As promised.........
another humble translation from me, another intense chapter from MoB....^ __^...

If you have not read Chapter 13 yet,  suggest you do before reading Ch14.
Here is the link to Vol 24 Chapter 13

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 This was a strange illusion.

One just could not wake up. No matter where one was, the sense of reality kept intensifying, and yet this shadowy reality was still no where in sight. The damp skin, the body hair, the hot breath of touch ….such vivid senses. The body scent - one dearly missed- , the bodily fluid, the moist eyes, the joints that touched, the taught muscles, the rhythm of the breath near the ears, and ……

Takaya couldn’t understand why he wasn’t able to wake up. 

Was it because he had breathed his last and thereby unable to return to reality? Was his body dead and thereby unable to return to the body that was still hanging in the prison? 

Had he died in reality?

The yearning was like harsh winter waves crashing and scattering itself onto the edge of cliff, fiercely longing for each other. Even if he would to open his eyes at the extreme point of despondency, illusion continued. It was more demeaning than animal, erupting and opening up the flood gate of desires. Despite moving his hips thirstily, that “illusion” continued to hanker after Takaya, in an intensity and density that was beyond limits. It was pointless to verbalise. When Takaya responded greedily to the avalanche that rained on him, the “illusion” devoured it, madly and violently. It was a “lust” beyond the comprehension of Takaya. It was also an act beyond “functionality”. Orgasm after orgasm as the “illusion’ continued his violent acts with such fierce humiliations. Takaya had forgotten the reservation he held – just the day before - on the fear on the limits of his body. As he cried out, he pleaded it to stop. Swallowing him up was a tornado that rid of human morals that bred a feeling, beyond his understandings, from the deepest part of him.  

 (It is not an “illusion”….)

 In the midst of intense shame and surprise, Takaya finally understood. This was not something that he could grasp – an illusion so intense, so real, that burrowed right through his bones, sucking at his core. It exceeded everything – something he had not known, and never seen.

 (This isn't an “illusion”, is it….?)

 It was like crying after the mutilated naked body of Takaya, inflicting further pain, and destroying the emotionally-entangled-barrier. It was not an illusion. With this realization, Takaya let his heart out and cried. Like a new-born - crying. Why did he cry? Takaya could not understand.

Naoe continued to hanker single-mindedly after Takaya’s naked body, as if to quench his thousand-year-thirst. It was not simply love, but more of an unbearable thirst that drove him to continue to lust after Takaya, to violate every inch and every part of Takaya. That madness was born from the very day when he existed.

As his consciousness faded, Takaya could hear faintly, the barely audible sobs of Naoe. He could sense Naoe fully and vividly. Tears flowed uncontrollably down his cheeks as sadness overwhelmed.

While being wrapped gently in the “womb” of a man - by the name of Naoe -, Takaya slumbered deeply into a death-like-sleep.

***

The two men made their stop at a small deserted house. It was discovered by Naoe after much effort. It appeared to be originally a small hut or a motel. On it, erected a signage left behind by the creditor -it appeared to be rather recent. The interior of the hut was not as rundown as one had expected. After removing the lock of the front door, Naoe placed Takaya onto the bed to let him rest. Takaya seemed to have exhausted every ounce of his strength, much more than one could imagine. As Naoe observed the wounds on Takaya’s body, he could not suppress the anger that was brewing up in him. It was apparent that he had been severely tortured. Though the wounds had been given the necessarily treatment, if only he had arrived earlier, Takaya would not have suffered so much.  

 The scars left by the spiritually-bound shackles were still evident on Naoe’s arms.

 He had skillfully tricked the guard and escaped from Azuto at a time when he was not able to use his power. With the pursuers hot on his heels, Naoe used the only weapon he had, a stolen hunting rifle, to hold them back. Although he managed to escape finally, the persistent Maki would not give up. The shackles on his hands were bound by a powerful restraining spell and there was no way he could remove them by using normal force. The only means was by using physical tools. It was only, while on the run, that Naoe finally managed to remove the shackles using a blacksmith tool that he found along the way. This broke off the binding spell at the same time.

During his escape, he faced off the troops three times, running and defending, before finally arrived at Ashizuri. 

The scarred-marks and blisters on Naoe’s wrists were the result of using a burning torch to melt the chains of the shackles. There were also wound marks on Takaya’s arms – broken skin marked bluish by fiction. It seemed to hurt a lot. 

 (How could such misery have ……..….) 

The whole body was filled with fresh wounds -- tormented to such an extent. There was a large bruise sustained from a fall. And on his chest - countless marks left scarlet by whips. 

It was not the time to take revenge on the Red Whales, but to leave Ashizuri as soon as possible. Naoe was a fugitive on the run, not a scent would be tolerated. Why was Takaya at this place? Naoe had not heard the explanation from him, personally yet. However, since he found him, he must take him back. There was not much time left.

( But, such a weakened body……..)

Did the tightly strung thread of emotions in Takaya break after meeting Naoe? Now, he could not even walk. They needed a car to get out of here. The stolen car that he had driven here was out of petrol. It was useless.

 (To steal another?)

But even with a car, one wouldn’t be able to drive through such a hopeless place. Maki could have already narrowed his search. How should he overcome it to escape ?

 The Takaya that was beside him, started to moan.

 “….Are you awake ?”

Takaya extended his fingers towards his direction. Naoe held on his fingers firmly. Faintly, he could feel a little warmth within. Takaya continued to moan softly, muffling. Naoe placed his ears nearer. In a soft hoarse voice, Takaya was saying he was cold.

There was no heater in the hut. Naoe could only find a blanket. The water flask was empty. Takaya must be hungry.

Even though Naoe desperately wanted to give him a safe warm room to sleep, he was not able to give anything. In substitution, Naoe held onto Takaya tightly, trying to give him his warmth. But, Takaya continued to shiver lightly. Was it because he was unable to pass his warmth to him? His skin was very cold.

(Using such a body to continue shivering ….?)

As Naoe recalled on each of the days that led up to this very day, agony gripped onto him. As if trying to placate the pain within, gently and softly, he continued rubbing Takaya to warm him up. However, at some point, desires began to surge and the gentle rubbing gradually turned into heated fondling. The hand swiftly ignited the fire within Takaya. With hot breath, both them began to entangle madly on the bed, once again.

As Naoe’s fondle arrived at Takaya’s lower body, Takaya returned to consciousness in an instant, shrieking in astonishment.

“No…. Don’t, Naoe ! “

Takaya coiled and twisted his body, but Naoe appeared not to have heard him. Naoe held onto Takaya’s thighs and placed the erected organ into his mouth. Takaya resisted frantically.

“Stop it….Nao..e..!”

Naoe could not understand the resistance. It could no longer be shyness. As if blaming him for resisting, Naoe bit on it hard.

“!  “

Takaya’s whole body cringed in an instant.

He could have burst into joys of sensations. But Takaya appeared to be unnaturally stubborn. He was resisting. Tears streamed down from his eyes as he held on, continued resisting it. It was nearing the limit -- yet he clenched his teeth and obstinately refused to release.

“What’s wrong ?.....Why are you holding back ? ”

With disheveled hair, Takaya shook his head.

“Kill…..”

“Kill? ”

“You……”

Takaya was afraid that his poison would kill Naoe the way it killed the guard. Of course, Naoe was not aware.

It’s okay --- Naoe replied, and continued. Takaya was nearing breaking-point.

“Stop….really. Don’t!  Don’t use your mouth!”

“It will be unbearable if  you continue to resist.”

“No…. You will die….!”

Takaya hit the roof, but yet persistently he held on, refusing, and continued to resist. He grabbed onto Naoe’s hair and tried to peel him away from his body. But Naoe held onto him firmly. The tip of his tongue extended into the pit of Takaya’s organ. That very arousal broke the last fine thread of reasons that Takaya was holding on to. With a faint whimper, Takaya arched his body, and in the midst of his release, hovering between pleasure and hopelessness, his consciousness slipped away, into the sky.

 “Ah --…….”

 Naoe, swallowed it.

 Not a drop was left behind.

As the sulphuric-acid-like-venom flowed into his body, it numbed his tongue and throat. Naoe was unperturbed. He used his knuckles to wipe the remaining fluid off his mouth and licked if off cleanly.

 “Your poison……is sweeter than honey.”

Takaya’s body went stiff as he still could not believe it. He had no idea what would happen to Naoe afterwards. At the sight of such a Takaya, Naoe lowered his head and forcibly kissed it. Deeply, he sucked at Takaya’s poisonous fluid.

 “! “

With every ounce of his strength, Takaya finally managed to strip himself off Naoe, forcefully pushing him away, and dashed off towards the direction of the door. Naoe ran after the fleeing Takaya, grabbing onto his arms. Sudden flashes of sparks flew past him. Although it was just in an instant, but it worried him. Nevertheless, he used his determination to restrain Takaya’s body. Takaya fell down on the spot.

Silently in despair, Naoe picked up and carried the struggling Takaya and threw him onto the bed, undid his tie, wrapped it around Takaya’s wrists and bound the struggling hands to the poles of the bed.

“I’ll break your legs if you try to escape again!”

Takaya glared at Naoe angrily, but the Naoe – with cold icy stares - was very capable of doing what he meant. He fully understood this man.

Naoe, had decided that he would not let Takaya off -- never again.

“What is this……? ”

Takaya could no longer tolerate it and questioned.

“Why do you do this ?! Why won’t you let me go ?! I can no longer be with you !”

But, Naoe didn’t reply. Takaya was clearly aware of this expression. Naoe was suppressing his feelings. -- he was strangling himself.

“If you really care about me, please let me go! Don’t pursue me anymore!  That me -- with you-- is forbidden in this world…! I do not wish to make anyone miserable anymore! Someone dies because of me…  I have enough of it! “

“Do you understand what my thoughts are till this very day? ”

Calmly, Naoe replied.

"To me, there is no poison that is more poisonous than when you were not by my side. Do you understand how miserable I was to be abandoned by you ?  Your poison is nothing. Leaving me ---- the poison left by you after you were gone, was more potent, killing me umpteen times. “

“Naoe ---- ……”

"Please do not underestimate me. I will not die at this level of venom. “

 “That is because you are tolerating it. If this continues, you will be weakened by my poison and waste away!”

 “I will not waste away. As for poison, no matter how many times I swallow it, it will only increase my body resistance. The proof is, the poison of yours, no matter how many times I have swallowed it, I will not die. “

 “Please don’t be stubborn!”

 Takaya shook his head vigorously.

 “How many times do you have to use such simple words of comfort to betray me……?! Soon, such mischievous words will no longer tease !  It will be too late if you turn into a corpse !”

 “When have I betrayed you?  To me, there is no misery from the pain that you inflict on me. Because, I’m carrying a more violent form of pain, and survived 400 years.”

 Takaya was dumb-founded.

 “Naoe --- …”

 “This poison, it’s not poison.  For 400 years, I’ve been carrying the poison of your existence. In comparison, it is not poison—not even in the least bit. “

The bed creaked as the bodies rubbed against it. With knees bending and enveloping Takaya’s body from the top, he used his barbarous hand to hold onto Takaya’s chin.

 “It's rumored that there is a thing called “the holy fluid of god” that contains arsenic that will let mortal beings live on, never aging and never dying. Perhaps, your “white stuff” is a longevity drug for me. “

  “You….fool…”

The kisses came flooding in like hunger bites. Naoe’s kisses were mixed with violence, grabbing onto the tongue of Takaya that was trying to escape, strongly sucking it. Impulse was driving Naoe’s body, controlling him.

Gradually, it turned into madness.

The barbaric mind could no longer reason.

Naoe didn’t attempt to stop either himself or that craving madness that was after Takaya’s body. Continuously he rained his desires on Takaya. He would not care even if the pursuers were to appear before him now and witness this scene. There was no better place than to be together with him. If he would to be found out, he would choose to die in the place where they both unite. He would declare to the spectators that he (Takaya) belonged to him (Naoe) only. He would like all his (Takaya’s) acquaintances to see this very moment of him(Naoe) uniting with him(Takaya).

 “I understand…..already …understood……”

 Right below the chest, with body fusing with Naoe, the panting Takaya pleaded.

 “The wrists….please…release them…I won’t run anymore….”

 Takaya uttered in a hoarse voice.

 “This position……is very uncomfortable….”

 (This is simply rape)

Naoe felt a sudden pang of pain. His heart ached as he realized his acts had been extremely cruel. Slowly, he released Takaya’s legs onto the bed and removed the tie that restrained him to the bed poles. With hands still bound, Takaya sprang up like an animal and pushed Naoe onto the bed. He sat on Naoe’s abdomen voluntarily.

 ---- Do it, this way.

Naoe was astonished. He did not expect that Takaya would initiate. He could feel the changes within Takaya. The pair of eyes that gazed down at him from the saddle position appeared to be telling him something. While still trying to decipher the message, Takaya started to move his body.

Between gentle moans of pleasure and pain, Takaya voluntarily sunk his hip towards the erected thing of Naoe. Opening up, he felt a hard hot thing pierced into the innermost of him. Takaya closed his eyes as pleasure flooded him. Opening his lips slightly, he tilted his head towards the sky.

Slowly he moved.

Hankering after the form of this Takaya, was an insatiable yearning that far exceeded of what Naoe had for any other women. It was much wilder, more fanatical and more emotionally-arousing. It was like, witnessing, a butterfly metamorphosing… 

Naoe held his breath, mesmerized by the sight before him. 

The Kagetora, performing the dance of desires.

The unleashed Kagetora.

What decision had Takaya made while he voluntarily craved after Naoe to such a depth?  At that moment, Naoe did not understand. But unmistakably, an unusual decisiveness must have had hatched within his heart. 

Only this would make Takaya behaved in such a desolate hopeless way.

“What’s the matter…..? ”

Naoe asked in his disordered breath.

“--- What are…you thinking of….?”

Takaya continued to gaze intensely at Naoe while gently but deeply, planting kisses on his lips. His breath was erratic. Naoe could no longer tolerate it. He flipped Takaya over and pinned him right beneath him.

 “What were you thinking of, a moment ago? “

Takaya did not reply. 

Instead he continued craving desperately for Naoe. The Takaya -- in refusal -- appeared to be trying to forget something. 

Takaya continued moving his hips as if to drain the last drop out of him. 

Like in prayers.
 

******

As if listening to the sound of waves coming from the cape...
Even in darkness, strong winds brushed through the top of the broken cliff.

During the long intercourse, Takaya’s heart must be echoing the whimpers of the wind.
like the cries of the sea ----- ..…

Completely exhausted, both of them slumbered onto the bed.

Naoe did not stop till new wounds were formed inside Takaya’s body.  He then diverted his assaults onto Takaya’s lips, meting out intensely, transforming all pains into pleasures. Within Takaya’s body were limitless sensitive spots. 

When consciousness returned, all poisons had been crystallized. He could no longer stand and had to lean weakly on Naoe’s chest. 

Just one hour sleep ----. Naoe gently uttered and fell into a deep slumber. For the past days while on the run, he hadn’t had any rest. And now being invaded by Takaya’s poison, his body had weakened. Probably, his energy was drained further from the exhaustion upon meeting Takaya.  Even so, like what he said, he didn’t trust Takaya, and had bound Takaya’s hand to his, just to prevent Takaya from escaping again. He didn’t rest on his laurels. Though soundly asleep, he would still wake up at the slightest movement coming from the bound hands. He was no fool. At the end, Takaya had to contain his body movement so as to let Naoe sleep peacefully.

Naoe’s fingers held onto Takaya’s right hand tightly-- let the palms unite.
Takaya noticed the scar on Naoe’s left hand.

(Sustaining a wound like this again….)  

This man – whenever they meet, there would be fresh wounds again. How many wounds do you want to have on your body before you are satisfied ?

 ---- We will leave here once I’m awake.
Naoe had whispered the urgency of reality.
---- They are also going after you. Let’s leave Ashizuri before we are discovered.
---- You cannot return to the Red Whales.

 Naoe was being spied and hunted down by the Red Whales. Upon hearing the whole story, Takaya was shocked.

---- Reijiro*….wants to kill you ? 

Takaya was completely unaware that an order had been passed to assassinate him. Reijiro had probably mistaken at that point when he found out that Takaya was being tracked. 

(If killed, then kill me. I have said it.) 

This was not the case.  It was because Reijiro did not want to lose Takaya. 

But Naoe had intently been the scapegoat, by pretending to be follower of Uesugi’s army to rid Takaya off the suspicions as a spy of Uesugi. It would be logical that the Uesugi’s army could not be trying to eliminate his own spy. On the contrary, it would prove that Uesugi and Takaya were not related. Hence, Naoe had intently appeared to be relying on the Red Whale to “kill Kagetora”. 

Reijiro would probably protect Takaya if he knew that he was innocent. And looking at the extent of his determination to kill Naoe because of Takaya, he would definitely disagree to employing any form on punishment on Takaya too. It was likely he would stand his ground against the rest.

Henceforth, Naoe achieved his aim. 

(The qualifications to live ---- ….) 

---- Do we really cannot exist ? Things that cannot be tolerated, therefore cannot exist ? 

It has been decided, not to return to the Red Whales.
But the voice of the mass, still resides in this head. 

----You have always been using your will, to pile your hatred on your enemy, and continue fighting on. 

(Therefore, please face it) 

It’s just like what the leader of the army had said.
Be with the self of yours that is “forbidden to exist” – face him squarely.
And if “existence” has not been approved…

(then, win it…..) 

All of you have probably told me this. 

Takaya was gazing at Naoe as if seeking for an answer. 

---- Because of you, there is no pain no matter how great the pain is. 

You can’t, Naoe. 

( I ….I can’t forgive myself) 

The self that rob myself off from you. 

The encircling thoughts of urgency kept pulling at Takaya. 

It was unclear if it was joy or sorrow to be able to meet Naoe again. At that instant of realization -- the very reason of this reunion -- Takaya wept in over-bearing shock. His heart too, was screaming as wretchedness crushed upon him. Takaya finally understood the reason that he cried. 

This body, a venom-infused body.  

The man who died at his abdomen, was someone who should have a life, and to continue living. It was never his will for his soul to have the right to possess a body. The man was killed even without a reason to die. This was no difference to butchery. Using this body to rob away someone’s life. 

--- If a newborn does not wish to be possessed and robbed off his body, he can fight off the soul. 

(It is not that) 

Takaya covered his forehead with both hands…. This was a different case from the man who died. 

(Residing in this murderous “venomous body”, are full of sins) 

These things…rights, privileges etc… only those that fit into the cycle of this world can utter. To hurt is also to be hurt…only those that live in completeness can utter. 

So, what am I ? 

(Living and killing  ---- massacring living beings) 

An unwavering answer. Takaya closed his eyes tightly as if he was being vitally stabbed.

He was as just a possessor.  

And stealing the lives of beings, robbing their existence --- such a person. 

(Am I the enemy of the entire galaxy ?) 

The answer that had arrived, would not change. 

--- If I do not leave here…… 

Takaya continued glancing at Naoe. 

(If I do no leave ………Naoe) 

Such a filthy thing, if it does not leave Ashizuri…
#”The Goddess of Mercy through the Sacred Land”……
if such a filthy thing is not sent to the sacred land………

Takaya grimaced in pain. 

(So, I shall no longer to see you in pain again) 

Wounded in such a way. 

I have already ascertained the magnitude of the excruciating pain that you bore after I left.
This cannot continue. 

This must be the last chance bestowed by god. It must be for the chance to destroy the things that have not been destroyed. God has probably granted such an opportunity for me to meet you again. This must be the entrusted intention of such a re-union.

 Unmistakably, this is the reason. 

(Naoe, I will….no longer let you suffer because of me.) 

Takaya used his fingers to gently and compassionately caress Naoe’s hair. 

There is no turning back for the path that I have taken 

(--- I will no longer let you be sad….) 

The best time to proceed was when Naoe stirred from this sleep, at the very instant when he barely opened his eyes, just before he was fully awake, a time when his mind was still not fully conscious, it’s the most receptive time to hypnosis.

Takaya was gazing at Naoe, treasuring every breath of him, waiting for the moment when he rose. 

Once, he had thought that he would never meet him again. Now that they met again, was it not a bliss, despite the fact that this was a prelude to accomplish an even more difficult task? Was this considered as the mercy of god, wasn’t it ? 

In a moment later, when Naoe open his eyes, Takaya would definitely use the forbidden power, right? 

(To remove the me from your memories ---- ) 

To completely remove it. 

It was not impossible. Hypnosis was even capable of destroying one’s personality. However, the power to manipulate one’s consciousness was a dangerous weapon. More accurately stated, it should be destroying one’s memories rather than removing one’s memories. This would not be an easy technique-- to just only remove “Kagetora” without affecting the intactness of the rest of the memories. Even so, if this was not done….. 

Did he possess such a capability?  To completely destroy Naoe’s 400 years of memories   --- No, he was indeed capable harvesting his strength when he was facing Nobunaga then. So, it would not be something beyond him. There was nothing he could not do. 

(Just like you said, it is no blessings to possess such power…….) 

If one does not possess such power, then one will clearly not have to do such an impossible task. It will be fine not to think about it.  However, since one possesses the ability, and since the possibility exists, then one will be forced to make a painful choice. It is precisely the need to resolve this, by the best means, which one will have to make a decision, regardless of how agonizing it may be. It is impossible not to do it. It is inevitable. 

(Such a power…how wonderful if it does not exist at all) 

If one is just a normal human being, then there is no decision required for such a choice, since such a possibility does not exist in the first place. 

It will be wonderful if you never wake up now….

As once you open your eyes, I will have to do it.

(So….) 

Suppressing the tears that were welling up within him, Takaya gazed at Naoe intently.

The moment you wake up, I will have to remove the memories of me from you. I will leave nothing behind. Even if you have forgotten me, our 400 years will not disappear. The trails left by both of us --- engraved with the emotions of the era – will not vanish. Forever, it will not disappear. 

(It will remain forever on this land) 

Takaya returned a firm grip onto the hand of Naoe, which had been holding on to him tightly. 

I hope you will forgive me.
I can no longer stay.
I have to leave……
Perhaps if I disappear, the meaning of your existence would vanish too.
But at least ---- you will no longer be sorrowful.
For the sake of…….. removing the sorrows from you. 

(This is the least….that I can do) 

To remove ‘the me’ in you.

Not a fragment shall even remain – shall be completely erased.

Nobody has the rights. The world will probably blame me, and fault me for my cruelty and willfulness….for carrying out a thing that is an impossibility to them. Will I still utter such words upon completing the mission?  To one who understands sorrow, one will probably declare righteousness of possessing such a capability for the accomplishment of such a mission, during moments of sadness.

It does not matter if it is selfishness or sin, as the opinion of the world does not matter.

(I shall no longer let you despair)

I can on longer ask for your forgiveness.
It is pointless trying to explain any further.
I am a “possessor”. Therefore, in the end, I will possess “the me” in you, from you.
The worst egoist --- belongs to the last name of Uesugi Kagetora

***

It was still very dark out there, but the chirping of the birds had begun.
And on the narrow bed, Takaya continued to gaze at Naoe endlessly.
At this moment, the eyelashes of the still asleep Naoe, flickered.

The omen to the sorrowful moment had begun. Takaya closed his eyes quietly.
Very soon, he would have to act.

Still in the haziness from his sleep, little by little, Naoe open his eyes.
Tears ran down from the pair of eyes which gazed downwards.
The time of sin had arrived.

Footnote

*岭次郎. This is from the Chinese translated text (assumed is a direct kanji name). An online Japanese friend told me that 岭 is not a usual kanji name, but has given the Reijio as the romaji equivalent.   It's supposed to be 嶺次郎. So it's Reijiro. (Updated on 4th Aug 09)
#普陀洛渡海. This is Buddhist term which I’m not versed in, in anyway.. Not sure how to translate it, roughly translated as “Goddess of Mercy through the sacred land”. Do let me know if you have better way to put it across 

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Gee Weez.. Takaya’s poison is able to increase Naoe’s body resistance?!  o_O .  Naoe’s words just amaze me.. XD. 

Well, I had said earlier that this chapter is kinda graphic…so hope nobody has fainted.

Ok…shall be taking a short break before I continue the remaining chapters of this volume… need a breather…been overdosing myself with MoB poison. Naoe has Takaya –so he does not mind--, but I only have MoB— so I still need my life.  =P 

Again, feel free to leave any comments….