A/N Hey guys, welcome to another chapter of A Hunter Among Ayakashi and I just want to say thank you all for liking the story so far, though I just wanted to let you all know that I'm skipping the events of episode 7 since Chris operates typically at night and there's no reason for him to assist Yoshimori and the psychic counselor in helping the pastry chef move on since he knows they can do it without his help.
Well, without further ado, enjoy.
Some time had gone by since the scissor hand ghost had been dealt with and I find myself being slightly more depressed after having my emotional breakdown, though I still put up my laidback and joking front around Yoshimori and Tokine, as well as Madarao and Hakubi.
I had caught a glimpse of them sending me inquisitive expressions when they thought I hadn't noticed but I did and I figured that they heard me howling that night, which made me feel embarrassed and I also felt like chastising myself for letting my emotions get the better of me.
Still, there was nothing I can do about it now and just decided to pretend nothing was wrong so I was currently in my spirit form and flying around the city, just enjoying the peace and quiet for now as I soon approached Yoshimori and Tokine's homes so I decided to see how they were doing.
As soon as I got close enough, I made sure to mask my presence as I could see Shigemori standing outside and I started looking confused as to why he appeared shirtless but he appeared to be drying himself off while commenting about how it was a nice day today, which I inwardly agreed since the weather was nice today.
Suddenly, I was taken off guard when Shigemori got blasted in the face by a large spray of water that knocked him to the ground and I quickly looked to see where that came from, then I spotted Tokine's grandmother Tokiko as she was standing on a tree branch in her property while holding a hose.
Needless to say, Shigemori was not happy about getting sprayed in the face like that and he started shouting at Tokiko as he jumped up at her and I assume that he probably had the intention of attacking her, though Tokiko tried to spray him again.
Shigemori was prepared this time as I saw him shield himself with his own kekkai and then he trapped the hose's sprayer with his kekkai, proceeding to taunt Tokiko as he dispelled the kekkai shielding him while he looked a bit smug.
I slowly moved backward as I saw the hose bulging from the water swelling it up, knowing that this wasn't going to end well as Tokiko dispelled Shigemori's kekkai and the elderly man got blasted by the water.
'Jeez, are they always like this?' I thought as I watched Tokiko trying to spray Shigemori, who kept dodging the attacks and mocking her while he was doing it but he was too busy being focused on Tokiko instead of paying attention to his surroundings.
Shigemori paid for that mistake when he crashed into the side of his own house and I winced since that looked painful as the elderly man fell to the ground and groaned in pain, just as Tokiko laughed at his misfortune to add insult to injury.
I simply sweatdropped at what I was seeing and had a feeling that this happened a lot so I flew away and went around to the front of the house, then I spotted a little boy kneeling in front of Madarao's dog house and was pouring a box of dog food into a bowl.
Considering how he held a resemblance to Yoshimori, I assumed that he must be his younger brother and I smiled softly from seeing the kid feeding my old friend so it was nice to know that Madarao has been in good hands ever since I died just as Yoshimori left the house with a box of coffee milk.
I made a face at that since I had no idea how he was able to drink that but I figured that it wasn't my business as Yoshimori noticed the kid and went to talk to him, then I learned that the kid was called Toshimori as Yoshimori was telling him to stop feeding Madarao dog food.
I continued to watch the conversation while I grew to like Toshimori's kindness and compassion so I hoped to get to know him better as he and Yoshimori finished their conversation and the older Kekkaishi left the compound.
I stayed above him as he looked lost in thought and Tokine walked past him while greeting the male Kekkaishi in her usual fashion when Yoshimori had asked her about Karasumori, which took me by surprise since he didn't show interest in its history before so I wondered why he was interested in it now.
Either way, they continued their way to Karasumori and I followed them while I was lost in thought, unable to get Yoshimori and Tokine's conversation out of my mind as it had made me realize that even I didn't know much about Karasumori either or why Ayakashi was drawn to the site but I do know that there is very powerful energy coming off that place and it was the very reason why the Ayakashi shows up there.
Pretty soon, the two Kekkaishi arrived at school and went to class while I was simply exploring to pass the time when I spotted a cherry blossom tree in full bloom in one section of the school, which is rather unusual during this season so I figured that this was another oddity of Karasumori that was unable to be explained by regular people.
It wasn't long until class ended for the time being and I could see other students just chatting or goofing off but then I noticed one girl was completely focused on the tree, and I recognized her as a student who goes to the same class as Yoshimori.
I went to see what had her attention and paused when I saw a spirit standing at the base of the tree, the spirit looking like a teenage girl who had her black hair done up in pigtails while she was very pale, though she had on a school uniform that was completely different than the female uniform of Karasumori academy.
Still, I saw Yoshimori jogging up to the spirit and started talking to her when he grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her away from the tree until they ran off somewhere but I was deep in thought as I frowned slightly, looking at Yoshimori's classmate again and saw that she was actually staring at the spirit while two other girls were speaking to her.
'Interesting, can she see that spirit? Other than the Kekkaishi, there are others who have a form of sensitivity to the supernatural so maybe that girl is one of them,' I thought curiously as I was intrigued and wanted to know more about that student since it's not every day that I get to discover someone who can see spirits or other supernatural beings that most people can't.
With that in mind, I made sure to keep an eye on her as lunchtime ended and class resumed while the girl was looking slightly nervous as she sat at her desk and I saw that the spirit from earlier was standing next to Yoshimori's desk as the male Kekkaishi was sleeping again.
I frowned when I sensed a dark aura coming off the spirit, which indicated that she must've died a violent death and was angry so there's a good chance that she might become a threat later as I saw the girl look back to stare at Yoshimori as he had woken up when she saw the spirit and instantly stood up from her seat while my sharp hearing picked up her startled yelp.
Everyone stared at her as the teacher asked her what was wrong while calling her Yurina, which prompted the female student to tentatively reassure him that nothing was wrong as she sat back down with a look of embarrassment on her face.
That confirms it, Yurina can see spirits so I was interested in that but I had to quickly leave the area or I would be affected by the energy coming off this place and that wouldn't end well for everyone, so I left the area and explored for a little bit until I decided to come back to Karasumori.
When I came back, I could see Yoshimori and the spirit on the roof of the school and decided to investigate so I hovered above them while making sure to mask my presence and saw them talking when the spirit looked shocked by what she heard, then she appeared pissed as her aura exploded and grew bright as she threatened to curse everyone here and that she hated the living.
I tensed up since it looked like it was gonna get ugly as Yoshimori held up a hand in preparation, ready to use his kekkai as he warned the spirit that he would destroy her if she didn't calm down right now and that snapped the spirit out of her rage before she started crying.
At that moment, I picked up someone's scent coming from the nearby door that led to the stairwell and I noticed that it was open a crack so I made sure I wasn't seen as I went to see who it is, though I wasn't able to get a good look since the person was hiding behind the door.
I had a feeling that it was Yurina who was spying on Yoshimori since she saw him with that spirit but I hope that she didn't get the wrong impression just now, though she doesn't know Yoshimori's job as a Kekkaishi so chances are she mistook what just happened.
Either way, I had flown away and just simply enjoyed the sights until it was time for lunch and I could see that most students from either the middle school or high school sections of the school were outside, some just relaxing under the cherry blossom tree as they just chatted to one another and I decided to just spend the rest of the day getting ready for tonight so I simply left the area after that.
After that, I had spent the rest of the day either relaxing or getting ready for tonight until the sun had set and I made my way to Karasumori, changing into my anthro form and waited for a while until the Kekkaishi, as well as Madarao and Hakubi, had shown up.
I greeted them and we vaulted over the front gate and started searching for any Ayakashi that were around, though I went with Yoshimori and Madarao as he told me about how Yurina and two other girls were planning to sneak into the school grounds tonight.
I had grimaced since there was no way in hell that would end well so we took a look around but we didn't find the girls until we just simply decided to wait and we relaxed at the base of the cherry blossom tree that was blooming out of season, Yoshimori and I laying down while Madarao was sitting as we all stared up at the night sky but I found myself being drawn to the tree for some reason.
"It's beautiful," Madarao said quietly and I smiled softly since this reminded me of how we would stargaze together with Kouya.
"Yeah, I agree," I replied softly as I felt so peaceful at the moment.
"What's up with this tree? Why does it keep blooming out of season like this?" Yoshimori wondered and I was also curious as to why the tree was doing that since it wasn't normal, but then again, my life stopped being normal after I woke up in ancient Japan 400 years ago.
"The lord had a passion for cherry blossoms, not to mention that he loved flashy stuff too," Madarao replied and I couldn't argue with that since Tokimori had enjoyed those kinds of things back when I was friends with him.
"In other words, the tree is being forced to bloom out of season, right?" Yoshimori asked.
"Yes, master Tokimori said something like that too so the cherry blossoms of Karasumori have the power to excite people," Madarao said and that caught my interest.
"Huh, that's quite interesting if I have to be honest," I admitted and I suppose that explains why I feel different right now as Madarao looked at me.
"In fact, that's one of the key features of Karasumori," Madarao told me and I hummed in response as I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye.
"Key feature? I just can't seem to wrap my head around it," Yoshimori muttered and I glanced at him.
"Well, I probably wouldn't look into it too much since this is most likely one of those things that can't ever be explained," I pointed out as I went to sit up since Yurina and her friends hadn't shown up yet, which was a good thing since they had no idea how much danger they would be in if they were to sneak in here at night.
"Well, it's nearly midnight so I doubt those girls are coming, but you never know so we better make sure," Yoshimori said as he got his stuff while we stood up, and I picked up my sword before strapping it to my back.
"Agreed," I replied as we started making our way across the school grounds, then we arrived at the front gate and Yoshimori used his kekkai on it to ensure that Yurina and her friends don't enter the school grounds.
"Alright, that should do it so no one will be able to get in now," Yoshimori said as he sounded pleased with himself.
"I hope so since I'd rather those girls didn't put themselves in danger if I can help it," I said as we walked away from the front gate.
As we were walking, I couldn't help but feel like I'd forgotten something when a scream erupted from somewhere nearby and that caused Yoshimori, Madarao, and I to share startled looks before we started rushing over to where that came from until we went around the corner and I was alarmed at the sight of Yurina being on school grounds and about to be attacked by an Ayakashi when I pulled out my guns.
I fired at the Ayakashi in rapid succession as Yurina screamed and ducked from hearing the gunfire while she clapped her hands over her ears to block out the deafening noise, the Ayakashi getting peppered by bullets until it looked like swiss cheese and Yoshimori captured it with his kekkai, destroying it afterward and using his staff to get rid of the remains before we hurried over to Yurina.
"You okay, kid?" I asked while holstering my guns and Yurina trembled as she looked really shaken up.
"U-Um, I think so," Yurina stuttered and Yoshimori looked confused.
"Why did you come and how did you get in here?" Yoshimori questioned.
"The rear entrance," Yurina replied meekly and my eyes bugged out at that.
'Son of a bitch, I knew forgot about something! Ah shit, I'm such an idiot for not considering how she might've used the back entrance to get in!' I thought as I went to rub my eyes in disbelief and Yoshimori didn't look any better.
"The rear entrance?! Oh man, I forgot to place a kekkai there!" Yoshimori groaned while I picked up the scents of Tokine and Hakubi as they arrived.
"Yoshimori, what will you do with the girl now? The cherry blossom tree is in bloom tonight, you know," Tokine pointed out while she was sitting on one of the tree branches and Yoshimori scowled up at her.
"Hey, I tried to stop her!" Yoshimori retorted irritably.
"This is all your fault so deal with it," Tokine stated and I sighed since this has turned into a complete shitshow so we need to get Yurina out of here before more Ayakashi show up, just as Yoshimori went to look at Yurina.
"Alright Yuri, I want you to-" Yoshimori started to say until he stopped and I suddenly sensed a lot of Ayakashi that were getting close.
"Too late, we got company incoming," I said just as I spotted dozens of Ayakashi approaching from the sky and Yoshimori quickly grabbed Yurina by the shoulder.
"You, come over here," Yoshimori demanded before he dragged Yurina over to the cherry blossom tree despite her protests, then he had her sit down in front of the tree and used his kekkai to conjure a barrier to keep her safe and I went over to her.
"Listen carefully, we don't have time to get you out of here so don't move from this spot for any reason," I instructed, just before Yoshimori and I quickly moved in front of her.
"Wait a minute, you shouldn't involve her in our battle this way," Tokine protested.
"We don't have a choice right now," Yoshimori said and I nodded.
"He's right, we don't have time to get her out of here, so we'll just have to keep her safe," I stated as I got ready to fight.
(Play Seizure of Power by Marilyn Manson)
"Yoshimori, you're taking responsibility for this because one rule of the Hazuma style is not to involve ordinary citizens in what we do," Tokine stated sternly.
"Relax, it'll be fine since normal people can't see any of this anyway, you know," Yoshimori pointed out as the Ayakashi got closer.
"Here they come, looks like this is going to be one heck of a party, shame they weren't invited," I remarked wryly as the Ayakashi got closer.
I smirked as I got the idea to make things a little more interesting so I channeled a bit of my energy into my massive sword as I pulled it out, then I split it into two as the one in my left hand glowed red and the one in my right hand glowed blue until I attached both ends of the handles together and started twirling the new weapon around with a grin.
"Whoa, how did you do that?" Yoshimori gasped in astonishment and I smirked at him.
"There's a lot you don't know about me and this is one of them, kid," I stated just as the Ayakashi got close enough to where the male Kekkaishi used his kekkai to capture the first wave of Ayakashi and I let out an impressed whistle when Tokine sighed.
"Once again, you're wasting your strength," Tokine said in exasperation and I looked back at her.
"On the plus side, at least he's getting the job done," I commented and Yoshimori nodded.
"He's right, and besides, it's faster this way," Yoshimori agreed when three Ayakashi escaped the kekkai, prompting me to leap up and slash at them as the blue blade froze them into cubes of ice and Tokine used her kekkai to capture them.
"See? Lots are slipping through," Tokine remarked with a smile.
"Oh, be quiet," Yoshimori countered with a grin until both Kekkaishi destroyed the Ayakashi, then I spotted the second wave coming down from the sky.
"Heads up, here comes the second wave so I'll handle this one," I declared as I started feeling excited and a little more playful as I leaped up into the air.
I started whooping and cheering while twirling my makeshift staff around, slicing my way through the second wave as Ayakashi were either charred or frozen when I jabbed both blades into two Ayakashi on my left and right, swinging them around and having them knock a few Ayakashi out of the sky while a few had gotten past me and were heading to the tree.
I knew that the two Kekkaishi would handle them so I detached both swords and started swinging around in a form of deadly dance, burning or freezing Ayakashi as I noticed one had made it to the kekkai Yurina was safely inside when Madarao flew over and snapped his jaws down on it, eating the creature when he gave a quick glance at Yurina and flew off with a look of content while the young girl looked completely terrified.
At that moment, I charged up the energy in my blades as they started glowing pure white and swung at the air more than once, causing curved blades of pure white energy to fly at a few Ayakashi and they got sliced to pieces as I let out a cheer and felt so excited that it was like I was bursting with energy.
"Hell yeah, I feel like diving into a river and catching an even bigger fish than last time!" I yelled gleefully, feeling giddy and joyful for the first time in a long time until I noticed Madarao froze and he looked paralyzed while his eyes were bugging out as he stared directly at me but then he suddenly chased after another Ayakashi, appearing to forget what I said.
'Oh shit, did I say that out loud?' I thought as I tensed slightly but then the excitement came back and I continued slashing Ayakashi apart while a few made it to the tree and were circling a branch.
"Whoa, look at them...they're acting so weird," Yoshimori commented when Madarao flew above him and snatched an Ayakashi out of the air with his mouth as the male Kekkaishi looked annoyed by what he was doing.
"Madarao, look out! I'm working here so quit goofing around and getting in the way!" Yoshimori shouted and Madarao looked at him.
"Even these weaklings distracted by the cherry blossoms is the only way I can have fun," Madarao replied, his voice muffled by the Ayakashi in his mouth and Yoshimori scowled.
"Now you're getting affected by it!" Yoshimori yelled irritably and Madarao rolled his eyes.
"As the cherry blossom of Karasumori, can you blame me? I'm also an Ayakashi," Madarao pointed out.
"If you transform and go crazy, I'll Metsu you!" Yoshimori warned sternly and Madarao huffed.
"Don't include me among the ranks of these weak little losers," Madarao scoffed before he flew away and wound up passing by me as he swallowed the Ayakashi.
"Hey, didn't your mother tell you not to talk with your mouth full?" I remarked and Madarao smirked at me before flying away.
After a short time of slicing Ayakashi to pieces, I combined my sword and holstered it before pulling out my guns but instead of firing them, I channeled my energy and combined them into a large rifle until I aimed at more Ayakashi and fired my weapon, rapid gunfire breaking out as some of the Ayakashi was being peppered by bullets that were a combination of stronger bullets and lightning bullets.
Eventually, it got to the point where Yoshimori expressed frustrations of how there seemed to be no end to the Ayakashi and he had run further away from the tree before using his kekkai to cover most of the tree, despite Tokine yelling for him to wait.
After that, the rest of the Ayakshi flew down to the exposed part of the tree and I was a little concerned since he was starting to use up most of his energy but then he captured the remaining Ayakashi and destroyed them, then I separated the rifle into my guns and holstered them with a sigh as Tokine jumped down from the branch she was standing on.
"Well, we managed to take care of almost all of them," Yoshimori said and I cleared my throat.
"Hey, um, I think you're forgetting someone," I spoke up and Yoshimori looked at me in confusion, then I motioned my head at Yurina and he perked up.
"Oh yeah, that's right," Yoshimori said with a look of realization and he turned to face Yurina.
He started walking over to the kekkai and got ready to dispel it as I could see that Yurina was trembling and looking terrified, making me frown since it has been confirmed that she is able to see things that normal people can't so I was very concerned for her since all of this must've been traumatic for her, just as Yoshimori dispelled the kekkai.
"Okay, you can get up," Yoshimori said and he widened his eyes when Yurina started crying.
"H-Hey, what's wrong?" Yoshimori asked and Tokine smirked.
"Uh-oh, you made her cry," Tokine remarked and I snickered at that until I started walking over to Yurina and kneeled down in front of her.
"Are you okay? Sorry if Yoshimori scared you or anything like that since he didn't mean to," I reassured and Yurina yelped as she recoiled, making me look at the others with an uncomfortable look on my face.
"Balto, I think you're scaring the girl," Tokine said with a dry look and I sent her an unamused expression.
"Well, it's not like I intended to do that," I retorted with a half-lidded glare when Madarao gently flew over to Yurina from behind and started sniffing her, then she looked back and flinched at the sight of the canine spirit until Madarao grinned and he flew back to Yoshimori.
"I knew it, I just knew it! She has special abilities, meaning she saw everything that happened tonight," Madarao explained and Yoshimori's eyes bugged out.
"What?!" Yoshimori screamed incredulously and I rubbed the back of my head.
"Well, I'll let you guys explain everything to her since I'm gonna go," I said awkwardly but then Madarao looked at me and he paused.
I tensed at the unreadable expression that was on his face and I knew what that meant since because of what I shouted earlier while killing Ayakashi, he'll have an idea of what my true identity is so I quickly left before anyone could say anything and I found myself on a rooftop shortly after, laying on the concrete with my hands behind my head as I stared up at the night sky.
'Madarao...you're getting close to figuring out who I really am but how will feel once you discover my true identity is the question,' I thought as I sighed, continuing to stare up at the night sky as I was feeling conflicted and lost in thought the entire time.
A/N Well guys, because of what Chris said, Madarao is much closer to discovering his true identity so it's only a matter of time until he figures it out, though I hope you like the sword and gun techniques Chris used since I was having trouble coming up with a few and it was thanks to a friend on this site that I was able to write them down.
So, let me know what you think and stay tuned.
