"Oh crap…" I muttered and had many reasons for doing so. First thing I realized was that I was still wearing the skirt. Falling downwards meant it went up and when I attempted to hold it down with one hand and keep Akumei steady with the other, he quickly started slipping. The crutch was hard to hold onto as well. Another thing was that when I scanned the sky all I saw were stars. Sure enough, within seconds, I was undergoing the transformation yet again into a human. "Crap!" I shouted it this time as I unfolded the wings, which had come in during transforming, and flapped them hard, drastically slowing our descent. "Sometimes it really sucks to be a half demon!" I saw lights out of the corner of my eye and glanced down, seeing a large castle below. "Might as well…" I murmured as I changed course so I'd land in its courtyard area.

No sooner had I touched down when something came flying at me. I screamed and threw up my arms. Instantly the green barrier sprang up to protect me and I had time to set Akumei down behind me and draw my sword. "Who did that?" I shouted, trying to see through the dust caused by the mini explosion.

"Who are you to invite yourself into a demon lord's castle?" Someone demanded.

"What…?" I blinked, seeing a dark figure as the dust settled. It was a man with long dark hair that went well past his waist, pulled into a ponytail. He was glaring me down and smelled of demon. "I needed to land and saw that there may be people here that I could stay with until I leave again!"

"You do not barge into a demon lord's castle and expect them to welcome you!" The man cried angrily.

"So it's normal for you to randomly attack?" I winced, kneeling down on one knee because of the pain in my thigh. This isn't good… If he attacks again I won't be able to move quickly!

"It wasn't random!" He snapped back. "And wings…? How dare you set foot here, angel!"

I blinked again in confusion. "What…? You're not making any sense!" I cried. "I'm not an angel. I'm a demon as well! I just happen to have wings!"

"You expect us to believe these lies?" He yelled. "And you are most definitely a human."

"That's because I'm not a full demon so I change into a human one night each month!"

"That's unheard of! What lies are you spreading?"

"Shut up! I'm not lying!"

"You carry a sword. You obviously have come to slay the demon lord here."

"Yeah, of course. That's why I brought this wounded man with me." I replied sarcastically.

I jumped as I noticed a boy standing beside me. He seemed about my age but maybe a little younger with short spiked hair. He was walking around me, pulling on the wings. "These are real, huh?"

I nodded mutely as an older girl with shoulder length hair appeared out of nowhere as well. "That's a really nice sword… Mine broke on his head." I followed her pointing finger to a boy with blonde hair who was behind the man, peering around him. I now realized that the man was attempting to protect him from anything I might throw at them.

"Oh…! Is he the demon lord you guys think I'm out to get?" I asked, referring to the blonde boy. He seemed about the same age as the other boy, fifteen. All four froze and stared at me. "What…?" I asked nervously.

"You guessed right! I think you're the first person to ever identify Raenef as the demon lord instead of Eclipse!" The boy said in awe.

I laughed. "Really? I can't imagine why…"

I flinched back, still laughing softly as the man, Eclipse, screamed at the pair. "What are you two doing near her? If you don't move, I'll kill you both!" His face fell into shock as he saw Raenef was now standing in front of me.

"You're not a full demon?" He asked in wonder.

I nodded, trying not to laugh at Eclipse's face as I put away the sword. "Yeah, my dad was a full demon and my mom was only half." I turned to stare at the other boy who was still pulling on my wings. "Are you done?"

"Oh, sorry… I'm Chris." He added.

"And I'm Erutis." The girl muttered, eyeing me strangely.

"I'm Kira…" I murmured, watching her back. "What's… wrong…?"

"Ignore her." Chris said. "She's feels threatened when there are prettier girls around. Ow!" He shouted as she hit him over the head.

"If you're referring to the way I'm dressed, I didn't mean to. I was given these clothes to replace the torn up ones and no others. It's kind of awkward to fly in…" I explained, scratching the back of my head.

"I think it's pretty!" Raenef cried.

I smiled. "Heh, thank you." He had this childlike innocence that made me want to hug him, but I restrained, feeling Eclipse's gaze on me. "Look!" I cried out, facing him. "I put away my sword. Now I'm just a defenseless human. I'm not going to try anything!"

"How did you stop my dark arrow a second ago?" Raenef asked.

"Dark arrow…? Oh! That blast that came at me when I landed? I used my…" I trailed off as I saw Eclipse watching me.

"Used your what? I thought you were a defenseless human now!"

"Quiet, it came out on its own to protect me."

"What did?" Chris asked.

"My spirit energy."

"What's that?" Raenef asked.

"This…" I held out my hand and made what appeared like a green flame in my hand. It flickered around just like a real fire. "Spirit energy!"

"How are you…?" I turned curiously towards Eclipse as he spoke. "No incantation or anything? You use your magic so easily yet you're still so young!"

"I'm not that young actually." I shrugged. "I'm over five hundred years, maybe even six hundred by now! But I like to tell people I'm sixteen since that's how long ago I was last…" I smiled, sticking my tongue out at the shocked faces around me. "I'll just stop now. My past is too confusing… And it's not magic, it's spirit energy. Two completely different things."

"Wow!" Chris cried. "Teach me how to use it!"

"I'm not exactly sure how… and it's not normal for humans to be able to access it."

"Aww…" He pouted grumpily.

I laughed again. "Don't worry about it. You have to take a long time to learn to control it properly and because of certain events, mine was gathered and stored for me. Then it had to be drawn back into my body… Man that hurt like hell!" I shivered at the memory but my smile quickly returned and I turned to Raenef. "Since you're in charge I suppose I'd better ask you. Would it be alright if I stayed here for just a couple days at the most?"

"Of course!" He replied without a moment's hesitation.

"Master Raenef!" Eclipse cried. "She's a human! We already have enough running around already!"

"Chill out!" I sighed. "What harm will one more do then? Besides, by morning I'll be a demon again, I promise."

"Chill… out…?" Eclipse echoed as he watched Raenef and the others leading me away on a tour of the castle. Then he glanced over and saw Akumei lying propped against a wall. He's a demon too… He sighed and quickly hurried after us.

After getting lost a couple of times and having Eclipse point us back in the right direction, we returned to the courtyard. I checked on Akumei and then went back to the others. "It's late Master Raenef." Eclipse murmured as he saw the boy yawning.

He nodded and wandered inside the castle, wobbling slightly. Eclipse started after him but stopped to stare at me. "And where do you expect to sleep?"

"I'll stay out here." I smiled. "I don't want to be a burden."

He regarded me for a moment and then nodded, hurrying off to follow the young demon lord. "Are you sure?" Chris asked. "There are tons of empty rooms inside."

"No, it's fine." I laughed. "No worries."

"If you say so…" Erutis shrugged and she and Chris went inside as well.

I sat down beside Akumei, leaning against the stone wall. I was just spoiled and allowed to sleep in a real bed. Now it's time to return to outside again… I folded my legs beside me, wary of the skirt I was wearing and soon my chin slipped down to my chest. I fell asleep and gradually began sliding down the wall until I was lying on my side in the grass. I grabbed hold of it and shivered as the dew settled on my hair and skin. The wings unsettled from my back and draped tightly over me again but it didn't help.

I was unaware as the footsteps approached, pausing as I began to glow. The sliver hair flowed black again and the ears and tail reclaimed their spots. Markings faded into view and claws and fangs grew and sharpened. "A demon huh…" The figure shook his head and leaned over, spreading a blanket over me. Immediately I pulled it close and snuggled deep. He watched for a moment and then retreated into the castle.


I yawned and sat up, the blanket falling around my waist as I began rubbing my eyes. Who…? I sniffed the soft fabric and smiled, soon catching the scent of food as well. I held a hand up to shield my face from the morning sunlight and looked over. There was a stone dome supported by pillars with tables under it. Seated around one sat Raenef, Chris and Erutis with Eclipse standing to the side. Gathering up the blanket in my arms, I stood but fell back down almost immediately. "Crap…" I muttered as I bowed my head over my leg, clutching it tightly. Then, taking a deep breath, I grabbed up the almost forgotten crutch and used it to make my way towards the group. "Hello!" I called cheerfully and they all stopped and stared though I noted that Eclipse didn't seem as surprised as the others did by my change.

"What happened to you?" Chris gasped.

"I told you I'm a demon. This is my normal appearance."

"What kind of demon are you?" Raenef asked, standing in front of me.

I closed one green and gray eye as he began messing with my ears. "Mostly wolf, a little dog, and the final bit human." I smiled at Eclipse and handed him the blanket. "Thank you."

He took it and looked away. "What are you thanking me for?"

I just laughed and then looked past the group. "Hmm… Who are you?"

"Krayon! What are you doing here?" Erutis screamed. "And why are you eating my food again?" She snatched it away from him.

It was a man but with long wavy hair flowing down to his lower back. He had two stars under his left eye and I blushed, realizing how pretty he was. "You are a very strange girl. I saw you change last night. A human then and a demon now, a strange demon at that…"

"Err…" I didn't know quite what to say. "Ah-!" I flinched back as he stepped in front of me and grabbed my chin, turning it to see both sides of my face.

"True it is strange… But it's somewhat pretty as well." He murmured to himself as he pulled on an ear.

"Will you stop?" I muttered, growing annoyed. "And… are you calling me it?"

He gave an amused smile and released me, then snatching up my hand as I brought it to my own face. "Look at your claws…" He poked my side suddenly and I laughed aloud out of instinct, allowing him to see my teeth. "And such long fangs…!"

"Stop it!" I cried as I pulled my hand away and held it to my chest.

"Are those markings real?" He asked, totally ignoring me, as he pointed a finger to my cheek and forehead.

"Yes…" I replied reluctantly, crossing my arms over my stomach.

"You have wings too!" He circled me excitedly calling out any strange features he noted. "A locket? What's inside it? Is that a tail? It's so fluffy!"

"Ack!" I jumped as he pulled it. "Leave it alone. That hurts!"

Erutis had edged behind me and now shoved me in the back. "Yes Krayon, you can take her and leave me alone! She's much more interesting anyway!"

"What, no!" I stammered as I dropped my crutch and fell into Krayon who caught me. "Go away!" I pushed away from him and fell over, unable to stand on two legs, into the grass.

"You shouldn't act that way towards a demon lord, Kira." Eclipse advised. "I apologize for her actions Master Krayon. She isn't from around here. Say you're sorry." He ordered, turning on me.

"He's a demon lord…?" I blinked but quickly recovered. "No! He's the one who should apologize for messing with me!"

Eclipse looked at me in shock and I just glared as Krayon laughed and offered his hand. "Are you injured?"

I sighed and took his hand reluctantly. "Yes…"

He practically shoved me into a chair. "Will you let me see?"

"I can heal it myself…" I muttered as I rolled the skirt to my upper thigh, careful not to reveal anything. With a sigh, I saw that the blood was seeping through the bandages once again.

"What happened?" Raenef asked.

"It's nothing, I'm fine." I assured him as I placed my hands on the wound. I winced even at the light pressure but ignored it and found some energy. I had waited so I wouldn't run dry from using it all with Dark and when Raenef shot at me. By now I assumed I had gathered some back. My hands glowed for a moment and then I pulled them away, tearing the bandages with them. The skin was completely healed again.

"Wow!" Chris cried. "You're sure you can't teach me to use that energy?"

"Yeah, I'm sure." I smiled as I rose, testing my leg's strength. It seemed back to normal at least. "So what now?" I asked as I bent to pick up the crutch.

I watched with an amused smile as Krayon stood in front of Erutis. "Don't worry my love; she could never take your place in my heart."

"Get away from me!" She screamed at him, turning her back to his hurt face.

I began to laugh but froze, dropping to my knees and holding my head tightly. "Quiet!" I shouted and everyone hushed and stared at me.

Kira, are you ok?

Yeah, why do you ask?

After I sent you last time, I realized that you were hurt.

Well yeah, I was, but now I'm healed again.

Ok…Are you ready then?

Of course.

All right.

I looked up at everyone and climbed back to my feet. "I'm leaving now. Thank you for allowing me to stay the night. Maybe I'll see you guys again sometime!" I teased as I headed back towards Akumei. I stopped, seeing the camera bag. "Oh right!" I cried, pulling it out. "I need a picture of you all so I won't forget you!"

"Picture…?" Eclipse asked, eying the camera warily.

I nodded. "Don't worry about it. Just group together please before I have to leave!" After a little more pleading, I got them all in a group, Raenef, Eclipse, Chris, Erutis, and even Krayon and then I jumped in the middle as the camera flashed. "Thank you!" I smiled as I put it away again and draped the bag securely over my shoulder. I strapped the sword around my waist, took up the crutch in one hand, and managed to get Akumei's arm over my shoulder with the other. Right after I started glowing, laughing as everyone stepped back. "Well thanks again. I have to try and get back to my home world."

"I knew you were strange! You're not even from this world?" Krayon asked.

I smiled and shook my head. "Nope, I was sent from mine by a surprise attack. Well, thanks again! Bye!"

They remained staring for a while after I had left. Finally, Eclipse broke the silence. "Master Raenef, it's time for more lessons."

"Alright…" He said reluctantly and they left the group. The last three exchanged glances and went their separate ways as well, with Erutis screaming at Krayon to stop following her.


"Is she back yet?" Kyoshi asked, seemingly appearing out of nowhere as he dropped down from the sky to land in front of the young cat demon.

"No…" She shook her head almost regretfully, eyes wide with surprise at his sudden appearance.

"Oh well, I know you can do it." He smiled and she nodded gratefully.

"Hey, where have you been?" Hiei shouted.

"Collecting…" Kyoshi shrugged, holding out a hand full of various plants. "This should be enough to finish it."

"Finish what?" Hiei asked warily.

"You'll just have to wait and see." Kyoshi smirked as he sat back down with his back to Hiei so he could mix things in peace.