I can't think of anything... She thought to herself, disliking her current position even more, Especially not while like this...

Sakura smiles inwardly as she knows a plan is being formed. She sees her friend worrying so much. Don't worry Sa'vere it will work out trust me.

"I can handle it uncle." Azder replied.

"Good. When you do convince your father an approach Sakura. You need to stab this blade into her shoulder. Then you must bite her lip. You can turn that into a kiss. It will quicken the effect of the potion." Valden smiles because it was pay back.

"S..stab her?" Azder looked uneasy, as though expecting a trap.

Valden rolls his eyes at his nephews suspicion. "Not directly in the bone and if you hadn't notice the blade is extremely dull."

Azder tests the blade's edge. "why bite her?"

Valden could not help but smile at his nephew he reminded him of his sister. "It's to give a good appearance and quicken the effect. This potion is going to give Sakura the complete appearance of death."

"It won't kill?" Azder asked.

Valden shakes his head. "No..this was used to defend women from being raped in the village when they were attacked. Sakura came up with this concoction and taught many how to make it."

Azder nods and takes the weapon. "when do I leave?"

"Not until you can convince me that you can act like you are corrected in front of your father." Valden had not felt like this for years.

"How should I prove it to you?"

Valden smirks. "Look at me with glazed eyes and not react affectionately to the name Sakura instead lash out like a full fledged Vampire."

"Glazed eyes? I thought he wanted my old self back. Not destroy my spirit."

Valden sighs and shakes his head. "All right I'm a bit rusty. You need to sound cold when Sakura's name is mentioned."

"All....right try me."

Valden coughs and gets his voice just as deep and cold as Azder's father. "Well son have you seen the light or rather the dark where you belong? Have you escaped the spell of this Isinses girl...what was her name ah yes Sakura?"

"She will die for her sorcery father!" Azder said in a cold angry voice.

Valden smiles but keeps up the voice. "I see and how will you kill this despicable creature named Sakura. She is a vampire because of you but I'm sure you can fix that right?"

Holds up the blade. "With this!"

Valden imitates Azder's father. "A dull blade. What plan do you have?"

"There is a deadly serum on the blade. It will kill her quickly!"

Valden nods like Azders father. "Very well you may go on with your plan but I will have my eyes and ears on you Azder. Should you fail I will do worse more torture to you myself."

"Of course father." Bows.

Valden stops the voice and just smiles. "You may actually pull it off. All right remember be your cold past self and you will do fine."

"If he does watch me how are we to skirt around that?"

Valden smiles. "You just have to make real. You may want to mention the bite when you describe how you will kill her. You will tear her lip off as a prize to give to your father."

"Very well. I hope I can pull this off. What happens if he finds out? What will he do to you?"

Valden smile fades slightly."That shouldn't matter. My wife has been dead for what a year or so and he lied to me. Don't worry about me just go. It's the one way to get Sakura off his hated gaze."

"But...uncle"

Valden has a stern look on his face. "AZDER DON'T GO SOFT ON ME NOW! It will be worth it. I lost all most everything that mattered to me. I hope your mother will be proud of me."

Looks down. "I...never had anyone who's cared..."

"At least I can say I did a good thing for the nephew I was cruel to." Valden offers a semi gentle smile. Death will probably be waiting for me.

"I will do this...will he buy it?"

Valden walks over and hits Azder with a temporary past imitator charm. "The success of this will depend on you my nephew. I'm sorry for all the wrong I have caused you. I hope this will help you."

"Let's do this!" *It's all right uncle*

Valden has a tear in his eye but whipes it and take him to his father in a slightly forceful manner. "Come on boy lets see your dear old man."

Azder followed with out compliant, his mind troubled..

Valden notices. Azder please don't think this is a trick.

*I don't. I am worried about you..."

Valden sighs and shakes his head. "The Dark lord will see you just inside." I don't regret anything. Nephew just do this and don't look back. Thank you for reminding me of Mulan.

"Don't look back?" Azder mouthed out.

Valden just nods. They approach the door.

Azder composed himself carefully.

Valden opens the door and bows to the dark lord. "Azdrieas has been corrected my lord. I hope I have pleased you."

"Father I have come to realize my sins." Azder said coldly as he bowed.

Azder's father inspects him. "Do you wish to kill the girl who has bewitched your senses?"

"I shall teach her to never enchant one of my background again!"

His father smiles and asks, "What's your weapon Azderias?"

Azder held up the blade. "All I need is this. It has a powerful serum, that will dispose of her quickly!'

Azder's father looks a little bewildered by the notion but decides to accept it. "I see and please describe your plan to kill her."

"I will stab her placing the serum in her blood stream, than I shall bite off her lip and bring it as a gift."

Azder's father smirks at the whole thing. "Oh the lip of the enchantress interesting. I will think of something to do with it. Very well son go and carry out your plan. My loyal soldiers will be there to aid you should you need it."

Bows. Than smirks. "They will be there to observe only."

Valden stays composed. "My lord have I done well?"

Azder remained impassive.

Azder father seems very pleased. "Yes Valen well done. The sun will be mine once that Isines girl is dead. Go then Azder my son. Dispose of the enchantress and bring me back her lip."

Azder bowed. "Yes. Father." Turns to go.

Valen just stays put and secretly wishes Azder luck.

Azder leaves pushing miner demons out of his way, as well as humans to add to his old image.

Valen feels like the dark lord is plotting something against him.

Azder's father smiles at Valen in a wicked way. "You know Valen you have served your usefulness but now...it is time." A blade stabs Valen. "FOR YOUR LIFE TO END!"

Azder felt his uncle in trouble, but did not allow his emotion to show. *I am sorry uncle..*

Valen finally shows a smile. Don't be...I will get to see my family...Mulan I hope you still love me... The connection is gone.

Azder continues on following the scent of his friends. *I will not let my uncle down!*

Meanwhile not much has changed Sakura and Sa'vere are still in tight positions and Kehtale has exhausted himself.

Azder appeared stalking toward Sakura. He appeared to be out for blood.

Sakura appears to be really fearful. "Azder...don't you remember me Sakura your friend..."

Smiles wickedly drawing out the blade. "I remember you....as food!" He lunges towards her.

Sakura tries to struggle but the line pulls her down hard. "Food huh? I don't think I will taste very good. I'm sure a prince like you would prefer high quality humans."

Azder stabs her in the shoulder with the blade, knowing he must trust his uncle. Than he bit down on her lip.

Sakura feels the effect of the serum. It starts to do its job...Sakura looks pale and then does not move at all. No pulse or even a subtle sign of life.

Azder allowed her body to fall letting the blood drip from his lips as he looked at the soldiers.

They all burst into cheers and praises.."PRINCE AZDERIAS HAS RETURNED!"

Turns back looking at Kahtale. "You can be corrected, my father won't blame you if you allow us to correct you now."

Kehtale looked Azder over silently, seeing his act easily. What makes you think that I would come so easily? He said, playing along and digging his claws into the dirt.

Sakura reaches out to Sa'vere. I'm not dead it's a convincin appearence of death

... I know, Sa'vere said after a moment, Azder would never kill the woman that he loves. She forced herself to appear wary, "How could you kill Sakura!" She exclaimed to Azder, inwardly chuckling at herself, "I thought you loved her, Azder!"

We both care about you Sa'vere. You are the one who warmed his heart. I hope our charade works. How are we going to get my lip off?

Sa'vere shuddered, I don't know, but I'm sure Azder will think of something... She thought, Something that will allow you to... regain your lip...

I hope so and sorry to tell you something that made you shudder.

It's fine... Sa'vere replied, I've seen worse than a lip being cut off before... it's just... it was a natural reaction to thinking about it now...

Yes...you were a slave to someone..I'm sorry you had to see a lot of the blood and torture.

There is nothing to be sorry about. He will die once I fulfill my mission. Sa'vere said firmly.

"Kahtale. If you don't come you will die. Traitors are punished swiftly." He looked to Sa'vere. *I can do the same to you. Make it seem like I killed you too.* He sneered at her as though she was worth nothing.

Go ahead.

"I shall make an example of your friend over there." Azder rushed over mimicking the "Attack" this time on Sa'vere.

Noooo! Kehtale roared, transforming into his komakian state, "You've gone too far, Azder." He said in mock anger, "You've left me no choice but to kill you who would take hope from this world."

Azder smiled wickedly letting Sa'vere fall to the ground in the same state as Sakura. "You are to late Kahtale! The enchantresses are dead!"

"Do you know the consequences of your actions?" Kehtale crossed his fair arms, "Do you know what will happen to this world now?" He roared and leapt forward, attacking Azder, "I will kill you for what you've done!"

Azder jabbed the dagger into his arm hoping it had enough serum for the same effect. He snarled to make it more convincing. "DO NOT interfere. I will take care of this traitor!"

"Rgh..." Kehtale grunted, stumbling backwards as though in shock.

Azder stalked forward grinning wickedly.

"Azder why... have you betrayed us?" Kehtale murmured as he fell to his knees, feeling himself growing weaker.

"Betrayed you?" Laughs "I had betrayed my father, the greater good! I am merely correcting the problem. My father will be pleased with your deaths." Azder kicked him over. "Good by traitor."

The soilders seem still show support to Azder but looks a littl frightened.

Good luck. Kehtale murmured.

Azder turned to the soldiers. "Let this be fair warning not to cross me!" He walked over to Sakura and created a bloody illusion of her lip.

He than handed it over to one of the soldiers. "Take this to my father."

One of soldiers does just that with a smile on his face.

He leads the others away from his "Dead" friends. "We go home now."

The soilders follow are all chuckling and patting Azder on the back.

Azder smiles wickedly. "Let that be a lesson boys."

I think Guard-dog likes the attenton. Soliders nod and start praising Azder.

Azder lead them to a place they all could teleport to his father at. He took the lip from the soldier as they all vanished.

You did it Azder. your uncle would be proud.

Azder appeared before his father. "I have brought you a gift." He said wickedly.

His father has the cold expression but his eyes matches Azder's wicked glace. "The enchantress lip son?"

Azder smirks. "Of course." He holds it up to show him.

He picks it up and grins. "hmm what to do with this?"

Azder grinned, and watched. "What ever you wish. Oh. The sun is dead too, as is the traitor."

He chuckles at this. "I see...well since you have done me well. I believe there is a woman asking for your affection Azder. She has contacted me constantly wanting to know when you will speak with her."

"A woman?" Cocks his brow in question.

He laughs at his question. "Yes a woman. She looks similar to the enchantress only more dark."

"Why would I be interested in another enchantress?"

She walks in and Azder notices the similarities. Instead of brown hair she has black. Her eyes are cold blue and her figure is also similar to Sakura's. "Now Azder is that anyway to greet a childhood friend. Your manners has not gotten better I see.

Looks wearily at her. "Childhood friend?"

She shakes her head. "It's me Kisura. The one that would always tease you and help you get into trouble."

Azder looked to his father questioningly.

He laughs at his son. "Why are you looking at me like that? Kisura was the one you would spare and train with."

A childhood friend but why does she look opposite but similar to me.

Azder looked weary, he could not remember her. "I think I will retire for the night father." He turned to leave.

Kisura just walks over and kisses Azder. "Why don't you allow me to join you?"

WHAT SHE KISSED HIM! OH COME ON!

His father smiles at that scene as thoughts of the two of them marrying comes to his mind.

Azder for a moment was reminded of Sakura, but he quickly broke the contact. "No thank you."

His father frowns at his son. "Oh come on Azdieras what harm will come to allowing the poor girl to accompany you. Besides she has missed you."

"I am exhausted father."

Kisura smiles a lot like Sakura does. "I will not miss behave just allow me to accompany you Azder please."

Azder ignores her as he leaves to his chambers. He had actually been strongly reminded of Sakura for a moment.

Kisura sighs in frustration. "He is such a stiff guard. But I love him all the same."

Azder collapsed on his bed when he reached his room. *Why can't everything be simple for once?!*

That is one question no one has answers to. Try to rest.

Azder drifted off to sleep.

Kisura sneaks in Azder's chambers and she smiles. he is so hansome. I didn't think he would turn out this hansome.

Azder rolled over in his sleep.

Kisura sneaks back out and sighs in a loving way. I was a foolish child...how could I not see he would turn out this handsome.

Azder continued to sleep, he dreamt he had failed every one. He awoke with a start.

Sakura "raises" from the dead and goes to get her other friends a nice hiding spot. "Azder...I hope you will be all right." She finds a nice warm cavern not too far from the "killing site."

Azder looked around his room. *I don't belong here.."

Meanwhile Kisura was appealing to Azder's father about her marrying Azder. "Please my lord allow me to be your sons wife. I will serve him well."

He smiles at her earnest to marry his son. "You will have to get Azder's consent. You have my blessing."

Sakura makes Sa'vere and Kehtale comfortable. Azder is going to have trouble.

Azder sat on the edge of his bed feeling uneasy.

Kisura walks to Azder's door and she knocks on his door. I hope he will say yes.

Azder looked up uneasily. "Enter.."

Kisura walks in with a playful smile on her face. "Hey there. Glad to see you got some sleep." She sits on Azder's bed and looks at him with loving eyes.

"Why....are you looking at me like that?"

Kisura feels slightly frustrated but still smiles. "What can a girl not smile at the man she lo...likes so much?"

"Kisura...how can you love me? You haven't seen me on years."

Kisura smiles at that. "Distance makes the heart grow fonder. Besides you were the only one who like me at all. Do you have someone else in your heart?" PLEASE SAY NO!

He looks taken aback. "Are you serious?"

Kisura blushes again a resemblance to Sakura. "Yes...but you didn't answer my question. Is someone else on your mind?"

Azder looked down. "No." He lied. "Tell me...were you related to the enchantress Sakura?"

Kisura snorts at the name. "She was my cousin from my fathers side. I detested the girl, she always trained never bother to learn how to be a good wife to a man."

"And you?"

Kisura smiles and kisses Azder. "I know how to be a dutiful wife and give my husband pleasure."

For a moment he forgot who she was and kissed back, than he pulled away uneasily.

Sakura feels a wound forming. So he is forgetting me...it's ok I'm glad to have loved him for a little while. I'm suppose to be dead anyway. Blood starts to show and Sakura doesn't bother treating it.

Kisura looks at him confused. "Did I do something wrong?"

Azder shakes his head. "No...I did."

Kisura blushes as she is going to ask the defining question. "Will you accept my hand in marriage Azder?"

Azder looked at her in shock. "We....haven't seen each other in years!" *Besides I love another.* "Why...did you call me Azder? That was my traitor name..."

Kisura looks at him. "I'm sorry I use to call you that when we were kids that and Stiffy Guard. I'm sorry Azderias forgive my lasp of the tongue."

Azder looked at her measuring carefully. *Does she really love me or is this a trap?* "It's all right." *Sakura are you hurt?*

Uh..I'm fine just ran into something when I found this cavern. If you feel like you have to marry her then I won't stand in your way. Sakura feels a small tear form.

*SAKURA! I will not marry her, I don't even remember her that well!*

Kisura looks at Azder confused. "Azder are you feeling ok?"

Azder looked at her. "Azderious remember?"

Kisura rolls her eyes. "Fine how about Stiffy Guard. Azderias"

WHAT SHE HAS A PET NAME FOR YOU TOO! THIS IS NOT RIGHT!

*You sound jalious Sakura..*

Hmp don't get smug guard dog. It was a minor...relasp of pain not jealousy.

Kisura gets really close to Azderias. "So Azderias will you accept my hand. I can be dutiful and pleasurable."

Azder inched away from her. "I am sorry..I must decline." *Sakura why don't you admit you love me now that there is no danger to us?*

Kisura looks upset. "WHAT WHY! AZDERIAS WHY!"

I do love you...and yes I was jealous...about my "dear" cousin calling you stiffy guard. Guard dog is a much better name and she is so clueless and stuck on herself.

Azder looked at her. "I don't love you..."

Kisura pales and has tears. "You can learn right? Your father said I only need your consent for you to marry me. WHY!"

HUH YOU SAID NO! The wound disappears on Sakura and she is stunned.

"Kisura, I don't remember you. I don't love you.I am sorry." *Sakura you are actually surprised?*

She cries but has a glint in her eyes. "Ok Stiffy guard then I will leave you for a little while." Kisura walks out of Azderias room.

well I...didn't know if you'd use that to keep the image up...I'm sorry I shouldn't have been so surprised. Watch out though Azder she may be stupid but she is determined to be married to you.

*How can she? She needs my consent. Besieds I will leave as soon as I can.*

What about your father he is the dark lord? He can make it happen if he desires to.

The smile dissapears from his face. *I don't think he will do that...I hope not at least.*

Kisura puts on a forgetting agent on her lips and begins to act like her cousin. "Stiffy Guard we'd always play castle and I would kiss you like this." Kisura tries to kiss Azderias.

Azder pushed her away knocking her into a large dresser. "I SAID NO!" His eyes flash red.

Kisura still is not willing to give up. "YOU LOVE SOMEONE DON'T YOU WHO IS SHE! I WILL KILL HER!"

Azder growled. "GET OUT!"

Kisura walks to the door. this is not over yet darling

Oh no guard dog be on your guard.

*I will. Why is she so persistent!*

That's the only salvageable trait she has. She hates me for getting smart. She always tried her sex appeal on guys. It was so annoying Mulan called her a walking desperate puppy.

*She thinks I want that?*

I guess. I don't know she and I are fire and ice.

*You are the fire.* He said with love.

What but I thought I was more of the ice.

*No. You make me burn love.* He goes over to his wardrobe looking for items of use.

Oh guard dog does that have a suggestive theme to it?

*Maybe, maybe not.* He pulled out some travel tools and stashed them under his bed. He walked to the door and locked it, as he searched for more items for their journey.

Hmp figures you'd use my own device against me. So I make you burn huh I hope not in a bad way.

"No." He created a small pile under the bed for their travel. Than he laid back down and closed his eyes.

Sleep well Stiffy guard Sakura gags at that.

*I prefer my name* He quickly feel asleep.

Sakura smiles to herself. She tends to her friends and feels love from Azder. All right Azderias good night I love you.

wid- chapter 9