Chapter 13: Beginning
"Yuu?"
The suffocating presence of darkness overthrew his senses as he turned around in it, searching through it as he tried to find the source of the voice calling for him while at his side, Asuramaru walked in a steady, somewhat spooked pace, a look of trepidation upon her face as she remained close to him, but did not reach for his hand or anything close to what he expected her to do.
"Yuuichiro?!"
His breathing picked up, the terrifying feeling of dread sinking into his body as an icy chill prickled his skin and raced up his spine while he searched for the voice that called for him. As he did so though, his body began to slow until he could no longer move, his heart hammering in his chest as he looked at the Demoness at his side and then felt arms wrap around him, an icy sensation meeting him as he glanced down to the untamed main of chocolate brown hair nestled against his chest.
"Are you afraid of me?" asked the voice.
"You're…." he started to speak, but he was stopped as brown eyes looked to his own while corpse-cold hands raked through his hair.
"I'm not like I once was… knowing what I am… you must think I'm disgusting… some revolting beast…" he shook his head, knowing this person so well.
"No! I don't! but I… what happened to you?" the person looked to him, glassy, doll-like eyes staring up into his own vibrant ones.
"I want to know why you left me there to die… why you let me become some kind of monster! It's your fault that I despise what I see within the mirror! You and Mika… and what you really are!" icy hands clasped about his throat.
"W-What are you…t-talking about… A-Akane? S-Stop!" he pulled away, or at least, tried to as she tightened her grasp.
"The one who comes to the end of humanity, the blood of the celestial realm, chains of eternal torment… you! The Sera…" before the words could leave her mouth Asuramaru lunged at her, knocking her off of Yuuichiro as he coughed, regaining his breath.
"LEAVE MY MASTER ALONE! YOU EVIL SOW! DON'T YOU TOUCH HIM!" the Demoness howled in jealousy as the black-haired boy got himself to his feet.
"Asuramaru! Stop! Don't kill her! Leave her alone!"
"This bitch isn't who you think she is! this is evil, nothing like me or any other being, this is darkness that should not exist! Vile, evil, wretched filth!" she snarled as he finally reached her and grabbed the girl.
"Stop!" he pulled her into his arms and off of Akane only for the Demoness to look at him in shock.
"Yuuichiro?" a broken voice asked as in a matter of second Asuramaru turned into dust within his grasp, causing a panicked gasp to leave him, his heart racing in a dangerous manner as he stared at the sight.
"W-What's… happening? I…"
"Yuu…" emerald eyes looked up to see a sixteen-year-old version of Akane standing before him, soaked in blood and dressed in ratty clothes as she stood there, injuries upon her as blood ran out of her mouth.
"No! Akane!" he reached for her.
"I'm sorry… I'm a… monster… goodbye…Yuu…" he reached for her as the floor opened up and he rushed to grasp her hand as blood rushed out of the hole, swallowing her.
"Wait! No! Akane! Please, Akane! Come back! NO…."
{Apartments: July 15th, 2020, 6:00am}
"AKANE!" warm hands grasped his shoulders as the shout of a familiar name left him, emerald eyes snapping open as someone began to shake him, sapphire eyes concerned as Mika stared at him with worry. A cold sweat formed on his skin as he looked around the room to find his heart racing unevenly as a shaky breath left him, a hand coming up to cover his face, knotting into his sweat-soaked hair as he took in a deep, rattling breath, the alarm clock going off as he let out a snarl, eyes wild as he slapped the thing across the room, causing it to shut off as he clutched his head while a sharp pain went through him.
"Yuu? Hey! Answer me! Are you okay?" Mika asked as he gripped his shoulders while he let out a shaky breath.
"M-Mika… I…" the boy ducked his head and the blonde wrapped an arm around him as he placed a hand atop his head.
"It's fine, I understand. Come on and get dressed, I'll get some medicine out for your head," Mika stated.
"N-No, I'll be fine…" the older teenager glared.
"Yuu, don't try and hide it. I know it hurts, when you have nightmares like this, you get terrible headaches. So, just take the medicine… get ready, and I'll meet you in the kitchen." With that Mika left for his brother to get dressed.
"Of all the damn days… why this day?" Yuuichiro muttered as he started to get out of bed and went out of his room to get into the bathroom to get himself cleaned up.
Ever since he had been brought out of the hospital with Mika, he had endured the pain and suffering of nightmares that plagued him constantly until finally they eased off for a year or so. It had been just before they'd been placed on probation that he had ended up with another nightmare, now he had endured another one that was less than pleasant. Taking in a shaky breath he finished with what he needed to do in the bathroom and then headed off to his bedroom before getting himself dressed, momentarily reaching for his school uniform before he huffed, blowing his bangs out of his eyes before he grabbed his army uniform.
Today, was the start of a new chapter in both his and Mika's lives. They were officially members of the Moon Demon Company, and they would have to put forth all their training and effort into their jobs from now on. Taking in one more deep breath, Yuuichiro buttoned up his uniform, grabbing the cloak off the end of the bed as he placed his gloves into his pocket and then took one last look at the room, wondering when or if he would return after this was over before he flicked off the light and walked down the hallway.
"Morning Mika," he said as he reached for a glass out of the dish wrack before filling it with water as he grabbed the aspirin bottle from the cabinet and shut it before grabbing one of the pills and took it before downing the bitter medicine with the water.
"Take it easy, don't drug yourself, Yuu." The blonde gave him a wiry look as the other sighed.
"If I have migraine I'll be useless to everyone, so excuse me for doing that much…" Mika sighed.
"Fine, just grab something, we gotta bolt or we'll be late to meet Shinoa in the tram way," Mika stated as Yuuichiro nodded.
"Right… we got an apple?" the blonde tossed it to him and he caught it with little difficulty before getting to taking a bite of it as Mika eyed him.
"You ready to go?" he inquired.
"Yea, let's go…" with that, the two brothers shut off the lights in the apartment and stepped out the door, locked it and headed down the sidewalk and towards their destination at the tram way where Shinoa would be waiting.
{Yoichi's Apartment: 6:15am}
Olive-green eyes looked in the mirror, hands fidgeting with the buttons of the uniform as Yoichi prepared for his first day on the job. He was wearing the full Japanese Imperial Demon Army uniform, and was trying to adjust to the image of seeing himself in the attire of those who went outside of the wall. Ever since he had been brought to Shibuya, he had remained within it's safe borders, never venturing out past them and doing just as he planned to do. However, that all changed today, when he got up and put on the uniform and looked into the mirror. He wondered how Yuu and Mika did it, looking at themselves in the mirror, seeing who they would have to be to their comrades and the public eye. If he thought about it, though, they had been doing this since they were fourteen, and had been on the border patrol since then. To them, this was their lives, and the time they had been at the school had been a reprieve from what they identified as normalcy.
"Um… well… I really don't think this looks quite right… but… okay," he said as he grabbed the wrist band that his bow formed from and latched it on before he walked towards the door and existed his apartment before locking the door.
As he walked down the streets, some people stared at him, some tipping their hats, others who gawked were children, whispering and asking their mother who he was while their parents explained that he was a member of the Army, and most likely the Moon Demon Company. Some of those who watched were his age and he smiled to them, letting them know that he was on his way, and happy to be doing so. They respected him, for the first time in his life, people respected him, and weren't sneering and jeering at him. Because he wore the Army's uniform, because he was a member of the Moon Demon Company, and because he had accomplished something and was willing to put his life on the line to fight the Vampires, and had endured the trials to attain a Cursed Gear.
A small sigh left him as he heard Gekkoin complain about the staring as she didn't quite understand the point of putting on the uniform – get up, in her words – and parading down the street. He had mentioned to her mentally that it was quite normal for people to look at members of the Army a bit strangely as some of them had never seen one up close. She had rolled her eyes and waved him off, telling him to wake her when some action started.
Yoichi shook his head as he walked further down the streets and saw the bright sunshine on the other side of the wall. The sight lifted his spirits and the Demon snorted while he crammed her into a proverbial closet and locked it before pocketing the key. He was too excited to begin this journey and he had no intention of letting Gekkoin ruin his first day at work. He was looking forward to working alongside Yuuichiro, Mikaela, Kimizuki, Shinoa, and their new, unknown member. As he continued to walk though, a faint frown came to his features.
Several weeks had gone by since he had begun training rigorously to use his Sentry Gift, and he had just recently managed to create a decent barrier; however, he knew he still needed extensive work on it, and to some degree, that worried him. When he thought about it, Yuuichiro and Mikaela had looked as though they could control their gifts with only minimal struggles, and even Kimizuki had begun to show signs of improvement. It was mind numbing, but Yoichi remembered when Sayuri and Guren had told them they would have to work harder to reach the level of his two brats, only because both Yuuichiro and Mikaela had been aware of their Gifts for quite some time. Sighing, Yoichi wondered how he was supposed to know if he'd even had one until now. True, he had done a few odd things as a little child; however, for the most part, it wasn't significant enough to determine anything. He shook his head, forcing himself to focus. They had been trained, they had a mission starting today, and an enemy to defeat, that was what mattered now.
"I'll do my best… here goes…"
{Border of the wall: 6:20am: Kimizuki}
Kimizuki Shiho had awoken that morning with trepidation, and no small amount of discomfort. He had groaned, growled, and grunted as he ate that morning, and now he was questioning what he was to do as his anger piqued just a bit. He despised this with a passion, and it had nothing to do with his placement into the Moon Demon Company. He had worked hard for this, and he was damn proud to be where he was now. However, the feeling of unease and discomfort had to do with a certain black-haired, emerald-eyed teenager that he reffered to as midget. Over the last several weeks, Kimizuki had believed he was coming to accept the boy and had tried to be civil with him, and thought he was doing well, that is, until he had woken up today and reality had come crashing down around him.
In the moment he'd awoken, Kimizuki had realized that for the remainder of his military career – and possibly his life – he would be stuck with the smart-mouthed, snarky, sarcastic, fiery, head-strong, strange, and slightly unnerving Yuuichiro Hyakuya and his brother Mikaela. A groan left him as he thought of the day he'd been placed face to face with the black-haired boy's Psychometry and how it had terrified the living daylights out of him only because he had never seen a Psychometric user in his entire life.
That had been the day that he would officially consider his moment of unsureness was founded when it came to the youngest of the Hyakuya brothers. Yuuichiro was nice enough, sure; however, there was something unsettling about him and while that was present with his brother as well, it was worse with the black-haired youth. It made him feel as if he was going to be sick and to some degree, he had felt painful stabs in his chest when he stared at the boy too long or locked eyes with him. There was a deep, primal instinct within him that told him to be careful around the youngest boy, because something about him was dangerous.
"Are you afraid? Kimizuki Shiho?" asked his demon.
"Can it Kiseki-O! I need to think…" he snapped.
"Admittedly, you could just try and relax… stress is a killer man…" he sighed.
"I can't even call them by their first names half the time, and when I do it's their full first names! What am I supposed to do? Shinoa is so close to him… even Yoichi isn't spooked by them like I am. What the hell am I supposed to do?" Kimizuki thought aloud.
"Well, for starters… learn to let things go and chill out… they're your teammates, not your enemies… their what? Family now?" Kimizuki stiffened.
"Can you please, just shut up! I need to think on what I can do here…" he said.
He desperately needed to think of a solution, but the question was: to what? He needed to know the reason why these feelings were stirring up every time he saw the boy. First, it had translated into aggression, so he fought him – and had almost walked away with a broken jaw for his troubles – then he had been on the receiving end of his Psychometric gift, therefore, he had elected to resolve the problem peacefully and try to get to know the boy; however, now that to was failing. Why couldn't he get past it? Both the Hyakuya brothers were good people, they were nice and even though he hated to admit it, both of them were hard workers. So why? Why did he get this unforgiving chill in his bones when he got near them? They wouldn't be able to work together if he kept feeling this off around them and couldn't trust them; therefore, he found himself hoping he could manage to adjust, he had to do this: for his team.
"Here's hoping I don't die out there…." With that Kimizuki started to exit the wall for the first time in his life.
It was a sprawling desolate landscape where nature had begun to take over again, and it was beautiful in ways that seemed unnatural yet genuine. It was a hard thing to describe, and Kimizuki found himself thinking about the landscape before him with the sun hanging high in the sky, the light beating down upon it as he did. The world they lived in was full of strange things, and that was the fact of their reality. As Kimizuki walked to the meeting spot, he pondered what he had been told recently about searching for someone with a gift known as Naturopathy. It was incredibly rare, and the one they needed had to be incredibly strong in order to do what they were aiming for: curing his sister.
The power it would take could be life threatening, therefore, the person had to have a form of power that was beyond the normal levels for one wielding this particular Gift. He hoped and prayed they could find someone like that someday soon, he wanted to see things go well in this search, and the information he had been given had been both uplifting and heart-wrenching at once because he knew that if they didn't find someone to save her, Mirai would die at thirteen years old. Even though there wasn't much to experience in a world such as this, Kimizuki thought she deserved to go to school, maybe join the Army, or help people, and she deserved to fall in love and have hopes and dreams.
Without a Naturopath though, none of this would happen. He prayed as he walked, to anyone who would listen, human or otherwise that someone would send a Naturopath to help them, and they could save Mirai. As he took in a deep breath he finally arrived at the destination and waited as Yoichi came to join him, both awaiting the arrival of the others. Kimizuki watched as he stood there, preparing himself for the reality of possibly not returning to Shibuya today or ever again after this day had passed. But if he did, he hoped he could see the mysterious power of the Naturopath that would heal his sister, so he could hug her, so she could smile and laugh again, so he could thank the person when they came and rejoice that his sister would live. However, until then, he had no choice but to let things be as they were and hope that these struggles could change things.
{Apartments: Thirty Minutes earlier: 5:30am: Shinoa}
The dull grayish-blue of the sunrise began to filter into the window as Shinoa brushed her hair out and fixed it up, getting herself ready for the day ahead. She had woken up that morning and found herself anxious and excited that she almost couldn't contain herself as she started to get dressed, having already brushed her teeth and eaten for the morning as she tugged on her thigh-high leggings and then her boots. Her eyes lingered on her reflection as she now sat on her bed, staring at her mirror while her mind thought over the last few days she'd spent with the boy she'd fallen in love with as she laughed a bit, thinking about how he would look in a uniform. It was a silly notion, but it lifted her spirits to some degree as she thought about the fact that for the first time in her life, she actually felt something more than just mere affection for someone, and as she had said before: she loved him.
"This looks fine… I guess I'm just fidgety," she admitted as she stood and placed her weapon into a holster on her belt.
"You aren't going on a date with him, you know, Shinoa…" the periwinkle-haired girl sighed as her demon chimed in at this moment.
"I know that Shi, but I guess I just… want to look nice despite wearing the uniform… I know it's silly… but it's just that flustering thing, I suppose," she admitted.
"Then, I suspect you truly do love this boy?" she smiled.
"I am… I've said it and I know he feels the same… when this is over, the other part of our contract that I haven't told him is that I want to give him a kiss, sort of as a job well done, but I've wanted to kiss him for a while now so…" Shikama-Doji sighed in a happily-lazy manner.
"Aren't you forgetting something, then?" Shinoa blinked.
"No, I don't think so…" the demon chuckled.
"Shiny, silver and black… on a chain with a loop thing on it, remember now?" realization came to her.
"Oh!"
The Demon, Shikama-Doji yawned before rolling his eyes as he watched his Mistress rush to her dresser where she picked up the two objects on it. They matched in appearance, but not in their palette. One, was a sparkling silver, the other a glossy black, both on a silver chain. Shinoa smiled as she looked at the two items in her hands, they were rings on chains, simple in design enough, and they bore an engraving within their bands that she felt suited them very well and spoke of her feelings clearly. Shinoa sighed as she slipped her own over her head and tucked it under her collar where it wouldn't be seen as she put the other in a pouch and hoped she could get it to Yuu today, where she knew it would be important.
"Are you really going to give him that?" she smiled.
"Yes, Shi, I am. They're important," she stated.
'How so? It's just a piece of jewelry, it doesn't hold any value."
"It will keep him alive, that's what I consider value," she explained as the Demon rose an eyebrow.
"But, there are no enchantments or anything special placed upon them. So, how will it keep him alive?" Shinoa looked down as she took in a deep breath.
"Because, it shows how I feel to the person who's dearest to me." That was the last thing she said as she walked out the door, humming a merry tune all the way as she started towards the underground train station.
"Humans… I will never understand them."
{Wall Exit: 6:45am: Guren & Sayuri}
"Sayuri, is everyone en route to the meeting point?" Guren questioned as Sayuri walked alongside him.
"Yes sir, everyone is heading out. According to some of the station guards Yoichi and Kimizuki have already arrived, Shinoa is awaiting Yuuichiro and Mikaela's arrival in the station area." The man smirked.
"Good, we better hurry so we're not late… anyways… how did Yoichi do on his training?" he inquired.
"Fairly well, he could still do with some improvement. However, he is capable of producing a shield strong enough to withstand some decent attacks." The Lieutenant Colonel nodded.
"That's nice to know… what are the stats on Kimizuki Shiho and Mika?" he asked as they continued to walk. Sayuri flipped a page on her clip board.
"Let's see… Mikaela is showing very good stamina. The endurance training you did with him seems to have paid off, by the time a Noble comes up, he should be able to copy off of them with little trouble." Guren took a cigarette out and lit it before drawing off it for a moment.
"And Kimizuki?" Sayuri smiled a bit.
"He's definitely improved… however, it seems there's something lacking in his resolve. He doesn't have enough fuel to his fire when it comes to using his Circuit ability with his weapon's strikes," she explained as he sighed.
"I figured as much. Yuu and Mika have him on edge all the damn time. I thought by training him and Mika together they would improve… instead, I think we ended up having greater issues…" Sayuri shook her head.
"The problem he has isn't really with Mikaela, he's unnerved by Yuuichiro," she stated as they continued their walk towards the meeting point.
"Yuu? Well, I can see that… they're fairly incompatible. Kimizuki get's spooked by him, but not Mika? I find that strange… but, whatever… nothing we can do now." The brunette nodded a bit.
"I agree. Kimizuki is going to have to overcome that discomfort with Yuuichiro if they hope to work together on the field. And I am also guessing we're not allowing transfers from this group?" she probed.
"What do you think?" Guren drew off his cigarette again.
"Naturally, you can't let the trouble makers act like lose cannons on the other teams, but if there's a team of them then it's no big deal, right? Lieutenant Colonel?" she asked with a knowing look.
"Yep… six troublemakers on one unit? What could possibly go wrong…" the woman sighed.
"I swear… if I didn't love you I would knock your teeth in," Sayuri stated as Guren laughed a bit.
"You love me, and you know it. Now, go on and get the others ready, I'll handle the newbies…" Guren reached for the girl, tossing his cigarette aside before placing a kiss to her lips, causing her to blush before she smiled and returned it.
"Just don't overdo it. I'll see you later, okay Guren?" she asked.
"Alright, keep everyone in line for me until I return." She nodded.
"I will, see you soon," Sayuri told him before walking off as Guren smiled after her before he saw a certain blonde-haired girl marching down the stairwell and towards where Kimizuki and Yoichi would be.
"Show time…" with that Guren walked forward, preparing for the day he knew deep down, they all had been waiting for.
As Guren exited the wall, he mused over the last four years fondly. It seemed as though time had gone by so swiftly and he could hardly believe that the two dying children he'd pulled out of the snow one icy January morning had become such skilled fighters. He was proud of them and their skill as well as their unbending wills and spirits. A small smirk graced his features as he thought about those two boys and particularly Yuuichiro, who had been the most closed off of the two. when he'd first met him, the boy was wild, vicious and unrelenting in behavior, which made him dangerous to be around to a point; however, Guren considered every bite mark and scratch that left a scar worth it to see who he'd become.
The boy he'd found alongside Mikaela had been a terrifying force as a small child, and as he grew and adapted to being around others again, the lifeless luster of his dim green eyes became brighter and sparked vitality into them again as they changed from dead green to brilliant emerald, shining with life and the fire he'd seen when it came to his loved ones. Guren didn't doubt now that both of his children were capable of handling this mission, and they would withstand it with little difficulty, after all, they weren't alone in this anymore.
It gave him some hope that when something took a turn for the worst, either one of the boys would have people backing them up. he knew the risks were high, and what was involved; however, Guren wasn't the kind of man to go into a situation without a plan. He knew what he had to do in order to be safe and while it may be deemed as harsh and unfair by many, he knew it was the only choice they had. He sighed as he looked at the pack of pills he had pulled from his pocket, noting the slight green tint to them as he frowned.
"I know this is wrong… I know I'm making a mistake, but I don't have a choice. Mahiru, you would hate me for this wouldn't you? I know you would shun me for treating one of my own children as a lab rat… but this is the only thing I can do… it'll protect them and give me a chance to know how to help them later… only because… this isn't going to get easier, just harder…."
Between both his boys, Yuuichiro was more developed in his powers than Mikaela, but he wasn't sure how far along in them the younger boy was. Guren suppressed a shudder, having not felt this uncomfortable in his own skin since he was a teenager – which, hadn't been too long ago seeing as he was only twenty-six – but all things aside, the part of him that saw those two boys as his own shunned his actions and made him feel ashamed as he held the box of pills in his hands.
"So, even if they hate me… even if I lose something with them… I did this because I love them… so please, forgive me…" a flash of the two boys laughing as they played in the park during the summer that he had found them came to his mind's eye, the echoes of their laughter and smiles causing pain to etch deep into his heart.
The reason he felt so much guilt came from the pills that he carried, and what they would do to the child he intended to give them to. It would bare the truth before anyone who witnessed it, and the situation would be dangerous and possibly change the dynamics of the life both he and those children had lived up to now, but it was for their sakes that he did this, no matter the risks. With a sigh, he pocketed the item and left the note attached to the box with instructions for Shinoa to give them to Yuuichiro and as he made his way down the stairs and towards the clearly fuming blonde-haired girl and the two slightly startled teenage boys, he hoped that he was present and able to help them for their sakes.
{Subway Station: 7:15am}
"Well, well, the two of you are on time for once!" Shinoa beamed as she looked at the two brothers.
"And, it seems you're as annoying as ever…" the two of them gave Shinoa a once over as she smiled while Mika sighed as he realized how the day seemed to be heading.
"My Mika, don't you look sharp," she said as she looked the blonde over.
"Thanks, Shinoa, what do you want?" she glanced at the black-haired boy who seemed a bit stunned by the interaction.
"Five minutes alone with Yuu to talk to him about something?" she questioned innocently. The black-haired boy gave her a long look, questioning silently what she was planning, but she kept up her smile, letting nothing by.
"Um… why?" Shinoa looked at the clock on the wall.
"Please Mika? I promise he'll come back in one piece! Just five minutes, that's all I'm asking," she pleaded as he huffed, running a hand through his hair.
"Alright, five minutes. The train will be here by then." She smiled
"Thanks!"
Shinoa grabbed Yuuichiro's hand and dragged him off while Mika gave them a long look. Personally, he wondered if they really thought that he didn't see what was going on with them. Even a blind man could see that Shinoa had a bit of a thing for his brother, and that the black-haired boy – as innocent and clueless as he could be – had similar feelings. A small smile came to his features as he stood near the railway and thought about the situation. He wouldn't say anything for the time being, as he wasn't one-hundred-percent certain that they had admitted their feelings, but at the very least, he could be glad that his brother had another interest that didn't involve killing Vampires. Undeniably, it was a good reprieve from their normal lives to see his brother loosen up and be at least a bit more sociable with people.
Sighing, Mika continued with his internal musings while not far from him, and around a corner, Shinoa was busy eyeing the black-haired boy standing in front of her while he was giving her a questioning look as she smiled, quite happy that she was right, and he looked very handsome in his uniform. She stepped forward, reaching up and standing on the tips of her toes to kiss his cheek before giving him a tight embrace as she looked into his eyes. A soft smile graced his features while she set to trying to figure out the best way to give him the gift she had for him. It wasn't exactly an easy feet; however, she knew it was important and she wanted to prepare herself for it. She looked into his emerald eyes, knowing they only had a few minutes left before the train would arrive, and she had no intentions of wasting those precious moments as much as she would like to. With a sigh, she looked to him, questioning how to begin this conversation.
"Do you remember our agreement about the Psychometry Gift?" she questioned.
"I'm not supposed to over use it, and I should try to avoid using it unless we encounter a Noble and we are in dire straits. I'm not supposed to engage alone, and if I am going to activate it, I need to remember to signal you so that you can warn the others." Shinoa smiled again.
"Correct, now what about our contract?" she inquired as he sighed, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"That I have to come back alive and whole, and I can't leave myself on the battlefield." His answer was basic, and to the point, but it eased her tension just a fraction all the same.
"And what is my part?" he laughed, pulling her closer to him as she was nearly lifted off the ground as she felt him lean down – thankfully their height wasn't that great of a difference – to rest his head atop hers.
"You're supposed to tell me that, Shinoa," he stated in a soft tone as she smiled.
"That I will do the same, and come back to you in one piece…" he nodded a bit.
"So, make sure to keep your promise," he told her as she looked into his eyes.
"I will… by the way… I have a gift for you." She stepped back and he rose an eyebrow.
Yuuichiro watched her as she pulled something out of the pouch on her belt and held it up for him to see. On a simple, silver chain was a black metal ring with silver engravings on it and something scrawled on the inside. He continued to watch her as she stepped forward and slid the chain over his head before he held it in the palm of his hand, questioning what it was as she pulled a chain from under her collar and showed him a similar one with black grooves carved into it with a scrawling identical to the one inside his own band upon it as she smiled to him and he looked to them in curiosity.
"What are these?" she giggled at his question.
"Well, a long time ago, people wore these for the ones they loved as a means to keep a promise. They're called promise rings… I got them on a whim, but I wanted to give this one to you… we can't wear them on our hands for everyone to see since the only difference is the color," she explained.
"Okay… thank you, but I don't know why…" she sighed, curling her fingers around his hand.
"Read what's on the inside," the girl stated carefully, a flush coming to her cheeks as the black-haired boy looked at the ring and turned it to see the silver scrawling written inside it that was a simple and short sentence:
~ In your heart, keep me close ~
"Shinoa…" she looked down a bit at his sudden pause, realization clear upon his face.
"I wanted you to have it… because this will remind you to keep your promise to me, and mine to you…" he smiled.
"Thank you, Shinoa…" he stated carefully, knowing the situation was a bit delicate.
"Hey, Yuu? When this is over… can we go on a date? A real one? I don't want to hide this from everyone anymore… I just… want to be with you…" a smile came to him as he reached for her, caressing her cheek as he did.
"Of course, we can, we'll go and do something fun and be together, like we want to be… promise. Because, you know… I want to be with you, too," he said as he felt the girl pull him close and she hugged him once more.
"I also want to kiss you… and believe me, when I do, I'll love every second of it…" she grinned to him and he sighed, finding a small laughter come to him when he looked her in the eye.
"It's sweet that you're so honest with your feelings… but you're still a pervert." The girl laughed, stepping away as she waved her hand to him a bit.
"If I'm your perverted little sweetheart, then you're my cherry boy!" she said teasingly.
"Shinoa! Stop that!" the girl laughed.
"Come on silly, we have to get going!"
"Shinoa!" she grabbed his hand, dragging him along as he followed a bit reluctantly.
Despite her insanity, and the chaos surrounding the first mission they had as members of the Moon Demon Company, he could admit that he was genuinely happy, for what seemed the first time in these last four years. They soon boarded the train, and he listened as Shinoa briefed them on what was going to happen, and that they would be seeing Guren for further details and meeting the sixth member of their team. A sense of ease and excitement spread through the black-haired boy as he thought of the mission and what laid beyond it and as he did so the coolness of the ring's chain reminded him of the promise he'd made to the girl across from him, and that he felt what could only be described as more than juvenile affection for her, if he considered it: he loved her. He watched the shadows of the tram way go by as Mika discussed the information with them until they stopped and started towards the gate, where, needless to say, the people present had a hard time believing they were actual members of the Moon Demon Company – possibly due to their ages – but they let them pass all the same.
Outside of the wall was surprisingly beautiful, even though it was full of desolated buildings and had been long since overran by Mother Nature, Yuuichiro found it strangely peaceful, even though he knew just beyond the horizon were countless horrors awaiting them all. He looked to his brother and Shinoa as the trio headed down the stairs and heard an evident fuss coming from down below them and decided to investigate. As they walked, looking for the source of the voices, Shinoa made a mention of an earlier comment they had heard about her being short and therefore being called a child by the men at the gate.
"Well, you are kind of petite," Mika pointed out as she looked to him.
"No, Yuu is petite, and I'll have you know that I'm still developing." The girl stated this with an overly exaggerated flow of her hand in front of her small chest.
"What's that supposed to mean exactly?" the blonde inquired, not really interested in the conversation, but humoring the periwinkle-haired girl all the same as the black-haired boy sighed.
"My sister Mahiru had a body that drove boys crazy," she said bluntly as Mika felt a flush come to his cheeks in realization while Yuuichiro eyed the girl.
Personally, he liked Shinoa just as she was. She was pretty, delicate, and graceful, something he preferred. He didn't think he honestly could – nor did he want to – imagine Shinoa with a different body type. Sighing, and removing the thought from his mind, he continued walking listening to the conversation as Mika said something and the girl brushed it off, stating that she had a sister. It was his turn to look at the girl and apologize; however, he was brushed off by her in a teasing manner, letting him know that he shouldn't be so reserved. It was as they went to the final staircase that lead down to the bottom that they located the source of the voices from earlier, and realized it was Guren and a girl with lemon-blonde hair.
"Who's that?" Shinoa looked to them.
"Not sure, maybe the new teammate? Let's go see!" she led them down the staircase, and they were soon met with Kimizuki and Yoichi, both looking a tiny bit exasperated by the conversation that was going on.
"About time you got here! Damn midget, you take forever!" Kimizuki stated as he turned to them and Mika looked to his brother.
"What the hell did you just call me?" Mika placed a hand on his brother's shoulder while Yoichi sighed.
"Come on guys, can we not do this today? Please?" he requested as the two relented.
"Fine… who is that girl anyways?" Yuuichiro looked at the girl and the other two shrugged.
"Not a clue, when she got here, she went straight to Guren and then started to –" Kimizuki was cut off.
"Guren! I don't get how you think that this is fair!" the blonde girl protested, startling the two brothers by her shrill tone.
"It's plenty fair! You'll have to get used to it," the Lieutenant Colonel stated.
"But I've been on this unit since I was thirteen years old! I can understand if you wanted me to lead the team, but following a bunch of greenhorns?! Let alone ones I've had no training with?!" the girl snapped at him and Guren sighed.
"Get over it! You're on this squadron, Shinoa is your leader, and you will have to accept it!" the blonde girl looked at the purple-haired girl as the others watched her, the four boys taking three steps back as Shinoa smiled, and waved at the blonde.
"SHIONA!" The blonde bolted up the stairs as the others watched.
"Hello Mitsu! How have you been?" Shinoa inquired.
"Why you…" the blonde girl glowered at her, clenching her fists as she did so.
"Shinoa, don't stir the pot," Guren stated.
"No worries, Guren. I can handle a little girl's insistent whining…" that seemed to be the last straw for the blonde.
"I'M GOING TO CRUSH YOU INTO DUST!" the girl, Mitsu – at least, the suspected it was her name – formed her weapon from deep blue flames that caused a giant axe to appear as she went after Shinoa who formed her scythe.
"You just don't know when to deal with it, do you Mitsu?" Yuuichiro and Mikaela looked at Guren who sighed.
"Yep… I'll be gray before the holidays come…"
The next series of events that took place too fast for most of them to keep track as Guren disarmed both the girls, the weapons falling on opposite sides of them as he grabbed them by their throats, hoisting them in the air as Mika glanced to his brother who had a rather unsettlingly terrifying glare upon his face as a small growl left him before he placed a hand upon the black-haired boy's shoulder, getting him to calm as Guren sighed.
"I hope you ladies like solitary confinement, because if this keeps up, that's where you'll be heading!" Shinoa laughed a fraction.
"I'll behave," she said in resignation.
"Y-Yea… I'll behave too…" Mitsu was dropped as well and Guren looked to the others.
"Right, now that you're all here, we can start our descent into wonderland, follow me," Guren stated as he turned to leave as Kimizuki looked to Yuu and Mika.
"Since when is he the White Rabbit?" he muttered as they followed him, the girls trailing behind them.
"I'm thinking more Mad Hatter," Yuu mumbled under his breath as Shinoa snickered a bit as the others nodded in swift agreement.
"When we get to the main area at the bottom of the gate, I'll explain things further." Guren's statement silenced them and they continued to follow.
They followed without a single word until they were at the final staircase and were soon on the ground of what once seemed to be a street. Those who were more seasoned in the world that existed outside of the gate looked around for Four Horsemen or anything else that could attack, but found nothing before they looked to Guren who now stood with the blonde girl beside him with an annoyed expression clear upon her face. Mika glanced her over, finally being able to get a good look at the girl now that she was facing him and standing still. She was pretty – save for her currently sour expression – with her hair done in pigtails and falling to her shoulders as she glared at them with her vivid violet eyes. She wore the female uniform, with her cloak, and gloves, but her sleeves were rolled up and she didn't wear leggings or stockings like most, leaving her bare legged as she continued to glower at them.
"Everyone this is Sangu Mitsuba. She's the newest addition to your team. We here at the Moon Demon Company travel in a six-man team, as we've found it's the golden number. Anymore, and it gets confusing, any less and we start losing our Cursers. Now, Mitsu, place nice with them and say hi!" Guren stated.
"I can't believe I'm having to work with you, Shinoa! Let alone these greenhorns!" the girl laughed.
"Mitsu, you can be so frustratingly cute when you don't get your way," Shinoa stated sarcastically. As the two girls began throwing insults at one another, Mika and Yuu turned to Guren who had a pleased, but somewhat frustrated expression on his face.
"Guren, are you sure this is going to work?" asked Mika as the Lieutenant Colonel shrugged.
"Yea, why do you ask?" dark-brown looked to emerald and then to sapphire.
"Because…" the dark-haired man looked confused.
"Because, why?" the two brothers looked at one another.
"Because… SHE'S CRAZIER THAN SHINOA!" the two shouted, causing the Lieutenant Colonel to roll his eyes.
"These two boys, I swear…" Guren thought.
"Then she should fit in with the rest of you insane asylum rejects," he stated as Yuu and Mika groaned, looking to one another.
"He's gone mad, hasn't he?" Mika shot his brother a long look, making the question blatantly obvious.
"Oh, definitely…"
Words weren't necessary to describe the blonde they had just met, and right now, Yuuichiro, Mikaela, and the rest of the bunch that weren't at least half-past the edge of insanity had become to look for escape routes. It was bad enough, admittedly, when Shinoa or Guren had a bad attitude or decided to do something they all knew was an ill omen, but what were they supposed to do with this girl?
"Alright, enough! Now listen up! This unit is your new family, we treat one another as family and do not leave anyone behind if we can help it. Understood?" Guren asked sharply as the group of six shaped up a bit.
"We understand…" the Lieutenant Colonel nodded.
"Good, now… I don't want anyone breaking formation. Shinoa is your leader, and you will have to remember to stick together and work together. I don't want anyone flying solo unless they have no choice out there, got it?" he inquired this of them, and they mostly nodded in agreement; however, as Guren expected, his youngest sighed.
"Well, if I happen upon a fang, I may have to – "the group were caught off guard as Mitsuba swung a round-house kick at the black-haired boy, and he quickly caught her foot, a sharp glare settled on his features as Mika sent her a withered look that Guren had seen the last time some idiot elected to attack his brother. It was one detail that the man never forgot: they would defend one another with as much ferocity as the demons within their weapons. However, he figured that was a lesson best learned through experience, and he left things as they were as Mitsuba stared in surprise, noting the firm grip that the black-haired boy had on her foot as she dropped it, a bit impressed by his reaction time and speed as she hummed in thought.
"You've got some good reflexes for a newbie," Mitsuba stated as she smiled a bit smugly.
"Oh boy, here it comes…" Guren's mutter had the others, save for Mika taking their eyes of the blonde and glancing his way.
"I get it now, you wanted me to be on this team to whip the newbies into shape. Consider it done sir!" she said boastfully.
"Never mind the fact that my two boys could probably whip you before you could even summon your weapon or utter a curse…" Guren thought, shaking his head.
"Who would want a troublemaker like you teaching someone?" Mitsuba huffed and Guren looked at the others.
"Okay, pay attention… I'm giving all of you ear communicators. Your ears are pierced right? They were done that way when you came here for this purpose. If not, I have some ordinary cuffs; however, this is how we keep in contact with each other, so they're vital. Do not lose them or take them off!" he ordered as he stepped up to each of them.
Amongst the six of them present, only three of them had their ears pierced, and the others did not. Kimizuki was handed his first, it was golden in tone and had a sharp cylinder-look to it that went in the same ear as his other piercings, then Mitsuba was handed hers, which was silver that had a scroll-work design on it and a singular piercing that dropped down into a tiny dragon of deep blue. Guren went to Shinoa next whose ear cuff consisted of a black cross-shaped one that had a dangling cross with orange crystals embedded on it, which she took and quickly placed upon her ear with a smile as Guren walked up to Yoichi who was granted a simple one in bronze that had an arrow design to it. The final two belonged to the two brothers, one being a black angel wing, with a crescent moon cut-out, while the other was a white wing with a sun cut-out of it. Mika and Yuu glanced to one another before sliding the cuffs onto their ears as they turned their attention to Guren.
"Alright, now that everyone's got their communicators, I can inform you six of your first mission," Guren stated as the group of six glanced to one another.
"What are we doing?" the Lieutenant Colonel sighed.
"They've trained for this, they can handle it just fine… so relax… they've got each other." The man took in a deep breath.
"There are Vampires settled in the area of Harajuku, and they have civilians there. Your assignment is to locate the nest, clear them and get the civilians out. From there, you six will be heading to Shinjuku to assist the rest of us," he stated clearly as they nodded.
"If I can ask, why are we heading to Shinjuku?" burgundy eyes looked to Mika who had a slightly hesitant look in his eyes, telling the man that the boy was reading something else about the situation that some of the others weren't.
"We've recently received intel that the Vampires are planning to attack Shinjuku in order to claim it for themselves. Due to this, we're sending out our teams on their missions, but once they're finished, we'll need all hands-on deck," Guren informed the group of six who had slightly concerned looks on their faces.
"When should we be there?" the Lieutenant Colonel glanced towards the sharp emerald eyes that were staying focused on him as Kimizuki asked this question.
"Three days from now," he answered.
"So, we go and kill the blood suckers, and then meet up with the rest of you in Shinjuku. No problem…" Guren looked to Mika and Yuu before sighing and internally reminding himself of what would be happening before smirking to the six of them.
"Right, now, stick together, if you can help it don't go solo. Stay strong and work as one, and you'll survive. I'll see you in two days." With that he turned to leave while Shinoa started to head to the front of the group.
"Let's get going everyone! Harajuku is this way!" the periwinkle-haired Sergeant called as she led them away from the wall while Guren watched from the top of the first stairwell as he looked at the retreating forms of his two children and those who went with them.
"Stay safe… I don't want to lose the two of you, and humanity can't afford to it…"
{Skies Near Japan: 9:20am}
The cargo hold of a giant airplane remained silent as the white-clad figures settled there, awaiting further orders, most wearing hoods save for a handful of them who were doing something to bide their time, have soft conversations or reading. Amidst them, a single female was settled, wearing her hood up as she kept her gaze down, a book in her lap but left unopened as she thought about what she would be doing once she arrived at their destination.
"All passengers please remember that we are arriving in Shinjuku, Japan at mid-day in the next forty-eight hours. Please remain prepared and on guard once we enter Japan's airspace. Upon arrival we will be engaging in combat with the Japanese Imperial Demon Army, and the Moon Demon Company."
"Hey? Did you hear that Princess?" asked Lacus, a blue-haired vampire in his mid-twenties who served under the Thirteenth Progenitor, Crowley Euseford.
"Shinjuku… two days from now." The blue-haired Vampire nodded.
"Just making sure you were listening instead of daydreaming. The last thing we want the Queen going off the deep end because her precious daughter got turned to ash by a Moon Demon Company Curser. You know how dangerous those Cursed Gear can be, right?" Akane looked away at this as she pulled her hood down further and opened her book.
"Leave her be Lacus, you and I both know that she can handle herself just fine," stated Rene as he flipped through a book of some kind and his blue-haired companion sighed.
"Fine, besides, I think she's more interested in her book. What is it anyways?" the brunette sighed.
"The Black Goats Egg, something that I think will be to refined for your low intelligence level," Akane stated sharply as she turned away from Lacus who frowned.
"You're just like your mother, I swear… enjoy your book." Rene rolled his eyes as Akane bit her lip, tears welling in her brown eyes.
"Don't worry Yuu, Mika… I'm coming… and I promise… I'll save you both, so please… wait for me…"
{…..}
I could be the one who's always there to break your fall...
{….}
Author's Note: So, in the original story, this would have been chapter 10; however, because of expanding upon the story and details, I moved it down to chapter 13 as you can see. Now, we do have quite a bit of stuff coming up, but you'll see what happens soon, so no worries. I hope everyone's enjoying the story.
Sincerely,
ShadowDragon94.
Chapter 14: Mitsuba