A/N: Wan! My classes are starting tomorrow! Oh, the horror! The pain! The agony! ^__^;;
Tracye1014, Literary Eagle, Shaynie, Rinoa Redcloak: glad you guys enjoyed that chapter. It's the least I could do after angsting out on you people! ^^
Sakusha-san: Maa, kreko doesn't have lime. . .*blinks innocently*
Tracye1014: Ah. . .Kyo MAY meet an old friend soon. . .*smiles mysteriously*
Hey, I've updated my FAKE story! Finally. . . ^__^;;;
Warning: Introduction of a new OC. How big a part will she play? I have no idea. XD
Disclaimer: If it IS mine. . .sigh. . .Ah, and Wild Adapter/Executive Committee belongs to the great Kazuya Minekura of Gensomaden Saiyuki fame. No profits made. Just fun.
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CHAPTER 9: New Students
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Satsumi Saori was bored.
It was one thing to be bored but ragingly bored was simply unacceptable. Sighing a little, she slumped a bit lower in her seat, but not enough to detract from her usual posture of calm confidence. After all, she had a reputation to live up to.
Twitching an invisible lint of her black pleated skirt, she gave a smile to Akiko who was still chattering away, oblivious to her friend who wished that she would just shut up and go away. She wouldn't have thought about it anyway, looking at Saori. Saori-chan was the perfect school girl. She had the looks; hair as black as a raven's wing tied in a braid with artfully wispy bangs, warm, twinkling brown eyes that at a certain angle, look almost amber, and a lithe, attractive body that the short skirt and pristine white shirt and sleeveless gray sweater that was their school uniform showed off to her best advantage. Saori came from a well-to-do family but was never stuck up and was a straight-A student and kind to everyone. All in all, the perfect school girl.
What else could she be?
Taking out her notebook and flipping open to a fresh page, Saori started to doodle around the edges, paying little attention to what Akiko was saying. Something about a new teacher and the latest gossip about the Student Council Executive Committee. A new teacher was barely something worth thinking about; most of their teachers tended to be of the gray and wrinkly type. You'd think that the school had an aversion to good looking teachers or something. Maybe they were afraid the kids won't pay attention in class. . . . an excellent academic record is what Araiso Private High School is fiercely proud of anyway.
The Executive Committee though. . .Araiso was unique in that the Student Council, headed by Matsumoto Kaichou, was practically a governing law body unto itself. Nothing much gets past the Student Council and its members. The Executive Committee was made up of some of the most. . .interesting individuals in the school. Especially that Kubota and Tokitou. They made quite a pair. School bullies and rebel wannabes have learnt that it does not pay to cross paths with those two. You might end up being a permanent fixture at the infirmary.
Still doodling, Saori wondered silently whether somebody would one day beat Kubota and Tokitou. Not that she was actively wishing for it. They weren't her type, true (besides, rumours had it that the two friends appeared to be more than just. . .friends) but something on that scale would definitely add a little excitement to her life.
". . . .and they say it might be a deadly virus!" Akiko finished excitedly.
That got through to her. "Virus?" she lifted one elegant eyebrow.
"Yeah," Akiko nodded enthusiastically, glasses glinting with excitement. "They think that's what killed off those two kids and Echiko sensei."
Saori shrugged. "If it is a virus, wouldn't the Health Ministry be quarantining off the school by now?"
At that little piece of logic offered up dryly, Akiko wilted and sighed. "I guess. . ." she admitted, her still innocent exuberance unwilling to let go of such an exotic, implausible and totally believable explanation for the three deaths that had happened within the month. Besides, it added a certain morbid elegance the fact that Echiko sensei had been a stunning woman and the two students that died were quite good looking as well.
"Ne, Saori-chan?"
"Hmm?" Saori looked up from her notepad and gave her a quizzical smile.
Taking a moment to bask in the glow of that smile, Akiko placed a pale hand on Saori's and squeezed it. "You will be careful won't you?" she asked anxiously.
"Whatever for?"
"Well, whether it's a virus or not, people are pointing out about how weird it is that those who died are the really good looking ones and. . . you're so beautiful, Saori-chan! You will, won't you?" her green eyes were earnest in their pleading.
"Will I be careful?" Saori clarified.
"Yes!"
Saori laughed delightedly and patted Akiko's arm affectionately, her eyes twinkling with merriment. "I will, don't worry. And I'm sure everything will work out fine," she added.
Reassured, Akiko then went back to her excited monologue of the latest going ons in their school and once again, Saori let her chatter drift her off to place where things were hopefully more exciting than where her physical body was currently stuck at.
* * *
"And if you all will please pay attention. . .?"
Someone should really give Fuyuko sensei tips on how to teach bored 17 year olds effectively. Pointer one would be to never let a pleading tone enter your voice. It negates whatever authority the title of 'sensei' gives you whatsoever. That, and that hideously fake wig she had on.
Saori wondered whether Fuyuko sensei was completely bald, or just at a spot.
Tapping her pen in a gentle staccato against her desk, she turned sideways in her chair, crossing her legs and shooting a smile at Iwaragi who was two desks over. The boy, noting the rather pleasing position she was in; her legs shown off to a good advantage by the baggy white socks and short skirt, grinned back. Seeing his rather lecherous grin, Saori stuck out her tongue.
Fuyuko sensei had given up trying to get the attention of the class it seems. It couldn't be helped anyway. The day outside was too beautiful to be spent indoors and everyone was anxious for the lunch bell to ring. Sighing in resignation, she beckoned a wrinkled hand towards the door, which Saori just now realized was open.
Whomever it was outside took the cue to come in.
Wow, Saori noted absently. Fuyuko-san shouldn't have bothered with all that talk. If she had wanted our attention, all she'd have to do was just haul those two up and everyone would shut up. And everyone was.
There had been two somebodies who had came in. Obviously new transfer students. One of them was quite tall, probably a good five feet eight or more with hair that was as dark as her own (no artificial coloring there, again she noted absently) and was standing up front with a relaxed grace, smiling and looking as though he was thoroughly enjoying himself. She was somewhat surprised to see that his eyes were a startlingly pale blue in color. The one beside him, looking faintly resigned, was every bit as handsome as the tall one. In a completely opposite way.
Hair that was the color of wheat-gold set off his large, luminous green eyes, making the boy look slightly vulnerable, and attractively effeminate. He was shorter than the other one, barely reaching up to his ears with a slight frame. Cocking her head to the side, she saw that the flaxen haired boy held himself with that same grace the black haired one did and she knew without a doubt that both of them were good fighters. They had that certain way of standing, giving the impression of being totally at ease, yet at the same time, ready to act at a moment's notice. Not that many people would have realized it but then, most people were oblivious to the world around them.
Except for the really obvious facts; like how gorgeous the new students were, Saori thought to herself with a silent laugh. Looking over to Akiko, Saori saw that the girl had a star-struck look in her eyes, as were most of the girls (and a couple of the guys as well). Their attention seemed to be evenly divided between flaxen hair and black hair. Saori though, liked her guys. . .tougher looking. Seeing that Fuyuko sensei was about to start the introductions, she sat up straighter and paid careful attention to the taller one.
"Ohayo gozaimasu!" Black hair said cheerfully, with a bow. "My name's Kurosaki Kyo and we've just transferred in from Kanagawa. Hajimemashite!"
With a faint sigh, flaxen hair stepped forward and bowed as well. "Ohayo, my name is Kurosaki Hisoka. Hajimemashite," he added.
"Ne, are you two brothers?" a voice called out from the back.
"Real smart aren't you, Shinichi?" Another voice called back. "They have the same family name. Of course they are!"
"Well they don't look alike! They could be cousins!"
"Class! Please!" Fuyuko sensei pleaded, sounding almost teary eyed. "Settle down!"
"Ah, it's alright, Fuyuko sensei," Kurosaki Kyo assured her with a smile. "We get that a lot. Yes, we're brothers. Step-brothers actually. Different mothers."
"See? I was right!"
"For once in your life you mean."
"You want to repeat that?"
"My p-"
"Kyo-san! Hisoka-san! Please take the empty seats at the back! Near Saori-san's!"
With a languid smile, she lifted a hand in the barest of wave and the two boys made their way down the aisle of desks towards her. When Hisoka passed her by, he gave her a perfunctory nod which she returned, albeit a bit more warmer. Kyo though, gave her a grin, as though saying 'don't mind my brother'. She grinned back and allowed her grin to get a little wider as Kyo took the desk right beside hers. Risking a quick look, she said in a low voice, "Welcome to Araiso. I hope you'll like it here."
With another grin and eyes twinkling, Kyo replied, "Thank you. I'm sure I will."
Saori had a feeling that her days won't get so boring after all.
* * *
"Class, I'm sure all of you are aware that Echiko sensei was supposed to take over your Social Science period for the remaining chapters but. . ." Fuyuko sensei trailed off and dabbed her eyes with a lacy handkerchief. "A tragedy but it will make us stronger somehow."
Like anyone believes you, you old bat, Saori rolled her eyes and barely suppressed the urge to mimic a violent round of barfing. Iwagari though, didn't have her restraint and was cheerfully poking a finger down his throat and making retching noises, much to the amusement of those who noticed. Kyo did and was looking faintly puzzled, as well as his brother, Hisoka.
Seeing that Fuyuko sensei was still blathering on about life, death and how it generally sucked but one is supposed to accept it anyway, Kyo leaned to the side and whispered in her ear.
"Is there something I'm missing here?" His voice sent a little shudder of delight through her and Saori smiled.
"Fuyuko hated Echiko-san with a passion," she whispered back. This close, she realized that his eyes were really that light in color, somehow making his hair look darker by comparison.
"Why's that?" Kyo asked, still careful to keep his voice low.
"Echiko-san was one of the most gorgeous teachers in school and Fuyuko. . .well, just look at her," she said matter-of-factly.
His eyes drifted to the front where Fuyuko sensei had tucked away the handkerchief and was now on a sermon about how life must go on. Her wig was slightly askew.
"Ah," was all he said and he tactfully let the subject drop. Thanking her with a smile, he leaned back in his chair. Hisoka then leant forward, whispering in his ear. Kyo listened for a while, whispered back, and the flaxen haired boy broke into a smile, which he quickly stifled and poked a finger at his brother.
Chuckling silently, Kyo threw Hisoka a wink but the boy just rolled his eyes and stuck out his tongue in retaliation.
Close, but doesn't like to show open affection, Saori surmised. It was kind of sweet. Not a lot of stepbrothers get along as well as they seem to. Their father must have been handsome in the extreme with fine taste in wives. Both of his sons were gorgeous, although in different ways.
. . .people are pointing out about how weird it is that those who died are the really good looking ones. . .
Shaking her head, Saori decided she must have been really bored to let what Akiko said bother her that much.
"So we have a new teacher who will replace Echiko-san for this semester, though her place in our hearts will never be taken away," Fuyuko sensei declared.
Staring at her, dumbfounded, Saori couldn't decide whether Fuyuko-san was being extremely vindictive and hypocritical or just a plain ass.
"Will everyone please give a warm welcome to Tsuzuki Asato sensei?" Fuyuko sensei beamed and clapped her hands. The rest of the class joined in rather unenthusiastically and the new teacher stepped in. The claps died away.
Blinking, Saori guessed that the school board had finally relented on the 'not too many gorgeous teachers as possible' policy. The new teacher was tall, at least as tall as or a bit taller than Kyo with black hair and the most amazing purple eyes. He had on a rumpled dark suit, coat hanging open and tie casually loosened. One hand stuffed in his pocket, he raised the other in a cheerful greeting, his smile lighting up the whole room.
"Ohayo!" he chirped. "My name's Tsuzuki Asato and I'll be teaching you Social Science!"
Saori watched with some bemusement as Fuyuko-san instructed Tsuzuki-san on the class development, showed him the register book and with a parting wave and an unconscious pat of her wig, she left the class. With a few backward glances.
Guess she doesn't mind if the gorgeous teachers are male, Saori noted wryly. Really, it was Araiso's luckiest day. Not only had they two, totally hot transfer students, they also had a totally hot new teacher.
". . . .though the Meiji Era promised peace, equality and prosperity for all levels of society, it did not happened overnight," Tsuzuki sensei lectured them with a faint smile. He had taken off his coat and was leaning against his desk, arms crossed and not even referring to a textbook as he taught the subject with a casual flair that had the class enthralled. It also helped that his tie was hanging loose, collar unbuttoned and hair falling into his eyes charmingly. Looking around, Saori saw with some amusement that no one was bothering to take notes, instead just staring at the sensei wide eyed and not a few blushed if he caught their stares. Iwagari seemed a bit put out at the new focus of the girls
attention and Saori grinned. Iwagari hated competition, believing that his charms were infallible.
Gaze sliding to her right, she saw that Kyo was paying attention, though smiling as though he was enjoying a private joke. Hisoka was stone faced.
"You're one of the new students I take it?" Tsuzuki sensei smiled.
Jerking slightly, she saw that the sensei had come to stand beside Hisoka's desk and was looking down at the boy with a big grin. Hisoka's face though, if it was possible, went even stonier. She wondered idly if he had an instant dislike to the sensei.
"Yes sir. My name is Kurosaki Hisoka," he offered noncommittally.
"Ah, I see. This is your brother then?"
Kyo nodded his head solemnly. "Hai. Kurosaki Kyo. Hajimemashite."
"Hajimemashite, Kyo-kun. You don't mind right?"
"No sir," Kyo smiled.
"And do you mind if I called you Hisoka-kun?" Tsuzuki turned back to Hisoka.
Sigh. "No sir."
"Great! You have beautiful eyes, do you realize that?" Without waiting for an answer, Tsuzuki sensei spun around and trotted back to the blackboard. "Alright class! Pop quiz time!" he announced cheerfully.
"Sensei! That's not fair! You just started!"
"Yeah! C'mon sensei!"
"It'll be a real easy one," Tsuzuki-san assured them. "I won't take marks, but the one who scores highest gets. . . gets. . . " he tapped his chin thoughtfully, "I know! I'll buy them lunch!"
Saori could practically see the little wheels turning in her classmates heads as they contemplated having lunch with the sensei. It was no surprise that as they waited for him to read out the first question, most of the girls had a menacing look in their eyes.
Definitely won't be a boring day.
* * *
Kyo was currently perched in his favourite position; namely cuddling on Takashi's lap. The period before lunch was a free study and 'Tsuzuki sensei' had reminded them that new students needed to do a medical check-up with the school nurse. They had obediently trotted off to the infirmary, Hisoka muttering under his breath that Tsuzuki was enjoying himself too much. The both of them and had spent the entire hour just hanging out with Takashi.
Sighing, Kyo tucked his head under Takashi's chin, even purring a little as the sensei smoothed his hair. While he was ecstatic at the chance of attending school, even if it was only for a few days, he had to admit; he had grown used to hanging out with a few people at a time only. Stuck in a classroom full of hormone-driven teenagers, it wasn't long before he had started to feel a bit frazzled. So many eyes focused on him. . .Hisoka, whom should have gotten it worse, was calmly reading a book by the window. Guess his shields are too good now to get bothered by little things like that, Kyo thought absently.
"Feeling better?" Takashi asked softly.
"Whoever said I was feeling bad to begin with?" Kyo murmured, closing his eyes and letting the gentle motions of the sensei's hand rock him into a near slumber.
"That tactic doesn't work with me, you know."
"It was worth a shot," Kyo laughed. "Yeah, I'm okay now. Just wasn't used to being around so many people like that again."
"Mm-hmm. So have they started a fan club for you yet?"
"Oh, shut up," swatting at Takashi playfully, he disengaged from the embrace and hopped off Takashi's lap. "Have you gotten anything about the ones who died?"
Hearing them starting to discuss the case, Hisoka put down his book and wandered over to them, pulling up a chair and straddling it.
Takashi shrugged. "It's not much. Just confirmation on what Tatsumi told us. The victims were a teacher, a student in the first year and one in the second year. Prior to their deaths, no one reported of them acting strangely in any way whatsoever. Nothing that got commented on, that is."
"In other words; no sudden attacks of the shakes, no memory loss, no personality disorder or anything that might actually give us a clue as to who the next victim may be?"
"Why, Hisoka-chan! One might think you were being sarcastic!"
"Yeah, sure."
"No," Takashi smiled. "No symptoms of a likely candidate. Just. . .they were all very good looking."
Kyo, who was standing by the window looking at the scenery outside said, "Saori-san told me that Fuyuko sensei hated Echiko sensei because she was so pretty."
"Do you think Fuyuko-san's a possibility then?"
He shook his head. "Hard to say. She's really old and I couldn't sense any unusual presence from her. Hisoka?"
"None. But then, she could have dampened it. Like what we're doing now."
Since the case had very little to go on, they had concluded that it would be dangerous to just go walking around the school as they are. Humans who have high levels of magic and practitioners of onmyoujitsu can usually sense the Shinigamis. So would demons and it'd be a sure bet that if the demon currently at work sensed their presence, they wouldn't have a chance of forcing it to reveal itself.
What they would do normally is to just dampen their presence, not exactly a hard thing to do, but in the long run, can be tiring. Until Tatsumi came up with the idea that they visited the so-called Control and Regulation Division.
A part of JuuOhCho, the Division is basically responsible for monitoring the practice of magic and on Chijou and train potential Shinigamis in basic 'jitsu. Watari had told them that the Division's main problem was would-be necromancers. Of course, when a necromancer is successful, it was the Shokan's turn to step in.
The four of them had visited the Division's office (larger and a bit more cheerful than theirs) and were ushered in to see the on-duty onmyouji. Hearing their problem, the smiling, cheerful blond girl who looked to be no more than 20 years old had given them each a small pendant. They were assured that it would help mask their aura, unless they used their powers.
"Why don't you go talk with Saori-san?" Hisoka asked.
"Saori-san?" Kyo turned to Hisoka with a puzzled look. "Why her?"
Hisoka shrugged. "She seems to know quite a lot about what's going on. We might be able to get something relevant from her. Plus, it's obvious she's one of the popular girls in school. She's sure to know anything that goes on."
"And why me, might I ask?" Kyo didn't mind talking to Saori, had in fact, thought about it himself. But there was a certain look in Hisoka's eyes that made him a bit suspicious.
"Simple. She likes you. I sensed that much from her."
"Why don't you go talk to her. I'm sure she likes you too."
"Oh, she does. But I'm not her type. You are," the boy smirked.
Takashi pouted, kicking his legs back and forth from his perch on the bed. "Do you realize that you're asking my beloved to go throw himself at a girl, Hisoka-kun?"
"It's for everyone's sake, Takashi. I'm sure it'll be very hard and painful but you have to bear with it."
"You're doing this because you're pissed with Tsuzuki aren't you?"
"Why, Takashi-san, whatever gave you that idea?"
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"Ano. . .sumimasen, have any of you seen my brother, Hisoka?"
Saori tilted her head back to smile into pale blue eyes. Lunch had seen her and her usual group of friends outside underneath an ancient beech tree, their favorite hangout spot. Asking the brothers to take lunch with them had crossed her mind but the two of them had to go to the infirmary for their check-up during their free period and hadn't returned to class before. But it looks like she didn't have to chase them down after all.
"Kurosaki-san," she greeted him, while her friends giggled and simpered behind upraised hands. "I think I saw him heading towards the gym earlier."
Kyo sighed and ran a hand through his hair, tousling it adorably. "Great, he probably went off for a practice session and forgot all about it," he grumbled.
"Forgot what?" Saori arched an eyebrow.
"We were supposed to have lunch together," Kyo shrugged. "Well, sorry to bother you. See you in class later."
As he was about to walk off, she caught the stricken looks from the other girls and shook her head. You'd think that if they liked him that much, they would at least make the effort to talk to him themselves. Still, not everyone was like her.
"Kurosaki-san? Would you like to have lunch with us?" Saori called out.
At her invitation, Kyo stopped and flashed her a grin. "I'd like that, that is, if your friends don't mind. . ." her friends shook their heads fiercely, "Great! And please, it's just Kyo."
The girls melted.
* * *
". . . .it was so weird, that they died just like that!" Akiko nodded earnestly. "The police can't say how they died. It was as if they just. . . .dropped dead."
It didn't take Akiko long to start babbling about the mysterious three deaths at Araiso. While she was sorry about it, she wished that Akiko would just shut up. And go away. In fact, she really wished that all of her friends would go away and leave her alone with Kyo. The minutes had sped by and she found herself thoroughly enjoying his company. He was easygoing and a polite listener, not even put off by Akiko's incessant chatter or the frank stares he was subjected to by the other girls.
Saori did notice though, that he got uncomfortable whenever the girls pulled off one of their 'accidentally brushing against him' tricks. The third time it happened, he shifted imperceptibly closer to her. Probably because she was the only one who didn't try it, and she was also refraining from drooling in his lap.
"K'so!"
The shout interrupted Akiko's chatter and Kyo jerked around in surprise. The other girls were unfazed though and were trying desperately to get back his attention. A fight had broken out not far from where they sat. Four boys were circling two, the pair making quite an arresting sight. One of them was tall, glasses on and looking utterly at ease with a cigarette dangling from his mouth, despite they fact that he and his friend were outnumbered. In fact, even his friend didn't seem to mind. The total opposite of the tall one, he appeared to barely contain his energy as he bounced on the balls of his feet, one gloved hand curled in a fist and yelling taunts at the four boys circling them.
"It's the Executive Committee," Saori explained. Kyo regarded her with a quizzical expression and she elaborated further. "Kubota and Tokitou are members of the Student Council Executive Committee. It's their job to enforce school rules and break up fights."
"Looks more like they got into a fight rather than stopping one," Kyo murmured. He started to get to his feet, obviously intending to give them some help but she placed a gently restraining hand on him, shaking her head with a faint smile.
"They can take care of themselves. Ookutsa and his gang should have known better by now. They never win."
She was right. As Kyo watched on with an appreciative eye, the two Saori called Kubota and Tokitou trashed (there was no other word for it but 'trashed') the four boys. Moving easily and with the coordinated grace of two people who have fought together many times before, they made short work of Ookutsa and his gang. Sitting back, Kyo commented that Kubota and Tokitou were quite talented fighters, despite not following any set form of martial arts.
Thinking that the fight was over, Kubota had slung an arm over Tokitou's shoulder and started to walk away, ignoring the four boys writhing and groaning piteously on the ground. One of them though, appeared unwilling to give up. Shaking his head, he looked around and grasped something. "Ah, looks like Ookutsa decided to be stupider than usual," Saori said wryly. As he stood up shakily, Saori saw that he had a long piece of iron in his hand was running towards the two boys.
"Hey!" Kyo shouted in alarm. "Look out!"
Spinning around, the Committee members quickly broke apart and as the iron piece was swung wildly, Tokitou shot out his foot and Ookutsa tripped. Falling heavily on his face, the iron bar flew out of his hands and Saori noted with dismay that it was heading straight for her.
Akiko and her friends shrieked in alarm and scooted backwards, out of harm's way. Saori felt as though everything was in slow motion; Tokitou yelling, her friends still shrieking and the iron bar sailing almost dreamily through the air.
"Saori-san!"
Reality went back to normal speed as Kyo threw himself across her, slamming her to the ground with his hand cradled around the back of her head protectively. Instead of smacking into her face, the bar landed with a solid thud on Kyo who was shielding her. He flinched, but didn't utter a word.
He had protected her.
She blinked, still shocked at the suddenness of it all when Akiko screamed.
"Oh my god! Saori-chan! Are you alright?"
Shaking her head dazedly, she offered a crooked smile to her friends as Kyo got off her and offered her his hand. Taking it, she got to her feet and said reassuringly, "I'm fine. Kyo-san saved me. . ." she trailed off. "Oh no! Kyo-san! Are you alright?"
Kyo grinned ruefully. "I have to say, it's an interesting first day. I'm alright," he hastened to assure her.
"We have to get you to the school nurse!" she said frantically. "Please! You might be injured!"
"I'm alright, really."
"No, no! Please! I'll never forgive myself if you got hurt!"
"Ah. . ." if anything, his expression grew even more rueful at that but he laughed and shook his head. "Okay, I'll go."
Relieved, she took his hand and towed the unresisting boy back towards the school building while her friends followed her in a group, clucking in dismay and excitement. She had to admit though; Kyo was right. It was an interesting day.
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It's power was draining away.
As it always did.
Shifting restlessly, it hissed and scales rubbed scales as it flicked out a reptilian tongue. Spiritual power was unfortunately, an exhaustible source. No sooner had it taken its fill of all those delicious energy, bright and tasty, would slowly dwindle away as it sucked it up bit by bit. A lesser demon such as it had to rely on spiritual power as a food and energy source, unlike the higher ranking demons of Makai.
It yearned to be free of this painful shackle. Painful because as it runs out, it can practically feel its innards twisting and tearing in hunger. That was its problem. It could go for eons not feeding but as soon as it did, it could not stop. An endless gorge of feasting, the only way it could be free of its torment was to either never stop eating, or find an inexhaustible power source.
Reaching out, it flicked its mind in a questing wave, trying to find a suitable victim. While spiritual power was in abundance in this school (one reason why it chose the place), it was further hampered by its other requirement for an appropriate candidate. It wanted beauty.
Why? Simple really. Because it was ugly in the extreme. Another curse, being a low-ranking demon was its appearance. The lower they are on the ladder of hierarchy of Makai, the more they were susceptible to reflect their true inner nature. Only the high ranking ones had the ability to mask their appearance at will. So it searched for one with enough power. . . .and beauty.
Its invisible arm reached out. . .and touched him.
It hissed, a hiss of pleasure and pain. Pleasure because it found the requisite food and beauty, and pain because its energy was dwindling fast.
Time was running out.
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~to be continued~
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A/N: My, I don't think I've ever written from the point of view of someone who's not a Yami character. An interesting experience. Oh yeah, can you guys PLEASE answer these questions? They're imperative for the continuation of this story! Onegai!
-this arc will include heaven and hell. Do you think it's better if I provide my own setting and characters from heaven and hell or would it be better if I add in a crossover of sorts; as in for heaven, I use the "Oh My Goddess!" characters. Waddaya say?
-how do you think Makai looks like?