[KH/FF] Treachery of Fate: Blood and Betrayal

Chapter 66

The night was slate gray- moonless, starless, and covered with the presence of unwanted clouds that were slowly disappearing. It was still a good hour before sunrise, meaning you had been crying for the past few, freerunning before that and maybe again a short while. After escaping to your room earlier, you climbed onto the roof and ran from ridge to ridge of the following houses until coming to a stop at the mall where you were now perched on the clear, dome like top in the middle.

Sighing, you leaned back on your hands, only to wince in pain and sit up quickly. You glanced at your arm- the shuriken you forgot about had blood encrusted on the edges, halfway in. The other in your left leg was also lodged into the opening of a wound, only an edge inside with the dried blood pulling at the surrounding skin.

You laid a hand firmly on the shuriken in your leg, pulling it out in one swift motion, then manifesting a few medicinal supplies. After cleaning around it and painfully scraping the dried blood off, you plastered on a large band aid, then applied a wrap of bandages over it, being that the crimson liquid already began seeping through the first layer.

Next, you took a few deep breaths, a shaking left hand over the shuriken inside your right forearm. You were about to pull it out when you felt the presence of someone and instantly stood, summoning your katana and turning to where the culprit should’ve been- only to have your eyebrows furrow in confusion at seeing a pile of cherry blossom petals instead.

A light breeze blew, the petals swirling in the air over the singular space before glowing and coming together. Forming a cocoon that dispersed within the same moment, they revealed a tall teen male in front of you with an athletic build. Graphite- a few shades away from black- colored hair fell softly over his silver eyes and was straight, yet shaggy. Around his neck, he sported a black spiked choker- the yin yang symbol engraved into it front and center. Accompanying that, he sported

 a simple black shirt and jeans. He wore a sympathetic expression on his face as he inched closer, and about a foot away, you extended your arm out, your blade to his neck.

“Who are you,” you snarled, in no mood for a fight yet again.

“I have come to assist you,” he got on one knee, lowing his head with one arm behind him and the other in front which was bent- indicating a warrior’s bow to their superiors,” [Name]-hime.”

“A-Akinori?” you whispered, putting your blade away.

“Yes, hime. This is my human form,” he stated, still in the same position. “I can release myself into this state by your calling. However, if I feel you are in need of my aid, I have the power to do so by my own will. With your permission, may I help with your injuries?”

“Sure,” you sighed, plopping down. “How are you able to do this?”

“We kudans were once human,” he crouched down beside you, inspecting your arm. “We have died, but by the order of gods and identity of our own hearts, we were at choice to either rest in the afterlife or be reborn as a kudan- protectors for those who harbor powers. This choice doesn’t come to everyone though.”

“So how were you and your brother chosen?”

Pain crossed his eyes and he looked away,” If it is possible, may I not speak of that?”

“I understand,” you nodded curtly, then raised an eyebrow at the hand he was holding out.

“It is lodged in deep [Name]-hime, you should hold my hand. I’m skeptical that you are the screaming type.”