out in pain and anger, and started thrashing around, trying to throw off his attacker.
Kara realised that it was Inei, who shoved his katana deep into the demon’s back, using his opportunity while the demon was concentrated at Kara. For her it meant that she could dart towards the fight and try and retrieve her katana – having at least one weapon, she could help Itsuki – the real Itsuki! – to take down the demon.
Inei seemed furious – he cut and hit the demon, while it was thrashing. Again and again the shinobi was landing more and more blows on the beast. Even before Kara jumped in to help and began slicing the demon’s legs and arms, Inei managed to cause a great deal of damage, growling louder and louder with each hit he landed onto the beast.
Finally, Kara managed to come close enough to cut across the demon’s belly, letting out his hot, steaming entrails onto the ground. It took a few moments for the beast to realise its demise, before it twitched for the last time and fell to the ground lifeless.
Kara, shaking and shocked, stepped back, trying to cover her half-naked body with whatever clothes she had left. By the time she covered herself up a bit, she saw Itsuki walking up to her. His eyes burned with anger, but he stepped up to her and embraced her – gently and lovingly.
«Did he…?» the man asked.
«No. I didn’t let him.» Kara replied, still feeling the salty, oily aftertaste of the demon’s blood on her lips.
«My deadly flower bites.» Itsuki kissed her forehead, and Kara relaxed from his warm touch.
«Help me find my katana, please.» Kara sighed, realizing that she was still missing one of her weapons.
Together they searched the field and managed to find the katana in no time. For a couple of moments Kara got distracted by the sunrise that turned the skies to a beautiful set of colours from bright orange to pale violet. She stood there, watching the sun rising and thought about how badly things could have turned, if she wouldn’t have fought back.
«Who did he look like?» Itsuki asked, taking her hand to show that he was close.
Kara took a moment to reply, wiping the demon’s blood off her face:
«You. He took your form, Itsuki… He thought I wouldn’t notice the difference.»
He embraced her once more with a heavy sigh.
«Don’t dare say that you’re sorry you weren’t here!» Kara whispered. «Because you were! You came just in time!»
«Why do you leave every night, Nakano? You would be much safer with us at your back.»
«I don’t want people to get hurt because of me. I leave, so that no one else will die.»
Itsuki kept silent for a moment, then gently touched her chin and lifted her head to make her look at him. When she did, he leaned in and kissed her lips.
«You care for others more than yourself.» He said. «I admire this trait in you. However much you say that you don’t really like people, you sure try your best to keep them safe. Even if it’s at the expense of your own well-being.»
«I’m capable of withstanding more than others.» Kara replied with an awkward smile. «Even if sometimes I forget about it…»
«You have to start accepting help every now and again, though.»
Kara sighed heavily.
«I know, Itsuki.» She said. «But accepting someone’s help means accepting the possibility they will come to harm…»
«Oh, my deadly flower…» Itsuki hugged her with a smile on his face. «Do you really have so little faith in me?»
Kara couldn’t tell him the truth – she never had anyone by her side to trust and have faith in. She lived all her life relying only on herself and the relationship that bloomed between her and Itsuki was a first to her. She did have an occasional lover back home, but never something this deep of a connection.
Suddenly, Itsuki frowned and pressed his forehead to hers:
«Or have you never had anyone by your side at all?»
Even though he smiled, Kara felt fear crawl into her heart.
«Is that what’s it all about?» Itsuki asked. «You’ve never had anyone?»
«I’ve had lovers. They never stayed for too long.» She finally admitted. «I’ve never…»
Her voice gave out and she couldn’t understand why. Perhaps, because she was afraid that he would also leave her?
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