In the cold barren wilderness, where the sun kisses the horizon — coloring the snow-covered ground crimson — He, the crazy demon, a descendant of the Oni, glared hatefully at his adversary. His eyes blaze with madness, pupils dilated, and a ragged breathing — a wicked smile formed on his bloody lips.
"Arrogant witch!" Elric spat as he swings his sword towards her neck.
Chiyo nimbly bent her knees, the sword swinging at the top of her head, then her hand moved. While she was on her knees, her dagger tried to cut his shin — a lethal intent. The dagger, crimson-stained, hits nothing but air as her foe quickly dodged the attack, yet making him stumble.
Chiyo took this chance to stand. The cold air stung her pale face that was void of anything but arrogance. Her eyes — mocking; lips — lifted to a conceited smile as her expression bears the weight of vengeance. She lazily ran her right hand through her raven hair while the other was expertly swinging the dagger, its blade catching the fading light.
Then it stopped moving.
Her grip tightened, white-knuckled. And as the night finally started, her smirk remains unyielding — wicked, arrogant, and unafraid.
"Why don't we settle this now, you wimp." She said. Her gaze turned cold as Elric stubbornly raised his middle finger.
He balanced his footing. Raising the sword to his face, he glanced at his disheveled reflection. Hair messy. Clothes, once pristine, now tattered and bloodied — bearing her hatred. Elric snickered at her.
"D*mn you, you arrogant witch! Let's see if you can still run your mouth once I cut that tongue of yours!"
Chiyo can't help but chuckle and it echoed through the wilderness. As if to show him how shameless she can get, she even dared to sit down, not minding the cold nor the threat in his eyes, and eyes gleaming with mockery, she stuck out her tongue to provoke him.
"You're just lucky you are a part of the king's cadre. If it weren't for your commander, I would have killed you a long time ago."
"Then kill me if you can!"
Elric jumped out, suprising her. Chiyo immediately rolled around to avoid him and she stood up with her blade slashing towards him. Clash of steel echoed — dagger and sword — wrath and anger — the impact made the sword tremble and none of them retracted their weapons. Both are now facing each other, blades in the middle, forcing each other out to see whose weapon's going to break first.
"You think I can't kill you?" Chiyo snickered.
She raised her feet to kick him, however, Elric quickly jump back while slashing his sword at the same time. Trying to dodge the tip of the blade that was about to cut her neck, Chiyo stumbled backwards. Its tip grazed her cheek — drawing blood. It was a close call. A sighed escaped her lips, white mist forming under her breath.
"What a waste." Elric grinned, the madness not leaving his eyes.
The snow started falling again and as if this was their cue, with a swift step, both lunged at each other. Their movements were crazy and agile, and footprints leaving trails. Elric was erratic, his sword slashing wildly, while Chiyo remained graceful like she's dancing with a hint of wickedness to it. She parried his blow with equal intent, her dagger aiming for an opening. Elric's blade swept through the falling snow, creating a mist and veiling their form. Taking this as an opportunity, he kicked sidewards and it met Chiyo's side. The woman fell to the ground, her side painful and stinging.
They then heard a horde of crows cawing, breaking the wintry silence. It circled above them. Their ink-like feathers a stark contrast from the snow. One crow cawed loudly, its beady eyes watching them closely — dark and mysterious.
Chiyo looked up and saw the sword that was about to strike down. She gripped her dagger hard, waiting for a chance to retaliate. She knew she will not die today, so she was ready to sacrifice her arms in exchange of something bigger. His 'treasure' — she'll make sure that her dagger would cut through it. As she was about to move and the sword was close enough to meet her flesh, a defeaning sound came next. It was loud and nerve-wracking that Chiyo can't help but cover her ears. Then, Elric was flung a distance away from her, his body sprawled unconsciously at the pile of snow.
Mist and snow had danced around her, the flakes settling on top of her head. She remained on the ground, her breath visible on the frosty air. Then, a pair of black shoes stopped in front of her and a sword being sheathed resounded.
"Get up." A cold voice said.
It seems she was found out again. Judging from the voice, the newcomer seems mad and was about to scold her, however, he underestimated her stubbornness. Chiyo remained on the ground and crossed her arms in defiance. Who told him to be here? Who asked him to interfere?
She was so close in cutting his 'treasure'. Her only aim, although the idea just popped out, was not to kill him in the first place. She just needed him to regret crossing path with her. That's how much he hated his existence.
She was stunned when his figure came closer. Not expecting his playful way, he hoisted her through her armpits, lifting her body effortlessly. With her feet dangling in the air, she was carried like a little girl.
"Put me down!" She said, her tone was demanding.
Being lifted to his level, their eyes met — one the color of the sun and the other of a moon. She stared back at him. His eyes are like melted gold, warm and fascinating, yet his gaze — cold and penetrating — held the weight of centuries. It has witnessed countless battles and deaths — mysterious — it hides all the secrets untold. Her eyes shifted, his long dark hair cascaded down his back like a waterfall of midnight silk and at the tip of his hair, strapped to his waist, was his sword. It was honed with hundreds of years of experience. Forged in darkness, its very own blade bathed in the blood of countless enemies.
The handsome man raised his brow while taking a look at her from head to toe. Her pale face was framed by the long, messy, obsidian-black hair that reaches her waist. Her gray eyes stared back in stubborn gaze and steely resolve. The kimono, once neat and delicate, now tattered and messy. Then, in her hand is her sharp dagger that was no mere ornament. Its blade honed in darkness. He smiled when her cheeks puffed out in annoyance. The woman in front of him is no innocent beauty nor a poisonous flower, but a fanged beast. She, who has courted danger countless of times, harbors the deadliest intention.
"Kaito." Her voice softened.
He always believed that she will not lose without giving her enemy a hard time, but he still rushed out in search of them the moment he realized that she vanished from the crowd, and Elric was no longer in his position. It is no secret that whenever the two would meet, even just catch a glimpse of each others hair, a fight to death would broke out. Both existence was a torn to each other.
"I told you to stop seeking for a fight." Kaito gently put down his wife. "If I did not manage to find you in time then you could have lose your arm today."
"And he could have lose the thing between his thighs which I think is a good exchange."
"Chiyo..."
"I know, but he started it!"
Kaito out his arm around her shoulder, and she snaked her on his waist. Together, they walked out of the place and left the unconscious man buried in the snow.
"He started or you started it?" He asked.
"His face is annoying so he started it. Who told him to show that ugly face around!"
He knew. If he's not here with her then she will go back to mess with the unconscious body just to spite him. Kaito stopped from his track and faced his stubborn wife. Her hair is still sticking to her face so he tucked it behind her ear. His eyes squinted when he saw the small cut on her cheek.
"You can't just fight every time you two would meet."
"Why wouldn't I? Years ago, he tried to kill you! I won't just forget when you almost lost your life that day!"
"I know." He wiped the blood that had dried on her cheeks.
Should I just kill him? He shook his head.
"Elric is still an elite member of the cadre and I am now their commander. Kill him then we'll have to answer to the king."
"Why does that psycho have to be a part of the cadre. Whenever he looks at you, his eyes always hold that evil glint. You should have just killed him then. Pretend it was an accident."
Chiyo gazed at the dark horizon, her expression darkening. What happened years ago, she will always remember. His deeds will remain in her heart — unforgiving; unforgotten.