Chapt. 11

Shikima, the Soul Eater

I wake to find myself in darkness, due to a cloth that is tightly tied over my eyes. My hands are tied behind my back and my legs are stretched out in front of me, tied at my ankles. I push myself from the wall I was rested against and try wriggle free of my bonds.

"Good, you're awake," a voice says from somewhere to my left. No doubt it's a man with that deep voice.

"Did you let the boy go?" I ask him, looking to my left, not knowing why.

"Can you see me?"

"You think I'd tell you if I could?"

"You're very funny, child. And yes, the boy is safe at home." He pauses for a moment, but speaks again with a voice like he had just stumbled across a new thought, "Why did you trade your life for his?"

"Because I promised him I'd always protect him."

"Promises are so fragile. Surely you were forced."

"Unlike some people, I keep my promises. I know what it's like to be lied to." And then I stumble across a new thought. "What do you want with me anyway?"

"Your soul."

"What would you want with a dirty thing like that? And honestly, I ain't even sure it's still there."

"Oh, it's there, my dear child. And though it may be human, it's very special." A finger caresses my cheek, but pulls back sharply as my teeth pierce its skin. "Brat!" he hisses, slapping me. I topple over and lay there, unable to push myself up.

"Don't touch me," I growl.

"You're going to wish that was all I was going to do to you. By the time I'm done, you're going to wish for a swift death."

I smirk and give a cocky laugh. "I wouldn't be so sure of myself if I were you."

"Oh, really? And why is that?"

"'Cause my angel's gunna kick your sorry, demon ass!"

"Angel? There are no angels here, child. You've stumbled into Hell, there be only demons here." A swift kick lands in my open stomach and I fly into a stone wall.

"Is that all you got?" I challenge. This is nothing compared to the mill.

I am lifted into the air and tossed into another wall. Unable to tell which way I'm facing, I curl into a ball before hitting the floor.

My left arm snaps beneath me. But I don't cry out in pain.

"Surprised you didn't scream," the demon laughs, grabbing my broken arm.

"That doesn't hurt, you dumb fuck," I smirk, wriggling from his grasp. "I don't know pain anymore."

He grips my neck and squeezes threateningly. But I keep my taunting smirk.

"Unfortunately for you, I need you alive to extract your soul," he growls, throwing me to the ground.

'Good, that's just what I need,' I think, holding back a triumphant laugh. I begin to concentrate hard on finding Hiei's mind wave. It was a familiar signal to me now.

Unable to find a substantial connection, I begin to send S.O.S. signals like crazy, hoping he'd catch one or two.

'Damn it, Hiei! Whenever I need you, you aren't around. When I don't want you, I can't get rid of you!'

I let out a sharp curse as a sharp object pierces my right shoulder.

"How's that for pain?" the demon hisses.

"Heh, felt good. Least I know I'm still alive."

Growling, he twists the knife while digging it deeper into my body.

"You really are persistent, aren't you?" I ask, biting back another curse.

"Cry, damn you. Cry! Let me see those salty tears!"

"I can't."

"What do you mean?"

"I've forgotten how. Nothing can make me cry now."

He leans close to my ear and whispers carefully, "You will cry before the end, I guarantee it." As he backs away, he begins to laugh. "And when those tears fall, I will bottle them and drink them as I eat your soul!"

"What kind of demon are you?" I hiss, gripping the knife handle in my teeth. As I wait for his answer, I tug at the blade awkwardly.

"A soul-devouring demon, of course! Shikima, the Soul Eater!" He cackles unnecessarily.

"Right, duh," I mumble, still biting at the hilt. I finally manage to rip it out, slowly at first, fumbling with the forced twist. But after that, it slipped out easily.

"Very resourceful, child. But it will not save you."

Wanna bet? I don't plan on having my soul eaten by some crazed demon. Who does this guy think I am?

"You know, I never knew a human could take so much pain. Especially a child."

"I guess you've never come across many people like me then. My angel trained me so I wouldn't regard pain as a hindrance. Said I should treat it as an ally."

"Who would this angel be?" Shikima questions gently, pressing a thumb to my wound.

I disregard it and smile evilly. "A demon."

"Really? But it's also an angel?"

"My demon angel. And he'll show you no mercy."

A/N - Well, I hope you like cliffies 'cause it'll be here for a while. I'm goin' on vacation and won't be back for a week or so (for those of you who read If I Told You I Loved You, you already know this and have probably already yelled at me. So, please, don't send another angry review of my absence). See ya!