Hakkenden: Eight Dogs of the East [FanFic]

Chapter 23: Unexpected Company

3rd Person's POV

You ran as fast as you could so that they wouldn't catch up to you.

Your siblings and the bead holders followed you and so did Hamaji and the four families.

Your guy best friend saw you and tried calling you and catching up to you but you hid. You closed your eyes tightly as tears started flowing your soft cheeks.

"Just hearing them call my name hurts me. I'll just cause trouble and a lot of problem to them." You thought as you bit your lip harder than before.

The voices stopped so you sighed in relief.

"Running away from your problems, Demon?" You'd knew that voice anywhere.

"What do you want, Ao?" You asked coldly as you wiped your tears.

"I don't usually do this but here." He threw his coat to you which you caught easily.

"What's this for?" You raised a brow.

He jumped in front of you and grabbed your hand.

"What are you--" You were cut off by the rain.

"Just great." You said. Ao got his coat from your grip and drapped it on your head.

"Come on." He said as he led you to a cave.

He took of his shirt which was soaking wet. You looked to his direction and instantly looked away with a flushed face.

Who wouldn't? You saw his toned body. He was hot.

"Liked what you saw?" He asked with a smirk.

"In your dreams, Shadow." You stuck out your tongue at him. He just smirked.

"A-Ao." You called and he looked at you as he leaned on the side of the cave and sat there.

"Th-Thanks." You only said and looked away and sat down. You hugged your knees and buried your face on it.

You felt two arms wrap around you that caused you to look up.

"If you need anything, just call me. *sighs*" He said with a faint blush on his cheeks.

It made you smile a little and it made you blush. You were about to close your eyes when you noticed that Ao had nothing for his top.

"Ao." He looked at you. You removed his coat and the two of you shared it.

"Even if you're just Sosuke's shadow, you're still someone who could get sick." You said and snuggle up to his bare chest.

He smirked with a slight blush.

"Does it feel... warm now?" He asked while looking away with a blush but still embracing you.

"Yes. Th-Thanks." You replied. You looked at your hands before cupping your cheeks with both your hands.

"Huh? Why... Why am I blushing? I-Its not that I hate this feeling. Its just that... its Ao. My enemy and the guy who tried to kill me once." You thought and shut your eyes tight.

"You okay?" He asked and looked at your flushed face.

"Y-Yes and please don't look at me." You said and turned your head to the other side.

He smirked and held both your hands with his other free hand.

"You look cute when you blush." He said and you looked at him in shock.

He suddenly did something that made your heart skip a beat and even made you more flushed than before.

"He... kissed... me... on... my... lips."

It was shocking knowing that the guy that tried to kill you once was also the guy who helped you and kept you company while you're lonely and so you just melted into the heated kiss.

A minute later, he pulled away with a string of saliva. He opened his once closed eyes and you saw... love in it?

You're eyes were half open when you saw his eyes with love.

"You taste sweet for a demon." He said in a husky voice that made shivers down your spine.

"I-I do not." You replied silently and looked away.

"[Your Name] look at me." Your heart warmed up to him when he called you by your real name.

"Wh-What is it?" You stuttered.

"I just want you to know that... if ever you need someone to talk to, I'm always here watching and guiding you. Protecting you from all cause." He said seriously. You searched his eyes for any hint of lie but didn't see any.

"Wh-Why are you doing this? I-I thought you h-hated me." You were in the verge of crying but he hugged you tight and kissed the top of your head.

"I don't. I actually... love you. Ever since the day we fought. I thought you looked so beautiful with those mad and fierce look." He replied. You were silent. Waiting for his next words.

"I already fell for a demon. With just one look at you, I feel weak and I act this way." He was blushing like hell.

You would never thought that a guy like him would say such things and it actually made you smile since... of all the bead holders or Satomi never said things this sweet.

"You know, Ao. I hated you back then but... I noticed the kindness in you. You are sincere with each word you say and so... I think I can love you too." Was what you said.

"I-I only act... this way with you and expect that I wouldn't love any other girl. Just you." He said and pulled away from the hug and looked at you with a soft and tender gaze.

"Th-Thanks Ao."

"I experienced the same thing so... I'm willing to accept you whatever happens." He said and that's when you realized something.

Your expression changed from being happy to being anxious.

"What's wrong?" He asked as he cupped your cheeks.

"I just... thought what if... I put your life in danger too. Just... like what happened to Shino. Then you'll judge me too." You said as tears started running down your soft cheeks.

He caressed your cheeks and gave your lips a peck before saying, "Why would I judge you with such a shallow reason? I don't have the right to do that to the girl I fell in love with."

"Are you... sure about that?" You sniffed and pouted. He chuckled and kissed your cheeks.

"Of course." His smile made your heart flutter.

He embraced you again and you snuggled close to his chest again as the two of you watched the rain.

~Meanwhile~

"I'm getting so worried about her right now." Your brother said as he tapped his feet impatiently. Waiting for the rain to stop.

"It's all our fault. We shouldn't have asked her that kind of question. I feel like all we cared about was our feelings." Dousetsu said with a sad expression.

"If only none of you said you love Nee-chan and made her decide a hard decision, she wouldn't act this way!" Your youngest sister said and rushed up to her room.

"I'll just... go after her." Was all your other sister said and the boys with the other girls sighed. Including your guy friend.

"I hope you're alright, [Your Name]." Your brother thought as he kept on staring at the rain.