Chapter 3
The Other Side of Her
Kiyohime peeks from behind the tree to see Raikou standing there, sword in hand. She's not acting like herself. The purple glow in her eye twinkles. The oni, Ibaraki Douji, backs away as she seems to recognize that look.
"Wait…you are not Minamoto No Raikou!" The fire oni says. "You're that demon! The demonic Ushi Gozen! The tales were true!"
Raikou licks her lips. "You know me very well. But…you won't be much longer after I have cut your head off~"
Kiyohime gasps in horror at Raikou's personality. Who ARE you, exactly? She thinks.
The fire oni only chuckles and brings out a sword of her own. "You think a threat like that will scare me? Hahaha~! I can take you down even if you ARE a demon! Once I have slayed you, my brethren, Shuuten Douji will be most pleased!"
The two charge at each other and clash blades. They push each other back and Ibaraki charges again. She lets out a battle cry and swings her sword, but Raikou blocks it and kicks her away. Ibaraki flips to her feet and jumps from branch to branch to distance herself from the purple bodysuit wearing woman. Raikou grins evilly and licks her lips. She looks back and forth as Ibaraki tries to find an opening to strike. The fire oni bursts from the branches behind Raikou and raises her sword to strike her down. However, Raikou can sense her presence and parries her attack. Ibaraki hops off the blade and her hair bursts into flames. She does a roll like a hedgehog at Raikou, successfully hitting her. Raikou stumbles back, trying to hold her ground, but Ibaraki charges again, head butting her and then using her talons to slash back and forth. Raikou drops to one knee and pauses for a moment before letting out a giggle.
"Ufufufufu~!" she says. "You fight well, little insect. I'll give you that. But…" She raises her head and both of her eyes glow purple. There is an evil grin on her face. "We're just getting started~"
"Ahhh!" Ibaraki squeaks as she jumps away from Raikou slamming her sword down on the ground. The violet haired woman then charges at her to clash blades with the fire oni's.
Kiyohime keeps on watching. The power of Minamoto No Raikou is nothing like she saw when she defeated the bigger, male oni. This power…is very different. Something more powerful than Kiyohime could ever imagine.
Ibaraki jumps and ducks at Raikou's swings, then dive rolls between her legs to evade the next attack. She jumps to her feet and charges straight forward. Raikou turns around and swings her blade, but Ibaraki blocks it just in time. They try to push each other away. Raikou seems stronger than her, so she successfully shoves the fire oni back and kicks her away to create distance. She then pulls out her bow and several arrows. She fires three at the same time, then rapid fires with one arrow at a time. Ibaraki swings her fire sword to melt the three arrows and then jumps to roll like a hedgehog once again. She lands on her feet and glares at Raikou.
"Enough of these games!" she shouts. "I will show you TRUE power!"
She raises her red hand as it bursts into flames. She slams her sword down, the point being stuck on the ground and her flaming hair starts to burn brighter. She thrusts her flaming hand forward and a giant fiery hand appears and comes toward Raikou.
But the violet haired woman isn't fazed by this sheer power. Gripping her sword, she swings to the left and makes the flaming hand vanish into thin air.
"Pathetic~" Raikou grins evilly. "Is that what you call…true power~?" She raises her sword and lightning surges through it. "Let me show you how it's done~"
"Uh-oh…!" Ibaraki backs away and swallows hard.
Raikou raises her sword high as more lightning surges through it. She then slashes down diagonally and it hits Ibaraki hard, electricity paralyzing her and weakening her at the same time. The fire oni screams in pain from the slash and the electricity consuming her strength. She drops down on her knees as well as dropping her sword. Raikou steps toward her and points her blade close to the fire oni's face.
"Given up yet~?" Raikou grins as the purple glow twinkles in her eyes. "If you want me to spare your life…run. Run as far as you can. And never…return~"
Ibaraki trembles in fear, having small tears in her eyes. This look isn't anything like I've heard in the tales…! She's insane!
"U-uuuuu…!" Ibaraki stands up and grabs her sword. "YOU'RE GONNA REGRET THIS LATER! SHUTEN WILL HEAR ABOUT IT! WAAAAAAAAHHHHHH!"
With that, Ibaraki runs away, crying. Raikou chuckles as she sheathes her sword. She then turns to walk away when she sees Kiyohime's horn from behind the bushes. Then, she sees Kiyohime's eye as well.
"Well, well~" She walks over toward the dragon girl. "I didn't know I have an audience~"
Kiyohime backs away after falling on her behind out of fear. "St-stay back…!"
"Are you one of them?" Raikou asks as she grips on the hilt of her blade.
"N-no….don't you…remember me? You rescued me!" Kiyohime says. "Please believe me!"
Raikou stares at her for about a minute or so. The appearance of Kiyohime seems to be coming back to her. The purple glow flashes in her eyes.
"R-Raikou-san…!" Kiyohime backs away a bit more, having a fearful look on her face.
The glowing eyes flash until it disappears. Raikou blinks twice and then gasps at not only where she is, but what's in front of her right now.
"K-Kiyo-chan…?" the violet haired woman says.
"Is it…really you?" Kiyohime asks. "You're not the…monster anymore?"
"Monster…me?" Raikou asks as she clutches her head. "I'm a…monster…?"
"I-it's a long story!" Kiyohime scrambles to her feet and takes Raikou's hand. "Come on! Let's go inside!"
**Raikou's House**
Kiyohime and Raikou are sitting on the couch, having a late night tea. None of them speak a word, at least after Kiyohime explained everything. The dragon girl is still trying to grasp at what happened back in the forest. And as for Raikou…she cannot believe the horror she must have caused her poor survivor.
"I apologize for sneaking out so late at night," Raikou says. "I remember now…I clearly am…a monster…"
"What was that?" Kiyohime asks. "Who is this…Ushi Gozen Ibaraki spoke of?"
"Ushi Gozen…is my demonic half…" Raikou says. "For as long as I can remember…I was told I was a demon. Most likely, I was born from a mere human and a female demon. I don't know why. I don't look like the rest. At least…that's what others would think. Until my bloodthirsty self decides to sneak out on me…most of the time it comes out at night. That's when…Ushi Gozen…comes out to play. I have…no real thoughts. It's all aggression…all about the fight. I become…a killing machine…"
"Is there any way to stop it?" Kiyohime asks. "You didn't kill Ibaraki, though. You didn't kill me either. What had made you hold back?"
Raikou turns to the dragon girl. "I'm guessing…since I'm a half-demon, my human self is still in control. And also looking at you…Kiyo-chan…why would I want to kill the one I rescued?"
It's clear that once Raikou starts to go berserk, almost nothing can stop her. Probably not Ushiwakamaru or Musashi as well. They might not be as powerful as she is.
"Raikou-san…" Kiyohime leans over and rests her head on the woman's shoulder. "I…I will stay with you…"
"Why…?" Raikou asks, turning toward the dragon girl. "Aren't you afraid of me?"
"No…I'm not…" Kiyohime says. "But…I may want to ask you the same thing. Are you afraid of me after I just murdered a monk that tried to reject me?"
"What…?" Raikou raises an eyebrow.
Kiyohime sits up and looks down at the ground. "It's true. I'm not human either as you can see. I…fell in love with a Buddhist back then. But…he was afraid of me because I wasn't human. He told me he loved me…told me he would return to me and marry. But it was all a lie. Filled with heartbreak and rage, I chased after him and burned him alive inside a bell he hid in. I became a monster because of that…" She clenches her fists on her sash of her kimono. "Just like you…I fear anyone would be afraid after the damage I have done."
Raikou gently puts a hand on top of the dragon girl's. "Why would I be afraid of you….when you look so cute and beautiful? When I rescued you, I did not realize what you were going through. I just found you in a weakened state, so I had to give you food and shelter."
"Raikou-san…" Kiyohime stares into Raikou's beautiful eyes.
"Will you still stay here…?" Raikou whispers. "If you promise…not to be afraid of me…?"
"As long as…you keep your word…of not being afraid of me…" Kiyohime says. "I…I can hardly trust anyone right now, but…"
"You have my trust," Raikou says. "Believe me, I would never, ever lie to anyone, including you. If I were truly a monster, I would've left you for dead. So…it's alright." She spreads out her arms. "Come. Give me a hug."
Kiyohime stares at the violet haired beauty. Her heartwarming smile is like that of an angel's. It's very clear that Raikou means what she said. Kiyohime has nowhere else to go. Raikou is the only person she can turn to right now. So with that in mind, she embraces the taller woman, burying her face in her chest. Raikou returns it, gently enveloping her in her arms.
