Chapter 3
Aofie was standing under tree waiting for the rain storm to past but to past the time she zoned out, thought still alert, and let her Jagan wonder through her mind. She heard voices on the edge memories but they were just out of her reach. She would see faces but then lose them much to her dismay. With a heavy sigh Aofie opened her eyes and looked up at the sky. "Oh rain how I hate thee, let me count the ways."
"Interesting choice of the words," said a deep voice. "I thought Youkos liked water."
Aofie looked over and saw Yomi, once a Makai lord before the tournament started, walking out of the forest behind her. She hadn't fought him; she always dropped out before the finals, trying not to snarl at his appearance and question but answered, "I'm not a full Youko."
"Oh? And what else are you?" as he turned his face to her.
"Fire demon unfortunately I don't know what else I am. What do you want?"
The many horned demon smirked, "I've watched your fights but why do you always drop out before the finals…why is that?"
"…I get bored that's all."
"Well I'll be looking forward to fighting you in the finals this year."
"Yeah whatever." Aofie became suspicious when the lord's smirk turn into a smile.
"You're personality reminds me of Youko Kurama's mate."
"…Who's Youko Kurama?"
Yomi's face turned to surprise at her question, "He's the greatest thief in Makai. How could you not have heard of him?"
"I live in an isolated village we don't get that type of news there." The lord was about to say something but Aofie pushed off the tree she was against and said, "Rain stopped I'm heading out."
"May I escort you to the tournament grounds?"
"I can get there myself I don't need an escort," with that said Aofie took off towards the tournament grounds. 'Stupid youkai, I don't need an escort to anywhere. I don't need anyone to help me never have never will.'
* * *
Hiroyuki entered the stands as he looked at the entry list but with a heavy sigh he couldn't find Luka's name on the list. He came every year in hopes to see her name and each year it was the same disappointing results. His little sister, his alpha, he never gave up on the hope of finding her. He thought back on the day Luka made a promise to him and his siblings…
"Luka why did you have this gathering?" Miwa asked as sucked on her thumb.
"I called this gathering because I'm laying claim to mate with Hiroyuki when we are grown," Luka answered as she gazed at them daring them to object but since they were taught that some youkai mated their own blood they saw nothing wrong with it.
"Why would you want to mate with me Luka?" Hiroyuki asked truly curious.
" 'Cuz why would I mate with a ningen or youkai? It's also I can protect you!"
"But what if we grow apart or something else happens?"
Luka was silent for a moment before she looked out the window at the sky, "Then we do but I swear on my life that I'll always be there to protect you."
"What about us?" Kazuhiko demanded.
"What about you?" she shot back. "I'm not protecting your lazy asses forever."
It was then a fight broke out between the siblings…
Hiroyuki looked up at the sky and asked quietly, "Where are you Luka?"