Manten woke them all up really early. Some demons were trying to break the barrier to The Human World. TheSevenAngels were sustaining the kekkai ( spiritual barrier) from the other side. For some reason, it looked like the monsters were running from something... they were frightened. When they reached The Haunted Wood – the only place connected to The Human World – not only monsters (youkays, as The Omens named them), but humans too, all trying to break through. Kamui jumped in the middle of them and slew a few that attacked him.
- You just don't know when to quit! said Manten. As long as we're securing the barrier, no one gets through!
- They've been acting like mad for almost a month! joined Minamino.
- You're the worst! replayed one of the demons, named Juromaru. Living on that cursed hill... she may have already possessed you!
- Be possessed by whom? asked Jakotsu laughing.
- By the Flute Lady! She arrives at my house every night, she starts playing her flute, and short after that, my woman tries to kill me, but in the morning she doesn't remember a thing! It gives me the creeps! says Juromaru with a horrified expression on his face.
- And she's coming from that mansion of yours! I wouldn't be surprised if you were the ones telling her to do this! I can't read the minds of none of you! Maybe you're tired of dealing with us! adds a human medium.
- We never had someone else stain their hands in our place. We won't start now. says Lumiere with the same elegance as usual.
- Are you sure it's not a rumor to keep us busy until you'll break the barrier? asked sarcastic Setsuna.
- I don't know what you're going to do, but if I were you, I'd take care of her first! There'll be more and more of us wanting to leave this wretched realm. The barrier can't stand too many, and you can't fight forever! spoke a human.
- After she's done with us you'll be next! shouted a youkay.
- I... I don't... really want her to leave... said a human.
- Are you insane! DO YOU WANT TO GET KILLED?
The monsters took distance from the one who said that.
- My daughter is very found of her. Every morning, she tells me that the Flute Lady told her a beautiful story. Besides, last night I found a flute on my child's bed. She said that the Flute Lady forgets it sometimes, but she comes for it the next day.
- You crazy old fool! yelled a youkai. Aren't you worried about your daughter? That poltergeist will steal your girl's soul!
- She won't! he said. My daughter hasn't been acting any different. She's actually been a lot happier since the Flute Lady visited her. She started playing with other children. I don't know what that maiden, or whatever she is, has done to my child, but I'm grateful to her
- We haven't registered anything like this in The Human World. said Haruka. There's nothing unusual on our side.
- We didn't sense any strange energies either. announced Valdyos and Alexiel. This means she hasn't passed through the kekkai, or she's no angel or demon.
The Omens decided to go back to the mansion and search around. Come to think about it, they've never been to the cemetery, basement or attic.
- You don't suppose that story is true, do you? asks Yoji, with a shiver in his voice.
- Don't tell me you're scared! It's just another demon that we're going to kill! says Gaara, waving his ax. I'll blow her head off with one swing!
- But Alexiel said thatThe Flute Lady is not a demon! thought Jakotsu.
- What if she really didn't go to The Human World? asked Sasuke. Then we don't know for sure that she's no youkai.
- I think it's just a way to keep us busy until they figure a way to get through the barrier. We shouldn't take it seriously. says Kamui, skeptic as always.
- They were all telling the truth. replies Sasuke. Didn't you see their faces?
- I say they're only good actors. Anyone can perform like that with a little practice! says Lumiere. What do you think Manten?
- We should investigate. I agree with Sasuke. Something frightened them bad, and I'm curious about this Flute Lady that comes from our mansion.
- Then we should start from the cemetery. suggests Kamui.
They entered the burial ground called 'Weeping Lovers'. Only young ladies were resting here, with ages between 15 and 24. In the middle stood a grave with no name, only with an inscription: 'Banished angels have no choice but to become demons', and the portrait of a beautiful girl. The boys remained speechless, and couldn't believe their eyes.
- What's the meaning of this? shouted Jakotsu. This woman always appears in my dreams... she... she sings me to sleep...
- She sings to me too! says Yoji.
- I've seen her too. joins Sasuke. However, in my dream... she cries... cries bloody tears.
- It looks like she's been in all of our dreams. says Lumiere. Nevertheless, how do we know she's the Flute Lady?
Kamui looked behind the stone.
- Here's your proof.
In his hand was a golden flute. No one was playing it, but you could hear its music. Kamui looked at the painting. She had long, black hair, striking jade eyes, cherry lips and rosy cheeks. She was a splendid maiden, like a sakura flower in bloom.
- This is the first time I see her face. says Kamui.
- What do you mean by that? asks Manten.
- She's been in my dreams since I was a child, but she never came out of the shadows. I don't even know her name... nothing about her...
- You haven't seen her until now? repeats Gaara.
- No. She just plays this flute every night, over and over again. Although I know her song by heart, it still... brings me peace whenever I hear it. When I'm asking who she is... the answer is always the same: 'Close this world... Open the next...' I think she's referring to the barrier.
- So she really is on the demon's side! shouts Gaara lifting his ax, smashing the funeral stone along with her portrait.
They were all waiting for something to happen, for the Flute Lady to get angry, but everything was quiet.
- Do you hate me so much that you don't even want me to be remembered?
They heard the sad voice of a girl. They couldn't see her, but they heard her crying. She let two tears fall on her grave and it was suddenly restored, but Gaara's ax was turned to pieces.
- You broke my grave... I broke the thing that broked it.
- Come back here! shouted Gaara. You think I'll let you get away after what you've done to my ax?
They were still on guard, but the Flute Lady already left.
- Sh... She's scary!
Jakotsu and Yoji were holding each other, shaking their teeth off.
- She's gone. said Kamui.
- This first meeting went well! replied Lumiere with a little sarcasm.
- Let's get back to the house and see what more we can find out. suggested Sasuke.
They went in the attic. Everything was covered with dust. There were portraits of the Flute Lady everywhere, all different sizes too.
- I guess she really lived in this mansion. said Yoji. It's kind 'a creepy, isn't it?
- There are many documents here. Let's see what we can discover about her. said Lumiere.
They started to get very curious about this mysterious maiden, so a lot of questions materialized. Who was she? What was she? A ghost? A ghoul? Clearly, she was dead, but what was still keeping her here?
- Check it out! Guys, come here!
Jakotsu was staring at a piece of paper.
- It's her birth certificate. She's 999 years old! Her name's Ayanami Himura. Her family's roots date since the Samurai Era!
- Something's strange. said Kamui. Look at these portraits of her. Notice any difference?
- Oh! She has ribbons in her hair!
- No Yoji. She's happy in all of them. replied Sasuke.
- So what? asked Gaara.
- Remember the painting from the cemetery? It was full of bitterness, and hate. answered Lumiere.
- Let's look for her room. suggested Manten. Hopefully we'll find out more about Ayanami.
They found it on the second floor, near the garden. This was getting stranger by the minute. The mansion and its rooms were hundreds of years old, but Ayanami's room looked brand new. The candles were still burning and the red roses filled the air with their scent. The bed-sheets were made of red silk, as well as the soft pillows that sat on the floor. On a small glass table they found several perfume bottles. Their frequencies were so exotic; they turned you on only by thinking that a woman could smell that way. It was full of old chests and antique books. The boys searched everywhere, but with no result.
- All that's left is the basement. said Sasuke.
The cellar appeared to be a waste of time: nothing but very old bottles of refined sake, wine and whisky.
- Great! We've searched all night and found that she's an old pampered relic named Ayanami Himura! shouted angry Yoji.
- We'll continue after we get some sleep. Minamino will want to know the details. I think we should pay a visit to our demon friends. said Manten.
- That if their wives don't kill them! laughed Gaara.
Kamui dreamed he was back in the cemetery. She was waiting for him, sitting patient on her stone. Ayanami started playing her flute like always. It was a sad song, one that made you fell like going to sleep and never waking up.
- Why don't you let me see your face? he asked.
Ayanami stepped out of the darkness, revealing her beautiful features. Kamui remained amazed. He who had never felt anything for anyone, except maybe respect for The Omens... he was mesmerized by her emerald eyes. Kamui's stomach was in knots.
- Why do the monsters fear you so much? What are you? Answer me!
- Until now you have asked me who I am... but now you ask me what I am... You have no right to a response.
And with that she disappears, and Kamui suddenly woke up. He felt... attracted to her in some way. Who was she? What was she?