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Rating: K


The Southern Palace stretched as graceful as a snake, starting nestled in the valley between beaks, then climbing up the ragged rise to perch atop the cliff, it's high spires vaulting into the crystal blue of the sky in silent pride and exuberant defiance of the chill. Seeing it as they emerged from the forest completely knocked the wind from Atsushi. Takeo grinned and quickened his pace.

"As much as I love the forest, it's good to be home," he murmured, taking Atsushi's hand to lead him to the gates. Just as they were coming in, a young woman came sprinting forward to meet them.

"Lord Masahiko!" she cried, flinging herself at the InuYoukai's feet.

"What is it, Ningen?" the demon lord asked, his lip curling a little. "Who are you?"

"I am Kaori. My brother is named Nisshoku. Please hear me out! I was told you were going out to kill the demon that has been plaguing this area. My brother did the same, and he has yet to return. Please…he's been gone nine days. He promised to meet me at the Southern Temple, but I came here when he did not return. I beg you, do you have any word of my brother." The demon lord's expression softened and he bent to help her up.

"Be strong Kaori. If you are asking if your brother is dead, I can neither confirm nor deny it, but the demon was slain five days ago," he replied gently. "Rest here a day and return to the temple to await your brother."

"You won't look for him?"

"No. I don't have time to waste on just one ningen." He moved past her. "A servant will show you a room." Atsushi walked over to the girl.

"Hey…" he murmured. She looked up at him, mistrust and hurt and desperation burning in her eyes. "You'll find him."

"How can you say that?"

"Isn't it best to believe the best as long as you can? It would be wrong to give up hope on him, right?"

"He went out to kill the most powerful demon in existence other than Lord Masahiko."

"The one it seems I killed…" Atsushi replied.

"You killed him?"

"I…I'm actually not sure. I don't recall anything, other than waking up next to him with this sword." She stared at the sword at his hip.

"That…that's my brother's sword! How did you get that?"

"I found it in the body of the slain demon."

"And my brother?"

"I saw no one else there."

"He would never leave without his sword!"

"I…I don't know what to say…"

"You have to know something! You aren't telling me something! You got that sword, somehow, and it is my brother's. What did you do to him?"

"Nothing. I…I don't know who your brother is."

"My brother was Nisshoku…oh, Kami, he probably fought you, if he came across you. He had sworn…sworn to kill all demons. Did you kill him?!"

"W-what? I don't know! Not that I remember!" She took a terrified step back from him. "Look, I just found the sword, okay? W-what does your brother look like, maybe it will jog my memory." Her eyes narrowed.

"Long, black hair, he's got very strong features, well-muscled. His skin was tanned from work in the sun. He wore a red headband and had a tattoo of a viper on his back."

"D-doesn't ring any bells. I'm sorry." Kaori shook her head.

"You have his sword. Give it back! It's not yours." Atsushi hesitantly drew the sword and handed it to her. She snatched it from him and ran off. The purple-haired demon stared after her sadly. What if I really did kill her brother and take his sword? He thought. I mean, I really could have. I have no idea what I did before I woke up. That poor girl…could be completely alone…because of me.

"Atsushi," Takeo's voice broke through his thoughts. "Come on. I'll show you a room." The taller man glanced at him and then nodded, following him through the halls of the palace.

"That woman…"

"No. Don't even start thinking you're guilty of anything you have to be ashamed of. We have no idea what happened to that woman's brother, and we are not going to assume you murdered him in cold blood and took his sword."

"No, I know, but…but he was a slayer – considering he carried a weapon made of demon bone. He would've picked a fight with me, and if I…if I killed him…that poor woman."

"People die, Atsushi. That's all there is to it. Besides, there could be some other explanation."

"Like what?"

"Well, whoever kills the war demon becomes him, so…"

"I thought this man rivaled the power of Lord Masahiko. There is no way a human could kill him, if that's true."

"Anyone can get lucky."

"…Not that lucky. He would be obliterated…right? Besides, have we ever heard of a human turning into the War Demon?"

"No, but there have only been two generations. We only know about it all because Lord Masahiko learned the spell used to create the War Demon. Look…don't worry about all this. You should get some sleep, okay?" Atsushi sighed.

"Fine." He slipped off his haori and walked over to the bed. Takeo stared at his back. Coiled on his right shoulder blade was a tattoo of a viper. The fox demon left silently, shutting the door behind him. That poor girl. She really has lost her brother. The healer went to find her sitting in her room, staring at the sword in your hands.

"Excuse me."

"What?" she snapped.

"It's about your brother." Suddenly, she seemed more interested and far less angry.

"Yes? What about him? What about Nisshoku?" Takeo glanced away, biting his lip. I'm sorry, he thought. For both of you.

"He's dead. The W-war Demon, Akira, killed him, and Atsushi killed Akira with your brother's weapon. I'm sorry." In a way it was true. Nisshoku no longer existed, and Atsushi had killed Akira with Nisshoku's sword. Her eyes widened.

"H-how did you figure this out?"

"Atsushi…remembered something. I am sorry."

"We're sure…it was Nisshoku?"

"Yes, I'm afraid I am quite certain that your brother is…"

"Dead."

"…Yes." She receded into herself, tear welling up in her eyes. "I'm sorry." Takeo turned and left, escaping the muffled sounds of her crying. It's better this way…to give her closure, he told himself. And Nisshoku is dead. He died when he became Atsushi. So why…why do I feel guilty?