WARNING - this chapter has strong gore and high stress scenes, if you are sensitive to this type of material, I do advise that you don't read this chapter.
Reader discretion is advised.
You just couldn't believe it.
This was the last thing you wanted to happen, your stepmother had returned and was now sitting across the table. You nervously scratch the top of your hand, you really wanted for things to go smoothly tonight and this completely turned everything upside down. The nerves return and your stomach feels queasy, this was custom whenever Mei was in the same room as you. The dreaded initial nerves had now become more unsettling, it's as if she was sucking the air right out of you.
Soft
You retract your focus and turn to Gyutaro. He had gently stopped your scratching and was smiling at you, you smile back weakly and take a breath in.
- So...this is the man that captured our (n/a)'s heart? Hmmm..
Gyutaro stares blankly at the woman, you were impressed on how calm he was, it almost seemed like he knew he had the upper hand.
-Hahaha!
Mei begins laughing frantically and your father flinches at the sudden sound, Gyutaro's eyes slowly narrow.
-What's so funny?
Mei glares back at Gyutaro, scoffing at his unknown mistake.
-Don't you dare address me so casually, it's Mei-sama to you.
Your father clears his throat sending Gyutaro an apologetic smile.
-I'm sure the young man didn't mean to offend you wife, it's an honest mistake.
Mei pouts at him and grabs his arm.
-Oh darling! I am so sorry I'm so cranky...the business trip was so tiring~
You mutter lowly whilst sipping your tea.
Disgusting
Gyutaro holds in a snicker and Mei glares back at you, but the woman quickly smirks re directing her attention to your lover again.
-Young man, what is your name?
-...Gyutaro
-Gyutaro? My, your parents must've been creative.
- I wouldn't know.
You stare at Gyutaro, he still seemed as nonchalant as ever drinking his tea.
-My...how wouldn't you?
-Never met my father and mother died when I was very young.
Your father stares at Gyutaro in shock.
-I'm sorry about that Gyutaro.
Gyutaro shakes his head and smiles at your father.
-Too long to even remember...
Your eyes get teary, it broke your heart to know that he didn't get the chance to live with a loving family, it pained you more thinking how he lived his life up until now. We're you alone all this time? You couldn't bare the thought. But Mei was enjoying every second of it, she wanted to probe more and see the pathetic demon twirl around her fingers.
- It is indeed so sad to hear. May I ask where did they come from?
Gyutaro clenches his fists and stares back narrowly.
-...Rashomon Riverbank.
Mei chuckles, flashing one of her wicked smiles at Gyutaro.
-My...to think...abandoned by his parents and left in such a dangerous and nasty place. Not everyone is as fortunate as us, right darling?
Your father ignores Mei and keeps staring sadly at Gyutaro. He couldn't imagine how much suffering he must have endured, especially as a child, he however hope that you had found some happiness with his daughter and now new family.
Gyutaro scoffs.
Mei sneers and snaps her head back at the young man.
-Something wrong?
Gyutaro lazily stares back at Mei angling his head, he clearly was bored with the conversation, Mei smirks and drags her claw like finger across the table.
-Let's hope you didn't just crawl yourself into our family just to get out of the scum which you came.
(N/a) slams her hand on the table, Gyutaro's bored expression shifts to a shocked one.
-Are you quite done making a fool of yourself?
Mei barks a laugh and smirks at his (n/a) with malice, truth be told he was starting to get pissed off with the hag.
- Seems more than right that you end up with a beast like him, such an embarrassment.
You clench your fists.
You bitch
-...What?
Mei slowly rises from the table, her eyes glow menacingly and her fists were now shaking. What did you just call her? You rise slowly as well and glare back at the woman who has been troubling your family for far too long.
- You dare pass judgement onto my partner and act all mighty? You must have completely lost all of your common sense!
Gyutaro sits up straight and stares directly at Mei, he knew you could hold your ground enjoying every moment as you ripped the woman into shreds. (Yass bitch read her)
-How dare you berate, ridicule and spit on my future husband's name!
Gyutaro blushes and your father winks back at the young man. He also was enjoying his daughter fighting back at his wife antics, in all honesty, he was pretty much fed up and was ready to kick her out, but for now he would let you give the evil woman a piece of your mind.
- If anything, you are the most shameful person in this entire world!
Mei sneers, the gall of this brat standing up to her and ridiculing her in front of anyone, she was ready to show you just who you were messing with.
-Hahahaaaa... To think that your dumb mother sacrificed herself for you just so you could run off and fuck such an ugly pig.
Slap
Your father in a speed of lightening had slapped his wife, you had never saw him with such an expression, nor witnessed him show any type of violence you were a loss for words, knowing fully well that if you were on the receiving end of his glare you'd be shitting yourself. Mei is taken back and tears prickle her eyes, she stares back in disbelief.
-D-darling...w-what on earth?!
-Don't you ever dare offend my daughter and my Suzume.
-Y-your S-Suzume?!
-Truth be told I am sick of your presence, it is embarrassing to be associated with you and you should have never entered this house. Leave and never show your face here ever again!
Mei is stunned, all of her hard work was slipping through her fingers, all of the sacrifices she had to go through to get your father by her side was now quickly vanishing before her eyes.
-Shinji..please...
-Don't you dare touch me!
Ah...the irony, she had disposed the one person who was in her way all of those years ago. Suzume was always considered more beautiful next to her, Mei was always second to none, men would always fawn at her and pay to get just one glance at their direction. Mei on the other hand was always last to be picked, many considered her dull and too meek to even waist coin on.
In truth, Mei had came from the exact same place she ridiculed Gyutaro before, the Rashomon Riverbank. All she knew was filth and poverty, never bathed, properly fed nor held, she grew up weak and skittish. She was eventually sold by her parents to a merchant who came from the centre of Yoshiwara and that's how Mei came to the Kyogoku House. There she learned to be quiet and obey, she never questioned nor stepped out of line, she was pushed and abused but always kept to herself never daring to cross past the dark veil that haunted her since she was a child, that is, until Shinji came that faithful evening.
The house lady had requested the young man to come and help prepare Mei for her debut, Shinji agreed and sat before the young woman getting her ready. The shy woman was too nervous to glance back, it was the first time a man had ever paid this much attention to her without beating her or pulling her hair, to later do as they pleased. She was trembling in her seat, hands balled into tight fists, bracing for any form of impact. He lifts his hand and she quickly shuts her eyes, but instead of the familiar sting, warmth. She slowly opens her hazel eyes, the young man was gently caressing her cheek and she slowly looks at him properly, he looked like an angel, his kind gaze pulled Mei in and she was suddenly enveloped into a warm light.
-No need to be nervous, you got this and you look so beautiful, look.
He gently presents Mei a mirror and she looks back at her reflection, she looked indeed beautiful, there were no more bruises nor dirt she finally looked beautiful, Mei grins hugging the man. He smiles back and pets her head.
-Believe in yourself alright little one?
That's when Mei fell in love, madly in love. As days would pass she would follow the man, every move she memorised by heart, he was perfect in every way, his soft gaze and smile clouded her mind. No one could even compare. She'd often imagine she was laying with him when other men used her body, she would silently moan his name and feed into her fantasy that he belonged to her. Years passed and Mei became more and more notorious within the Oiran society, it seemed she played her role so well that she was able to gain a voice, she now bit back those who touched without her approval and sneered at those who tried talking to her. She was above everyone, above all the scum.
-Hello.
It was him. Oh gods! Her Shinji finally came to take Mei away and claim his love for her. Take me! Oh please take me dear, take me into your arms and save me...
But nothing came
Instead he came to her, he took her, he loved...her.
Suzume
She took him from her knowing fully well that he belonged to her, after that heartbreak Mei was never the same. One evening as she prepared to go see one of her clients she saw him again, he was smiling next to the bitch who stolen him and in his arms, you. It stung worse then before and she decided then and there she would sacrifice her humanity and personally kill Suzume herself and that she did.
Mei bitterly chuckles, her tears were falling down her emotionless face, she finally snapped, right in front of her the same image of the woman she despised in this entire world, the image of Suzume, her daughter.
Your father was by your side checking if you were okay and Gyutaro holds your shoulder, my how she completely loathed them. She cackles through her tears and the three stare back at her with baffled expressions.
She was crazy
Your eyes wide in sudden realisation, lifting a shaky finger, your own tears begin to spill down your cheeks.
You...
Your father stares back at your trembling form, eyes laced with concern, the expression adorning your face was the same when he found you crying over your mothers corpse begging for help and he then connects the dots. No...it couldn't be true.
You speak up again, voice cracking from the pain.
- You were there.
Gyutaro looks between the two, he never saw you looked so frightened, but what came out your mouth made Gyutaro's blood boil in pure rage.
- You killed my mother!
Mei begins to cackle so loud that the whole house began to tremble, the lights went out enveloping everything in darkness. Echoed laughs run through the entire estate and then her neck snaps. (N/a) screamed in horror as her father shielded her face from the scene with his own dreaded expression. Mei's head bent inhumanly and her tongue slithered out at them.
She wasn't human
- And now I'll fucking kill you too.
The rooms shift violently and you get separated from everyone. You curl up shielding your head, you could hear everyone's screams your father was desperately shouting for you, but his cries are silenced by furniture crumbling and falling. Some hitting your body leaving bruises, you begin sobbing crying out for help. Why was this happening? This can't be happening!
PLEASE STOP!
Silence, the house was at a halt, (n/a) lifts her head and scans the area. She was in one of the rooms, everything was broken and on the ground she tried to look around but couldn't see pass the darkness, she also tried listening to any sort of sound but there was only the eerie silence. Slowly, she stands up wincing at the bruises now marking her body, she pats slowly at the wall in search for the shoji door, she opens it cautiously and peeks to the corridor, to her horror the very same corridor now stretched for miles, emulating a labyrinth. She wants to call out but subconsciously reminds herself that it wouldn't be a good idea, sucking her breath in she walks out and frantically searches for everyone.
Her body was trembling so violently (n/a) thought she would puke from the sheer force. Tears kept falling down blurring her vision, she rubs them violently and tries desperately to keep focus, she finally finds another shoji door and with shaky hands she shuts her eyes and opens it. She hears what sounds like small sobs, slowly (n/a) enters the room and almost collapses as she spots her dear friend Hanako. The two tightly embrace and hold in their loud cries, Hanako was also shaken, her body trembled with the same force but the two embrace, happy to see one another alive. Hanako takes (n/a)'s face and the two nod, they knew they had to try and find the others but Hanako's ankle was sprained so (n/a) decides to gently lift her up, Hanako cries almost screaming out in pain but (n/a)'s hand covers her mouth.
-Dear Hanako I-I know it h-h-hurts but we have to b-be quiet...
Hanako nods and leans on her dear friend, the two young women return to the corridor both holding onto each other for dear life. (N/a) tried again in desperation to hear any sort of sound but nothing could be heard, the only audible sound were their heartbeats as they ran, desperately searching for everyone else. Hanako halts, (n/a) notices how her face turns pale as her friend points at the side of the corridor, (n/a) wanted to scream. There, at the other side of the corridor, a large snake was slithering on the opposite direction. The young woman shakes even more violently, slowly dragging Hanako away, she had to find everyone, she needed to find them.
The two women enter another room and find the youngest maid shivering in a corner, Hanako quietly calls out to her but the young girl is too stunned to respond. Hanako tries again.
-Yui, darling we're he-
(N/a) forcefully palms her mouth again and Hanako's violet eyes gauge. The snake had entered the room, his tongue was sniffing the air. Slowly the two friends go against the wall, their eyes never leaving the monster, (n/a) almost screams out a cry, the snake was approaching the young maid. The two women watch in horror as Yui looks back and is eaten before their eyes. The girls screams pierce through the silence and the two women make a run for it. Hanako cries out for the girl.
What the hell was going on!?
The two ran as they could entering another room, both collapsed in the ground trying to catch their breath. They looked at each other in shock, (n/a) couldn't believe this was happening, this couldn't be real. Soon she would wake up and everything would be back to normal.
Where was her father? Where was Gyutaro?
She prayed and prayed they were safe. Pease let them be safe. Hanako presses a firm hand on (n/a)'s shoulder, they had to keep moving, they wander in exhaustion searching for everyone and the more they tried, the more they were haunted by screams mixed with pleas for help, each one as painful as the next. Each voice was painting a picture in the girls mind of who the voice belonged to, the two sobbed and holding in their whimpers. Why couldn't they find anyone? They entered another room and on the ground her father layed on what seemed to be a nest. (N/a) quietly runs to her father gently shaking him, he was unconscious, shit!
Hanako gestures to her and whispers.
-We have to drag him out of here.
(N/a) nodded but stops, gently palming Hanako's cheek.
-What about your ankle?
Hanako's dismisses it and reassures her that she'll be fine. So with a long breath in they lift her father up, he was heavy but the adrenaline in their bodies was kicking in. Just like a ritual, she scans the corridor and makes her way down the ever ending corridors. More screams could be heard and it seemed to be getting closer, (n/a) had to find Gyutaro, she had to find him and get the hell out. She couldn't lose you, not when you came into her life and showed her what loving you felt like, you wipe your tears again and try to check for any signs of danger. That's when a voice behind you made your blood run cold.
-Found you~~
The corridors shift violently again and the three of you are pushed against the forming walls, more bruises are added on your small frame, this time you shout out for Hanako and your father. The room stops moving and Mei nonchalantly grabs your father, pulling him over her shoulder, you try desperately to grab him but your face is kicked, blood gushes out of your mouth and you hiss in pain. Hanako's scurries over to you and glares at the woman, Mei layed your father on the nest your had recently found him minutes ago, she softly caresses his cheek and pecks him.
-Sleep well darling, I'll dispose the rats in just a minute.
Hanako shakes her head and shouts at Mei.
-Who are you?! Why are you doing this?!
Mei lazily glances back at the two, not bothering in moving her frame from your father as she brushed his hair with her long fingers.
- My, did the maid suddenly learned how to speak? Hahaha, how pathetic!
The demon stares at the two, an image of Suzume held by another female demon comes to mind. Hanako caresses your head holding you tightly and Mei smirks.
- That demon held your pathetic mother the same way, ahaha!
She cackles at the thought, exhaling a satisfying sigh.
- It was sad honestly, no matter how much that idiot stayed by her side, showered her with gifts and kind gestures, her feelings would never reach to Suzume. She was as dense as a brick wall, the both of them.
She passes a hand on her red locks.
- Oh! But you should have heard how she cried for your mother! Ahhhh, it was magnificent.
Hanako grips onto you and you caress her face wiping her tears away. There it was again, the image of Suzume and Warabihime all over again.
-What a disgusting display...Wei, kill them.
The snake slithers towards the two of you and you can't help but push Hanako behind your frame, you then scream for Gyutaro and for your father but nothing came. Hanako then shouts at the evil woman.
-YOU WITCH! YOU WILL BURN IN HELL!
Mei snaps her fingers and the snake stops. Suddenly your back felt empty and notice that Hanako was being choked by Mei, you scream out, pleading for her to stop.
Hanako scratches the demons arm trying so hard to retaliate, but she knows it's no use. She starts crying and calling out for her own mother.
(N/a) sobs out Hanako's name running towards her but she's thrown back with force, forming deep cuts on her back as she hits one of the mirrors.
Hanako's looks at (n/a) one last time and smiles sadly at her, stretching her hand to (n/a) begging for her to escape. Mei cackles at her.
- Do you know what happens to witches?
The demons snaps her fingers and flames begin to form underneath Hanako, the young woman screams out of dread.
They burn
You lost your voice as you watch the woman lit up your childhood friend into flames and you knew you will forever be haunted by the scene. Hanako's poor charred body is thrown at you, she wasn't even recognisable anymore.
- Here's you little best friend. Ahahah!
Shaking, you slowly hold her gently, you didn't care if it stung. You began mindlessly caressing her burnt face as your tears fall on what once was her cheek and you whisper apology after apology. You cradle the body pressing her tightly against your chest, your cheeks rub against each other and you quietly call to her almost as if you were trying to wake her up.
-Hanako...sweet Hanako...p-please...someone please...HEEEEELLLLPPP!
You shriek even louder when Mei twists your arm, she drags you towards your father and you desperately try to keep a hold of Hanako's body, but she is kicked away by the demon. You scratch at her hand and try to bite it out of sheer anger and desperation, but before you could even get the chance to hurt her she grabs your face and presents it to your father. He was awake, he had tears in his eyes, he slowly lifted his hands up and begged for Mei to let you go.
-My, what ever should I do darling? She represents the very bitch that got in the way of us, the same bitch that stole you from me. We don't need her~~
Your father bows and begs Mei to show you mercy.
-Please take me but don't harm my daughter, she's got nothing to do with this, please spare her.
Mei caresses your father cheeks again and kisses his hands.
-Love it when you beg darling. Liking the switch in roles.
You cringe at the dirty mention, you didn't want to know any of this, you try to blank out the conversation by focusing on her nails digging into your cheek, but she forcibly pins you on the ground, making you stare at them.
You begin to cry again, you call out to your father who tries so hard to cradle you but his arms are forcefully wrapped around Mei, you can hear him crying for you and you beg for her to stop this, to end your misery. Mei kisses your fathers head and she snaps fingers once again, the snake moves at your direction, you could see him recoil as he prepared to eat you. You look back you father and stretch your hand to him.
Papa
You prepare for death but strangely, it never came.
-How dare you fucking hurt her...
Gyutaro, you try to look back but your head was still pinned, a loud thud crashes next to Mei and you notice that it was the snakes head.
But how? Unless...
Mei scoffs and snaps her fingers, the other snakes barges from the bottom but Gyutaro cuts his head off flawlessly. Mei is enraged and jumps onto him trying to land her attacks, yet with every attack his body moves swiftly, dodging everything it's as if he was made out of air. Your father runs towards you and frees you from the vines, he holds you tightly against his chest and kisses your head letting you cry against his chest.
Gyutaro kicks Mei and she goes through the wall. He quickly runs to you checking on both of your wounds, your father grabs his hand and thanks him for saving them. They get up and Gyutaro carries you in a bridal style, his expression is clouded with worry as he notices your bruised face with dry blood smothered all over your cheeks. You weakly look back at him, your beautiful (e/c) eyes were swollen and your lips were quivering.
-Gyu...
-Shhh...it's okay sweetheart your'e safe now...
His eyes were misty and his bottom lip trembled as he held in a cry but before it could make any sound a shriek erupts.
They ran
Each turn they passed they could hear Mei breaking through the walls catching up to them, Gyutaro then grabs your father and begins running in an inhuman speed. Your father realises that the man you had fallen for was also one of them, a demon. The wall crashes next to them and they are thrown against an empty room, your father scans for you and finds you were unconscious next to Gyutaro who was already shielding your body with his arms, his hair was now green and black and he was growling at the approaching figure.
-Finally showing your true colours demon?!
Mei spits at the floor near them.
-You are even more disgusting like this.
She lunges her claws but your father manages to cuts off her hand, Mei holds her severed arm staring back at the man she fell in love with. He was holding his katana, shielding the two of you and his (e/c) eyes were glaring back at her.
- You dare underestimate a former slayer?
He inales a large amount of air and readies his blade.
Wind Eighth Form...Primary Gale slash
Your father leaps into the air swinging his blade as circular torrents of wind target at Mei, he manages to slice her torso off and as he turns to deliver the final blow his own weak lungs give in and he gags. Mei grows back her lower half and her fist goes through his abdomen, her eyes were wide in disbelief.
- Shinji...why?
He was spitting blood out his mouth but he still manages to sneer at her.
- Because you killed the love of my life and you dared tried to do the same...with my daughter.
Mei growls in frustration and kicks him aside, she starts running to you and Gyutaro ready for the kill but a string of obi flies across the two nearly cutting Mei's neck clean, it was Daki and she was livid.
- I finally found you...what you did to Suzume, you'll fucking pay!
The two women begin to fight and your father runs towards you and Gyutaro.
-Are you okay son?
Gyutaro looks back at him and nods, he exhales checking on you, you were passed out but still okay. He firmly grabs Gyutaro's hand.
-Get (n/a) out of here to somewhere safe, protect her...please...
Gyutaro holds his hand back and shakes his head.
-What are ya saying old man?! Ya also coming!
Your father shakes his head and shows Gyutaro his wound, he was bleeding heavy. Your father holds you weakly whilst kissing your head, he caresses your messy hair and tries to hold back his tears.
-I'm sorry I won't be there to see you grow, to protect you, to hold you when you feel lost...I'm sorry little fawn, I love you...I'll wait for you with mother, right next to the shoji over looking the garden and we can have tea together again. Just like how we used to...
Your father eyes were getting heavy but he still manages to grab Gyutaro's shoulder.
-Protect her for me, love and cherish her. I don't care if you are a demon, just please...watch over my little girl...
Gyutaro nods and bows his head to your father.
-I promise Masayoshi-sama...
Gyutaro then carries you out of the room, your father watches you being taken to safety and exhales, grabbing his pipe and putting it in his mouth he lights up a match.
-Heh...you always said that smoking would kill me Suzume...
He then lets the match fall onto the tatami and watches it burn as he falls into your mother arms.
Anata
Flames engulf the lovers embrace and soon your house was burning. Gyutaro crashes outside landing smoothly making sure you were safe in his arms. He tucks a strand of hair behind your ear and he begins to cry silently at the whole outcome. You had just lost everything and now you had to live on with the memories of tonight, it pained him. He holds you closer rubbing his cheek against yours, watching your home being swallowed by fire, Daki lands next to him and they see Mei emerge from the flames.
-YOU DEMON SCUM YOU RUINED EVERYTHING! YOU KILLED HIM!
Gyutaro slowly stands up, handing you to Daki and he starts walking towards the deranged demon.
You really are pathetic.
His voice distorts deepening and dragging.
Just another delusional bitch after a sad fantasy...
His form cracks and he gets taller.
It's sad honestly.
His spine becomes prominent and his ribs contract and shift, his arms and legs gain more muscle.
Chasing after a sad dream that you could ever be loved.
Then for the first time Mei is frighten once again, just like when she was a kid, she falls backwards trying desperately to crawl away but a sickle pierces through her hand and she screams in pain.
You wanna know something?
He opens his eyes and the yellow hue burns right through Mei, the number six signalling her foolish mistake.
-I'm so sorry master, I didn't know they belonged to you! I didn't mean to offend you! PLEASE!
The second blood sickle forms around his hand and he slowly raises it under the demons chin.
-M-master p-p-please...I beg of y-you!
Gyutaro crutches down at her, giving her a twisted grin.
-I will always find justice on those who cause misery in my life. To those who acted like they were above me because they had everything, while I got nothing and ya dam right that I always make sure that who ever tries to steal what is mine...will forever be forever plagued by their own fucking mistake.
Mei looks up to the Upper Moon and silently begs again.
-And guess what?
Gyutaro inches his face closer to her in a crazy evil daze, as he hangs his head sideways laughing hysterically.
You were never loved
A haunting scream echoes through Yoshiwara but it never reaches you, you were still sound asleep and in your dreams you can see your mother embracing your father and Hanako hugging her mother and the other maids. What a lovely dream it was.
