A/N: ok, peeps, I finally finished this chapter. I was stuck on it for almost a year then, an idea cam to me in a dream

Laughy: yeah, but also in that dream was also dancing sushi.

Me: …

Dramay: leave her alone

Me: thanks Dramay. Ok, onto the story! Oh, and there is no dancing sushi.

Chapter 9

“Milady,” Hinata looked around to see Chika standing in the doorway. In the old woman’s arms were scrolls upon scrolls of paper. She smiled at the priestess, who smiled back, rather sleepily.

Minoru had kept her up most of the night before but she didn’t mind. She loved the child and kept him close to her as though she was his birth mother. Many had offered to take the child “off her hands” but she just snapped back that Minoru was her responsibility and he was now her child.

Several months had passed since the death of Kaede and the village was back in its normal routine but this was not so easy for Hinata. She felt it was her fault that the good woman died. Many tried to convince her it was not but nothing helped.

Chika walked slowly into the chamber and sat herself beside the grieving priestess.

“Milady, I… found some things of interest in the Shrine.”

“Really? What are they?”

“Well, I found out that you never completed your spiritual journey. After the first battle you stayed in the village to help the wounded. I also found several other things, such as… such as…”

“Such as what, Chika?” asked Hinata, her eyebrows raised.

“Your journal, milady,” said Chika, with her head bowed.

“Really? Well I would like that back,” said Hinata, holding out her hand, not even a small joking smile on her face. Chika handed most of the scrolls to Hinata.

“Also, milady, I found this,” said Chika pulling a burnt scroll out of her kimono. Hinata open the scroll.

“This…this is a prophecy.

“And it… it is in your mother’s hand!” said Chika. “I saw some of the documents your mother had written and the handwriting is the same.”

“Chika,” the princess looked at the scroll keeper. “Would you read it? I can barely see straight these days.”

“Of course, milady,” said Chika, bowing slightly. She carefully unrolled the scroll. “It says… ‘When the moon is full, and princess’ heart strong, she must choose between lovers. Two will want her love. One for her power and beauty, one for her heart and soul. Whomever she chooses will determine her fate…’ and the rest is burned away.”

Hinata sighed.

“Milady, are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine, it’s just…” at that precise moment shouts flouted in through her window. Hinata quickly grabbed her sword and rushed outside. Outside villagers were running away from a monstrous creature. It was as tall as a five story building and it looked like a… a…

“Fish? With arms and legs?” Hinata looked at Chika. The old woman shrugged. Just then Osamu ran up to the confused princess.

“Milady, it is a demon. He is Roamon. He devours the eyes of all living creatures. He is a most dangerous demon.”

As the sun shined upon the demon, Hinata saw the demon in full light.

He was as red as blood and his entire body was covered in eyes, human, animal, and demon alike.

Many more screams came from the frightened villagers. The demon smiled. It seemed that the screams escaping the villagers’ mouths only encouraged the demon more to wreak as much habit as possible. He laughed horribly when he saw a young girl crying for her mother.

“What beautiful eyes you have,” he said reaching toward the young girl. “I could just eat you up.” The girl screamed as he reached for her but his hand drew back with a shout of pain as a sword cut of his hand. Black blood spurted from the wound, dripping steadily onto the ground.

As Roamon looked down he saw a beautiful maiden with chocolate brown eyes, holding a sword that was drenched in his blood, protecting the small child. As the demon looked into the woman’s eyes, which were filled with good memories and sorrowful ones, the world around him became silent. What beautiful eyes. What beautiful…everything.

Slowly, the demon began to look more human. His skin was white as eye whites, is hair was blood red and he wore a robe that looked like fish scales which was covered in the eyes that were on his full form. His face had two eyes but they didn’t match at all. You could clearly see that one eye was fake. He bowed before Hinata. She just raised her eyebrows. She had learned the hard way not to judge everyone by their appearance or etiquette.

“Pardon my intrusion,” he said, his voice rich and hypnotizing. “I was just passing through and…”

“And you decided to attack this village?” interrupted Hinata, looking down coldly at him with her beautiful brown eyes. Roamon looked into them, entranced by her beauty. Her rage just made her more appealing to him. He felt his heart beat faster. He couldn’t, however, answer her question, being what she said was true.

“If you wish to live,” she said coldly, as the young girl ran to her mother, “leave now and I will spare you.”

“I can not do that,” said Roamon, smiling wickedly at her. “I am cursed, you see and if I wish to break it, I must eat the eyes of the most beautiful creature alive. I have eaten many beautiful things for 6,000 years and my curse has not broken. But now I see that I have eaten things that could not compare to your beauty.”

“What happened to you that you must be cursed?” asked Hinata, no sympathy in her eyes. “What caused you to be cursed?” Roamon sighed and stood up. Hinata took a defensive stand but the demon did not advance.

“I fell in love with a woman I should not have. She was the daughter of a magician and was the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. We saw each other secretly until her father discovered us. He said I was unworthy to see his daughter so he cursed me. The curse could not be broken until I eat the eyes of the most beautiful creature that has ever lived so I set out to find that creature and now it has been 6,000 years and I have eaten many beautiful things but the curse has not been broken.” Roamon looked into Hinata’s eyes and within them, and she saw sadness and sincerity within them.

“You must be her reincarnation, for your beauty rivals only hers. You must be her. You must be Aimi.” He looked at Hinata, darkness and greed suddenly appeared in his eyes. Hinata stiffened, sensing that something was coming. “I must have your eyes,” he whispered, inching toward her, reaching toward her face. Hinata inched back, still in her defensive stance. Her eyes were still cold and hate replaced the kindness the princess was known for.

“Smile,” said Roamon, his voice dark. “I want to see the light in your eyes before I eat them. After that, we can be together.” Hinata said nothing. As the demon inched forward, she retreated, hated on her face. She knew that she was not Aimi but she had no way to prove it. Even if she did, she doubted she could convince him otherwise.

“How do you know I am Aimi?” she asked, staling for time as she thought up a plan.

“Your beauty,” Roamon said, his voice still dark. “It is exactly how I remember it. Your voice, still as sweet as it was 6,000 years ago. You must be her, so I must have your eyes.” As he advanced upon the princess, his appearance became less human. He became fish-like again and began to grow to enormous size. Hinata tightened the hold on her sword as sweat formed on her forehead. Of course, she thought. Right when I heard that prophecy a guy declares that I am the reincarnation on his long lost love. Just perfect. She continued to back way from the demon, keeping her face straight but her heart was beating faster then she had ever felt it. Sweat continued to run down her face. She could just fell all eyes on her and anyone who so much as twitched toward her to help, her sense of protection overtook her fear and she shouted, “Stay back!” Every time she said this, Roamon would chuckle and say, “Same old Aimi.”

Soon, however, Roamon became inpatient and began to move more quickly towards her. As his pace sped up, the less defensive stance Hinata had. This was scary, she had never been this scared before, not even when she had been so close to death months ago. Soon she was not even attempting to keep a defensive stance, she was running, running toward the village’s entrance, leading the demon away from the village she longed to protect. If anymore were to die because of her, she would never forgive herself and would kill anyone and anything that came close to the village. Anyone and anything that came close to her.

Roamon followed Hinata diligently, ignoring everything else. He did not notice that they had left the village, he did not notice that they had walked pass the bridge, he did not notice that they ran into the forest where he once came.

Hinata ran as fast and far as she could, knowing that there was no way she could lose this demon. She only staled, looking for her one last hope, her only hope.

In a distant clearing, Kitsunefan was sitting by a small trickling waterfall, picking a small bone out of his fangs.

“Damn rabbits,” he muttered. “Tasty but too many bones.” Silently, he spat out a small hairball. “Too much fur too.” As he spat out another fur ball, a familiar scent hit his nose, a scent he had memorized hundreds of years ago. Standing up, he raced toward the scent.

Hinata fell to the ground, her arms and legs scratched and bloody from her desperate plan she had made. Now, lying on the ground, panting for breath, she cursed herself for not thinking it through. Although, she thought to herself, panting and listening hard. What time does one have to think up a plan when they are running away from an obsessed lunatic? She groaned when she heard Roamon running up behind her. How can a fish with legs run so fast? she asked herself, struggling to her feet once again. Unfortunately at that precise moment, Roamon had caught up with her.

“Why do you run?” asked the demon, his voice raspy like he was deprived of water. “Don’t you remember me?” Before Hinata could answer, the demon lunged at her, taking a swipe at her face. Stepping backwards, she managed to receive just a small scrap on her cheek but she stumbled backward and fell onto her back. Letting out a gasp of pain, she tried to remain calm, although, that’s kind of hard when your eyes are about to be eaten and you have no chance of escape.

“Now,” Roamon said darkly, bearing down on her. “Give me your eyes.”

“No,” said Hinata, braver then she felt, “I like my eyes where they are, thanks.”

“But Aimi…”

“Let’s get on thing straight,” said Hinata heatedly. “My name is Hinata, not Aimi.”

“You must be Aimi,” growled Roamon, continuing to bare down on her. “Your beauty…”

“Beauty isn’t everything,” growled Hinata.

“Beauty is EVERYTHING!!!” shouted Roamon, all of the eyes on his body turning red with anger.

“Your father told me that! That is the reason your father cursed me! Because I was too ugly to look at you! Now…GIVE ME YOUR EYES!!!!” Hinata braced herself for the feel of claws goring out her eyes, when she heard Roamon scream in pain and a voice said, “She said no.”

Hinata’s heart beat faster as she recognized the voice and a sense of relief flooded over her. Looking up, she saw Kitsunefan’s back, shielding her. Roamon had a deep gash across his chest and all of his eyes were facing Kitsunefan, menace in them.

“So, Aimi,” she said darkly. “You have found another. Am I not good enough for you?”

“Her name is Hinata,” said Kitsunefan, before Hinata could open her mouth. “She is the princess and head priestess of the Sansui village. Not Aimi.”

“How dare you interrupt us,” growled Roamon. “Do you know who I am?”

“Yeah,” snorted Kitsunefan. “You’re that fish demon who eats people’s eyes. Disgusting,” spat Kitsunefan. Roamon growled at the half fox demon.

“Who do you think you are?”

“I don’t need to tell you my name,” said Kitsunefan coolly. “You won’t live long enough to remember it.” Roamon growled again, this time, loader then before. Kitsunefan too growled, but for what reason, Hinata did not know.

“Fine,” said Roamon. “Then I shall call you dead.” Roamon rushed Kitsunefan but, picking up Hinata, he dodged the attack. Letting her down again, Kitsunefan attacked the fish demon, swiping at his eyes. Roamon flinched but continued to attack. Claw for claw, teeth for teeth, the two demons fought while Hinata watched in horror. She did not want this; she did not want ours to die for her, not again. She thought over the magician’s word over in her head. She doubted that the magician wanted Roamon to literally eat the eyes of thing beautiful. It reminded her of a saying of Jennifer’s, one that stuck in her mind like flies on honey. Beauty isn’t on the outside but inside you. The thing you see on the outside is a mask, a thing one may consider beauty, is nothing but something that hides who you truly are. True beauty, is what is on the inside.

“…On the inside,” repeated Hinata, looking over at the fighting demons. Looking at the sword in her hand, seeing her refection within it, she saw a woman who was trying to shut out all happiness, trying to protect the people she ruled by trying to shut out all emotion, by keeping her guilt on her chest, to remind her of her fault, that wasn’t really hers. Standing to her feet, she walked toward the fight.

“Hinata, no!” shouted Kitsunefan, still dodging Roamon’s blows. “Get back! Get back!” Hinata paid no attention to his commands. Gripping her sword in her hand, she approached Roamon, who was too busy attacking the half fox demon, had all of his eyes focused on him. Placing a finger to her lips, she raised the sword above her head and plunged it into the only eye of Roamon’s that was not crimson red.

As the sword plunged into the eye, it shriveled and hiss like hot metal in water. Roamon shirked in pain and switched targets as Hinata pulled her sword out of the bleeding eye. He took swipes at the girl as she parried his attacks and he received small injuries from her sword, she taking small blows from his attacks, keeping him at bay. Kitsunefan too tried to help but he was merely knocked aside by Roamon as he attacked Hinata.

“Stay out of this, Kitsunefan!” she shouted, blocking Roamon’s latest attack.

“But…”

“NO!” shouted Hinata, taking her eyes off Roamon. Taking her moment of distraction, Roamon, took a swipe at Hinata. With a scream of pain, Hinata dropped to the ground, clutching her arm, blood spilling steadily from the wound.

“Hinata!” shouted Kitsunefan, taking a step toward her, concern in his eyes.

“No,” said Hinata through gritted teeth. “This…is…my…fight…”

“Aww, Aimi. You wish to fight me on your own,” said Roamon, mockingly. “How brave and noble of you.”

“You…are…blind…” said Hinata, through gritted teeth.

“Blind?” Roamon looked confused. “How can I be blind? I have hundreds of eyes, how can I be blind?”

“If you…truly…loved Aimi…you would have…solved the riddle…as soon…as…it was placed on…you.” Hinata gasped again, holding her arm. “Her…her father never…never meant…for you…to eat eyes.” She looked at the demon, pity in her eyes. “If…if you…truly loved Aimi…you would have…realized that…true beauty…is on the in…inside. You…you loved…Aimi’s…mask, not…not her true beauty. Not…not her.” She gasped again, gritting her teeth.

Raising her sword again, she slashed at Roamon, leaving a deep wound in the skin and eyes. Roamon screamed but didn’t strike back. She saw the bleeding eye that she had stabbed before, below it was blood red scales, no eye of an odd size, just scales. She saw the skin pulsing, like it was breathing but knowing, by her minimal knowledge of fish antinomy, that it was his heart. Raising her sword, she plunged it into the demon’s heart. Roamon let out a shriek, all of his eyes rolling back, the demon fell to the ground, dead from his own blunder and blindness.

Hinata looked at the demon and the blood soaked ground. She groaned in pain and fainted. Before she could hit the ground, Kitsunefan caught her. Gathering her up in his arms, he ran toward his waterfall, deep in the forest. Looking down at Hinata, his heart skipped and a small blush crossed his face. Shaking his head, trying to rid himself of the thought that had entered his head, he ran to safety with Hinata, bleeding and breathing in his arms.

A/n: ok I will update soon. Please review!