"We were scalded by the tribulations of love, and suffered the deluge of bloodshed as we traversed its dark ocean." "The cascade of light pierces the heavenly canopy, revealing the fate of the star-cross'd lovers." "Black Tomb Chapter Twelve" "Move." "I refuse." "I cannot let you pass." "I have been wielding a blade since before you were swimming around in your father's scrotum." "Yet you still intend to challenge my swordsmanship?" "Such a thing had not crossed my mind." "Then, what did you intend?" "A flute." "A flute?" "A flute and a drum." "In the distant past..." "A hundred years?" "No, further back than that." "A past stretching back more than a thousand years." "Everything... began in this decrepit hut." "It has felt like an age since we last met, Lady Kuromitsu." "I am Priest Musashi." "It has been a long time." "After a thousand years, your humble servant, Benkei, has at last found you again." "Ever since that moment" "No." "Ever since I decapitated my master, Yoshitsune no Kuro, his blood has drenched my face... and furred up my tongue." "Why?" "Why have you done this to us?" "I..." "I was madly in love with you." "I could not abandon my feelings back then." "As I witnessed the passion rising between you and my master, the aching in my chest grew more and more pronounced." "I desired my master's death, so that I could claim you for my own." "These feelings escalated... and then took hold of me." "Those impious devils who were bewitched by the mystery of everlasting life..." "During the Heian Period, they heard tales of the Yaobikuni appearing in Adachigahara." "To appropriate the ageless, immortal blood, they cursed me... and commanded me to decapitate my master." "At that point, your body became free from Death's grip." "Indeed." "I am not dead." "However, this is not true immortality." "Presumably, when I swallowed Master Kuro's blood, it had not yet had time to fully coalesce with your own." "As the years tumble by," "I continue to age." "I have become unsightly." "I am decaying." "As I agonized over what to do with this body of mine," "I subconsciously became fascinated with uncovering the meaning of life once more." "Then, I told Hasegawa to aid you in your plan, because of his expertise with technology." "Indeed." "I take it that your plan from the beginning... was to create Kuon with the intention of exchanging his head with Kuro's." "Such a fearsome woman." "Still, that is what makes you beautiful." "There is something I must confess to you, Lady Kuromitsu." "For the last one thousand years, not a day has gone by without my thoughts turning to you." "Not a day where I have not uttered your name." "I love you from the depths of my heart." "I have lived to this day so that I could tell you this." "My lord." "My dearest Kuro." "How much of this conversation have you" "I heard everything." "Then, what thoughts dwell within your mind?" "Will you strike me down where I stand?" "Benkei, I have long forgotten any grudge I felt towards you." "And yet..." "Our score must be settled." "It has ended." "Yes." "However, I still feel nervous." "Was I mistaken?" "My body is heavy." "It feels as though my blood is starting to coagulate." "Fret not." "Soon, everything will return to the way it was." "Is that so?" "You are not complete." "The healing abilities of your body are unable to keep pace with you." "My body..." "Yes." "That is why there is nothing to worry about." "Endure a little longer." "Fret not..." "There is nothing to worry about..." "I have created a body for you." "Please use this, my dearest." "My head is being embraced." "She holds it meekly in her embrace." "So, that's how it is?" "How many times has this taken place?" "When I'm merely a head, I remember everything." "Is this... not enough?" "Please, let me die." "What are you saying?" "Haven't you again returned safely to my side?" "For all eternity, I must... suffer this body, this youthful countenance!" "Please do not leave me alone." "Now, everything can start anew after you awaken." "It is only through your endless pursuit... that I am able to live my immortal life." "I am sure that you will find me next time as well." "Let us go together, my beloved Kuro." "To the end of time." "When did I fall asleep?" "It was so sudden." "Where has that woman..." "Kuromitsu... gone?" "Have you heard those rumors about vampires?" "Vampires?" "Like Count Dracula?" "I've heard there have been some prowling around the city lately." "So, you're Kuro, huh?" "Still, you've got some muscle there." "If you want Kuromitsu back, join us and fight!" "Kuromitsu..." "You reckon Kuromitsu's actually there, Hasegawa?" "I do." "This time, using these hands..." "I've been very patient...." "This is almost like..." "love." "You sure know how to keep people waiting." "The only information I can give you at this moment... is that you and I... are bound together by an unbreakable bond;" "one that surpasses any that exists between a man and woman in this world." "My lord." "What ails you?" "This is most unlike you." "I feel as though..." "I have been dreaming..." "It is advisable to stay alert." "Our pursuers are amassing." "There no longer remains a single moment that we can spare." "It is growing dark... and we have almost run out of water." "If it is indeed shelter, we shall request admittance for the night." "What truly ails you?" "It is nothing." "This merely seems familiar..." "Perhaps you are fatigued?" "Yes, perhaps that is the reason." "It must be." "Let us venture forth." "Fin"