Play 30: The Three Demons
My footsteps echoed as I paced up and down.
Kondou had managed to convince me to be the messenger while the shogun was here in Kyoto. I didn't want to go, because I thought I should try to stay away from the Shinsengumi's affairs. Well, and maybe because I was still hurt about what Souji had said before. I still went in the end, but I was still hesitant about it.
I sighed as I stopped, leaning against the wall. I looked up at the night sky, trying to count the number of stars before giving up. Instead I glanced at the building called the Nijo Castle, frowning. According to Heisuke, it was supposed to be a place for a shogun to stay in on the way to the capital. It was a long time ever since the last shogun stayed in there, though.
Hijikata had assigned me with the role to tell the soldiers that it was the change of shifts, and carrying messenges back and forth. I asked if that was it, and he just glared at me, so I guessed that were what I had to do.
Everything was peaceful and according to plan, though. I didn't think anyone would be stupid enough to attack a castle guarded by a bunch of armed men.
I felt a sudden familiar feeling, and whipped around. I knew someone—no, a few persons—was staring right at me, and it wasn't just that fact scared me. I could feel another different yet familiar feeling...Was it bloodlust? Yes, it had to be. I glared around the dark, my legs shaking a little.
"Who's there?" I asked cautiously, and three men stepped out from the shadows. I took a step back automatically. I didn't know the other two men, but I recognised the man in the middle. "You...Kazama Chikage!"
"So, you've noticed us. Not too slow, then..." Chikage's smirk was scaring me now. What were they doing here? I glanced at the other two men, and guessed that they were Amagiri Kyuju and Shiranui Kyo. My stomach sank—were they going to attack the Shinsengumi or the shogun?
"What the hell are you doing here?"
"Hey little girl, you oughta be asking yourself how we got here, not why!" The one who had his blue hair up in a high ponytail gave me a mischievous smirk. "It was pretty easy, you know. A little human wall doesn't mean shit to a demon."
I froze. "Did you just say...demon?" The only 'demons' I knew of were those Byakko twins.
"We are here for a specific purpose. That purpose is you, Yukimura Jun..." The man in red hair named Amagiri Kyuju spoke. "No, Akamine Jun. We are here for you."
I felt like my heart would stop anytime. When I finally mustered the strength to speak, my voice was shaking. "Who are you? How did you know my real name...? Don't tell me..." Just as I was thinking of those Byakko twins, they appeared in front of me out of nowhere.
Yuri looked pissed off for once, not bothering to put on her smile. "What, Kazama Chikage? I thought you said you'll leave her alone once you know her true identity."
"I knew it! You told me not to tell anyone about this, and yet...!" I bit my lip so hard I could taste blood. Yuri and Eri ignored me. Instead, they were in a protective stance, ready to struck if they made a move.
"Even if she's a demon, she can't come with you." Eri spoke so softly I wasn't sure if I heard it right.
"Wait, what do you by that?" I grabbed Eri's shoulder, but he didn't reply.
"You are a demon, like us." Chikage said it so matter-of-factly that I couldn't believe it. First, time-travelling, and now this? It was too much for me to take in. I stumbled and fell, my legs no longer able to support me.
Seeing my weakened state, Chikage stepped forward. In a flash, Eri struck at him, and he dodged it easily. The small boy landed on the ground perfectly, letting out a loud click of the tongue. The air smelt almost dangerous, and I couldn't breath easily.
"Do your injuries heal quickly? Too quickly, perhaps?" Amagiri looked at me, his arms folded. I turned to him, dazed, and nodded. That time when I slashed my arms just for experiment...
"Enough." Chikage narrowed his eyes at Amagiri. "It isn't as though we need your permission to kidnap you. Female demons are rare. Now, come with me..."
A cut appeared on his cheek, and a little blood dripped from the small wound before healing completely. I watched in bewilderment as a white tiger...no, Yuri crawled towards Chikage.
"Yuri...You're going to get punished for transforming." Eri sighed. I looked back and forth in confusion, feeling dizzy.
"Who cares, Eri? We need to be serious with them." The tiger spoke without opening her mouth. She was so large, her white fur was reflecting the light from the moon, and her green eyes were sparkling like jewels.
"Do it yourself then," Eri said after a moment. He wasn't in the mood to fight now, so he stood beside me, warily looking at the other two demons in case they made a grab for me.
Yuri giggled, and I could swear that her Byakko form was smirking. "I can't wait to tear them into pieces." Suddenly she raised her head in the air as if sniffing. Then she cursed. "They're here..." With a blink of an eye, she turned back into a kid and fell to the floor in a dramatic way. I frowned at her sudden change of attitude when a blade flickered through the night.
"Whoa there, pal. Tryin' to pick up chicks in a back alley?" Harada glared, a smirk creeping up his cheeks. "That's not creepy at all." Beside him, Saito had his sword unsheathed. I felt someone pulling me up to my feet.
"Stay back." I frowned at my disappointment once I knew it was Hijikata who spoke to me. He pulled me behind him as he drew his sword, and eyed the twins. "Including you kids." Yuri and Eri both pouted, and while I blinked disbelievingly at the emotionless boy. Did he just pout? While I still hadn't recover from my surprise, Yamazaki appeared out of nowhere.
"I've been ordered to return you to headquarters," He said, and I glanced back at the three men fighting with the other three demons nervously. "Don't worry about the commander and the captains." I nodded slowly, refusing to take my eyes off them.
"Yuri! Eri! Let's go!" I finally said. When they didn't, I hissed. "You can't just disappear now! I can't explain it to them!" The Byakko twins looked at each other, shrugging, and we began to make our way back in the dark.