Chapter 1:
Shinobu explored the mansion slowly one hand on her sheath. The walls were made of fine golden wood and its screens had lotus blossoms and animals painted of vibrant colors. Though she did not have an extraordinary sense of smell like some of her comrades the metallic tang of blood drew her. The scent intermingled with that of a strong demon — like suffering itself. She had come to this mansion after rumors from the townspeople of an god who's devoted followers inevitably disappeared. Police had reportedly investigated, but did not find so much as a name. A thin and high scream broke Shinobu from her thoughts as she broke into a run. She opened the screen door to an indoor pond. The center was a wooden platform connected by bridges covered with several torn apart corpses. The scent of death intermingled with lotus blossoms that floated about the pond. In the center a man hunched over one victim. A demon. Before she could reach for her sword it spoke to her.
To her surprise his voice was simultaneously child-like and deep — cultivated even — as he said, "Ohh? Someone's here?" before standing up and turning. His eyes roamed all over her before continuing "whoa, it's a girl!" clapping his bloody hands together. The bright tone was at odds with the violent scene.
"Why hello there, very nice to meet you! My name is Douma and I am the founder of the Paradise Cult. It's a very nice night out isn't it?"
Her thoughts were racing as she looked into his rainbow eyes the kanji for 2 replacing the pupils. Before she could consider this the sound of gurgling blood broke her thoughts. Douma had no time to react as the insect pillar grabbed the bleeding girl. Shinobu checked her for wounds and thankfully found none. "I'm going to get you out of here. Run."
"Whoa! you sure are fast! Are you a pillar?"
Cold air brushed past her and the girl was gone. At the other bridge Doma slit his follower's throat this time completely. Shinobu reached for the girl but he brushed his blond hair and said "Ah, don't worry about her"
She saw the girl was still.
"There we go... Better." He pulled out two golden fans with an elegant snap. Although she knew the weapons were likely heavy, he held them gently, as if they were made of glass. Perhaps to a demon it was much the same. He fanned himself softly.
Shinobu stepped back closer to the door she had entered from. "That girl was looking for help."
"And I helped her. No more pain, no more suffering" He stopped fanning himself and held a hand to his heart. "Now they," gesturing to the dead bodies "will live with me forever, after receiving my guidance and reaching enlightenment."
"You are insane."
He seemed to consider this response, his beautiful face changing between sorrow and confusion. Suddenly he made a noise of sympathy. "Oh, I know. How sad. If there's anything bothering you I'll make sure to listen. So speak up!"
Shinobu's face grew red and the vein on her forehead throbbed. She gestured at her haori and spoke between gritted teeth. "Anything bothering me? Don't you recognize this haori?"
This caused Douma to lean towards her his chin tucked on his fan. "Ah! The flower pillar! She was such a cute and sweet girl. I missed out on eating her because the sun rose up. Indeed —"
Shinobu threw her haori back and drew her sword. With a swift stab she pierced Doma's eye.
"That was a nice stab! I couldn't stop it with my hand." He whipped his fan the cold air forcing Shinobu back. Instincitvely, the pillar held her breath. This seemed to surprise him, those rainbow eyes widening. "You are fast. But you can't kill a demon with a stab. It's the neck you gotta go for." She watched her stomach rolling as he licked his blood.
Still she smiled. "Indeed not. Poison will, however. Don't worry we can be friends as soon as it works."
He turned a wisteria purple his eyes bulging as it circulated. Douma bent over coughing up blood. Unfortunately, it seemed to clear up quickly as his body adjusted to the poison. "Your blade is unique isn't it? I heard it clink as you pulled it out. Too bad though! I know you worked so hard!" While many demons expressed rage or sadism, this one had an odd mix of sympathy and curiosity. "Ohh man this is fun! Please try another, give it your best shot! Between friends."
"Fine by me." Five poisons later he still stood upright, each poison lasting shorter despite increasing potency. She glared at him her hand on the nichirin blade. Yet he still smiled easily, not so much as a blush on his ivory cheeks. A cry of frustration built in the back of her throat. His movements were unlike any she'd seen before. Still, he could not react in time as she sliced across his muscled stomach the blood matching his sweater.
Still he did not appear angry or upset. "Man you are fast!"
Shinobu cried out as his fan sliced her side. The pain of it almost distracted her from the force of her hands and knees slamming into the bridge, her wrists aching. Blood dripped from her mouth onto the golden wood and at long last her despair overflowed. She could not breath as the memories overtook her. He talked. She only thought of her loved ones. Her parents. Her sister — bleeding from the mouth — warning her not to pursue the Upper Moon 2. Kaneo would miss her. Her friends too. Giyuu already so haunted. His emotionless demeanor a disguise for old pain, one she had failed to recognize for far too long. Regret—
"Why poison?" Douma interrupted her. "Your speed alone might have been enough, if you had chopped my head off. Ahh... I see." She attempted to block him out but that silken voice battered past her defenses. He was so achingly gentle as he said, "that wouldn't have worked. You are tiny after all."
Tears built in her eyes. Why was she born so small? Kanae was delicate, but not nearly to Shinobu's degree. At 4'10 and 88 pounds too many dismissed her not that she disagreed with them. But not Kanae. Shinobu could hear her voice telling her it did not matter. All that mattered was her goal. Shinobu shakily stood up her breathing rapid and shallow eyes defiant.
He made a noise of surprise the golden fans momentarily pausing. "You are standing? But your ribs—"
She interrupted with a bloody cough.
"Oh, you must be in such pain. Don't worry, I'll let your head hit the floor -"
She steadied her stance just as she had been taught all those years ago. Dance of the Centipede. The bridge exploded in a smattering of splinters.
Douma let out a gasp as her blade moved past him. He looked for her movements but could not read them until she came up from below and stabbed his neck. Despite being far taller and heavier he was forced against the ceiling.
Shinobu smiled at the surprise on his lips as she fell, then began watching his face dissolve. Her eyes began to close as she fell until suddenly cold vines wrapped around her helpless body.
His vines brought her to the ceiling. "That was great! I was so moved!" His tears dripped onto her butterfly haori as he hugged Shinobu tightly.
She resisted the urge to struggle by thinking "just one more step before I defeat you."
He whispered sweet nothings into her ear and expressed surprise at her making it this far. His body was cold and firm against her. "Now I know you are worthy." Finally he shut up.
Shinobu's vision faded to darkness.
