DESTINED FOR LOVE



~BY: RIN HATAKE~

16-year-old Sumi Takara lived with her father and mother in a small town with not so many people. Her mother was a scientist creating new things all the time. Her father was in a group that hunted down demons and/or other mysterious mysteries; the group was called Kuro Engo Kousai which means the black protection society. Her beloved, rinji, died from an attack by some unknown creature, her mother thinks it was merely an animal but her father thinks that it was something else, a demon. Sumi knew it couldn’t have been an animal no animal could have torn up rinji that badly. Sumi knew a little bit of tensei, the powers to bring people back to life, but not enough to bring rinji back. Sumi decided if she was ever going to get rinji back she was going to have to find a way no matter what it took. Sumi searched for weeks not getting any further on finding a way she could use to get rinji back. Sumi was about to give up when a flashing Reddish-orange light come from down the road. Sumi ran towards the light when she got there, there was a deep smoking crater in the ground. Soon the smoke was starting to clear and she could see a man rising off the ground. The man looked about 17 or 18 and was about 5’7” and very muscular. He wore a black shirt with sleeves than hung down off his arms like a kimono. He wore long baggy pants like a robe with a rope for a belt. On his back he was carrying a zanbato in a leather sheath.
The man looked over at her with his piercing eyes.
‘Oh no is he looking at me? He has to be there isn’t anyone else around for miles.’ She thought to herself
Then the man jumped up about 4 feet in the air and landed himself delicately next to her. His hair was the color of autumn leaves and his eyes were the purest blue she had ever seen. His face had a few scars on it so she could tell he had to have been a warrior or something.
“Mistress!” he spoke
Sumi looked around.
“Who me?” she asked
“Mistress I have found you.” The strange man spoke again “I have been searching for you for 2 years. You can’t disappear like that mistress”
‘This guy must be insane’ she thought ‘why does he keep calling me mistress?’
“Umm...excuse me sir but do I know you” she asked him
The man raised an eyebrow in confusion. Then he started to laugh.
“Oh mistress you always were most hilarious.” He said after laughing so hard
“I have no time for this if you are going to play jokes with me then I am going to leave.” Sumi said in an annoyed tone. Sumi turned around and started to walk away.
“Wait…mistress" the man yelled to her
“Stop calling me Mistress I am not now or have ever been a mistress. Leave me alone!!!”She yelled angrily
“Do you not remember me m’lady?” he yelled to her
Sumi stopped walking and turned around.
“Who are you stranger?” She asked him
The man ran over to her.
“It is me Mistress Takeo….Takeo Imada. Do you not know me?” he looked at her intensely and she stared right back into his eyes.
“I can’t say I have ever met you sir…I mean Takeo.” She said as she looked down at the ground
Takeo sighed and turned around and started to walk way. Sumi clenched a fist and bit her lip in an attempt to hold back her question, but it didn’t work.
“What am I supposed to remember!?” she yelled to Takeo
She soon started to cry.
“I’m sorry if It was something important, but I just…I just can’t remember! Please tell me... what I am!?” she yelled as she ran over to him.
Takeo stood still looking the other way until he felt something grab his sleeve. He turned around to see Sumi falling to the ground with her tears hitting the ground like bricks.
Takeo knelt down in front of her, he moved her beautiful blonde hair out of her eyes, and wiped the tears from her eyes.
“Please lady Sumi don’t cry my words were not meant to hurt you.” He whispered
“No...It’s not that …my whole life weird things had happened to me.” She started
“Tell me about it later I’m pretty sure the road is not a good place to tell stories.” Takeo said as he helped her up.
Takeo took her to a quiet and deserted hill top.
They sat down next to each other and started to talk.
“Now m’lady what is your problem?’ Takeo asked her
“it started when I was twelve actually…that was the year I lost all of my memory the last thing I remember is waking up in my house with my mother and father taking care of me. The problem was I didn’t remember them at all. They told me I hit my head and I lost my memory.” She told him as she looked up at the sky. “I still can’t remember anything before that my parents had to tell me everything from when I was born to then. since that day nothing had been the same.”
“What do you mean?” Takeo interrupted
“Well…a few months later my boyfriend rinji died attacked by some sort of demon. It had huge claws and flames and rinji tried to fight back but that thing tore at him and soon rinji died from lack of blood.”
“Kajitenma…” Takeo said
“…”
“Kajitenma…a demon of rare and magical abilities…they mostly use fire as their attack and are vicious and cruel and will attack almost anything that moves.”
“How do you know all of this” Sumi asked
“I am a sword hunter…like you miss Sumi” he answered.
Sumi’s eyes widened.
“Like me…how is that possible I don’t know how to wield a sword.” She asked
“Are you sure about that?” Takeo said as he stood up to grab his sword.
He pulled the zanbato out of its sheath and handed it to her.
“You actually think I can hold that huge thing.” She said in disbelief
Takeo just nodded. Sumi was unsure but she tried. As she grabbed the sword she found it was surprisingly light.
“h-how is this even possible” said while looking at the sword
“Because you are a sword hunter” Takeo said as he smiled at her
‘Who am I’ Sumi thought to herself as her eyes looked up and down the sword over and over again catching every single detail.
Sumi took her eyes off the sword and looked at Takeo. She looked at him in fear and confusion. This was too much to handle in one day. Her eyes soon got heavy and her body went limp as she blacked out.



Sumi opened her eyes to see the ceiling of her room.
“Was it all just a dream” she said to herself while putting her hand in front of her face.
She sat up and looked around. Nope it wasn’t a dream there was Takeo sitting in a chair in the corner of her room asleep. Sumi looked next to him at the sword. It was back in its sheath and set against the wall. She looked down at her hand again and opened and closed it over and over again picturing the sword in her hand and how the leather handle felt against her smooth silky hands.
‘I couldn’t really be a master swords-man could I’ she thought in her head.
Sumi looked out her window. It had already gotten dark and a while ago. She looked at her clock and it read 11:05. Had she really been out that whole time? Sumi felt bad that she made Takeo worry about her. She left the room and in a few seconds came back in with a blanket and laid it delicately on top of him making sure he didn’t wake up. She went downstairs where her parents were waiting for her.
“Mom…dad…what’s going on?” she asked
“Oh Sumi” her mom said “come here a minute.”
Sumi walked over to her parents who were sitting in the family room with concerned looks on their faces.
“Sit-down Sumi” her father commanded
Sumi sat down as she was told.
“Sumi sweetie” her mom started. “The boy that brought you home…what he said to you is…true.” Her mom told her
Sumi’s eyes widened and she jumped off the chair.
“Wait how is that true…you told me I fell and lost my memory.” She started to yell
“I’m sorry but…we found you 2 years ago collapsed in a field you were hurt so we decided to adopt you we didn’t know where you actually came from until today.” Her mother said to her
“This is insane if you aren’t my parents then who are?” she said still really loud
“Calm down Sumi” her father said as if nothing was wrong
Sumi didn’t believe them. She ran up to her room as she reached the door she could tell something was wrong she swung the door open. The chair was empty the sword was gone and the window was open with wind blowing the curtains everywhere.
She didn’t know why but somehow she cared for Takeo like she had known him her whole life even though she had just met him. Right now she didn’t care though she just wanted to find him. She ran down the stairs and out the door. She ran down the street looking in every alley way and store she passed. Soon she felt something wet hit her bare arm she looked up at the sky. There wasn’t a star in sight only clouds, many clouds. It didn’t take long for it to start pouring down rain. Sumi ran out the door so fast she didn’t grab a coat so she was walking in the rain in only her tank-top and shorts (no sandals). She didn’t care though she was too busy looking for Takeo. She ran for miles searching in every spot she could. She stopped to catch her breath under an awning. Shivering under the umbrella like roof she started to think.
‘I don’t know what to do. I think I actually like Takeo. Did he leave because of me? Why do I feel like this? I have to remember my boyfriend, my task to bring him back. Then why…why is this happening?’
She started to leave her spot under the roof when she spotted something shining in the rain. She ran closer and it was Takeo walking in the rain and the shining thing was his sword peeping out of its sheath.
“(Takeo)…Takeo!!! Please Takeo wait!!!” she yelled through the noise of the rain hammering on the rooftops and the thunder crackling. Takeo turned around and saw Sumi running towards him. Before he knew it she grabbed his face and pulled it towards hers and planted her lips on his. Takeo’s eyes widened at what had just happened. Sumi pulled away, and all Takeo could do was stare down at her trying to figure out what had just happened. She stared at him for a moment then looked at the ground and a tear fell from her eye.
“I’m sorry…I…I don’t know what came over me I guess I ju-…” before she could finish Takeo gently grabbed her chin, and tilted her head up, and planted his lips on hers returning her kiss. She didn’t know how or why but as the kiss was happening she got some sort of a feeling. She did, in fact, actually love him.

Bbbrrriiiinnngggg….the phone rang and Sumi answered it was rinji.
“Hi rinji what’s up?” She said
“I wanted to know if you wanted to go watch the stars with me this weekend.” He asked
“Sure I would love to. I’ll be right over.” She said and hung up the phone
They drove to the other side of town to a hilltop opening and showing the stars.
“Oh it’s beautiful” Sumi said
“I knew you would like this spot and we can stay up and watch the stars.” Rinji said as he pointed towards the sunset
Sumi kissed him on the cheek. Rinji just smiled and kissed her back.
It was a perfect night to watch stars there were no clouds out at all. Rinji and Sumi we’re cuddled up on a blanket. Soon Sumi and rinji were asleep. Sumi opened her eyes when she heard a noise come from down the hill. She could had sworn it called her name. Sumi stood up carefully making sure not to wake rinji. She walked down the hill but there was nothing around. Sumi too tired to care started walking back up the hill. Then she heard a noise come from the bushes she turned around to see a creature with red gleaming eyes and sharp teeth that could slice through metal. Sumi screamed when it started to growl and chase her.
Rinji opened his eyes to her scream. He looked over next to him and Sumi was gone. He ran down the hill as fast as he could, but it was too late he saw the beast paw her and she slammed against a tree and blacked out. Rinji jumped between the monster and his beloved protecting her with all his might, but because he had no weapon he was weak. Still rinji used all the strength he had and fought the monster…he was still no match for it the beast dug it’s claws into rinji’s arm. Rinji screamed in pain the fell to the ground unconscious. The beast tore at his limp body some more until he bled to death. The beast then ran away frightened from the attacking stranger.
Sumi opened her eyes to see her dead boyfriend on the ground. She ran over to him and put his head on her lap. She moved his beautiful black hair out of his face to make sure he was really dead. She pulled his head to her chest and nuzzled her head against his and started to sob. Her tears fell on him mixing with the blood from his wounds.
“RINJI!!!” she screamed

Sumi eyes slowly opened. She tried to focused on the figure above her she soon caught a glimpse of the face. It was Takeo she blinked a few more times and her eyes returned to normal. For some reason she felt heavier than usual she looked down and Takeo’s shirt was laying over her.
“Miss Sumi?” Takeo said as he moved her hair away from her forehead to feel her temperature.
“T…t…Takeo?” she question “w...what happened”
“Running in the rain” he said as he smiled “you fell unconscious from a fever.”
Sumi sat up and looked at Takeo. He was soaked from head to toe. Not only that but he wasn’t wearing a shirt. She couldn’t help but stare at him. He was so cute his brownish-red hair blowing in the after storm wind, His beautiful eyes giving her a soft comforting look. He smiled at her softly. She looked down at the ground. Takeo’s smile turned into concern and he sat down next to her. She started to cry and dug her face into her hands.
“I can’t…. I can’t…I can’t I can’t I can’t!” she said repeatedly while tears fell from her face “I can’t love you….but yet….I do.” She started to sob her hands were dripping with tears.
“Sumi…m’lady...I meant nothing bad by what happened earlier.” Takeo said to her trying to cheer her up
“I know Takeo...it wasn’t your fault...i was mine…. I love you even though I can’t. I vowed to bring rinji back, but…but I don’t know how to…I...I used you …I am sorry.” With those last three words she ran off.
“Sumi wait!!!”Takeo yelled
Takeo ran after her not stopping no matter what. Sumi ran as fast as she could, stumbling and falling, to stay away from Takeo. Soon Sumi ended up at the hill top where she last saw her boyfriend. She stopped and fell to her knees and sobbed into hands (again).soon she felt a hand on her shoulder she looked up to see Takeo looking at the sky.
“Miss Sumi….you may use me to your desire that is why I am here…I am your servant…use me as you like.” Takeo said still looking at the sky
“Servant?” she asked him as she wiped the tears from her eyes with her arm
“That’s right m’lady…I have given my word to protect you no matter what happens.” He responded as he looked down at her and smiled, the smile he always gave her.
“I still don’t understand any of this.” She said to him as he helped her stand
“I will explain later right now we must go.” He said in a serious tone
“What? Why?”She turned around to see the monster that killed her boyfriend behind her.
“Come Sumi.” Takeo said as he pulled her arm.
Sumi turned around and ran. Takeo was so fast she couldn’t keep up. She still ran, keeping far enough away from the monster. Sumi ran as fast as she could until she stumbled over a log and fell to the ground breaking her ankle. Takeo stopped and turned around to see the monster slowly approaching the injured Sumi. As the monster got closer he eyes widened with fear and she started to shiver at the thought of death. Takeo started to run towards her wondering if he was going to make it in time. The monster was only a foot from her now crouched down and growling loudly. Sumi looked up at the sky.
“I’m sorry rinji.” She whispered
She stared back at the beast. The beast then ran towards her and bit her arm just enough to get blood flowing out, but not enough to kill her, because Takeo grabbed her just as the monster bit her into unconsciousness. As she opened her eyes she could tell she was moving she looked up to see Takeo holding her in his arms running towards town. With that, knowing she wasn’t dead, she closed her eyes.

As Sumi opened her eyes she felt a jolt of pain in her right arm as she sat up. She put her hand on top of the wound and noticed it was wrapped in bandages. She looked around the room… this wasn’t her room, this wasn’t even her house. Soon a young girl about her age walked through the door.
“Ah…you’re awake.” She said
Sumi widened her eyes as the young girl showed her fangs as she smiled. Sumi was frightened, assuming she was a vampire. Soon she saw Takeo walk in with a wet towel.
“Oh...Sumi I didn’t think you would wake up so early…I’m sorry if she frightened you.”Takeo said to her.
“Oh you poor girl I am terribly sorry I meant no harm…It’s my appearance isn’t It.” she said as she looked in the mirror at herself. Sumi still stared at her in confusion.
“Oh excuse me where are my manners….my name is Yori Naoko...I am a friend of Takeo’s.” She said
Sumi looked over at Takeo and he nodded in agreement. Her heart slowed and she felt a tad safer.
“Umm…may I ask you something miss?” Sumi said while still looking at Takeo who had now directed his eyes to the towel he was squeezing out.
“Yes…what is it?” She asked her in return
“Are you a vampire?” she asked.
Takeo took his eyes of the towel at the question.
“Actually…yes I am…but I will not hurt you I do not suck the blood of humans I only suck the blood of Kajitenma and kaetenma.” She said as she smiled showing her florescent white fangs again.”I’m sorry if I scared you at first I had no intention for doing so.”
“I know. Umm why am I here.” She asked both Takeo and Yori hoping for an answer.
“I brought you here…”Takeo started “because if you want your boyfriend back we must go find Master Toshiro, He can help you.”
Sumi looked down at the floor in regret for what she had said and done to Takeo earlier.
“t-tak…”she started to say until she was interrupted
“We must not waste any time.” Takeo said as he started to pick Sumi up (broken ankle).”Here hold onto my back” he said to her.
As she put her arms around his neck she started to blush.
“Come here Kyun!” Yori yelled.
Soon an adorable cat-like creature ran into the room and jumped in to Yori’s arms. Yori went over and grabbed a red coat and a backpack off the door.
“Are you coming with us?” Sumi asked
Yori looked up at her and answered “yes I have business with Toshiro.”
With that they left.
Takeo ran through the forest with Sumi on his back laying her head down on his shoulder staring off into the distance.
“Miss Sumi? Are you all right you haven’t said anything since we left?!” Takeo asked in a worried tone.
“Huh….uhh yeah I’m fine.” She answered even though it wasn’t true. She was worried what would happen if she did bring rinji back to life. She loves him and she always had but now that she met Takeo she doesn’t know what to do because…she loves him as well.
Soon it started to get dark so Takeo and Yori stopped to rest for the night under a huge willow tree. Sumi got off of Takeo’s back and he helped her lay against the tree. Soon everyone was asleep except for Takeo and Sumi wh0 sat far from each other as if trying to keep their distance. Sumi sat under the tree and looked at the stars as she thought about what she should do when she got to toshiro. Then Sumi looked over at Takeo who had just fallen asleep. Sumi didn’t want to do this anymore so she left. She walked as fast as she could, having a broken ankle and all, through the woods. She soon had to catch her breath and in that moment she saw something in the distance. As it got closer she could make out the familiar face.
“r-rinji?” as she looked closer her eyes widened. His face was pale and his eyes had a pure evil look in them. Then he ran towards her. He grabbed her arm tightly, tight enough to hurt her. Then he pinned her down to the ground (like she was going anywhere, broken ankle). Sumi shrieked out in pain as he bit her neck.
Takeo opened his eyes to her shriek and looked around. Sumi was gone. Takeo ran into the woods leaving Yori and Kyun to sleep. Soon he saw a boy (rinji) pinning Sumi on the ground. As he moved closer rinji looked at him with his gleaming eyes and Takeo could see blood on the side of his mouth. Takeo ran towards rinji and attacked him with his zanbato. He slashed rinji’s arm. Rinji screamed in pain and jumped back. Sumi sat up holding her neck where rinji bit her. She watched as Takeo and rinji fought. She didn’t want any of them to get hurt anymore.
“Nooooooooooo!” Sumi screamed.
Takeo stopped and looked at her.
“I can’t let you hurt him” Sumi screamed at rinji “I love him.”
Takeo widened his eyes to what she said. The demonic rinji didn’t hear her and ran towards Takeo and ripped his arm. Takeo fell to the ground and clenched his arm. Blood started to seep through his hands as he held on to his wound. Takeo soon got to his feet again clenched his zanbato in his hands and ran towards rinji. As he struck him with his sword Rinji screamed out in pain and showed his true self. Sumi’s eyes widened at the sight of what rinji transformed into. A kaetenma stood in front of Takeo who was now a little wobbly from loss of blood, but still clenching on to his sword. Then the kaetenma ran away back into the woods and Takeo fell to one knee holding his arm. Sumi ran over to him and moved his hand to look at the wound. It was very deep and Takeo already lost too much blood. Then Takeo fell to the ground in unconsciousness.
“t-Takeo…”Sumi whispered as a tear rolled down her cheek.

Takeo opened his eyes to the sunlight shining through the branches of the trees. He looked down at his arm and there was a bandage on it. He looked around to find Sumi sitting on the other side of the tree looking up at the sky holding her knees. Takeo stood up grabbed his shirt and put it on. The hole in the sleeve still showed the bandages covering the wound. He walked over to Sumi and sat down. Sumi looked over at him and smiled.
“How are you feeling?”
“Better, thanks” he answered as he put his hand on his arm
“Thank you.” She said as she looked back up at the clouds “for helping me.”
“It is my duty.” He said
“Takeo?” she started “do you remember when we were little and we always used to play together out in the field?” she asked
Takeo’s eyes widened when she asked him that.
“y-you remember?” Takeo asked
“Yes, my memory returned to me when the kaetenma bit me.” She said as she looked at the ground. “I realized something too. I really do…love you.” She said still looking at the ground
Takeo’s eyes widened then softened and he kissed her on the cheek. Sumi blushed as that happened but only for a second then she kissed him back, on the lips. As Yori and Kyun returned from getting Takeo’s zanbato he left back in the woods she saw Sumi and Takeo kissing and smiled.
“So she remembers at last.”
Soon Sumi pulled away and spoke.
“You know…if I bring rinji back I will never be able to see you again.” She told him
Takeo looked at her sadly until she spoke again.
“That is why I decided not to bring him back to life.” She said “I cannot live without you Takeo.”
Takeo’s eyes widened and then he hugged her.
“I love you too Sumi.” He replied with a smile.
When they got to toshiro’s they saw him waiting outside.
“m’lady…” he said as he bowed his head
“Please don’t bow to me.” She told him
“As you wish.” he replied. then he showed them the way inside.
As they got inside toshiro asked Sumi a question about here reason for being here.
“You are here to bring someone back to life are you not?” He asked
“no.” she answered
Toshiro looked at here in confusion.
“I am here only for her needs.” Sumi said as she let Yori pass through.
Toshiro’s eyes widened to the sight of her.
“Toshiro…” before she could finish he planted his lips on hers. Then she wrapped her arms around his neck and returned the kiss. Sumi smiled at the warmth entering the room.
“Toshiro I have finished my quest…I shall now stay with you always.” Yori said as she smiled at him. 
With that Yori kissed Toshiro again.
Then Sumi kissed Takeo and he kissed her back. She had the one she loved.