Chapter 2

The next day was when things started getting weird at school. The lights went out twice during the morning. Later police arrived and students were talking about a murder that happened in the girls bathroom. A girl with curly auburn hair had been found dead by one of the other students. Her body was covered in slashes and she was drained of blood. I felt uneasy as I realised that I also have curly auburn hair. Did the attacker somehow think she was me? Could it have been the demon I met from the other day? I recalled Akiro's words that there are wolves about... did he know something?

I didn't tell anyone of my observations, but decided that I would be more alert from now on. I didn't understand why the attacker would go after me and not my sister as well? Perhaps I was just overthinking things. The crime scene was closed off for a couple of days for the investigation, but it didn't seem like they managed to get any clues. Eventually things quieted down and returned to 'normal', meaning students stopped talking about the dead girl.

The lights festival that would be coming soon became the new topic of discussion. The school usually had the school grounds set up with many stalls with strings of little lights and lanterns hanging over like a canopy which was actually quite beautiful. There would be games to play, including a haunted house. Since my sister was keen to go, I was allowed to go with her and Yukiya. I couldn't help but feel like a chaperone; he was always so focussed on her needs. I didn't know why, but it made me feel a little envious... I wish I could have someone fuss about me like that... Aveline insisted that I also wear a Yukata. It felt restrictive and uncomfortable to me, but I played along. I wanted to see the festival too; this would be my first time to attend since I only recently joined the acadamy and the lights festival was meant for students of the acadamy. My sister and Yukiya were both a year older than me and in their final year at the acadamy.

I was happy when Kari met up with us and I had someone to talk to. Even though my sister and I were only a year apart we didn't exactly get along very well. She mostly kept to herself and I suppose I did as well...

"Hey, let's go into the haunted house!" Karli was saying and Aveline also sounded keen. I didn't really like haunted houses, it creeped me out, but I didn't want to spoil the fun so I reluctantly followed. The haunted house utilised several classrooms and were connected with set-up pathways so that it felt like you were walking down a long dark tunnel. I went in last. It wasn't long before I could hear Aveline and Kari's excited screams and giggles. There were students dressed up as all sorts of creatures to scare us. Different areas would 'lit up' as you pass by, showing some scary scene or another. Even though I knew it wasn't real my mouth was feeling dry.

Just then the power seemed to go out again. I could hear several students complain and someone announced over a loadspeaker that everyone must just stay put until the lights come back on. The school had a power generator. My heart was beating faster and faster. I've never liked the dark since I was a little kid... five minutes must have passed and I couldn't seem to find Aveline and the others. I couldn't stay in here anymore and searched for a way out. Eventually I squeezed through a gap and found myself in a hall. There was a classroom with an open door and there seemed to be light in there so I walked in hoping to find people there, when the door slammed shut behind me and the light went out too.

"This is not funny," I said in a flat tone, "I am not partaking in the haunted house anymore – you can stop fooling around!"

No one answered. What was going on?!

"Hello?" I called out, but still nothing. Then the next moment something slammed into me. I could feel claws digging into my arms and I screamed. I fought, but was not strong enough to get the thing off me. Outside it was now thundering and it had stared to rain. Lightning lit up the classroom and I caught a glimse of the thing that was attacking me...it was the monster from the other day!

"Let me have it! Let me have all your blood and live forever!" It hissed and bit into my neck.

"No! Stop this!"

I kept struggling, but couldn't break free and was starting to feel dizzy. Just then I heard the sound of glass breaking. The monster suddenly let go of me and was now fighting someone or something else. I crept into a corner of the classroom and got hold of a chair which I would use to defend myself if the thing came after me again. Just then lightning lit up the room again and I could see the monster fighting another creature with long black wings. They were talking to each other in a language I didn't understand. Then I heard a grunt and the sound of something falling to the ground. Which monster won? I grabbed the chair more firmly, waiting for my turn.

"Why didn't you take my advice?" a familiar voice asked and someone suddenly bend down next to me. I reflectively swung the chair, but it got easily pulled out of my grip and tossed aside.

The lightning lit up the classroom again and I could see it was the bird-creature, if you could call it such. It looked a little like...

"Akiro?" I asked unsurely, "w...what are you?"

"As you can see I'm a Tengu, or bird-demon, take your pick. I warned you before to be more aware of your surroundings Ayane. Surely you know by now that demons want your blood?"

"I am...but until now none of them had tried to do anything. Why now?" I asked sitting up more. My whole body was burning from the scratches and my neck especially hurt, but I wanted to know what was going on.

"You have already turned 16, that is when your 'scent' becomes the strongest. And that is when all the fighting starts. Huh...sweet sixteen..." Akiro said with a snort.

"But...what about my sister? She's already passed that age?"

"Yes, but she is constantly being protected by Awamura..."

"Awamura? You mean Yukiya?"

I wasn't too familiar with Yukiya's surname since I always just called him Yukiya... Akiro didn't seem to interested in talking about him though.

"We need to get you healed first now."

With that Akiro pulled my yukata off my shoulder.

"Hey! What are you doing?!"

"If you want to die from blood poisoning, then be my guest. If not, keep quiet and do as I say."

His hand turned my head away from him and then I felt him...lick me?!

"Wha...?!"

"Keep stil!"

I did as he ordered. I realised that the places he licked didn't burn anymore so I kept still. It was still very embarrasing being licked by a guy, even if he's a demon-bird or whatever. He almost kissed/licked my neck and collarbone. I felt a strange numbing sensation spreading through me and at the same time a warm feeling inside my stomach. What was this?

"Ngh!" I couldn't prevent a moan from escaping my lips.

Akiro stopped for a moment.

"What, are you getting all excited?" he asked.

"No, I'm not!" I said feeling extremely embarrased. I had looked up into his eyes as lightning lighted up the room for a moment and saw two pools darker than the darkest night. It was frightening, but at the same time somehow very beautiful?

The next moment I heard a ripping sound and realised that he had just torn straight through my waistband with his...talon?! His fingers were extended into very sharp long claws. Thankfully it was dark, the last think I wanted was for him or any guy to see me naked! I pushed against him, but he held onto me so that I couldn't move and strangely part of me didn't want to move. I wanted these new feelings that were slowly growing stronger to continue. My mind felt sluggish and my body didn't want to respond the way I wanted it to. What was happening? He licked the scratches on my chest and my stomach.

Akiro then pushed me down onto my back. He then kissed me on the mouth and my mind went blank. His tongue twisted around mine while his hands fondled my breasts, making more sounds escape my lips which he hungrily devoured. I didn't understand why I didn't care...a guy I barely knew was making out with me on a classroom floor, but it felt...right somehow? Was I that screwed up or something?

His one hand glided to the small of my back and pulled me closer to him.

"Breathe," he suddenly whispered in my ear making me gasp in surprise. I didn't realise I was holding my breath... His other hand was now pushing up my skirt. I knew there were scratches on my thighs as well, but there was no way I would let... suddenly it was as if the fog over my brain lifted. What...was...I...DOING?!

"Akiro, no!" I yelled and pushed as hard as I could agains this chest. I managed to push him off me and quickly picked up my yukata (what was left of it) and covered myself up. He looked at me with a surprised expression, but did not come closer to me again. He shook his head lightly and I realised that whatever had affected me seemed to have affected him too. A moment later I saw his eyes widen and he got up suddenly.

"How dare you ensnare me woman!" he shouted angirly at me.

"What are you talking about?! You were the one who just suddenly started taking my clothes off, you pervert!" I shouted back in the same tone.

"Why in the world would I want to do it with a nobody like you?" he retorted.

"What?! Like I would want to do it with an arrogant, rude...idiot like you!"

Just then we heard someone trying to open the door to the classroom.

"Ayana! Are you there?" I heard Yukiya's concerned voice.

Akiro and I glared at each other in silence for a moment and then he jumped out the window without another word. I had no choice but to unlock the door. Yukiya and Aveline was there. His eyes instantly turned scarlet and I could see him surveil the classroom.

"What happened? Are you allright?"

"Ayana!" Aveline said in shock. I could imagine what I looked like, a girl covered in a bloody shredded yukata.

"I'm fine! Thanks to...Akiro."

"What?! Did he do anything to you?"

Yukiya was looking at me strangely, but didn't touch me. It was as if he was keeping his distance.

"He helped me...that is all. I want to go home."

The next day I felt extremely exhausted. I got up and did all the usual boring morning routine stuff to get ready for school. Then I remembered last night at the festival...and the way Akiro kissed me and how it felt to be touched by him and have sweet words whispered to... I shook my head. What was I thinking!? He practically almost raped me and then blamed me for seducing him! What an arrogant, low, irritating...

Just then I saw my reflection in the mirror and screamed.

The next moment I heard Mr Usui's voice as my door got practically kicked open and there we stood staring at each other. I have never seen such an expression on Mr Usui's face before... and I knew exactly why. He was looking at a guy in a girl uniform...

"Ayane, are you allright?" Yukiya was saying as he entered my room as well with Aveline in tow and they both froze on the spot too.

"Ayane?"

Aveline was the first to speak.

"Akiro! That...horrible bird-demon-whatever did this to me!" I was screaming in a young man's voice. Even my voice... I sank down on the floor and started sobbing.

It was like Mr Usui finally came to his senses. He was now kneeling next to me and put his hand on my shoulder.

"What exactly did he do to you last night, Ayane?"

My face blushed remembering and I avoided looking at Yukiya or Aveline. I buried my face into my knees before answering.

"He...he...kissed me."

"What?!"

It was Yukiya that shouted out in surprise, but he quickly composed himself. Why would he care who kissed me? Again, I was having very conflicting emotions. I also noticed that Aveline looked a bit upset.

"Yukiya, you and Aveline may leave. There is no need for her to be late for school as well," Mr Usui said in a calm emotionless tone.

"Yes sir..."

Once they have left Mr Usui stood up.

"I am afraid the time has come to tell you..."

I was in a daze and was thankful that I didn't have to go to school that day. There was too much to process... I learned that those of the Sou bloodline had certain special abilities. They could 'seduce' demons. This could be viewed as a self-defence mechanism against the power-hungry demons. It would not apply if the demon simply drained all the blood out of you and killed you though. That was why most demons would just simply attack a 'vessel' as we were sometimes called so that there is no opportunity.

As Mr Usui was explaining all of this to me without as much as batting an eyelash I wondered if Aveline had seduced Yukiya? And how far they went? Why else would he always be with her?

"Ayana..."

I realised I wasn't listening to Mr Usui and he wasn't very happy about it either.

"I understand if you feel overwhelmed, but you have to listen to all I have to say now. The abilities I explained to you are those normally possessed by those of the Sou bloodline. However, there has up until now only been one child born in every generation. This means that you...are a special case. I had been keeping a close eye on you in order to study and document your progress. So far you have shown similar traits to Aveline, but changing gender is definitely not the norm...now that I think of it...it may be that you possess the ability to 'borrow' powers from demons."

"Borrow?"

"Yes, I recal reading something about this before...a kiss can let you 'borrow' the demon's power in the sense that you can do or become the same as it...perhaps the fact that the demon you kissed was a male changed you into a man?"

"What? Can that really be it? Then...how do I change back?"

"Hm...I'm not too sure, I will have to research this to get clarity, but my guess would be that you have to repeat what you did before."

"Repeat?"

Mr Usui sighed.

"You have to kiss him again to reverse the 'borrow'."

"What?! No way! I'm not kissing that idiot again in a million years!"

"Then, welcome to the family Master."