A/N: Hello all! This is the first time I've written in years! This is not intended to be serious in any way at all. Please don't assume it is. I played this game as a result of being forced into it by my editor, and a week later here I am. This is a back/side story for the demons, and is thus not completely canon in the anime/manga/game/whatever. Regardless of this, enjoy!
Amagiri sighed. This was the third time in the past month he had been forced to follow Kazama on his pointless venture to win Chizuru Yukimura over. He was well aware of the situation, as it had been explained to him years ago when he was first charged with caring for young Kazama. Amagiri's father had passed this story down to him before he departed for the Continent.
Amagiri's father had informed him that he would be looking after the young child who would soon grow up to become head of the family. Normally a demon lord would not receive a bodyguard until they were much older, but following the demise of the Yukimura clan, a decree was passed that the younger demons must be protected to preserve their kind. His name was Chikage Kazama, and upon their first meeting, he had declared Amagiri a poor bodyguard without a sword to defend them with. When Amagiri proceeded to try and explain the family's long line of skilled hand combat, Kazama informed him that it was a poor fighting style, and walked out of the room without being dismissed. From that day on, Amagiri was forced to follow Kazama and keep him out of trouble. Most of his job was simple, such as making sure he didn't insult too many high ranking officials and keeping him from picking fights he could not win. Recently however, his workload had doubled, if not tripled.
Kazama had taken to a young girl by the name of Chizuru. While usually deterring women from him was easy given his own absentmindedness, this one had proven more difficult than any of his previous quests by far. Chizuru turned out to be the head of the Yukimura clan, the last of her kind, and Kazama had declared to her that she would be his, and vowed to do whatever it took to make her his wife. To add insult to injury, she was living with the Shinsengumi who were allied with the opposing side on what was slowly becoming a war.
Amagiri understood that finding a wife for Kazama would be a rough journey, especially given the rarity of female demons at the present time. Ever since one of the major demon clans had been wiped out, it had proven difficult to bounce back from the loss. Normally it was challenging to find a mate, but not impossible, unless your name was Chikage Kazama. Despite being schooled in the ways of becoming a proper demon lord, he remained woefully inept at finding a mate for himself. Many women came for him, but few ever succeeded in gaining his attention. This was customary, for only a woman of high social standing among demons would be considered acceptable for Lord Kazama. When the last of the Yukimura line was found living among human soldiers, Kazama ran blindly into the fight, being the single-minded fool he was. He refused to accept that Chizuru had her own reasons for remaining with the Shinsengumi. They had promised to help her find her father, and had become her friends in the process. Despite knowing these things, Kazama continued to try and coerce her over to their side. Amagiri, exasperated as he was at these endeavors, continued to follow his lord as he had promised years ago.
The only true obstacle that remained after the Shinsengumi was Sen-Hime; she was determined to get in their way. While she did attempt to free Chizuru from the Shinsengumi, she was also hell-bent on keeping Kazama away from her. Given Kazama's reputation for mindless pursuits, this was not unexpected. This had made their quest even more difficult, which led to the situation they were in now. They were recovering from yet another retreat out of the Shinengumi headquarters, and Kazama as usual was complaining about another loss of his bride.
"I can't believe we lost her again! Amagiri you're supposed to help me, which means getting rid of those stupid humans," Kazama barked.
Amagiri merely sighed and worked quickly to form a response to cool Kazama's short temper.
"Lord Kazama, we cannot continue getting ourselves involved in human affairs. Perhaps you should consider a more gentle approach with Yukimura? One that does not involve fighting with those she still considers friends?"
This seemed to calm Kazama's temper, but only increased his annoyance at the situation. It was all too clear that his constant snubbing of women had left him unable to court them. There had to be a way to coach him through the proper technique of winning over a woman. Amagiri pondered this while their other companion Shiranui chimed in.
"You know you could stop trying to court her and kidnap her at the same time too," he said with a laugh. "Maybe that's why you suck at this, you're trying too damn hard."
Amagiri was at wits end. Dealing with both Kazama and Shiranui had begun to wear on his nerves. Thankfully, Shiranui had struck up a rivalry with one of the Shinsengumi and became more and more distracted with that. He made up his mind, and was going to attempt to school his lord in the ways of properly winning over a woman. He had done it himself after all.
"Lord Kazama, perhaps we should consider a different approach. I no longer wish to be involved in human affairs, and it would be best if you removed yourself from them as well."
Kazama's scowl deepened as Amagiri went on. He was noticeably unhappy with what Amagiri was suggesting.
"Then how am I supposed to go about it Amagiri," he began to yell.
It remained clear he was becoming more and more annoyed. Amagiri quickly stepped in to smooth over the situation.
"I am suggesting you possibly take a more subtle route for now. She will be more willing to speak with you if you show that you are capable of things other than brute violence. Leave her a gift perhaps."
Shiranui immediately started laughing. It was obvious what he thought of Amagiri's suggestion. Eventually his laughter subsided, and he managed to form a response through the occasional snickering.
"You've got to be kidding," he snarled. "Demons don't 'play nice' Amagiri, we take what we want and what we want should cooperate long enough to be taken."
Unfazed, Amagiri simply replied, "Be that as it may, let us at least consider the possibility once. If the plan fails, then we can continue along the path we have been following."
Kazama thought over both sides, and it was apparent his mind was working hard to reach a decision. Eventually, he made up his mind.
"Alright Amagiri, we shall attempt your plan this once. What kind of gift do you have in mind?"
His response came out more as an order than a question. Amagiri ignored the glares from their other companion and continued on.
"Yukimura often passes by a flower shop on her rounds with the Shinsengumi. While never expressing this desire, she often seems to wish to purchase from the shop. Perhaps that is an acceptable starting point, Lord Kazama."
"And what would I do with said flowers Amagiri," he quickly retorted, his anger showing once more. "If we are to avoid more fights that is."
Quick with a solution, Amagiri continued, "Leave them by her door when they are not on guard. This should be a simple task for a demon such as you. Knock to alert her and leave as quickly as you came."
This solution seemed to be enough for him, as he quickly stood up and prepared to leave. Shiranui decided he wanted none of this adventure, and went to go preoccupy himself with something more to his tastes. Amagiri swiftly followed Kazama on the path to the shop, and silently pled for this plan to be successful.