A Tale of Horror

Chapter 6

By Amazon

"Our destiny is fueled by our dreams…

our dreams are fueled by our love of our destiny."

-Amazon

All heads turned to look at the man that stood in the doorway. He stood a couple of inches taller than Ryo. His black hair swirled in an unfelt breeze and his tiger blue eyes stared into Kaoru’s black eyes. He wore Samurai fuku and a sword was strapped at his waist. He could be no other than Kawashima Kiochi. Kaoru audibly gasped.

"I did not love her." Kiochi repeated.

Kaoru looked at him with hatred in her eyes. Ryo was completely forgotten. "You said you loved her! I heard you speak those words!"

"I was wrong. And foolish." Kiochi spoke in a low tenor.

"Do you expect me to believe you?! After all those lies you told me?!" Kaoru screeched.

"Well, yes. I took you for granted and when something better came along...I wanted out of our betrothal."
"SO YOU MURDERED ME?! I WANT MY REVENGE!"
"You've had it. She died very early. I killed myself in grief. I'd lost you forever and it was my own stupid fault."
"No! I don't believe you!" Kaoru spun around and lunged at Ryo, knife flashing but Kiochi moved in her way and stopped her. Her eyes flashed in anger at that. Ryo sank to his knees, relieved that Kiochi had stopped the blade.
"Leave this boy alone. He is not a part of this struggle, but a much greater one. It is his destiny to live."
"And it is your destiny to die!" Kaoru struck Kiochi in the chest, even though it went right through him. Tears started to form in the corners of her eyes. "I have it. I
have my-my revenge...."

The Ronins watched as Kaoru slowly faded from their view. When she looked at them her eyes were moist and an actual smile graced her lips. Kiochi remained behind, a smile also twisting his lips. He turned to Ronins.

"Gomen nasai for all the trouble she’s caused. She is finely at rest and she will not bother you anymore." Kiochi apologized, bowing deeply.

"Umm…that’s okay." Ryo said. It felt like the only thing to say at the time.

"Sleep well, warriors. We will watch over you." Kiochi bowed again and disappeared. The ice evaporated and the coldness lifted itself off the room. The five young men looked at each other with almost identical looks on their faces.

"So…I guess we should call Mia and tell her we got rid of the ghost." Rowen suggested. White Blaze came into the room at that time and went over to Ryo, rubbing his head against his hip.

"Hey, boy, where have you been?" Ryo asked the large white tiger as he scratched him behind the ears. The tiger purred and gave him a mirthful look. He shook his head and went over to help the guys place the couch and table where they had been before. No words were exchanged until they were done.

"Ya know, she was cute." Sage said, grinning devilishly. The other guys couldn’t help but smile at the comment and roll their eyes.

"She is way out of your league, Sage." Rowen patted his best friend on the back. Sage assumed a downcast look and everybody laughed, even Sage. "Maybe in a couple hundred years, buddy."

"Well, at least everything’s back to normal," Cye paused. "Or as normal as normal gets around here."

Ryo smiled and patted White Blaze again. "Hai, it is. C’mon guys let’s call Mia and then get some dinner."

"Yea!" Kento cheered and raced out of the room with the others right behind him, shouting threats at the Chinese boy.

Ryo let out a soft laugh and started to walk out of the room. He got the feeling that someone was behind him, he stopped and looked. Someone was. It was Kaoru. She wore a clean white, layered kimono that reminded him of Kayura’s and her hair was done in a way that made it look like a fan of black silk was tied to the back of her head. Her red painted lips were in a friendly smile. She waved at him. He waved back.

"Thank you." She turned and walked through the wall that separated the living room from the office on that floor.

White Blaze whined and pushed against Ryo’s hip, pushing him toward the door. Ryo let the tiger push him out of the room and into the kitchen where the guys were getting dinner. Everything was going to be fine again. And he was grateful even though he came out with a few more scars than he wanted.

The End

Amazon note: I would like to thank my best bud Riana for helping me with my story, without her it would never have been possible for me to end it. So, please send your comments on the story to her as well at: ashley_m@mail.ev1.net. All comments and flames are welcome, though flames will not be responded to. Doumo arigato for reading my story. May all you fanfic writers out there have happy writings!