Disclaimer-I do not own any of the characters from Yami no Matseui

Chapter 10: Alicia and the devil

It was close to dawn as Alicia made her way through the condemned airport hangers. She followed the shadowy form that carried a crying child in its mouth to hanger number 16 at the edge of the runway. The creature landed in front of the large hanger and went inside. Alicia crept toward the side of the building and looked inside. There she saw a group of seven children ranging from ages six being the youngest and eleven being the oldest. At last, she had found the missing children and the demons that have been taking them.

"LET GO!" she heard an angry voice yell. Alicia looked up and hid behind an old crate as another demon arrived with a twelve-year-old boy struggling in its grasp. "I SAID LET GO, YOU FREAK!"

Once the demon went inside, she peeped through the window to see it toss the boy in the corner with the rest of the frightened children. She looked up at the sky and watched as the moon slowly began to set. It took her all night and an entire week to track down the missing children and the demons that took them. 'I will be so happy when this case is over. I just hope Mr. Tatsumi won't be too angry with me for not telling him I couldn't go out on our date.' Well, it was time to put this case to bed as well as herself.

Before she moved away from the window, she overheard two of the dark figures speaking. "Do you think this will be enough for the master?" one demon asked in a gravelly voice.

"No, but these little ones should be a nice snack for him until he has fully regained his strength," replied the other in a voice that sounded like it was gargling razor blades. "There fear and terror should hold the master for a few days until he is ready to feed again."

Alicia had to bite back an angry growl that was threatening to erupt from her throat as the demons referred to the children as food for their master. That will not do. She was going to make sure they pay but first she had to free the children. Making her way to the front of the hanger, her staff glowed bright red as she thrust it forward sending the metal flying across the room. She stepped inside smirking. "Is this a private party or can anyone join?"

The phantom demons turned to glare at her with glowing white orbs. They lunged for the Kurenai warrior. Alicia dodged and struck one with the glowing staff. The demon screamed in agonizing pain as it melted into a puddle of foul smelling inky black goo. She launched herself at another and then another, giving out her own brand of justice as the demons all shrieked in pain before melting away into puddles of rancid goo. Once the demons were gone, she went to the children. She knelt before the huddled, frightened, weeping group and smiled at them.

"Hi, my name is Alicia Muraki," she said calmly as her gentle voice began to calm their fears. "I was hired by your parents to find you."

"You mean . . . we can go home?" asked a young boy with tears running down his flushed cheeks.

"Yes, you all can go home and you never have to worry about them again, Kazuhiro." She softly tapped him on the nose. Then she stood up and placed her staff back in its invisible sheath on her back. "Now come on, let's get you home." The little boy leaped into her arms. She turned and led the children away.

"How did you know my name?" asked the little six-year-old boy.

"Your parents told me and then gave me a picture of you." She smiled. "In fact, I know all of you except for him." She pointed to the boy that the demon had just captured.

"My name is Yohji Nakahara," said the sandy hair boy. "I was just walking home with my brother when this thing grabbed me. I can still hear my brother calling me."

"Well, you have nothing to worry about. I'll make sure you get home," said Alicia. As she walked out of the building followed by the rest of the children, she looked up to see the sun rising over the horizon. "If we hurry, you could all make it home for breakfast."

The children cheered. Suddenly Alicia caught sight of a figure out of the corner of her eyes. Turning she faced the newcomer. Who could this be? The parents couldn't have sent someone to get their children. I told them not to send anyone. Just then, she felt a tweak of apprehension stab her in the back of her mind. 'This guy . . . who is he?' "Can I help you with something?" she asked aloud.

"Well, well, I see the pride of the Kurenai has dispensed with those little pets with such ease but then I expect no less from the infamous Alicia Muraki," he said stepping out of the shadow of another hanger. The guy seemed to be her age if not a year or two younger with orange colored hair and eyes so blue, you would think you were looking into the sky. He was dressed in a pair of blue jeans with a white muscle shirt and a pair of tennis shoes on his feet.

Alicia frowned. 'The only people that know who I am should be the children's parents. So, who is this guy and how does he know me?' "Who are you? I know you weren't sent by these children's parents." Then a thought occurred to her. "Where you the bastard who sent those vile things to capture these children?"

"And what if I am," he smirked at her.

"Then," she said smiling evilly as she put the boy down. "Then," she repeated, "it's my duty to make sure you never harm these or any other child ever again."

"You can try but in your current condition. You don't have what it takes to bring me down."

"What's your name boy?"

"Doesn't matter," he said.

"Well, "doesn't matter," I hope you're ready for judgement." She took her staff from her back and clutched it tightly as the metal part began to glow. Alicia was no fool. She could feel immense power coming from this boy. Whoever this person is, she will have to be very careful. "Children, go hide."

Suddenly the small boy Kazuhiro pulled on her arm. She looked down at his sad face. "Remember, you promised to take us home."

"Don't worry, I'll be right behind you," she said smiling and winking an eye at him. Then the little boy ran after the others.

"Now that the kiddies are gone," he said smiling. "Let's dance, little girl."

"By all means, let's." She slashed her staff downwards and sent a large red arcing blast of power at the boy. He merely raised a hand and carelessly flicked his wrist and the attack was brushed aside and struck one of the condemned buildings.

"You're going to have to do better than that if you hope to defeat me." He held out his left hand and a beautifully crafted sword appeared in his hand.

"Believe me when I say that I intend to." She launched herself at him with staff raised and clashed with the strange boy. Blue fire sparked from the weapons as they clashed in heated combat.

So caught up in the fight she did not see the demon swoop down and raked its claws into her back. Alicia screamed as she turned and disintegrated the annoying pest before turning her attention back to this powerful stranger. She was tired as her breathing was coming in heavy gasping pants. While the boy stood there not breaking a sweat smirking at her. She tightened her grip around the staff as she began to truly hate that smug smirk on his face.

"How truly disappointing," he said matter of factly. Suddenly a pair of black wings burst from his back. "You're nothing like I've heard."

Alicia's eyes widened in shock as she stared at the large black wings. "You're a . . . a devil." This was bad. She had always fought demons but never a devil. They were unpredictable, powerful and very violent. "Your name, devil. What is it?" Maybe if she knew his name she would know exactly how much danger she was in and how, if possible, to combat him. Even if she lost, she would know what to expect if they should meet again. That is if she survived.

The devil shrugged his shoulders still wearing that obnoxious smirk. Alicia gritted her teeth. "Very well, I will not hold back." Alicia summoned all her power and launched another attack. However this time, the devil had to put forth a little effort to hold her back. But in the end, he sent her body crashing against the wall of a building leaving a sizeable dent. She coughed up blood but she still stood firm and faced him. Again she attacked. And again, she was sent crashing into the side of one of the hanger. With each attack, Alicia suffered badly. She could feel her ribs moving in her chest but she could not give up. This devil was trouble, and she had a feeling that he is not the one that sent those demons to kidnap those children. Alicia was battered and bruised and blood ran down the corner of her mouth and from her nose. Slowly, she stood up clutching her staff.

She knew she was outgunned going against a devil. So, Alicia placed her hands together and started to summon Cygnus. But the devil would not let her.

"I don't think so," he said launching himself at her and sliced her across her left shoulder. Alicia quickly leaped out of the way and staggered back up on her feet. She really hated this bastard. Ignoring the pain, she attacked once again. He used his sword to knock the staff out of the way and wrapped his free hand around her throat choking her. She clutched wildly at his hand trying to pry it from around her throat. Lifting her off her feet, he continued to tighten his grip as his claws dug into the soft flesh of her neck. Rivers of blood trickled down her neck from the wounds. Alicia began to see tiny white spots dance before her vision as her lungs fought for air. She could feel her consciousness slowly fading. Her hands fell away to hang limply at her side as her fingers began to loosen around her staff. "You are a waste of my time," he said. Hearing his voice snapped her out of the fog she almost succumbed to. Her hand tightened around her staff.

"Take . . . this . . . THUNDER CLAP!" she roared and thrust her staff against his stomach. The force from her attack sent the devil crashing through the wall of the building behind him. Alicia fell to her knees coughing and gasping in deep breaths of air. Suddenly she heard laughter as the devil stepped out of the hole he had made.

"Very good, Kurenai Warrior," he said smiling as he wiped blood from the corner of his mouth, "but you do know there is no way for you to beat me. Your defeat is inevitable." Alicia snarled at the devil and stood up. But before the battle between the two could continue, Alicia heard terrifying screams behind her. She turned to see the children were surrounded by more of the phantom like demons.

"Wrong move," she heard the stranger say, "you should never turn your attention away from an enemy." Alicia turned just in time to see the devil move with incredible speed and thrust his sword forward. Alicia released an ear piercing howl as the blade went through her shoulder. She fell to the ground clutching her hand around the blade ripping into her flesh as she tried to remove it. She screamed again as the boy pushed and twisted the blade all the way through her shoulder to pin Alicia to the ground. "Yes, you are truly a disappointment. I expected better from someone like you." Alicia cried out in agony as he yanked the sword from her shoulder and then plunged the blade into her left thigh. She screamed in awful pain. The devil pulled the sword out. "To bad, you don't have what it takes to challenge me but then again, I never believed any of the rumors I heard about you." Then he plunged the sword into her right side. Alicia's scream echoed through the airfield as the pain became too much for her and Alicia passed out from the torture. "But I guess it can't be helped since the full potentional of your powers are still sealed away. Oh well, hopefully your brother will put up a better challenge." He pulled the sword from its fleshy sheath and smirked down at Alicia as her blood pooled out around her still form.

"Oh well, gather the children and let's go."

"What have you done to her," cried Kazuhiro. He and the other children were surrounded by the demons.

"Well, if she's not already dead she will be shortly. And now, I am going to take you to someone that considers children's fear and flesh a delicacy." Suddenly the children burst into hysterical sobs as they clung to each other out of fear.

Deep within her unconscious mind, Alicia could hear the cries and screams of the children. Upon hearing little Kazuhiro Takashi terrified voice, Alicia's eyes snapped opened as the pupils dilated into cat like slits.

Just as the devil was about to grab the boy, he caught a glimpse of something coming toward him from his right. Quickly moving out of the way, Alicia slammed her staff against the ground where he was standing. Once the dust and debris from her attack settled down, the boy was impressed to see the ground was split open. She stood on one side protecting the children while he stood on the other side. Blood gushed from the wounds in shoulder, side and thigh.

She heard the children scream and cringe as the demons swooped down at them. Feeling her anger rise, she stabbed her staff into the ground. "Be gone!" she roared as her powers erupted from the staff to engulf them like a miniature bomb swallowing up the entire airfield destroying everything in its path.

When the blast slowly faded, the demons were no more and Alicia had herself along with the children in a protective barrier. She growled in anger as she glared at the devil still standing on the other side smiling pleased at what he witnessed, and he didn't have a scratch on him.

"Well, I see you're trying to wake up. That's good. So, for now, I'll let you and the little ragamuffins go. Maybe next time, you will give me a better fight." As he turned and walked away, he had finally decided to tell her his name. "My name is Ichiro but I am known as Raylene the Just." Then he disappeared in a flurry of black feathers.

Alicia gritted her teeth together snarling as she continued to stare at the place the devil was standing.

xxxxx

After his date with Muraki's sister, Tatsumi was in a very foul mood. Everyone avoided or tried to avoid him like the plague. Poor Tsuzuki found himself on the other end of his wrath every time they saw each other. Even if Tsuzuki didn't do anything wrong, Tatsumi would come down on the poor shinigami like a ton of bricks. What's even worse, he turned on poor Watari and had the blond hair scientist running to his labs in tears. Even worser still, he yelled at poor Wakaba because she said good morning to him.

No one knew why the Shadow Master was on a rampage. Everyone was scared to go near him. Even Terazuma wasn't immune to his rage. It happened when he and Tsuzuki were about to fight again, which would have ended up with the newly reconstructed building being destroyed. When Tatsumi turned the corner and saw the two, he sent his shadows out grabbing the two around the neck and slamming their heads together. Both Tsuzuki and Terazuma went down hard nearly hitting their heads against the hard floor. Tatsumi loomed over the two stunned guardians glaring at them with murder in his steel blue eyes. Tsuzuki and Terazuma wrapped their arms around the other trembling in terror as they stared up at the enraged secretary. "If you two put one scratch on this building I will make you suffer in ways that not even your worst nightmare could compare to," he said in a voice that made their hearts stop in sheer terror. Then he turned and stomped away.

After that incident, the two made sure to be on good behavior even if the Shadow Master wasn't around. They did not want to see that look in his eyes ever again. It was now a little over a week and no one could take Tatsumi's anger any longer. They decided to meet in Watari's lab and discuss what could possibly be his problem.

"Well, Hisoka?" asked Tsuzuki nervously.

"Well, I don't feel his anger," said the young guardian. He came to sit down beside his partner. "So, I guess he is somewhere else."

"Good," said Terazuma taking out a cigarette and lighting it. "I don't think I can take his attitude any longer. The guy's gone off the deep end."

"What about you Hisoka?" asked Watari. "Could you pick up why he is so angry all of a sudden?"

"Are you kidding? He is filled with so much anger that I dread going anywhere near him," said Hisoka shivering. "His emotions are so strong until it feels like someone is pounding my head with a sledge hammer."

"Something has to be done about him," said Tsuzuki.

"I hate to admit it but the idiot is right. He snapped at Wakaba making her cry and she has remained out of the building since the incident. Oh, she will clock in for work but she refuses to stay inside the building as long as Godzilla of the Summon's Section is in the building. I have to take our paper work out to the garden and do it there."

"I can't see anyone getting angry at her," said Hisoka. "Does anyone remember when his rampage started?"

"Yea, it started the next day after his date with Muraki's sister," said Watari. Just then, Kazutaka walked into the lab. Everyone turned to stare at him.

"What?" Muraki frowned at them. "Is there something on my face?"

"We're here talking about Tatsumi's behavior," said Tsuzuki. "It started after he had his date with Alicia."

"Your point?"

"Did something happen?" asked Watari.

"Not that I know of," said Muraki.

"Something must have happened," said Terazuma crushing out his cigarette. "I mean one minute the guy is on cloud nine. The next, he is using my head and the idiot's head as bowling pins."

Muraki took a seat and stared at them. "So, you think something happened that caused his mood change." He watched the others as they nodded their heads yes. "Well, as I said I cannot help you. She's not home."

"What do you mean, she's not home?" asked Hisoka.

"Well, when a Kurenai Warrior is called to work, they could leave at the drop of a hat without having the chance to let anyone know they were leaving. So, if anything happened, we won't be able to find out until Alicia gets back." Muraki began to drum his fingers against the table. "So, I'm sorry. I have no ideal why Mr. Tatsumi is so angry. Unless he tried something Alicia didn't like and . . ."

"And what?" asked Tsuzuki.

"Well, Alicia doesn't like being pushed into something she is not ready for and she tends to lash out very violently."

Everyone thought for a second. "Nah," said Terazuma.

"I can't see Tatsumi forcing himself on a woman," said Watari.

Suddenly someone burst into the lab. The men turned with a start thinking it was Tatsumi coming to terrorize them again but instead, it was the head deputy of security, Kazuma. They breathed a sigh of relief.

"What's wrong, Kazuma?" Tsuzuki asked frowning at the wrinkles covering her forehead.

"It's that Muraki kid. She's out front with a group of kids and," she said and looked at the elder Muraki sibling, "and she is wounded badly."

"What!" Kazutaka leaped to his feet.

"Yes, but what's worse, no one can get near her. She just stands there growling at anyone that comes near her and those children."

Suddenly Kazutaka ran out of the room followed by the others. As they ran out of the building, several guardians as well as security stood around the injured angry young woman.

"What's all the commotion?" demanded Tatsumi as he ran out of the building.

"It's Muraki's sister," said Hisoka pointing. The Shadow Master followed the boy's pointing finger and gasped at the sight he saw. There stood Alicia Muraki covered in blood and leaving a large bloody stain on the concrete, standing like a mother lion protectively over her cubs. She growled in anger as the security guards tried coming near.

"Stand back," said Muraki. Everyone turned to the silver hair man and opened a path for him. He walked down the steps and stood a few inches away from his sister. "Alicia. It's me, Kai. Little sister. It's okay. You're safe and so are the children. We will take care of them and make sure they get home."

Suddenly the fierce frown on her face smooth out as her eyes returned to normal. "Kai," she said hesitantly. "Help . . . me." She collapsed from exhaustion and blood lost as Muraki caught his sister in his arms.

"I'll help you, little one," he whispered in her ears. Then he lifted her into his arms and turned to go back inside.

"Wait," yelled Kazuhiro. "Where are you taking her?"

"You needn't worry. I am her elder brother. I will make sure she gets the best of care." He turned and went back inside to go to the infirmary followed by Tatsumi and Watari.

"Hey," said Tsuzuki kneeling beside the little boy. "He is her brother. He will take care of her. So, you don't have to worry."

"Okay," said the little boy sniffing and wiping his eyes. "I was so scared . . . there was a big explosion . . . and then that other guy disappeared . . . And then . . . And then . . . she wouldn't say anything to us when we asked if . . . if she was all right."

Tsuzuki held the boy in his arms comforting him. "There, there, don't cry. I promise you that she will be all right."

"Would you kids like some breakfast?" asked Wakaba kneeling on the other side.

The children nodded their heads sadly as they watched their protector be carried away.

"Come on, I'm sure Saikai won't mind fixing something for them," said Tsuzuki as he Wakaba, and Hisoka herded the children toward the mansion.

xxxxx

As Muraki placed his sister on an operating table, Watari told Tatsumi to stay out while he and the doctor worked on the young woman. Several nurses rushed in and out as Muraki worked feverently on his little sister.

It was two hours later when Watari stepped out of the operating room. The orderly came out pushing pushing the gurny with Alicia on it to a room with Muraki by her side holding her hand.

"Well?" asked Tatsumi.

"Well, she's going to be all right. We managed to stop the bleeding. Whatever was used to stab her in the side did not touch any of her vital organs and we stitched up the wounds in her shoulder and thigh. She lost a lot of blood and had a couple broken ribs and lacerations on her back but she will be fine with a few days of bed rest," said Watari.

"Can I see her?"

"You'll have to ask Muraki but I don't think he would mind."

Tatsumi walked down the hall and went into the room he saw the orderly taking Alicia. When he stepped into the room Muraki was sitting to her left holding her hand. He stood at the foot of the bed and watched her.

"Whenever I see her like this I began to doubt my decision to send her to the monastery," said Muraki sighing as he brushed a strand of hair out of her face.

"You shouldn't feel guilty," said Tatsumi. "She had to be trained on how to control her powers."

"I know. I just wish . . . never mind." He turned to face the secretary. "So, I take it you were in that rotten mood because you believed yourself to be stood up." He smirked as he saw the look of embarrassed shock on Tatsumi's face.

"I, uh, well . . ."

"It's okay. I should have told you that a Kurenai warrior is often called into duty at a drop of a pin and they do not have the time or opportunity to tell their friends or families they will not be home." Muraki pushed his glasses back up the bridge of his nose and sighed. "I'm sorry. I should have told you this when I called her and there was no answer. It happens all the time."

"I see. Thank you for telling me," he said smiling. "I'll leave you with your sister. We have to take care of those children and get them home."

"No. Why don't you sit with her," said Muraki. "Besides, I'm sure she would prefer to wake up to the face of a handsome young man than to see my mug." He stood up. "I will make sure the children get home and contact the monastery to let them know what has happened to Alicia." Then he walked out.

Tatsumi took the chair vacated by Muraki and sat down. He watched in awe. Even while she laid unconscious, wrapped in bandages, she was still the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. Raising his hand, he gently glided his fingers across her cheek. Then he rested his hand on top of hers and remained at her bedside.

xxxxx

When Alicia awakened, she stared up at the white ceiling wondering where she was. She tried moving her hand and felt something warm against her. Turning her head slightly, she smiled when she saw the Shadow Master with his head resting on the bed and his hand on top of hers, sleeping soundly. She took inventory of the damage caused by the devil. Her hands were wrapped in bandages. So was her chest and around her neck. A throbbing pain in her right side made itself known to her. There was also bandages wrapped tightly around her head. Her left arm was in a cast and her eyes had blue black circles around them. She sighed in disgust at being so easily defeated by a filthy devil. 'I guess it couldn't be helped. None of us have ever went up against a devil before. It's safe to say that my defeat was expected. I am so going to make that bitch pay.' Then she frowned in thought. 'Now, what did he say his name was. Rochelle . . . Rosaline . . . Rachel . . .Oh, Raylene. Hmm, I'm going to have to find a computer and check this out at headquarters.' Before she could think anymore about the devil, her brother and Tsuzuki walked into the room.

"Good, you're awake," Muraki said softly so as not to awaken the sleeping secretary.

"Yeah," she said hoarsely and winced at her dry, sore throat.

Tsuzuki walked over to the table and poured her a glass of water. "Here, drink this." She held her head up slightly and gulped the water down. She sighed as the cool liquid soothed her dry throat.

"Thank you," she sighed as she laid back down. Suddenly, she bolted upright with a start as she remembered the children and regretted it as every inch of her body throbbed with pain. Her movement woke the Shadow Master as he raised his head to see what was going on. "The children! Are they all right? What about . . ."

"Calm down sis," he said gently laying her back down. "All the children are fine. We took them back home and I contacted Master Takakura and told him everything that has happened," said Muraki smiling down at his sister.

"How are you feeling?" asked Tatsumi.

"Like I've been hit by a twelve-ton truck." She groaned as she raised one hand to feel the bandages around her neck. "Damn that bastard. How long have I been out?"

"Three days,' said Tsuzuki.

"Dammit!"

"Alicia, what happened?" asked Muraki frowning in distress. "I have never seen you look so badly beaten by a demon before."

"A demon? I should be so lucky," she said. Seeing her struggling to sit up, Tsuzuki helped her by putting some pillows behind her back. "Thanks." She sighed. "That was no demon I fought. It was a devil."

"What!" Tatsumi said shocked.

"Why would you be sent up against a devil alone? Although you are very strong. You know next to nothing about devils." Muraki sat on the bed beside his sister taking her hand. "I'm surprised you even came out of that battle alive."

"True. But when I was sent out, we were told that it was demons. I got rid of the demons easily. But then this kid walks out. I could sensed great power in him and I thought that maybe he had made a contract with a demon or something for power but then . . . " Alicia shivered in dread as she remembered the air was filled with black feathers.

"What happened?" asked Tsuzuki.

"Then a pair of large black wings emerged from his back and he beat me without mercy." She sighed as she closed her eyes. "I never thought I would run into a devil but I guess the old saying is true: never say never." She sighed tiredly. "I'm so tired. Can we talk about this later?" She began to lie down. This was Kurenai business. She could not tell them any more than she already has. She has to talk to Master Takakura about this devil called Raylene.

"Of course," said Muraki pulling the cover up to her chin. "Sleep well." He kissed her on the forehead.

"Before I forget, what did Mr. Tsuzuki say to your proposal?"

Tsuzuki raised his hand showing her the ring. "Does this answer your question?" he said smiling.

"Seems, you're going to have to stop calling him Mr. Tsuzuki and start calling him brother," said Muraki. He smiled as he saw her eyes slowly close. As they made their way to the door to leave, she said one more thing in a sleepy voice. "Mr. Tatsumi, I'm sorry about our date. I'll make it up to you."

Tatsumi smiled. "It's all right. You just rest and take care of yourself," he said softly as he and the others left her alone.