the lawn. Smiling softly she relaxed her weight against the trunk of the tree listening to the distant ringing of bells signifying the end of another school day. A year had passed since she’d seen Subaru that day, and in truth, she’d never really asked Seishirou about what had happened. It just hadn’t felt right to her.

Giving a slight shrug of her shoulders, she watched the filter of last year High school students walk beneath the tree she was sitting in. It was funny to her that they never looked up. Most either stared at their feet or at their friends as they carried expressive conversations. She had to admit, it was an honor to go to such a prestige school like Clamp, but her heart wasn’t in the present. It seemed the more time she spent with the assassin, the less of a need she had for emotions and friendship.

As a matter of fact, it was probably better that she didn’t have friends. The deal with Seishirou didn’t get specific when it came to others that she interacted with other than him. That’s what caused her to decide against any personal relationships. She may have been a Sakurazuka by blood, but she wasn’t Sakurazukamori material.

“Yamazakura-san!” Blinking out of her reverie, she dropped her golden brown eyes to the figure standing below her. Sunlight played dazzlingly on the head of brilliant golden hair as the wind toyed with the soft locks. Beautiful pools of cerulean were locked on her alone sparkling and dancing with laughter that could only describe the young Inomoyama Nokoru.

Smiling in return, she hated that it was such an empty gesture. “Konnichiwa Inomoyama-san.” With that, she swiveled slightly and gracefully dropped to the ground like a cat before the teen that was slightly taller than her. “It seems you always find me…”

Nokoru merely continued to smile as he nodded his head. “And you always seemed to be hiding Yamazakura-san. Why is that? Oh, and call me Nokoru… We’ve been in the same class for the past year.” His unending cheerfulness continuously surprised her.

“Well, if I have the honor of calling you by name, then please call me Shuurin.” This time the smile she granted him was gentle and actually genuine. “Why do I hide? I guess it’s because I’m not a big people person Nokoru-san.”

“Is that it? I wouldn’t have thought that…” The blonde seemed to smile even more at her gesture then turned to look at some of the kids passing by. “You shouldn’t always try to be alone Shuurin-san. You look almost sad when I see you.”

Startled at the comment, her green-flecked eyes widened in surprise. “What makes you think such a thing Nokoru-san?” It took a while, but she managed to place another emotionless smile on her face hoping he hadn’t seen the earlier surprise.

“You can smile all you like Shuurin… I know it isn’t you…” Nokoru finally dropped the smile giving her a look of seriousness mixed with concern that only grew when she wilted before him. It wasn’t easy to see what she was feeling, she’d almost fooled him, but sometimes he saw that she wasn’t what she seemed. And that worried him.

Looking down at the ground, her eyes remained wide with shock. No one could see through her like that, not even Seishirou had looked that deeply. But she figured that was because he didn’t care about her. Nokoru on the other hand had an affinity for seeing through her much like he did most of their peers. He was far too intelligent and kind. On her first day on Clamp Campus, many told her about the Inomoyama, but she had merely shrugged it off. Most of the so-called popular types were nothing but shallow and insignificant to her. But Nokoru wasn’t even close to that and was every bit as magnificent as the girls had put him out to be. “You shouldn’t concern yourself with me.”

She could hear his gentle laugh as a hand gently rested on her shoulder. He then carefully cupped her chin and raised her gaze back up to the impossibly blue eyes that seemed to stare straight into her soul. It caused her to tense and nearly pull away, but the warmth that radiated off of him kept her from doing so. “A woman’s concerns should never go unnoticed Shuurin-san.”

This caused her to arch a brow in silent amusement. She’d heard of his chivalrous acts continuously throughout her time at that school. “I do believe that you were born in the wrong era Nokoru-san…” As the taller teen laughed at this comment, she felt a smile return to her face. It was just far too comforting to hear his laughter.

“That may indeed be true…”

“Well then, my chivalrous knight, where are your fellow comrades in the knighthood?”

“Suoh-kun and Akira-kun went on ahead to the student council building. I wanted to stay behind and check on a certain lady perched in a tree like a bird. Care to join me for some tea, or even ice cream?” Laughter still dancing in his eyes, she managed to nod her head in agreement. There really was no telling the teen no. His invitations were truly hard to turn down, and if one did, he found ways to make you say yes anyway.

“That would be nice… But I refuse to let you pay for me Nokoru-san. Besides, we don’t want to upset your close following.” She couldn’t help but smirk at her comment as his expression shifted from a smile to a frown then to a smile again.

“How right you are, but I could never ask a lady to do such a thing. So there is no use in arguing.” Giving a long sigh, she shook her head at the wink he sent her. He was right, there would be no use in arguing with him. He was sure to win.

“You win Nokoru-san.” Smiling lightly, she moved to shoulder her backpack only to have it gently pulled away.

“I’ll carry that for you!” With that the blonde shouldered it along with his own then offered her his free arm with a charming smile. “Shall we?”

It took her a moment, but she finally nodded and slipped her arm into his. “I shouldn’t stay out late… Sei-san will be displeased if I do.” A silent look of contemplation fell over her as they started to walk. She was sure that girls were glaring by now, but she was more concerned with what Seishirou would say if he found out.

“Sei-san? Is this a boyfriend that I should take into consideration?” Nokoru tried to remain cheerful. He didn’t like seeing her look so concerned and saddened like she did at that moment. It was hard enough to avoid the piercing glares being thrown in their direction. Mainly in her direction at that. He was thankful that she didn’t seem to notice.

Shaking her head in a rather vehement manner, a look of slight repulsion crossed her façade. “Seishirou? No way… I’d rather date a snake… Besides, he’s my cousin.”

Nodding his head in understanding, he wasn’t able to suppress the chuckle in his chest. “Is that so? Is he that bad? By the way… is he like your guardian then? Since you seemed to be concerned with what he thinks I mean…”

“Yes… He is that bad, and yes; he’s something of an unfortunate guardian. He’s about as cuddly as a porcupine if you really think about.” Frowning in dismay, she didn’t even realize they’d reached the small café in a corner of the large Clamp Campus. “He’s rather evil in getting back at someone for breaking the rules…” Oh if Nokoru only knew the rules that she was speaking about.

Still chuckling he idly opened the door for her and led her to a table near the window. Pulling out a chair he waved for her to sit before taking his own seat across from her. “He sounds terrible… You said his name is Seishirou?” A thoughtful look crossed his handsome features as he callously lifted the menu that was placed before him by a waitress. “That name is so familiar. What’s his family name?”

Watching him thank the waitress in his normal gentile manner, she gazed at her menu with a little less urgency. There were many Sakurazuka’s in Japan, so she was sure that it wouldn’t really matter if she told him. Sighing softly, she continued to look at the menu pretending that his name was of little importance. “Sakurazuka Seishirou…”

Giving a slow nod, Nokoru crossed his arms and gave a handsome smile that spoke of recognition. “Yes, I remember him. He was in the high school section of Clamp Campus when I was in elementary. I suppose being an Inomoyama is what gave me the right to drift all over campus. Very classy fellow, quiet, but always smiling. As polite as he was, he did so give me the creeps.” Visibly shivering he turned to the waitress with a bright cheery smile. “Tea for the lovely lady and myself please.”

With that, the waitress bounded away nearly shrieking because he smiled at her. It was all too funny to Shuurin in all truth. Straightening her uniform she then looked up to see the intense blue eyes resting on her. “He’s always been something of an enigma… But I didn’t know he went here… I just knew he insisted I go here.”

“Yes, he was from quite a wealthy family.” The seriousness then faded as he closed his eyes and resumed smiling. “I’m glad he insisted then. You are quite a fascinating lady.” The smile slowly faded as he opened his eyes and stared at her. “I will indeed keep trying to make you smile sincerely… and I mean more than just the tiny ones you occasionally send my way.”

Lowering her eyes she kept seeing flashes of her training in dark onmyoujitsu causing her to wince slightly. With something so dark in her life… With roots in her family tree that went so deep for her into misery and death… She wondered how he could be so kind to her. “Then you’ll be trying forever I’m afraid.”

“Then I shall…” Looking up she saw a small but warm smile on his face. Smiling in return, she only wished she could comply with his request. But being whom she was and how she felt deep inside, she was almost positive that would never happen.

~*~

It was late, and the shadows were beginning to stretch great lengths over the lessening patches of dwindling sunlight. They’d talked longer than she had expected and dusk was now upon them. Nokoru had insisted on walking her at least halfway home before returning to the student council building. She tried hard to hide her timidity in his presence, but with each shadow they crossed, the more apparent in became.

Shuurin was literally beginning to shake visibly praying and hoping that her dear cousin wouldn’t show up. She didn’t want him to know about Nokoru trying to be her friend. That could be used against her and only hurt him gravely. He’d more than likely had enough of that being the heir to the Inomoyama family. Staring at the ground intently, she knew she was closing off her senses and that it was a bad thing, but she really didn’t want to know if Seishirou was near. “Daijoubu, Shuurin-san?”

Nodding her head a bit too jerkily, she knew she was far from convincing. “I’m fine Nokoru-san. Please don’t concern yourself.”

“Is it because I detained you for too long? I’m really sorry about that Shuurin-san. Should I speak with Sakurazuka-san for you and apologize?” Sincerity colored his voice as she lifted eyes wide with fear to meet his gaze.

“NO! I mean… No thank you… I don’t want you to deal with him…” Looking away she braced her forehead in her hand groaning softly to herself. This was going all wrong. “I can walk on from here. You go on back…”

They stopped in their progress and he turned to her with worry in his wide blue eyes. “Are you sure?” He watched her nod slowly then sighed in desperation. She was definitely the hardest case he’d ever dealt with. Never had a girl been so insistent that he leave her presence as soon as possible. Reluctantly handing her back her backpack, he gave her a wane smile that was touched with sadness. “If you insist… Who am I to argue with a lady?”

Staring at him a long moment, she managed a weak smile. “You really do see me as a lady don’t you?” At his nod she laughed lightly that had almost a hollow echo. She really didn’t want it to sound that way, but there was nothing she could do. “Thank you for trying to cheer me up Nokoru-san… I hope I haven’t made too many young ladies angry.” Tilting her head, he could see the exhaustion in her eyes from forcing herself to look like what she wasn’t so often.

One had to be thankful that she showed him as much emotion as she did. “It will be fine Shuurin-san… I’ll see you at school tomorrow. Please be careful.” Giving her one last smile, he carefully took her hand and kissed the back of it lightly. “Ja ne…”

A light blush filled her cheeks then quickly vanished as she nodded her head. “You as well.. Ja…” Watching him leave, she felt a smile tug at her lips. She knew she should have just turned and left, but she couldn’t stop looking at him till he’d completely vanished from her vision into the fading day. Finally turning she ran head on into the one person she hadn’t been looking forward to seeing.

“Ah… So that’s why I’ve heard so many young girls crying this afternoon. You’ve dealt a cruel blow to society…” Shuurin slowly looked up at the sarcastic tone only to meet the ‘oh so familiar’ empty smile.

“Hello Sei-san…and what on earth are you talking about?” Giving him an impatient look, the man merely laughed in amusement before giving her one of his evil smiles that confirmed that he was indeed up to something.

“New boyfriend? Inomoyama-sama no less…” Smiling even more, the man then gently adjusted the sunglasses resting on his nose. “You do think big don’t you? Not only in onmyoujitsu, but dating as well. I’m impressed my dear cousin. Maybe we should invite him to dinner sometime…”

Looking up in shock, she managed to glare at him darkly. “You’re underlying meaning is sick… Just leave him alone. He’s only trying to cheer me up.”

“Cheer you up? Whatever for? You’re such a spunky one with an amusingly sharp tongue. I do so love finding something to tease you with.” Smirking coldly, Seishirou turned on his heel and started walking in the direction of home at a casual pace waiting for her to catch up. As she did, he reached into his coat and retrieved a cigarette. “I suppose since you’re late, you’ll have to miss out on any lessons. Unless you want to go to work with me.”

Throwing him another emotionless glare, she arched a brow and shook her head. “No thanks, I’ll pass.”

“Suit yourself my cousin… So you know, training will be resumed tomorrow, and you aren’t going to like it.” Smiling in a cheerful manner that she knew wasn’t real; she could only nod in reply. They walked on in silence for a long moment, before the man looked down at her and spoke in a soft even tone. “You told him about me?”

Nodding slowly, she then shrugged her shoulders in mock disinterest. “He said you were a student here…”

“Yes I was. That was quite a way back.” Chuckling in dry amusement, he then added on to the comment with a mocking tone. “I’m getting old…” Taking a long drag on the cigarette, he then exhaled the thin line of white smoke.

“Twenty-six isn’t that old.”

“I’m nearly twenty-seven.”

Rolling her eyes at his mockery, she finally let the frown melt away into a blank look that shifted into curiosity. “Sei-san… When I left the Sumeragi’s… Subaru-san tried to stop me. From what I can tell, you and him have met…”

“Oh… brilliant deduction my little raindrop. Yes… Subaru-kun and I have met.” Looking up at him, she could only arch a brow at the cold smile that now rested on his lips. “He and I go quite a ways back actually.”

“Care to share with me?” Seishirou paused and gave her a steady look before looking straight ahead once more. “All I know is that he used to be very kind and vibrant… Now he best resembles a zombie. Do you have something to do with that?”

“Should you be asking so many questions?” A wry look crossed Seishirou’s lips as he flicked the cigarette away from his hand and then buried his hands in his pockets. “Yes… I had everything to do with it if you really wish to know.” Ignoring the look of shock in her eyes, he continued to stare on into the approaching darkness. A smile curled his lips that sent chills down her back. It was so cold and close to hateful. She couldn’t even begin to comprehend. “When Subaru-kun was eight… I made a bet with him. That if he could make me love him within a years time when we met again, I wouldn’t kill him.”

“I take it he lost… Why didn’t you kill him then?” A brow arched slightly at the look of amusement that played on her older cousin’s face. “Why did you make that bet anyway?”

“For someone that’s so normally quiet, you do ask me quite a few questions.” Smirking, he shrugged his shoulders then continued on in his story. “I don’t feel. Life has about as much value to me as an inanimate object. I wanted to see if such a pure and innocent boy could make me think otherwise… But in the end he couldn’t, and I’m still as emotionless as I was when I made the bet.”

Studying Seishirou carefully as he smiled coldly, she finally looked away and spoke in a steady tone. “All human beings have emotions. All humans feel. Even if the feeling is hatred or disgust, it’s still a feeling. And because of this, all are capable of love. No matter what they think…”

Turning to her, he felt himself glaring in near anger before pushing it aside and smirking. “You aren’t as naïve as Subaru-kun… But I can’t agree with you. I was raised to be unfeeling. I was groomed to be the Sakurazukamori. So your words mean nothing to me.”

Shuurin smiled slightly as Seishirou looked away. He was lying yet again. The man was buried so deeply in lies, it was hard for even him to tell what the truth was any longer. After all, one is only as evil as they think they are. “If you say so Sei-san.” Nothing else would be said, but she didn’t mind. She’d been able to crack his façade even if only minutely and that was quite a feat.

~ Chapter Two ~

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