Disclaimer: I do not own or claim to own Kannazuki no Miko. Kannazuki no Miko is copyrighted to Kaishaku and Geneon studios. Any and all cameos are copyrighted to Tite Kubo.

La Prescencia de los Espanoles

Slaughter was not the appropriate word for Pantera's battle tactics. Genocide was. As the soldiers in white masks rushed forth, the rebels tried desperately to fire their imperfect weapons at them. Whichever random bullet actually hit a soldier, only provoked them further. Some of the rebels tried to fight off the rushing sea of white with their blades and pitchforks. They died first, having received lethal slashes. Those who tried to run, were only delaying their end, for Pantera had cut them off on both sides. Arms and legs separated from their bodies. Heads were split open. Throats were slit. People died begging for their lives.

The battle had barely begun, and the rebels all knew that their defeat was at hand.

Himeko, holding the azure-haired girl in her arms, dragged her to the ground. As they lay on the ground, Himeko urged Chikane to crawl on their bellies. As a body nearly fell on them, they found Makoto Saotome, still holding her calf in pain.

"Mako-chan!" Himeko yelled through all the cries of rebels dying. "Are you alright?"

"Himeko," Makoto shouted, having to stop seeing the body stop before them. She gave a painful wince, but responded none the less. "If we die here, I want to know your friend's name. My name's Makoto Saotome."

The other girl calmly introduced herself. "Hello. My name is Chikane Himemiya."

"Nice to meet you, your highness, I'm really-" The three girls screamed, seeing more corpses pile before them. Himeko couldn't help but notice the chaos around them. She felt guilty of bringing Pantera here, but now wasn't the time. She chose the right decision and now she would accept the consequences. "Wait..." Himeko gasped, realizing who she had forgotten.

"Mako-chan! Where's Oogami-kun?" Himeko asked, covering her head from the sounds of battle.

"Oogami-kun?" Chikane asked, curiously. "Do you mean Oogami-sensei?"

Makoto screeched, rubbing her leg. "I don't know where Souma-kun is, but I think he should be near here."

"Wait, Oogami-sensei has a son?"

"Wait, Oogami-kun's father is here?"

"I have to go find him!" Himeko yelled. As she got up to charge through the battle, the azure haired girl pulled her down, and tackled her. Himeko struggled under the weight of the taller girl. Himeko wasn't sure if Makoto wanted to help free her or restrain her. As she struggled, she yelled to her lover, "Let me go, Chikane-chan! I have to find them!"

"No!" The girl screamed, pushing the girl under her weight. "I won't lose you! Not after we almost lost each other. I-I can't do that again. Please, just stay with me. Please." Himeko paused to see the girl form tears under her eyes. As selfish as it was, Himeko wanted to be held by Chikane forever. However, she couldn't abandon her old life. She held Chikane tightly, whispering in her ear, "Then let's go together, Chikane-chan."

The azure-haired girl smiled and nodded her head. Even with all the chaos that surrounded them, they held the moment of peace between each other. As they started running, the helmeted captain blocked them.

"Allow me to escort you, your Highness." Both of them nodded their heads, as they ran. The demons in white cloths were maddening. They gave inhuman cries to hacking at dead corpses and crushing skulls. Himeko shielded her eyes from all the blood spilled and all the lives lost. As the guard blocked several crazed rebels charging at them, they noticed the emerald-haired priest on his knees, quivering in his own world. They sprinted to him, leaping over corpses.

"Oogami-sensei!" Himeko cried, as she reached him. As she tried to shake his body out of a daze, the priest remained in his silent fear, not noticing the bodies before him. "Oogami-sensei, we can still leave, but we have to hurry!"

"They're here..." Kazuki spoke in his daze. "The Spaniards have arrived."

Himeko knew that Kazuki wouldn't move from his spot. She tried desperately to get him to bend down or play dead, as some of the other rebels had done. But Kazuki held his stance, his amber eyes looking up to the sky. Chikane urged Himeko to find the other Oogami, and for once, Himeko agreed. Her heart beat so fast, she felt faint. With the captain's protection, it wasn't long before they met with the black haired boy, staring at the scene before him. Frozen in place as if his legs were broken, she witnessed the blue-haired king talk telling Tsubasa to get on his knees.

Tsubasa did so. As did he followed El Rey's command, the Spaniard king gave a long speech, knowing no rebel could touch him. Himeko could instinctively hear the world 'God' as El Rey beat his chest. Tsubasa nodded. And with that, El Rey put one end of his arm through the crimson-eyed man.

The king's right arm was drenched in Tsubasa's blood. He immediately ripped it out, as Tsubasa fell to the side.

After that, the battle died down significantly. Many of the white ghosts had stopped butchering people and gathered, sheathing their katanas. They all huddled in a circle, amazingly around the princess and the rest of the followers who still lived. Among the rebels were Makoto, clutching her leg, Souma, traumatized from the murder, and Kazuki, still quivering in fear. It was amazing that half the population still lived. One might consider it a quarter, since many of the rebels had lost limbs. As the Spaniard army kept the formation, the Chinese man from before had stepped forward and approached both the girls, now standing and holding each other in their arms.

"Pantera would like to accept the invitation you so graciously gave."

Chikane turned to see Himeko, clutching her arm in a very comforting manner. She held her close, and asked, "I see. Tell me, what are the terms of this invitation?"

The Chinese man laughed. "Have you really forgotten? In exchange for letting a set number of people live, and you remaining head of the state," He held his breath, as if he wanted to extend the moment.

"Mahoroba shall be annexed to Pantera." The crowd whispered. Many shocked and gasped at the very idea of this. Those too slow and dim-witted to know the definition of 'annex', asked their neighbors around them. Of course, such explanations weren't necessary, as the azure haired girl responded.

"In other words, you shall control Mahoroba."

The Chinese man laughed. "Not I. El Rey shall control this place, as it will be renamed to his liking. Princess, I hope you're not going to back down on your promise." He smirked, as if signaling each men to draw out their katanas and aim it a someone's neck.

"Because if you did, it would be most unfortunate." As the demons came closer, Himeko felt Chikane's grip tightened. She could hear the whimpers of the old men and the new widows, but most of all, she heard laughter. Some of the white clothed Panterians, less than subtle, had gave a loud snicker, as if they wanted Chikane to refuse. Himeko held on Chikane's arm. As the taller girl looked into her amethyst eyes, it was if they talked, and understood each other. Eyes that said, "This is the only way."

"Very well." Chikane stated. "I accept." The Chinese man smirked, signaling the guards to lower their katanas. Himeko could see the look of distain on may of the rebels faces. Possibly the only thing that protected the two of them was the now present military force surrounding them. As some of the demons parted the middle to create an opening, an ominous figure arrived. Himeko held Chikane tightly, seeing his light blue hair, his eyes full of life and his pale muscular arm still drenched in blood. He held his hands within his pocket as he slouched towards them.

He looked at Himeko holding Chikane by her arm, and then at Chikane wrapping Himeko around her waist and then at Himeko once again. She knew that look. His disgust for their love wasn't surprising, but she didn't care. Himeko didn't care who stared at them with ugly eyes, or accusing faces. She found the one she loved, and for once, she would wear such things with pride.

"Tschh." El Rey mocked. "Whores."

He showed his back and spread his arms, showing his victory, "This state is mine. I'll make sure your people don't start this ever again. If you run, I'll kill them all. If you disobey me, I'll kill them all. Hell, even if I'm having a bad day and you piss me off, I'll kill them all, because I am the king."

He turned his head, looking over his right shoulder. "And when I mean all of them, I mean your little bitch too."

"Oi, El Rey." One of the king's entourage whispered loudly. Himeko recognized the bandaged man with the number 16 on his body. "Look who it is." The man pointed off to the side. Himeko watched in horror as the man they talked about was none other than the emerald-haired priest. Then, the king laughed. In actually, he bellowed, giving off a bass laugh not unlike a hyena's cry. As his laughter died down, he went over to the priest.

"Kazuki," he shouted with a grin on his face. "Kazuki, is that you? Hahaha! I thought that bastard Himemiya killed you, but look at you, a man of religion! The Himemiyas sure like their traitors, don't they boys?" The rest of his entourage laughed, and continued to mock the priest, still on his knees. Himeko looked on in confusion as Chikane stood forward. The blue-haired girl stepped forward and addressed them. "How do you know Oogami-sensei?"

"Sensei?" the king with the deformed jaw laughed. "Sensei? Did you hear that? She called him sensei! Oh, god. Baka, don't you get it?"

Chikane shook her head, unsure if she could understand what was going on. The king grabbed him by the collar and propped him up.

"This man used to be my lieutenant general, and served under me before he went soft and joined you." El Rey's words caused Chikane to gasp. Himeko gasped as well, with a large number of the rebels. They were unable to comprehend that Kazuki was actually under the Spaniard king's entourage for a short period. But the dead and frightened look on Kazuki's face gave the truth for Himeko to believe. Chikane was doubtful of this statement.

"No," Chikane answered. "Oogami-sensei's the most loyal man-No he betrayed you with my mother and father, not during the war! He-he didn't-"

"Baka," The king smirked, looking at the girl. "What did you believe? Tell me, how does that old story go? A bunch of farmers and two spoiled noblemen try to create their own kingdom?"

Himeko's eyes opened, recalling something important. "Trust me, you don't want people like that as your allies." Kazuki said that. How did he know unless from experience?

"Then, they not only have the money and the food to beat us, but all of those strategies as well, even though all of them sat on their asses while the rest of us served in war?"

"Remember, I fought with Pantera once." Himeko gasped. Usually to fight withPantera meant to fight alongside them. If Kazuki had fought to stop them, he would have fought against them.

"Or did someone help them? Did someone betray my ranks, went soft and stole my plans and gave it to them?"

"You wouldn't realize how quick they are to betray their own allies." Was Kazuki referring to himself?

"No! These are lies! Tell them, Oogami-sensei!" Chikane held her breath, seeing that Kazuki was too dazed to move from his position. "Oogami-sensei?"

"Baka! If you don't believe me, take a look for yourself!" He ripped off the priest's shirt, revealing something that stunned the whole audience.

17.

The number 17, was branded on his right shoulder. Like the numbers 6, 11, 13, and 16, it was part of his body. Among it, there were several scars and burn marks on it, as if there were attempts to be rid of it. But it stood out, none the less.

"C'mon, boys. Let's leave the Himemiyas to their traitors. Since we burnt the camp on our way here, we don't have to worry about a forest invasion. The rest of you, start occupying the city. If anything smells rebel, kill it!" As the mass of masked troops left, Chikane screamed at the priest, wanting him to deny such a claim. She screamed and her voice shrilled until it had become sore.

No response ever came on that dirt field. Realizing this, the princess gave a heavy sigh and ordered the captain and the remaining men to take Kazuki Oogami to their possession. As they bound his arms, and confiscated his oblong hat, they walked him past a familiar boy, crouched over the rebel leader's corpse. The former priest looked at Souma with distain, and halted his march.

"You bastard." Kazuki said to his son. "You couldn't have died like I had wanted you to, and now look at us. Traitors to a Spaniard king. I hope you're proud of yourself." As the emerald-haired man was pushed on his way, Himeko and Chikane supporting a staggering Makoto up and walked over to Souma Oogami, traumatized by the scene. They saw only his back, but his voice gave shape to what foul temper he was in.

"Don't touch me." His usually smooth voice had become rough and calloused. Slowly, Makoto tried to break the serious tension.

"Hey, at least we're still alive, eh, Jin-sama?"

The boy gave no response. He crouched over the dead leader and held it tenderly in his arms. His set of charcoal hair nuzzeled the torso of his brother, and he rose up, silently letting it go.

"You killed him, Kurusugawa." He said, looking in a far off direction.

"No, Jin-sama!" Makoto cried out, cutting off Himeko. "Himeko didn't kill Tsubasa-sama. It was that blue-haired king. You know that, right?" No response came. Makoto, furious at Souma's accusations, reach forward and touched his shoulder. "Right?"

She whipped him around to see an angered face. "Don't touch me!"

The three girls gasped, as did any other onlookers. Oogami's face had been completely contorted. Lines of rage and fury had deformed his face into something monsterous. His usually gentle and calm dark eyes had shrunk to a miniscule size. But, most noticable of all, was the purple seal glowing on his forehead. It's aura and it's design matched something like ancient symbols of cresent moons and blazing suns. He was no longer the same person Himeko knew.

"You sent your dogs out there to kill him! You made-You made him beg for his life! You killed him before my eyes before that blue-haired bastard even touched him. And worst of all, you knew my father, and didn't even tell me!"

Himeko's eyes began to fill with tears. Slowly, she tried reaching out and touching the Oogami boy, but her hand was swatted away.

"And for what? This-this...whore? You and I are friends no longer, Kurusugawa. Today, we break our bonds. From now on, we are enemies." He walked the other way, his seal still glowing a bright purple.

"Jin-sama!" Makoto cried out. "Where are you going?"

The boy turned his head over his shoulder. "Didn't you hear? The rebel camp's burnt to the ground. Someone has to rebuild it." He smirked and stepped away, not noticing the blond haired girl, bursting into tears into the taller girl's chest or the auburn haired girl crying out for him. In the end, he didn't listen at all. And he vanished.

"El Rey," Shawlong said, coming next to him on a tall hill. They watched the sun set on the new kingdom. "What shall we name this new state?"

The Vulgarian noise looked at his hand, and spread his fingers, making it seem the whole kingdom was in his grasp.

"Just as the panther has claws," he stated in his bass voice, "so does Pantera. Desugaron."

"Panther's Claw. A wise name, El Rey."