Chapter 6: Disturbance

I traipsed through the dense forest. The terrain had changed much in the last two hundred years. However, the area was still somewhat recognizable. I inhaled deeply. The air was much cleaner than it was back then too. There was a time when would have enjoyed something so trivial as a warm sunny day. I trekked on in search of the flower. In order to find that wicked woman, I need the Miko to be awake. I had given up a long time ago, but with revenge so close within my grasp. I have no more time to waste. I followed the path my mother and I used to take when we'd come to pick the herbs and plants. I had walked on for about thirty minutes before coming to a very familiar field of flowers. I looked up at the large tree sitting in the middle of the clearing. Countless eleuthero plants hung from its leaves. I went over to it stopping at the base of the tree, I jumped onto the nearest branch. I plucked a few of them. Not knowing if we might need them again. I lined my pockets with them. Being careful not to squish them. Leaping down from the tree, I started to walk back. I had stopped in my tracks feeling a presence appear.

"I didn't know I would find some lunch all the way out here." he chucked.

I turned my head to the side, seeing what it was. One of the ugliest demons I had ever seen. He seemed almost reptilian, without the scales. His head was bald, with only a small ponytail at the base of his skull. He adorned this clunky armor, that didn't cover any of his vital points.

I sighed. "Another overgrown idiot to deal with."

He flew to me on a dark cloud, stopping only a few feet away from me. The three shards in his forehead caught my eye. They resembled the shards the Miko wore around her neck.

"Who the hell are you calling ugly you twerp!?"

He was loud and annoying. "I have no time for you. You are an insignificant pest." I said turning my back to him.

"INSIGNIFICANT!?"

I soon heard the sound of thunder and the crackling of lighting. I felt the energy coming towards me. I dodged it with ease.

"What use is a powerful attack if it can be dodged so easily?"

"Why you!"

I charged towards him quickly, landing atop his head. I sharpened my nails, stabbing into the place where the shards resided. Plucking out his eyes with my other free hand. He cannot chase what he cannot see. I flipped off of him, continuing the way I had come, tucking the shards away into my hakama. As he screamed, writhing in pain on the ground. My ears perked up as I heard something whipping through the air. I quickly conjured up six Jizo Statues. The spear making it through five of them. I growled plucking out the spear. I could feel it beginning to burn my hand. What was this energy? Lightening? I could not hold onto it any longer. Whoever had thrown this must have been his ally. Well, if they wanted their spear, they would have to pluck it from his dead corpse I made my way over to the demon, ramming the spear through his chest. Ceasing his mewls of pain.

"NOOOOOO!"

My head snapped in the direction of the scream. There stood a figure, holding a much smaller one. I squinted to get a better view. The pair looked very similar. They must have been related. It made sense as to why he threw his weapon. He did not want to risk the child's life. We would not fight today if I allowed it to end that way, but he would come and find me, but I had no time for some revengeful demon. I had plans of my own. Something else had caught his attention, I followed his gaze. Another demon had entered the clearing. He favored the half-breed. However this one was a full demon, and much stronger than that idiot. He leaned against the tree. He seemed to be watching for the outcome.

The spear began to pulsate. It withdrew itself from the demon and I grabbed onto it. As it returned to its owner's outstretched hand. I could feel the waves of anger coming from him. He quickly dropped the child telling her to run, but of course, she did not listen. I dodge his sloppy attacks. His anger had clouded his mind. I feigned an attack towards the child, causing him to try and protect her, which left him wide open.

"Fool," I whispered.

I shoved my hand into his chest, plucking his heart out and letting it drop to the floor with a thud. The blood splattering all over the child's face. A look of disbelief on his face as the light faded from his eyes. I took the shards from him as well, placing them with the others. I wiped his blood onto his clothes. I faced the little girl. She trembled with fear, as her tears stained her face. I needn't leave any loose ends untied. I went over to her, hugging her. She must have been so confused at this moment, but as I said. I had plans of my own. I did not need someone coming after me years later to take their revenge. With one quick squeeze, I heard the crack, and just like that, her neck was broken. I laid her body down gently. Going back the way I had come once more, walking past the demon who favored the half-breed. I felt his eyes on me as I passed him by.

"Hn." was all I heard him say.