Chapter 10: The trinity signs
Ichigo and Rukia ran downstairs to the kitchen. Whatever that thing was, he needed to find Cyrus. It seems he knows more about this evil thing than anyone else, and if there would be any hope for Deana and her family of surviving.
"Ichigo, what happened?" Rukia asked.
"I don't know. There was this huge blast of spiritual pressure, then something slammed the door behind me and locked it," Ichigo said, rubbing his chest.
"Is something wrong?"
"Not sure. It burns like hell though." He opened his Soul Reaper uniform, and felt around his chest. He felt three lines running down it. "Rukia, find a light and shine it on me."
She rumaged around in the kitchen drawers, and found a flashlight. She thumbed the switch and shined the shaft of light on his chest. It revealed three red scratch marks on his chest. Rukia touched the marks. Ichigo hissed as she touched them.
"I think I know what's going on, but I'm not entirely sure," Rukia said.
"What is it?" ichigo questioned.
"It may be demons."
"What? How do you know?" Ichigo sounded suprised, as he ran his own fingers around the marks.
"Usually Soul Reapers don't have to deal with demons, because they decide to stay hidden in Hell. But, when they do decide to come to the World of the Living, they like to show people that they're here by doing things in groups of threes," she explained.
"Why three?"
"It's supposed to be a sign of santanic worship."
"So, how would we be able to get rid of them? Would we have to do a konso, or kill them like we would a Hollow?"
"I'm not sure. I'd have to go to the Soul Society and do some research. Do you want to come with me?"
"No, I'll stay behind, make sure whatever this thing is, doesn't do anything to this family. Maybe I'll find Cyrus and get some answeres from him."
Rukia nodded, thumbed off the flashlight, and rushed off to the Seireitei. Ichigo was left alone in the dark house. He stood in the dark, thinking to himself. He wondered where Cyrus is now, more importantly, where the hell that demon is. He also wondered if anyone managed to hear all that noise he made upstairs. They must not've, or else Richard would be up by now investigating the source of the sound. His chest still burned like crazy. He wondered if there was any gel or something in the bathroom he could use. He contemplated going upstairs to find out, but was afraid he'd get locked in another room. He took in a deep sigh, but stopped as soon as he heard something strange. It sounded like footsteps upstairs. He figured it was just one of the kids, or Richard walking about. He still had the urge to go check it out. They were loud, and heavy footsteps. It sounded like if it was anyone, it'd be Richard, but only if he was wearing boots.
He decided to check it out. If not because of the sounds, but just to make sure everyone else was safe. He trotted up the stairs, and strolled down the hallway. He wanted to check on Ana and Kylie first. He nudged open the door, and peeked his head in the door. They were fast asleep. He noticed a small glowing light on the other side of Kylie's bed. It was Cyrus. He stood over the girl's bed, watching her sleep.
"Cyrus!" Ichigo whispered. The boy looked up, and smiled.
"You're alive!" Cyrus cried. Ichigo was quick to hush him, but he wasn't quick enough. Kylie woke up, and groggily rubbed her eye.
"Ichigo? What are you doing here?" She looked over at Cyrus. "Who is this?"
"Don't worry. Everything's okay. This little boy is Cyrus, and he's here to help me," Ichigo explained. There were then three, loud and distinct bangs. They sounded like they were coming form the room below them.
"What was that?" Kylie asked, frightened.
"Stay here. Cyrus, you too. I'll go check it out."
Deana tried to go back to sleep, but couldn't. Those three loud nabgs didn't help either. They sounded like they were coming from downstairs. She wanted to crawl under the covers and pretend like she hadn't heard it. She knew all too well that she couldn't do that. She flung the sheets out of her way, and tip toed out of the room.
"What's wrong this time, dear?" Richard yawned.
"I heard something downstairs. I'm going to check it out," she answered.
"Babe, go back to sleep. It's nothing." he sighed as he lied back down. She rolled her eyes, and crept out of the room. She heard a groan, and blankets ruffling. Richard then came out of the room, and stood by her side.
"If you're this concerned about this, then I'll go with you," he said.
They stumbled down the stairs, and into the kitchen. Deana tensed up as she thought she saw a figure dart from the door frame of the foyer. Richard set a hand on her shoulder, which made her jump. Her hands trembled as she went to the drawers by the island, and searched for the flashlight. She couldn't find it. She swore it was in the drawer in the middle of the island, but it wasn't there anymore. Richard called over to her, shining a light in her face.
"It was on the counter next to the sink," he whispered.
She took it from him, and shined it towards the foyer. She didn't see anyone, but as she entered it, and shined it around, something made her jump and dropped the flashlight. Richard's eyes grew wide, for he saw hime too. It was that boy that they invited to dinner earlier. He was creeping around in their house, wearing probably nothing but that black robe.
"What the hell?" Richard yelled.
"Richard, Deana, you guys can see me?" Ichigo questioned.
"Of course we can see you! What did you think, because you wear that black robe you're like some fucking invisible ninja?"
"It's just that, people don't normally see a Soul Reaper."
"What the hell are you talking about? You're losing it if you think for one second I'm gonna think you're some Grim Reaper!"
"Keep it together, Richard! I'm not here to hurt you. That story your daughter told you guys is true! Me and Rukia came here to check it out," Ichigo explained.
"Then where is Rukia? I don't see her anywhere!"
"She went back to the Soul Society to do some research."
"What the hell are you talking about?"
"She thinks you guys have a demon around here, and she went to go find out how to get rid of it."
"This is all a bunch of horse shit!" Richard screamed. "You better get the Hell out of my house before I kick your ass!"
Ichigo sighed, seeing how stubborn he was going to be. He ignored him, and continued his investigation of the foyer. He couldn't find anything out of place in there. He decided to go back to the kicthen and wait for Rukia there. He hoped she'd return soon.