The Peach Demon

by Demonwolf

An Au for 'Like a Bat out of Hell.' Rin is determined that her brother have a good life after the death of their parents. But between cruel aunts, a giant peach, and her own destructive instincts, she may not be able to do it alone.

23. There's No Knowing What We Shall See

Ch. 23

While we were more or less able to stay on course, that didn't mean we were done running into trouble. Thankfully, our next challenge was one I could easily handle.
~

Morning sunlight touched Rin's face and before she even opened her eyes, she heard the soft lapping of waves, the flapping and cawing of seagulls, and a series of soft snores behind her. A soft salty breeze ran through her hair, stirring the half-demon's mind into wakefulness. Stretching, Rin cracked open her eyes to see the sun poking over the horizon. She had fallen asleep sitting against the edge of the peach. Leaning forward, the half-demon shook her head a few times to shake the last remnants of sleep loose, making her ears flap a bit. Peering out at the sunrise, the half-demon was pleased to see the peach was flying away from it, indicating they were still on a western course.

Standing up, Rin turned to see Centipede slumped against the peach stem. He was kneeling on the peach's surface and his head was resting on several of his upper arms. With a sigh, the half-demon approached the sleeping bug, her bare feet making no noise on the fuzzy peach surface. Centipede didn't stir as he snored away, still supported by the peach stem. Rin reached out and pushed the stem away.

"Wha-?" Centipede woke with a start, barely catching himself. "Rin!"

"Ohaiyo. Thank you for keeping watch."

"Hey, I got this. I was just resting my eyes." Centipede stood up and pulled the stem back into its former position.

"For the whole night?"

Centipede scrubbed the side of his face, looking around. "Morning already? Geez." He turned back to raise an eyebrow at the half-demon. "And what time did you fall asleep?"

Rin shrugged. "I think I dozed off once the sun was coming up."

"So you barely slept?"

Both Rin and Centipede turned to see Mr. Grasshopper stepping out of the tunnel. Despite the early hour, he looked quite refreshed and though it was faint, Rin could hear Mrs. Ladybug's tell-tale gait from inside the pit. Oh boy, not only were the two older insects worried about her sleeping habits, but they apparently found early mornings delightful. The half-demon rolled her eyes before meeting the elder insect's reprimanding gaze.

"Don't worry, I'm fine. It takes a lot more than a short fight and a bit of flying to really wear me out. Besides, I can always sleep later." Rin growled a bit as she surveyed at the morning sun. "But I do prefer to sleep late as a rule."

"While that doesn't surprise me, Rin, I don't think a mere two or three hours of sleep is good enough for a girl your age."

"For a human, maybe."

"Aw, lay off her, Grasshopper," Centipede cut in before Mr. Grasshopper could respond. "Rin's old enough to know what she needs."

Mr. Grasshopper cast a baleful look in Centipede's direction before turning back to Rin. "I know you're very powerful, my dear, but that power is going to need replenishing. Are you sure you're rested enough?"

"For now, I'm fine. And don't worry, once we get to New York, I'll sleep until noon every day."

"Yeah, you and Angel Fangs probably."

"Do not be so certain, Centipede." Miss Spider had approached the group with out any of them- except Rin, who had heard her light footsteps- noticing.

"Good morning, Miss Spider," Mr. Grasshopper greeted. "I admit, I also thought you would sleep in."

"Normally I would, but I did not stay awake all night. And," here Miss Spider turned to Rin, "sometimes, an hour or so of rest is all you need."

"Arigato desu." Rin bobbed her head in a grateful nod at Miss Spider.

Mr. Grasshopper sighed, but gave Rin a small smile nonetheless. "Oh, very well. Though I hope we'll see you some mornings when we get to New York."

"I make no promises on that matter."

"Heh, you tell him, Rin."

Any responses to Centipede's comment was cut by the peach suddenly jerking to the left. Overhead, the seagulls were squawking excitedly and flapping their wings harder.

"Hey, back on course, fellas!" Centipede tried to yank the stem back into its former position, but the entire flock resisted the movement, pulling so hard on their silk tethers that Centipede couldn't move the stem at all. "What's with them?"

"For whatever reason, they want to head south." Mr. Grasshopper noted, glancing between the seagulls and the position of the sun.

"Why? It ain't winter."

"Hold on." Rin leaned forward, inhaling deeply. "I can smell trees. But out here?"

"An island perhaps?" Mr. Grasshopper moved to the edge of the peach and peered through his monocle. "Hmm, I see something on the horizon, but it's too far to tell."

"Maybe we found Atlantis," Centipede quipped. He tried again to adjust the peach stem, but the seagulls ignored him, keeping the flying fruit on the new course.

"It must be an island of some sort," Miss Spider said, shielding her eyes against the sun. "If Rin can smell trees, I do not think there could be another explanation."

"Rin, do you think James's travel book may say anything about this?" Mr. Grasshopper asked.

"Wouldn't hurt to check. It's been tracking our progress so far, so it might be able to tell us something about this so-called island."

"James was still asleep when I awoke," Miss Spider said, glancing up at the half-demon. "What time does he usually wake up?"

"When Spiker and Sponge aren't demanding we make them breakfast, I'd say right about now."

"Then you should be there when he wakes. I think it will do him good."

Rin nodded gratefully at Miss Spider's words. "I'll go check on him now. But let me know if you see anything suspicious."

"Right, we'll give you a call if we see any pirates."

"Centipede!"

"What? We're heading for a deserted island. Who knows what's there?"

"We don't even know if the island is deserted."

Ignoring the adults' argument, Rin slipped down the tunnel and into the dim interior of the peach pit. She was grateful for the lack of bright light that indicated Glowworm was still asleep, but there was enough light pouring into the tunnel to allow those who needed light to see what they were doing. Cocking her ears, she could still hear Mrs. Ladybug moving about and judging from the absence of Earthworm's snores, he was awake too. Rin sighed, rubbing a hand over her face. The early mornings insisted on by Spiker and Sponge had been more of a nuisance than a hindrance for her, but she did prefer to sleep late as a general rule. Not having to get up at the crack of dawn was a relief, but like she had said, James was usually an early riser too. Naturally, Rin would have been happy to keep tending to James alone, but from the sound of it, Mrs. Ladybug and Mr. Grasshopper seemed to prefer the mornings. As such, she wouldn't have to worry about getting up early if they would be there to take care of her brother in the morning.

Rin paused as the meaning of that last thought sank in. Mere days ago, the thought of some other adult caring for James would have sent her into a rage. And if she were being honest, Rin was not at all willing to trust any humans- English, American, or otherwise- who proclaimed they had her and James's best interests at heart. So why was she comfortable with the idea of her new companions caring for James when she couldn't?

Because they actually do care for us.

Despite herself, Rin couldn't keep a small smile from stealing over her face. She couldn't deny it; simply put, these six strange human-like bugs were the kind of adults James needed in his life now. Their kind words, gentle touches, and genuine affection and concern couldn't be brushed off. James was certainly enjoying being around them and Rin could tell they adored the little boy. Not that was hard to do (obvious examples aside), but it did make her feel a bit better knowing she could rely on others to help care for James going forward. And... well, much as she found Mr. Grasshopper and Mrs. Ladybug's fussing over her current sleeping habits, it was kind of nice to have someone take an interest in general well-being.

That'll take some getting used to.

Rin's ears stiffened at the sound of a frightened whimper. As fast as she could, she darted over to Miss Sider's web and jumped back onto the ledge above James's makeshift bed. As she did, Rin saw her little brother twist in his blanket and try to shield his face.

"James-chan. James, it's alright."

James's eyes flew open and he gasped in fear. Upon seeing his big sister, the little boy sighed in relief and reached for her hand. Rin took his hand in her own and wrapped her other arm around him, draping her wing over her brother's back. James looked around and clutched his blanket to his chest, but his breathing was already slowing and he smiled at his sister.

"I'm okay now."

"You sure?"

"Yes. Just..."

"Another bad dream?"

James shuddered and nodded, reaching down next to him to retrieve his travel book. "I dreamed Auntie Sponge and Auntie Spiker found us and sent the rhino after me." James looked up at Rin. "I know I shouldn't worry, but-"

"It's okay," Rin assured him, pulling her little brother close. "I doubt we've seen the last of them anyway. But I promise I won't let them hurt you."

James nodded, rubbing at his eyes before standing up and pulling on his coat. Rin helped James over the web, nodding at the entrance up top.

"We've spotted an island. Your travel book say anything about that?"

James pulled his travel book from his coat pocket and opened it. "Yes, it's right here." Indeed, there was a lush island painted in light green right in the middle of the painted ocean. The little boy frowned in thought as he studied the page. "But... it wasn't here last night. Miss Spider and I looked at it together when she was making my blanket."

"Odd." Rin tapped a claw against her chin. "I wonder..."

"Wonder about what, dear?" Mrs. Ladybug had approached, followed by Earthworm.

"Good morning, Mrs. Ladybug. Good morning, Earthworm."

"Good morning, James." Smiling, Mrs. Ladybug wrapped her arms around James and the little boy happily returned the gesture. "Did you sleep well, dearie?"

James exchanged a quick look with his sister before nodding. "Yes. But Rin says we're getting close to an island. There's a picture of it on my travel book now, but it wasn't there last night."

"How could that happen?" Earthworm asked.

"There are ways. I can explain, but it'll be easier once we're all together." Rin nodded at the tunnel.

"Oh, everyone's already up top? I have breakfast laid out."

"I can help carry it up," Rin volunteered. "James-chan, why don't you head up? The others will want to see the travel book."

James nodded and headed up the ladder, closely followed by Earthworm. Rin followed Mrs. Ladybug back into the center room where the metal tub from the night before laid overturned and covered with an oversized British flag. Eight plates of peach had been set out and Rin felt her nose twitch in surprise.

"Where'd you get the cinnamon?"

"I had some in my bag. I had forgotten it was there, so I thought it was would be a nice surprise for everyone. Now I imagine we'll-" Mrs. Ladybug's words were cut off as Rin easily hefted the set "table" and began carrying it. "Are you sure you can carry all of that?"

"I've carried boulders twice this size a few leagues without a problem. This is nothing."

"Oh. My goodness, I had no idea. And you're so slim, Rin; I would have never guesses you had that kind of muscle."

The half-demon shrugged. "One of the advantages of being half-demon."

"I suppose. Oh, would you mind putting that down for a second?"

"Um, okay." Rin lowered the table and Mrs. Ladybug removed one of the full plates.

"Ms. Glowworm is still sleeping; I think we'll leave this for her when she wakes."

Rin hefted the table over hear head as Mrs. Ladybug set the plate close to where Glowworm could lower her lantern to. The half-demon twitched her ears, noting the soft snores and breathing coming from close to the ceiling. "Guess she likes sleeping in too."

"I must say I'm surprised you're awake, Rin."

"You and Mr. Grasshopper both. But believe me, early mornings are something I try to avoid as a rule."

"That does not surprise me." Mrs. Ladybug laid a hand on Rin's arm, halting her. "Tell me truthfully, though, is James alright?"

Rin looked away from Mrs. Ladybug's concerned gaze. "He had a nightmare."

Mrs. Ladybug nodded. "Unfortunately, I'm not surprised by that either."

"Thankfully, he had his bad dream just before he woke up, so him getting through most of the night without one is something to be grateful for."

"I'm guessing he has bad dreams quite often?"

"Hai."

"The poor dear. So young and to have gone through what he did. Oh, I'd give those two aunts of yours a piece of my mind if I had them in front of me right now!"

They're not my aunts anymore and the only thing I'd give them is a taste of my claws. Out loud, Rin merely commented,

"I guess you know how to deal with bad dreams, then?"

"Oh, of course. We'll all help James with his nightmares as much as we can. And you too, dear."

"Me?"

"You lost your parents too. And... well, this wasn't your first loss, was it?"

Rin paused just under the open hatch. "No. My father died when I was four."

"That must have been awful for you." Mrs. Ladybug laid another gentle hand on Rin's arm. The half-demon gritted her teeth, but forced herself not to pull away.

"I... it's not important right now. Let's just focus on this island and what it could hold."

"As you wish, dear. But please know you can talk to any of us; we're here for you too."

Rin merely nodded and quickly scaled the ladder, the weight of the makeshift table and a laid-out breakfast not even close to a burden for her. The half-demon blinked in the sunlight and laid the upturned tub on the opposite end of the peach from where everyone was gathered. Mrs. Ladybug emerged from the tunnel as Rin straightened up and scanned the horizon. While she still couldn't see it clearly, there was clearly a landmass out on the ocean that was steadily getting closer.

Yeah, that's the scent of trees alright and they're in full bloom. And... fresh water. No wonder the seagulls are in such a hurry to get to the island.

"Rin." Rin was jerked out of her thoughts by James tugging at her hand. "Come on, let's have breakfast."

"Hmm? Oh, hai, of course." The half-demon sat down next to her little brother, joining the rest of the group at the table.

"A lovely spread, thank you, Mrs. Ladybug," Mr. Grasshopper was saying now.

"Oh, it was no trouble."

"Still, would be nice to eat somethin' other than fruit," Centipede said, scooping up a mouthful of cinnamon-flavored peach. "But I gotta remember to add cinnamon to peaches more often."

"We will have to keep that in mind for the future," Miss Spider agreed. "But we are lucky food is not a problem for us right now."

"Especially because we don't know what's on that island," Earthworm groused.

"Or where it came from, according to your book, James," Mr. Grasshopper added.

"Rin said she may know. Don't you?" James looked up at his sister, who quickly swallowed down her portion of peach before answering.

"I don't know for sure, but I have heard of such things like this island. Some yokai can create powerful shields or barriers that can hide their territories. My uncle has a barrier around the Kurosaki manor that only we can access."

"Do you sense any demons, Rin?"

"No, James-chan, I can't." Rin stood up and unfurled her wings. "But I think I should scout the island out first. There may not be any other yokai living there, but that doesn't mean it's deserted."

"A good point, my dear, but all the same, be careful."

Rin raised an eyebrow at Mr. Grasshopper. "You're still worried after seeing what I did to that shark?"

"Considering we still don't know where that shark came from, you'd be wise to be careful!" Earthworm piped up. "If you're not careful, you could be attacked."

"If I'm attacked, I'll defend myself," Rin retorted, hardly able to keep the annoyance out of her tone.

"Honestly, Rin," Mrs. Ladybug chastised, cutting off the argument. "Earthworm has a point; it doesn't hurt to be cautious."

"Oh, for Heaven's sake, I've done this more times than I can count! I'm trained to scout and fight; it's what I do when I visit my family in Japan!"

"You will be alright though, won't you?" James asked, grasping his sister's hand.

Her anger instantly fading, Rin gave her brother a reassuring smile. "Of course, James-chan. I'll be back before you know it."

James returned his sister's smile and released her hand. Rin stepped forward to the edge of the peach and spread her wings. A single jump and she was airborne. The half-demon circled the peach once before flying off in the direction of the island. As she did, she heard Centipede mutter,

"Think you found your calling as a demon tamer, kid."

For New York's sake, you'd better hope that's true. Oh, well, all in good time.

Swooping over the island, Rin tilted her ears as she skimmed the tops of the trees. Hmm, no voices, but she could hear the various skittering of small animals in the foliage. The scamper of mice and rabbits, the squeal of a wild pig, the slithering of snakes, and the twittering of various birds, Rin heard it all. The burble of a waterfall over rocks made Rin fly closer to the source. If there were people living on the island, they would likely be close to the water.

Flying lower, Rin finally spotted the waterfall. Like she thought, it wasn't a big one; rather, the water flowed from a burbling river a few feet down over a rocky outcrop into a lagoon. The lagoon, which was surrounded by a grassy meadow, flowed in an aqua ribbon through the trees and out to the ocean. The half-demon landed on the grass and looked around, ears cocked for any sound. Aside from the numerous nature noises, the island was silent. All well and good, but... Rin frowned, her whole body tense. She didn't feel anything, but she wasn't so certain the island was deserted. With a growl, she approached the water.

Rin knelt by the lagoon and sniffed. Dipping a claw in, the half-demon tasted the water and was pleased to find it was both clean and cool; perfect for drinking. The half-demon nodded; peach juice aside, fresh water would be a huge benefit. And aside from the animals, there were probably fish in the shallows, so-

What was that?

Jumping to her feet, Rin growled and bared her fangs and claws. The half-demon looked around, anticipating an attack, but nothing happened. Rin relaxed a bit, but she was all the more convinced she wasn't alone on the island.

But who else would be here? I don't sense any demons, and I would have heard humans by now. The half-demon hissed in anger, but the challenge went unheeded. Shaking her head, Rin headed for the beach, which was only a few feet away. Her own feelings aside, she might as well check if the seas around the island were viable for fishing.

Rin walked down to the tideline, savoring the feeling of sand under her bare feet once more. Looking around, the half-demon noted the wide expanse of beach and the towering rocky cliffs that framed the shoreline. No doubt, the tops of the cliffs were home to wide meadows, just like the ones back in England. Turning her attention back to the sea, Rin watched as a gentle wave slid over the sand, its aquamarine hue mixed with pure white foam. Sure enough, she spotted several silvery glints in the clear water. Perfect; they would have fruit, fresh water, meat and fish. Odd feeling aside, the island certainly had plenty to offer.

A soft warm breeze caressed the half-demon's bare arms and she tilted her face to the sun's rays. For an instant, she was back home, all was well, and Father was...

Well, no, Father was still dead, but her mother and step-father were alive and so James was safe and happy too. And... sure, their new friends could join them. Why not; it was likely they'd be together from now on.

Alright then, might as well give them the news. Spreading her wings, Rin ran forward, splashing into the shallows before jumping and soaring upward once more. Gliding on the soft currents, Rin felt herself rise back up to the peach's level. Executing a neat mid-air flip, the half-demon landed effortlessly on the peach's fuzzy surface.

"Well, the island seems deserted and I didn't sense anything, but I still felt watched. I can't say for sure if there's anything to be worried about, but I'd stake my life in saying the island is not deserted."

"Then I'm in favor of flying right past. No sense in-" Earthworm's words were cut off by the excited squawks of seagulls. The entire group looked up as the peach started to sink as its speed decreased.

"Looks like the birds have other ideas," Centipede noted, a grin stealing over his face.

"I can't blame them; they've been carrying the peach for nearly twenty-four hours. Stands to reason they'd need a rest." Mr. Grasshopper peered through his monocle as the peach neared the island. "And if I had to guess, they're going to head for fresh water first."

"Hai. There's a lagoon of fresh water near the center of the island. We should see about getting some for ourselves. There's also plenty of fish in the shallows and rabbits and a few wild pigs if we want meat."

"Do you have a way to cook meat?"

"Actually yes. But we'll need wood."

"Oh, is that all?"

"Thank you, Earthworm, but let's focus on one issue at a time." Mr. Grasshopper polished his monocle on his sleeve. "First of all, I do agree that fresh water should be our top priority. Ahh, and it looks like we won't have to go far to get it."

By now, the peach was right over the middle of the island. Cawing in excitement, the seagulls headed right for the crystalline waterfall. The peach skimmed the tops of a few trees before coming to rest at the edge of the lagoon with a slight bump. Thankfully, the silk tethers were long enough that the seagulls were able to roost on the rocks over which the waterfall spilled. Soon, the entire rock face was covered in white birds lapping up the cool water and roosting on outcrops.

"Well, looks like the gulls ain't goin' anywhere, so all ashore!"

"And just how are we supposed to get down?" Earthworm asked, halting Centipede's excitement. "That ladder in the tunnel isn't long enough."

"We don't need a ladder." Everyone turned to see Rin and James already descending the fence spiraled along the peach's golden body. James waved excitedly at the bugs. "The fence goes all the way to the bottom. It's perfect!"

"There, see. No problem!"

"That was James's idea, Centipede," Miss Spider replied, pushing past the arthropod to follow the siblings. The others followed suit and soon enough, they were standing on the soft grass that banked the lagoon.

"Oh, isn't that a lovely sight?" Mrs. Ladybug paused to admire the waterfall spilling into the crystal blue lagoon. The morning sun made the water's surface sparkle, throwing light onto the early summer grass and giving an almost ethereal glow to the entire area. "How lucky we are to be here to see it."

"Hai, it's lovely, but like I said, I think there's something close by."

"Maybe we should stay aboard the peach, then."

"No need. I'll track it down."

"Are you sure you should do that, Rin?" Mr. Grasshopper asked.

"I told you-"

"-that you spent your summers hunting rival demons with your family. Yes, I remember. But you're the only Kurosaki here at the moment. Would hunting an unknown threat alone be wise?"

"Better than letting it come to us. Besides, I was planning on hunting anyway."

"Are you really planning on bringing back an entire pig or rabbit?" Mrs. Ladybug asked.

"Do you want one?"

"Er, no thank you, dear. I was just thinking that, given we don't have a way to store or preserve meat, it might be better to catch a few fish for tonight instead."

Rin shrugged. "Fair point. Better leave that to me though; all I need are my claws or a sharpened stick if it's fish we're going after."

"Just don't expect me to help you with fishing."

"You can collect dirt, Earthworm," James said before Rin could deliver a biting remark. "I'll bet you miss having some."

"Actually... yes. Thank you, James. That's a good idea."

"Why don't you do that while we collect fresh water?" Mrs. Ladybug asked. "Lucky us, we have several oversized containers; I know I saw several teacups and and a kettle in the pit. We should have plenty to fill with dirt for Earthworm and water for all of us."

"You do that." Centipede threw a few arms around James, pulling him close. "Looks like we're the firewood team, kiddo. Whaddya say?"

"I would say we should stay close," Miss Spider said, joining the two. "Wandering off would not be wise."

"You'll need my claws to cut up the bigger logs that we'll need for a proper fire. If I were you, I'd take some of the lowest branches from the trees around here to start with," Rin suggested.

"We can do that!" James beamed at the idea. "But we should help carry the water containers out of the peach first."

"That would be a big help, thank you, James." Mr. Grasshopper fondly tousled James's hair as he spoke. "And what's more, it would mean we'd all stay close for now."

"Right, you do what you need and I'll look around. Call me if you need anything."

"Will do, Rin. You have fun," Centipede called.

"Come back soon, Rin."

"I promise, James-chan."

Rin watched as the group headed back into the peach before darting off into the trees. Good, James was safe and she was free to hunt. Despite the meal of peach, Rin's stomach was growling and she was eager for fresh meat. Skidding to a stop, Rin stood still and listened. Okay, a few rabbits were close by, but... ahh, over there. Silent as a shadow, Rin slipped through the trees, taking care not to snap any twigs. Hiding behind a tree, Rin waited as the half-grown wild pig she was tracking passed right by where she was hiding.

The pig tried to run as Rin's hand caught it by the back of the neck, but it was too late. It started to squeal before Rin squeezed its throat as hard as she could, crushing its airway and snapping its neck. The pig flopped limply in Rin's grip as she tore the tough skin from its flanks and sank her fangs into the warm meat. For the next few minutes, the half-demon crouched on the ground and feasted away, savoring the rich taste and the crunch of bones.

Zssssssst!

Rin raised her dripping face from the pig's carcass. What?

Zssssssst! THUMP!

Rin jumped to her feet, heart pounding. A demon was close by and, judging from the thumping footsteps, it was big. The half-demon growled, sniffing the air and stretching her senses to pinpoint the demon's location. How in the hell had it managed to come out of nowhere? Almost as if-

Something was shielding this demon. And it's headed for-

ZSSSSST! THUMP!

CHIKUSHOU!

With a furious roar, Rin turned and raced back through the trees. Whatever had been watching her earlier had expected her to come after it, so her unseen opponent was waiting for her to leave her kin so it could attack them.

A furious roar echoed through the trees followed by screams of terror. Rin burst the trees, aiming for the massive shape that was about to leap over the lagoon and attack the rest of the group. Rin slammed into the foul-smelling brute, knocking it clear off its feet and making the ground tremble. Leaping over to the side of the lagoon where the peach was stationed, Rin placed herself in front of her companions, claws bared and wings half-spread in an aggressive pose. Behind her, Mr. Grasshopper was standing firmly in front of Mrs. Ladybug and Earthworm, the latter of whom was curled as close to the peach as possible. Centipede, meanwhile, had grabbed a sturdy looking tree branch and was shielding Miss Spider, who had wrapped James in a protective embrace and yet, looked as ready to attack as Rin was. Before anyone could say anything, their attacker jumped back to its feet.

"GET OUT OF HERE! RUN FOR THE BEACH AND STAY THERE!"

Startled out of their shock by the half-demon's command, the six bugs and the small boy obeyed. Mr. Grasshopper helped Mrs. Ladybug and Earthworm along while Centipede stayed close to Miss Spider and James, his eyes never leaving the snarling monster. Rin quickly turned her attention back to her opponent, now realizing what it was.

The HELL is an oni doing here?

The oni snarled, rearing up to its full impressive height. Its single red eye oozed slime, as did its gaping, fang-filled maw. It gripped a spiked wooden club in one hand, displaying a set of sharp talons on the other and a pair of chipped horns poking out of a tangled mat of purple hair. While the skin on its face, arms, and chest was a mottled red, its legs were furred and ended in cloven hooves. Snarling, the oni stomped its hooves and swung its club over its head in an obvious challenge. Rin bared her own claws and charged into battle, snarling in fury.

The oni swung its club in a clumsy arc. Rin easily dodged it and slashed out with her claws, raking open the flesh on the creature's side. The oni roared, but instead of staggering back, it swung its other hand at Rin. The half-demon heard the whistle of air through the oni's talons and quickly rolled to the side, flaring her wings as the oni stumbled. Before it could get its footing, the half-demon launched herself forward and onto the oni's back. The oni dropped its club and arched its back, roaring in pain as Rin dug her claws in, ripping the flesh apart. Her face and arms splattered with blood, Rin sank her fangs into the oni's neck, seeking to rip its throat out. The oni fell to its knees, but instead of pitching forward, it threw its full weight to the side and slammed Rin against the ground. Momentarily stunned, Rin released her hold on the oni and gasped for air. The oni reared up and raised its clawed hand, intent on stabbing the half-demon, but the half-demon was too fast. She rolled to one side, scrambling to her feet, but felt her heart drop at the sound of charging footsteps, the sound of wood meeting flesh, and the oni roaring in sudden pain.

"GET THE HELL AWAY FROM HER, YA BASTARD!"

Whirling around, Rin turned to see Centipede swinging his tree branch like a war club of his own. Thanks to his many arms, he was able to put quite a lot of force into the blow. The wood slammed into the oni's torn and bleeding back and the oni turned its attention to its new opponent. It sliced its claws through Centipede's club, shredding it to splinters in the blink of an eye and causing Centipede to stumble back.

"GET BACK!" In a flash, Rin was between the two. She barreled into Centipede, knocking him out of the oni's attack range. Unfortunately for the half-demon, the oni managed to rake its claws over her upper arm, opening a sizable gash. Out of reflex, Rin swung her wing at the oni and felt her wing spikes catch on gooey flesh. The oni leapt back, shrieking in pain and covering its eye.

"GO!" Rin pushed Centipede forward and the two ran toward the beach, the oni hard on their heels. "ARE YOU CRAZY?"

"WHAT DID YA THINK? I'D LET YOU FACE IT ALONE?"

"YOU'VE NEVER FOUGHT A DEMON, IDIOT! YOU'LL BE KILLED!"

As if to prove her point, a few of the trees just behind the two were sliced to ribbons. Rin and Centipede just barely made it back to the shore were everyone was gathered when the oni stumbled onto the beach. Rin's strike hadn't taken the oni's eye, but the oozing orb was now filled with blood. The oni threw back its head and bellowed in rage and pain.

"EVERYONE GET BEHIND ME!" Rin turned to face the oni, taking a deep breath. She felt the power rising within her and just when the oni was a few feet away from her, the half-demon opened her mouth and let loose with a ghastly screech.

"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"

The oni halted in its tracks as the sound waves slammed into its body, making it stagger back. Clasping its hands over its ears, the oni fell to his knees and screamed, but its own cry was lost in the high-pitched shriek still emitting from Rin's fanged mouth. Blood spurted from the oni's eye, ears and nose until, unable to take it, it slumped over, twitched and went still before disintegrating into a mound of ash and bone dust. Rin stopped her shriek and fell to her knees, gasping for breath.

"Rin!"

The half-demon shook her head as the sound of pounding footsteps reached her.

"I'm fine... really... That attack just takes... a good amount of power... is all."

"You're not fine. You're hurt." Mrs. Ladybug flitted over to her and seized the half-demon's arm. Three bloody gashes stood out against her skin, which was cut clear to the bone. "Oh, this is bad."

Rin yanked her arm back, hiding it from James who had reached her other side. "It's fine. I just need a bandage or a cloth."

"You need stitches, is what you need," Mr. Grasshopper retorted, looking over Mrs. Ladybug's shoulder as she was pulling several handkerchiefs from her bag.

"I most certainly do not. Now may I borrow a handkerchief or should I just tear a strip from my shirt?"

"You're really bleeding, though."

Rin gave her brother a reassuring smile, taking the first handkerchief Mrs. Ladybug offered her. "Don't worry, James-chan. This isn't the first time I've been cut by an oni."

"Oni?"

Rin nodded at the pile of dust that had once been a living breathing creature. "That's what that thing was. They're a type of demon, but they're more like trolls than proper yokai. Certainly no match for me."

James frowned in thought before turning back to his sister.

"If an oni is a demon, how come you couldn't sense it?"

"Because something was shielding it. I would have sensed that oni as soon as I set foot on the island, but something wanted it hidden until it was close enough to attack."

"Then we should get back to the peach as soon as possible. We may yet by in danger."

Before Rin could reply to Mr. Grasshopper, a deep rumbling growl echoed from the nearby cliffs.

"Another one?" Earthworm cowed backward, turning his head to pinpoint the sound. Rin tied off the makeshift bandage on her arm, eyes wide as she stood.

"That's not on oni's roar. That's..."

"That's what, Rin?"

Before Rin could answer, one of the rocks in front of the cliff was knocked aside, revealing a massive cavern carved into the cliffside. And emerging from the cavern was-

"It's a dragon's roar."

The dragon paused once it was halfway out of the cave and laid down, folding it front legs as it surveyed the group. Its body was covered in light blue scales, which shone like a cloudless sky on a spring day. Ivory horns curved delicately over its angular head and it eyes were a brilliant silver. The dragon tilted its head before speaking in perfect English.

"So, you defeated my oni. Do you wish to challenge me as well?" The voice that echoed over the beach was that of a female, but there was no doubt that the softness of the dragon's voice only masked the power underneath.

"You plannin' on attackin' us too?" Centipede shot back.

"Centipede, may I remind you that diplomacy is the better part of valor?" Mr. Grasshopper said through gritted teeth.

"I am not planning on causing you harm," the dragon said calmly. "I am Azura Silvercrown and I am the ruler of this island. But I ask again, are you planning on challenging me?"

"On my honor as one of the Kurosaki family, we will not challenge you so long as we are in no danger."

Azura swung her head to stare at Rin. Thankfully, the dragon's mouth curved into a smile and she tilted her horned head in obvious gratitude.

"Ahh, I thought I sensed a hanyou. It has been some time since I met a half-demon. But you-" here the dragon turned to view the six humanized bugs- "you are not half-demon."

"I should say not!"

"Earthworm!"

"No, he's right. You are in no way related to yokai."

Azura laughed, the sound of her mirth not unlike the sound of soft chords played at dawn. "Well said, little Kurosaki. And that name is not unfamiliar to me. By chance, are you a descendent of Haruki Kurosaki?"

"Hai. He was my grandfather," Rin answered in surprise. "But I was never told he knew a dragon."

"You need not worry. I only knew of your grandfather; his reputation alone made mortals tremble in fear."

"That I was told."

Azura laughed softly again before turning her attention back to the rest of the group. "Since I have your word that you do not wish to challenge me, you have my word that I will not harm any of you."

"Are there any more monsters roaming about?" Earthworm asked.

"No. That oni was the only one on this island and he was under my service. A bit unwillingly, I might add, but he challenged me first. I spared his life and thus, he was indebted to me. I gave him free reign over the island, but I also made sure his presence wouldn't be known unless necessary."

"Which explains why you were unable to sense him, Rin," Mr. Grasshopper noted.

Azura nodded. "This island has been my home since I first landed here more years agon than I care to remember. Some years ago, I brought the oni here to act as my guard. Humans who find their way to my island haven't gotten further than the beach thanks to him, but most ships pass by without landing. I was quite surprised to sense such powerful magic, not to mention a hanyou, so I couldn't take the chance."

"Why would a dragon need a guard?" Centipede asked.

The dragon swung her head to stare at Centipede, but to everyone's surprise, she smiled.

"I am not worried for me," she said. "But rather, for them."

Azura shifted to one side, revealing a small mound of hollowed out dirt. Nestled inside, cradled on a bed of blackened sand, were five eggs of the purest blue.

"You have eggs," James breathed in excitement.

"You are a mother," Miss Spider affirmed, meeting Azura's proud gaze.

The dragon briefly nuzzled the eggs, making them glow slightly. Her tail curled around the nest, embracing her unhatched children.

"They won't hatch for some time yet, but I will do anything to keep them safe."

"Of course you would," Mrs. Ladybug agreed. "And our congratulations; I'm sure they'll be lovely."

"And I just destroyed one of your only means of defense," Rin sighed.

"Yeah, but you were defending us," Centipede reminded her.

Azura gave a soft laugh. "And a well-fought battle it was. But while I can shield my island, it takes a good deal of power to do so. And with my eggs to care for, I can't afford to keep my home hidden for too long."

Damn. "I'd offer you what power I have, but I don't think it would last long," Rin said.

"And doing so would put you in danger, Rin," Miss Spider reminded her. "We could not have that."

"What about the peach?" Everyone turned to look at James, who had clearly been giving the matter some thought. "The green things caused the peach to grow and no one could hear us once we were inside. Do you think there could be some magic left in the peach?"

"You came here on a peach?" the dragon asked.

"Try a peach the size of a house," Centipede said with a grin.

"How in the world did you manage to do that?"

"We attached the peach to a hundred seagulls and they flew us here," James answered.

"James came up with that idea," Miss Spider said, wrapping an arm around him.

"That he did," Mr. Grasshopper confirmed. "And we're more than happy to offer you a share of our peach with you, if it could offer some defense for you and your children."

Azura considered this. "A magic powerful enough to cause a peach to grow to the size you described and shield it from threats, not to mention what it did to all of you?" She nodded. "Yes, yes, I think that could work."

"C'mon kid, let's grab some for the lady."

"Go ahead, James," Rin agreed. "I think you should be the one to give it to Azura."

James nodded and followed Centipede back up the beach to the clearing. Azura watched them before turning back to the rest of the group.

"I take it you are on a journey?"

"Yes, Lady Azura, we are headed for New York City," Mr. Grasshopper replied.

"Ahh. You are a fair way from your destination yet. And there will be rain over the ocean tonight."

"Oh dear, should we hold off on leaving until tomorrow?"

"No. You would be wise to leave by early afternoon. If you stay here longer, you will be caught in the storm rather than just passing through rain."

Rin peered out at the ocean. The waters were calm and there wasn't a cloud in the sky, but the half-demon knew how quickly the weather could change. Indeed, she remembered another day that had started out with perfect weather and ended in both a storm and grief.

"Thank you for the warning, my Lady. We are mostly waiting on our seagulls to rest, but would you mind terribly if we took some fresh water on board?"

The dragon inclined her head at Mr. Grasshopper's request. "Most certainly. Do you require other supplies?"

"Some wood would be helpful," Rin said. "As would your permission to fish."

"Ahh, but of course. And if you like, there are some wild vegetables growing in the field just above my cave. There's a path from the shore up to the meadow. Take as much as you like."

"Thank you so much. Is there anything we can do for you?" Mrs. Ladybug asked.

"The magic from your peach should be enough, especially as your boy noted it already seems to have a magical shield of its own."

"Perhaps I can offer something." Miss Spider was already at work spinning. "I will take a bit of time, though."

Azura watched her movements with interest. "I would be honored to accept a gift. In the meantime, please, take what you need."

"I'll handle the wood and fishing," Rin said. "You can meet up with James and Centipede back at the peach to collect water."

"Very well. You will be alright as well, Miss Spider?"

"Quite."

"Thank you, Lady Azura. We'll bring you the peach as soon as finish."

"I look forward to it."

With renewed vigor, the group went about their tasks. Thankfully, the trees the oni had knocked down provided adequate wood and Rin's claws were indeed perfect for carving them into the perfect sized logs for a campfire. As such, it only took the half-demon about ten minutes to collect a good supply of wood. By the time, she had carried the load back to the peach, the rest of the group was busy filling several containers with the clear lagoon water. Earthworm, meanwhile, had amassed a small collection of oversized teacups and was busy filling them with packed dirt. Only one teacup sat to the side, filled with golden peach flesh.

"You weren't kiddin' about carving those logs."

"Claws come in handy."

"Is your bandage holding up?"

Rin glanced down at the blood-soaked handkerchief around her arm. "Hai, it is. But I'll give it a rinse in seawater when I get the fish."

"That's going to sting something awful!" Earthworm called.

"Which means it's healing!" Rin called back. She easily carried the wood into the peach, though her sharp ears caught Mrs. Ladybug's next words.

"Those were deep cuts though. I'm worried; we don't exactly have medical supplies."

"At this point, we're going to have to defer to Rin's knowledge of field medicine," Mr. Grasshopper said. "Once we get to New York, we can have a doctor look at her."

Good luck with that.

With the supply of firewood taken care of, Rin headed back to the beach. Glancing up at the sky, she judged it to be almost noon. The tide was staring to come in, so there would be more fish to catch. Casting about, Rin located a nearby tree with particularly sturdy branches. Yanking one off the trunk, Rin carved the end into a sharp point with her claws. Hefting the staff over her shoulders and grabbing a few more leafy branches, Rin walked down to the beach, set the other branches down, and waded into the shallows. The ocean water was blissfully cool against the half-demon's feet and lower legs and Rin allowed herself to enjoy the feeling of the waves swirling around her and of damp sand under her feet.

Stabbing her fishing staff into the sand, Rin waded out a fair distance and dived under the clear cool waves. As Earthworm had guessed, the salt stung her torn flesh, but at the same time, the half-demon could feel the remaining pain slipping away. Rin allowed the waves to carry her back to the shore where she had left her staff. Pausing, the half-demon crouched and shook herself off and running her claws through her hair. There, the sun would finish drying her. Adjusting the bandage on her arm, Rin grabbed her staff and headed back into the sea. Standing still in the shallows, Rin waited to strike. Soon enough, a good-sized fluke brushed by her leg and the half-demon didn't hesitate.

The point speared the fish before it could properly register what had happened. When Rin pulled it free, the fish was still trying to swim away. Stalking back to the shore, Rin pulled the fish free and wrapped it in the leafy branches. Satisfied her catch would be safe, the half-demon went back to her fishing, intent on catching at least seven fish to split between the group.

By the time the sun was overhead, Rin had a brace of three fluke, two grouper and two seabass. Slicing away the heads and tails, Rin spit the bodies back on her staff and headed back to Azura's cave. James, Centipede, and Earthworm were already there and Mr. Grasshopper and Mrs. Ladybug were approaching from the path the dragon had indicated. Between the two of them, the two older bugs were dragging Earthworm's overgrown glove behind them like a burlap sack.

"There. I think that will help."

Rin joined the group to see Miss Spider putting the finishing touches on a thickly woven web. Unlike her own, the web was more like a pouch with edges that curled in on itself. Holding it out to Azura, Miss Spider added,

"It should hold warmth well."

With extreme gentleness, Azura took the offered web and spread it over her eggs. The web drifted down onto the nest and curled over the eggs. Azura breathed a gentle puff of warm air over her nest and from under the thick silk, the eggs glowed even more brightly than they had from their mother's nuzzle. Azura smiled, her whole body taking on an extra shimmer much like her eggs.

"A most generous gift indeed. Thank you."

"It was my pleasure," Miss Spider answered. "But it is not the only gift we have for you."

"Ahh." Azura turned her attention to James, who was holding the teacup with the peach flesh. The little boy happily placed the teacup in the dragon's upturned front paw.

"I hope it helps you, Miss Azura."

"The dragon held the teacup up to her eyes. The entire cup began to glow bright orange, the same shade as the rich peach flesh it held. However, it soon took on a brilliant blue, the color of Azura's scales before settling on the brilliant emerald green of the crocodile tongues James and Rin had received only two mornings before.

"This is... very powerful magic." Azura set the cup close by her nest, where it continued to radiate green light. "I have no doubt it will ensure my children and I will stay shielded from those who would harm us. As such, I offer you my deepest thanks."

A slightly awed silence fell over the group, but thankfully, it was James who knew what to say.

"You're welcome, Miss Azura. We're glad we could help."

The dragon inclined her head at the little boy's words. "As much as I would like you to stay longer, noon has passed. I can feel a storm gathering not far from here and you will surely be in its path. If you leave now, you will likely only face some rain. But if you linger here, your seagulls won't be able to fight the coming winds."

"Thank you, Lady Azura. With that, we will take our leave."

"Be well, my friends. And may you find the city you speak of."

Rin hefted her staff of fish over one shoulder and before Mrs. Ladybug or Mr. Grasshopper could protest, slung the glove filled with vegetables over her other shoulder.

"Arigato, Azura-sama desu," she said, bowing the way she had been taught.

"Dou itashimashite desu," Azura answered, inclining her head in response. The dragon watched serenely from her cave as the six bugs, small boy, and young half-demon left her beach and vanished into the trees. With a smile, she turned back to her silk-wrapped eggs, running her muzzle over them as the teacup full of glowing green magic mingled with the blue of her scales.

"Yes," Azura whispered both to her eggs and the cup full of magic. "The storm comes, but I have no doubt they will weather it together."
************************************************************************************************************************************

"Do you think there really will be a bad storm?" James asked as the group made its way through the trees.

"Probably. Azura would know the weather around the island better than we would," Centipede said with a shrug. Unfortunately, the arthropod missed both the flicker of fear on James's face and Rin's glare as he spoke.

"Which is why it is good we are prepared." Miss Spider, who had missed neither of the siblings' expressions spoke up.

"And we won't be caught off guard by the change in weather," Mr. Grasshopper agreed. "And who knows, we may miss the rain entirely."

"Let's hope. But all the same, we'll be able to stay warm and safe inside the peach tonight," Mrs. Ladybug said.

"So long as there's no rain tomorrow."

"Oh. Why is that, Rin?"

"There's a full moon tomorrow. I want to be able to do some night flying then."

"Oh, a full moon over the ocean must be lovely," Mrs. Ladybug said delightedly. "I should like to see that."

"As would I," Miss Spider agreed. "As such, I agree with you, Rin. I would prefer there be no rain tomorrow."

"Let's hope then. And the sooner we can get away from stormy weather, the better."

The sun was just moving way from the center of the sky as the group reached the peach. At their approach, the seagulls were starting to hop about at the end of their tethers and stretching their wings.

"Good thing they didn't fly away when that monster attacked," Earthworm muttered, sliding up the fence.

"They must have been really tired," James said, pausing to watch a few of the birds flap their wings.

"That, and they probably didn't want to draw attention to themselves," Rin added. "Either way, they look rested now." The half-demon carried both her catch of fish and the vegetable-loaded glove to the tunnel and slid down the ladder. Spotting the cache of wood and water, Rin tied off the top of the glove and set it and the staff of fish against the wall. The fresh water and vegetables would last a while and Rin knew she could always catch more fish. Azura had said that they shouldn't be caught in the storm, but Rin was glad to see they prepared if they went off course for another day or so.

"Alright, let's get flying." Centipede took his place by the stem and tugged on a few of the strings just as Rin emerged from the tunnel to join the others. The seagulls at the end of the strings cawed in mild annoyance, but they flapped their wings, hopped forward a few paces and started flying. The others began following suit and the peach began to rise from ground back into the air. Peering over the side, the group watched as the island fell away from them. The peach had just cleared the tops of the trees when the entire island began to shimmer. Before their eyes, the entire land mass faded from sight until there was nothing but water where there had once been land.

"You were right, James-chan," Rin said. "The magic from the peach worked perfectly. No one will find the island now."

"What? It's gone?" Earthworm tilted his head. "That must be why I can't hear the wind through the trees."

"Neither can I," Rin said. "I can't smell the island either."

"Then Azura and her babies will be safe, right?" James asked, looking at Rin for confirmation.

"Hai. Looks that way."

"I'm glad. It's amazing to think there will be dragons born in the middle of the ocean," Mrs. Ladybug.

"And knowing they will be born in safety. I am glad we could help," Miss Spider added.

"Me too. But hey, we're back on the way to New York again. That's somethin' else to be glad about."

"Indeed." Mr. Grasshopper smiled in the direction of the island before turning to Centipede, who was adjusting the stem to chart out the route. "I must say I'm surprised you were able to keep us on course without a compass. Perhaps I did underestimate you, Centipede."

"Well..." Centipede scrubbed his face in embarrassment. "It was more Rin than me. She set us on the course; I just listened to her. Me, I lived between two pages of a National Geographic."

"Why am I not surprised?" Mr. Grasshopper asked, raising an eyebrow at him. "How many seas are there, Mr. Centipede?"

"Yeah, yeah, I know. I'm sorry. Guess I just got caught up in the spirit of the adventure."

"You helped to fight against the oni, Mr. Centipede," James piped up, lightly tugging on one of Centipede's lower hands. "I thought that was brave."

"Aww, thanks, kid." Centipede grinned, wrapping a few arms around James and looking over at Rin. "Couldn't let you two get hurt."

Rin shook her head, but couldn't stop herself from smiling. "Not many mortals would rush into battle with an oni."

"There, see? Even Rin agrees."

"Don't push your luck, Baka-san."

"Rin!" James gave his sister a reproachful look.

"Oh trust me, James-chan, that's me being nice."

"Eh? Hey wait a minute, what does that even mean?"

"You're asking that now?" Rin asked with a grin.

"How many times has she called you 'Baka-San," Mr. Centipede?" Mr. Grasshopper asked.

"About three times," Rin clarified, still grinning as she watched the scene unfold.

"Mr. Centipede, 'baka' means stupid," James said softly.

There was a slight pause. Then-

"Hey!"

"Rin!"

"For Heaven's sake, Rin!"

"I am surprised it only took Centipede being called 'baka' three times to make him question it," Miss Spider noted.

"Oh come on!"

"Well, you did try to pass yourself off as an expert navigator," Mr. Grasshopper reminded him.

"Yeah, yeah, I know." Centipede turned to give Rin a rueful grin. "Whaddya say, Rin, should we head back north?"

"Hai, but we should keep west as well."

"I gotcha." Centipede pulled on the stem, watching as the seagull flock turned at his command. "Think that'll do it?"

"We're going the right way." James had unfolded his travel book and was watching the peach's progress. "Look, we're headed right for the city. But the island's gone!" Sure enough, the travel book showed the peach right on course for New York City, which almost seemed to be glowing on the brightly colored paper. However, the picture of the island the peach was moving away from had vanished completely.

"Fascinating." Mr. Grasshopper peered at the travel book. "Perhaps the magic we lent to Lady Azura erased any traces of her home from existing records."

"A perfect shield. I wouldn't be surprised if people who marked that island's location forget about it completely," Rin added.

"Does that we're going to forget about the island?" Earthworm asked, raising his upper body off the peach surface.

"I won't," James said softly. "I couldn't ever forget meeting a dragon."

"I do not think any of could forget that," Miss Spider agreed, smiling at James.

"Somehow I don't think we'll forget. After all, we gave her the means to create the shield. Our being able to remember may be her way of thanking us," Rin said.

"Well, I don't know about everyone else, but I've had my fill of adventure for today," Earthworm grumbled as he made his way to the tunnel. "I'm goin' to relax. And if we see any other islands, let's pass them by."

"I think we could all use a rest," Mrs. Ladybug agreed. "How's your arm, Rin?"

"Don't worry, it's fine. But I think I will take a rest. Like I usually do in the afternoon." This last comment was directed at both Mr. Grasshopper and Mrs. Ladybug, who were giving her knowing looks.

"You're going to go flying later, right?"

"Most likely, James-chan. Nice to be back on our usual schedule again."

Rin ducked back into the tunnel to find a place to nap. Choosing a small alcove close by the tunnel entrance, Rin sat down against the wall, wrapped her wings tightly around her body and settled down to sleep. Of course, she still heard the conversation going on above her.

"James, when your sister said your "usual schedule," does that mean she stays up most nights?" Mr. Grasshopper asked.

"I know she doesn't like to get up early, but she was always awake when I got home from school," James answered. "But she usually goes out flying at night after I go to bed."

"Hey, like I said, she's old enough to know what she needs. Besides, she's a bat, ain't she?"

"She is half-bat demon, yes, but she's still a young girl," Mrs. Ladybug replied. "I just hope she's actually going to rest."

"She will," James said and Rin felt her heart squeeze at the tone of her brother's voice. "Rin always says she doesn't get tired like humans do, but I think she just says that to make me feel better. She always did most of the work at our aunts' house so I wouldn't have to and she never complained about it or about having to getting up early."

Oh, James-chan...

"My dear boy, how kind of you to say," Mr. Grasshopper said, pride in his voice. "Rin is lucky to have you as her brother."

"You are lucky to have each other," Miss Spider added. "As are we."

Rin was already drifting off, but she heard that last statement. The last thing she felt before sleep claimed her was agreement with Miss Spider's words. She and James were indeed lucky to have each other and they were just as lucky to have their new friends to call kin as well.
~

And to think, fighting an oni and meeting a dragon only took half the day. The rest of that second day? I'll get to that, but I will say that, in a way, it was even better.

Author's Note: Rest in Peace, Meatloaf. Listening to "Bat Out of Hell" led to the inspiration for Rin.