Chapter 6: To Form A Contract

{Cursed Gear Chamber Hallway: June 21st 2020, 5:01pm}

The walk down to the chamber where the Black Demon series Cursed Gear was held had thus far, been a silent one; however, there was a faint sense of tension between those who were yet to form their contracts. The emotions were understandable only because several of them were already well aware of what would happen to them if they were to fail in making their contracts, still, they persisted. Shinoa glanced to Yuu and Mika who kept their eyes forward as they remained silent. As they walked though, both of the boys – particularly Yuuichiro – had taken note that Sayuri seemed concerned about something.

"Sir…" Guren sighed.

"What is it Sayuri?" he asked as he looked to her.

"I know what I said about the others; however I don't think it's a good idea to let Saotome try out for this series of weaponry." Concern laced her voice – the same concern that she had shown when Guren had made it clear that he would be training Yuuichiro and Mikaela to wield Black Demon Series Cursed Gear – and it caused the other teenagers to look at the two older soldiers in their group.

"Really? What about you Yoichi? Are you going to continue on? We don't have a place for weaklings who will be overthrown by a Demon easily. If you don't think you can do it: walk away now," he said as the brunette stopped.

"I…."

Thoughts began to swim through his head as he considered the words. Yoichi felt decidedly conflicted by the statement as he looked to those around him as he thought of them and their capabilities. Shinoa was certainly capable, she carried herself with an air of assurance that was nigh impossible to miss, Kimizuki was sure of himself and intelligent which made him a good fighter and an excellent strategist, Guren and Sayuri had eight years-worth of experience and skill behind them to allow their measurement of abilities to far surpass any of theirs. Then, there was Mikaela and Yuuichiro who confused him on several levels. They were assertive, strong-willed, determined, brave, loyal, and intelligent amongst many other things – including four years of training and two years of field experience – and they all would bring these skills to their teams: but what did Yoichi bring?

"Get going, you don't need to do this Saotome Yoichi…" Guren dismissed the boy.

He was socially awkward, he was quiet, kept to himself, wasn't stubborn but went with people's wishes. However, he desperately wanted the power that the Black Demon Series provided and he knew that he needed it to avenge his sister's death. But he did wonder if he couldn't overpower the Demon; then what? What if he died? Who would get revenge for Tomoe then? Who would do it? He wouldn't ask for someone else to carry that burden: it belonged to him alone. He took in a deep breath and looked around him at the three other teenagers with him before feeling a tremor of fear go through him.

"Go back Yoichi, this isn't a place for a nice guy like you," Yuuichiro stated as he looked at the boy.

"He's right Yoichi. You don't have to do this." He looked to Mika in surprise and then to Kimizuki.

"I agree with them on this, Saotome," he said.

Yoichi put his hands on his ears as he tried to reason with himself. He remembered his sister telling him not to come out from under the bed and her being killed by the Vampire that had come into her room. He took a deep breath and shook his head as he prepared himself for what would have to be done as he dropped his hands to his sides and looked to Guren.

"Did you hear me? I said get going! We don't…." the boy shook his head again.

"I've decided! I'm doing this….I have to," he said.

"Hmmm….fine then, let's continue." Guren lead them further down the walk way and into an elevator where they went down to where the Black Demon Class weapons were held.

Shinoa watched the four teenagers beside her as they waited to come to their final stop. Mika looked a bit anxious while Yuu seemed so relaxed it was strange – she glanced to Kimizuki who was attempting to be as lax, but was anything but – and then to Yoichi who still appeared decidedly spooked. With a sigh, she nudged the blonde-haired teen next to her who glanced her way as she flicked her gaze towards his brother and the other two. Mikaela was known for being good at reading people's body language; therefore, he picked up on her message quickly and understood that she was concerned and hoped that he wouldn't be the one to cause any problems.

Mika honestly didn't think that he could put Yuu through something like that; however, he was far too aware of the risks involved. The group continued their descent to the basement of the building while Kimizuki looked them over. Yoichi was his typical self, being rather anxious and shakily quiet while his eyes were downcast. Kimizuki was fine with the other being nervous – he was so anxious he felt sick – but his major problem came from the two brothers standing close to him only because they gave the impression of being far to calm. After a brief while of internal contemplation, Mika had calmed down and was now standing by Yuu in a composure that Kimizuki found unsettling while the black-haired boy took in his surroundings and thought nothing of it. Shinoa smiled and looked to Yoichi while Yuu did as well.

"Now's not the time to get cold feet Yoichi, you've got this," he said in encouragement.

"Um…ah…yea!"

"That reminds me, Kimizuki….are you getting cold feet too?" Shinoa asked.

"What? Of course not!" he glared at her and she laughed.

"Really? Because if I recall you were standing at first and then you leaned over," she stated.

"I did not! You're remembering it wrong!" a small snicker was heard near him and he looked to the black-haired boy beside him.

"Yea, and I remember you being in a lot of pain too," Yuuichiro mentioned in a smirk.

"What did you say midget?!"

"Don't get to comfortable Yuu. Remember, if you let your guard down, it'll kill you. It won't be like the last one you dealt with," Guren said. The boy sighed.

"Yea, I know…."

The lift at last came to a stop and the group exited it and walked into an open circular room with massive, and omnipresent statues of the faces of traditional Japanese Oni stood. The room was comprised of two tiers where on the lower level was normal, the area that was raised with stairs leading to it had small shrines with different weapons placed within white sand. Contract circles stood before them while red strings – more than likely blessed – were tied about the weapon's grips and guards. Guren glanced to them with a stern expression while Sayuri waved to them as the lift left. He wasn't exactly looking forward to this moment.

As much as he had strived alongside these boys for the last four years to get them to this moment: he didn't want to put them at risk. There was so many things that could go wrong, so much that could happen in just an instant that it made his insides squirm in discomfort; however, right now he had to focus on the task at hand because they were here now, and they had no further choices ahead of them. Everyone before him were still just children with many years ahead of them, but they had much to learn and just as much to give and in knowing that key detail, Guren couldn't help but feel a bit of pride in the four teenagers standing there; willing to face the Black Demon Series just to protect what they held dear to them and join in the fight for their survival alongside many others.

"Alright, listen up. When you go up head to the weapon that you like and pull it from the sand. You'll break the red string and you will begin the contract. Just remember, these Demons are twice as bad as anything you've faced before: they will try and trick you. So, when you start it'd be best that you don't lose your resolve; otherwise, the Demon will end you," he said.

"So, what happens if we fail exactly?" Guren looked to Kimizuki.

"Simple enough: the Demon will either overpower you and you'll become a man-eating monster or, its power will crush your soul and you'll die. Either way you role that dice you'd end up dead because if you go monster on us: I'll kill you myself," Guren clarified to them. Yuuichiro and Mikaela glanced to one another and then to Kimizuki and Yoichi.

"Then no matter what, I won't fail. These Demons aren't going to stop us here…."

With a slightly shaken composure, Guren watched as the four teenagers walked up to the area where the contract seals were and stood before the weapons they preferred. He took note of each one, sizing up the choices and thinking of them as he started forming strategies and units in his mind. Yoichi stood before a bow, Kimizuki before a set of chain-linked swords, while Yuuichiro stood in front of a black-and-gold katana, and finally, Mikaela stopped before a Templar-styled sword that appeared to be more fitted for the British Isles than Japan. The Lieutenant Colonel smirked, liking their choices and the potential usages he saw before him while the group reached for their weapons.

Most of them as their hands gripped the hilt of the blades or the placement of the bow before they paused; preparing themselves for what they were about to do. They all knew that if they did this they ran the risk of dying: but with what was at stake this trial was well worth the risk if they were to succeed. For Kimizuki, it was for Mirai, and the chance that she could recover and be able to live her life. For Yoichi, it was to avenge his sister Tomoe, and for Yuuichiro and Mikaela, their reasons were to not only make the Vampires pay for taking their family, but to also protect their friends and what they had now. Taking those choices and reasons to heart, each of them tightened their grip upon their chosen weapons. Mika glanced to his brother who nodded, his eyes narrowing as he took in a deep breath.

"We've waited long enough for this. Alright you bastard! Let's dance!" he pulled the sword back and the others looked to him as he stepped back into the circle as it glowed bright green before the vibrancy within his eyes faded and he collapsed to the ground, having been taken into the Demon's illusion in order to gain control over it and form the contract.

"Alright…."

Guren watched as the three remaining teenagers took their weapons and stepped into the contract circle, knowing that there was a potentially long wait and quite the fight ahead of them all. He took in a deep breath as Shinoa bit her lip and he huffed as he smiled and looked at both Mika and Yuu as their hands gripped their swords hilts tighter.

"Good luck you four: you're going to need it," he muttered.

"Let's just hope their as strong as you believe them to be." He glanced to Shinoa.

"They can do this….I have no doubts about it," he stated.

{Kimizuki…}

With a sigh, he looked out of the window, broken as it was from the room that his sister and he stayed in. no longer was this apartment a home like it had been when their parents had been living; now it was a hiding place where they could be safe for the time being. However, he wasn't certain how long such a thing could last in a world such as this one. As the thought crossed his mind, he heard a rustle of sheets and looked back to see his sister waking up.

"Big brother?" the boy turned to face the girl.

"I'm sorry Mirai. Did I wake you?" he inquired.

"No, I'm fine." A smile came to his features.

"Are you hungry? I can get you something to eat. It'll just take a second," he said as he started towards the kitchen.

"Hmm….big brother? Why haven't you left me behind so you can move on already?" she asked him this and he turned to look at her.

"I can't do that! Besides, we've already talked about this! I will never leave you behind Mirai: it's my job as your brother to protect you!" he stated as he looked to her while tears started to well up in her eyes.

"I know you say that…..but I hear you at night when you cry about being stuck; about being forced to stay here…." He stared at her.

"Mirai! I don't do that! I never have wanted…"

"The truth is….you have left me behind in a lot of ways….look….you've continued thriving: going to school, meeting people, joining the Imperial Demon Army, and now you're trying to become a Curser….you said it was for my sake but…."

"Mirai…." He started to speak when the girl sighed.

"I'm still holding you down….." she stated.

"No, you aren't! you've become my resolve! The reason why I…."

"In all honesty….you just wish I'd die already," she told him with a wicked smile.

"I…..oh….I see, you're not Mirai: you're the Demon." She sat up and looked to him with a smirk.

"Oh, you are smart! I was beginning to wonder if you would catch on," the Demon stated.

"Listen, I need your power: make a contract with me." The Demon tilted her head a bit.

"Why would I do that? So you can kill Vampires? No, you don't exactly care about that other than to just survive: that's understandable though in this world you live in. Is it vengeance? No, not that either….you've gotten over the death of your parents and your old life: you've adapted. That's fairly good….or, is it because you want a cure for you little sister? Yes, there is a desire for that here….oh, but there's something else…." She stated in a knowing, besmirching tone.

"I just want to help my sister and defeat the Vampires so things can start to return to normal." She shook her head, sighing as she lounged up against the window.

"So, you have no desire to best nor defend yourself against…..something else?" the Demon probed.

"No!" he narrowed his eyes.

"Not even…..Hyakuya Yuuichiro? And his brother? Mikaela?" she questioned.

"Why would I want to do that? Their just like…" he felt the words die on his tongue.

"Hahaha~ because, silly human: they scare you….because they're different…..because they're freaks! And you're quite aware of that, aren't you?" she stated. Kimizuki felt his eyes grow wide.

"No! I don't think of them like that! They aren't something I'm afraid of! They are different, they have Gifts, their special in that circumstances…..and I'm honestly amazed at their resolves!" the Demon shook her head.

"No, you aren't boy. You hate that boy because he's something different and you envy his power: you hate his Gifts and his courage, the outlook he has on the world despite having lost so much. Those boys are and always will be stronger than you…. you're afraid of those boys simply because in your eyes they're monsters and you see them as a threat, and you want them dead because they're just that: freaks of nature that you're terrified of," she said.

"No….I AM NOT AFRAID OF HYAKUYA!" the Demon giggled.

"You're just like all other humans. You know why?" she asked as the wind began to pick up, becoming icy as it caused her hair to glide by her shoulders and out towards him.

"I…." he felt panic begin to rise within him.

"It's because you're lying, like all of your kind do. You truly care little for anyone but yourself. Both of those boys scare you though because in your eyes, they are an enigma within the world you've come to know. They're something you can't overcome with just stubbornness or pride….you hate them, fear them, and want them gone because: They are above you," she said in a menacing fashion. Kimizuki narrowed his eyes at her words. He had heard enough about his inner troubles.

The words the Demon said were true; however, he also couldn't help but remember the words that Yuuichiro had spoken to him the night that they had walked back from the hospital after seeing Mirai. The boy had said that they were fighting for more than just themselves, the pain that they had endured, it wasn't for anyone else: it was for those who couldn't fight, for the ones who needed something to look forward to, for the people who still needed heroes, the ones who needed them: they gave them hope. Brownish-pink eyes narrowed at the Demon as he recalled those words and saw a smile form within his mind's eye of those whom he had started to find comradery in.

"I am not afraid of them….I am confused about them, and I don't deny that. But I understand their strength in that way….and yes, they are stronger than I am by many leaps and bounds; however, I also understand that the reason they are this way is because they've been through a lot and they need others; just as I need your power so I can help my sister, so I can protect her, so…." The Demon smirked.

"Just petty words that…"

"SHUT THE HELL UP! I WANT YOUR POWER SO I CAN PROTECT MIRAI! SO I CAN HELP YUUICHIRO, MIKAELA, YOICHI, SHIONA, AND ANYONE ELSE WHO NEEDS ME NOW OR IN THE FUTURE! SO GIVE ME YOUR POWER YOU FUCKING DEMON! I'M RIGHT HERE! SO BRING IT ON!"

The Demon was clearly taken aback by his declaration and tilted her head as she sighed and revealed its true form of a human-like shadow with strange orange eyes. It twisted around him and looked him over before humming as it continued to stare at him in questioning. Kimizuki took in a few deep breaths, well aware that he had exerted quite a bit of energy getting those words out; however, it made them no less strong or sincere. Kimizuki looked to the Demon as she hummed again and then tisked.

"Very well…I'll let you use me; however, if you change your choices, or your fear consumes your words from now: I will devour you whole," she said.

"I won't waver! You can count on that." She tisked again.

"We'll see….my name is Kiseki-O," she said.

"My name is Kimizuki Shioh." She nodded.

"For now, I will accept you as my master…..

{Chamber: 6:04pm}

Guren and Shinoa had been waiting in the silence for a decent forty-or-so minutes before they heard a slightly startled gasp as Kimizuki started to rouse and looked at the room around him before he slowly sat up and got himself on his feet. His body felt laden and sluggish despite him personally feeling rather awake and energetic. Kimizuki looked to Guren and Shinoa who smiled with faint relief as he walked towards them. It was as he went to stand before them that he heard a faint rattle of metal and looked over his shoulder to see Yuuichiro's grasp tensing upon the hilt of the katana while his body shook and his facial expression grew slightly pained. His gaze turned to Mikaela who also seemed fairly discomforted as well. Concern began to overtake him as he looked to Guren for answers.

"Are they okay?" he asked. The Lieutenant Colonel sighed.

"After the rest of you went into the contract ceremony; Yuuichiro and Mikaela started to have some kind of reaction to the weapons they pulled. Apparently, the Demons aren't overly fond of something about their bodies…" Kimizuki frowned.

"What do you mean?" Shinoa glanced towards the two brothers.

"The Demon within Mika's sword already tried to take over by force; however, it couldn't," she explained.

"Why is that?" Guren looked to Yuu who let out a pained noise in a faint manner.

"Because of their Gifts most likely. It's been proven that people like that are rarely able to be overtaken by Demons as effortlessly as others. The Psychometry ability makes it remarkably hard for something to possess them," he vindicated.

"So, what? It's trying to hurt them instead?" for some unexplainable reason, Kimizuki felt worry flood him when he heard Mika let out a faint yelp of pain.

"Possibly, but what's more….they are fighting back. Look at how their hands on the weapons are shaking. They're fighting it and as for Yoichi….he hasn't moved yet," Shinoa said in concern. Kimizuki looked at the three teenagers and felt a faint ache develop in his chest.

"You're afraid of those boys simply because in your eyes they're monsters and you see them as a threat, and you want them dead because they're just that: freaks of nature that you're terrified of…."

"Please, make it out alright you guys…." He thought encouragingly so he could cull the words of Kiseki-O.

{Mikaela…}

"Where am I?"

He looked around the area in faint discomfort. His mind tried to make sense of why he was standing before the exit of the Vampire city from four years ago. It sent an aching chill through him as fear tried to unfurl itself within him. Mika took in a deep breath, closing his eyes for a moment before he looked to the area around him. It was most certainly the atrium that lead to the exit of Sanguinem; however, it was in shambles. The magnificent sculptures and details were shattered and the ceiling had fallen upon the floor in large chunks alongside the floor which had been upturned, causing the place to still display its beautiful white marble, but in jagged pieces that stood out like glaciers amidst the crystal-clear water that had also flooded the room. It was up to his knees and absolutely frigid as he tried to take in what was happening.

Mika took in another breath as he tried to pinpoint what was happening in this empty, frozen room when he heard the faint sound of water dropping as it echoed across the area in an almost horridly loud fashion. Sapphire-blue eyes looked up from his reflection – showing him to still be sixteen years old – and turned this way and that, hoping to find something or possibly locate where the sound came from. As he did, he felt the sudden sense of something behind him and turned around faintly to look directly at the figure of someone he could never mistake as another.

The boy was standing barefoot on an outcropped piece of rubble. His clothes - which were of their time within the Vampire City – were torn and tattered in odd places even though there wasn't a speck of blood on him nor any signs of injuries. He looked as if he had been hurt, yet was lacking any evidence of anything but the tears in his clothes and the smudges upon his cheeks and in some areas of his body that was visible to him. Mika took in a deep breath as he walked forward and listened to his own breathing and the sloshing of the water as he moved while it still sounded far too loud. He stopped just shy of the boy as he took in a deep breath and let it out to see his breath appear; showing how positively cold the room was.

"Yuu?!" the boy's black hair hung in his eyes, and he didn't respond. Mika looked him over at that point in fear as he tried to get a reaction out of the boy.

"Yuu? Hey? Are you alright?!" the boy's head tilted slightly downward as if he was looking at his own reflection before Mika received a singular response.

"Look…."

Sapphire-blue eyes looked down at the boy's reflection in confusion and then fear as he realized that it didn't match his current form. Instead, it was a sight that sent an odd chill down his spine. Blood was splattered across him and ran from an empty eye-socket whilst it also ran in a line from the corner of his mouth. Mika stared in a horrified fashion as a wicked smile spread across the boy's features, displaying sharp fangs while his eyes still being mostly hidden by his bangs. The boy looked utterly war-torn and broken; like a marionette whose strings had been cut and there was so much pain and fear there in that haunting image that Mika almost didn't notice anything else around him until he heard the sound of water moving and looked up.

The image reflected upon the water's smooth surface had become a horrifying reality as he stood there, wide-eyed, and pale as the black-haired boy – now the age he was outside of this hellish nightmare – stumbled his way towards him. Mika looked his form over, pained and fearful as he took note of the skeletal wings that were matted in blood and decayed feathers of black that clung to the bone remained curled against the boy's back. A singular hand reached out to him and he felt true terror fill him.

"No….no….no….."

"M-Mika…." the blonde felt himself stumble a bit as the other boy leaned against him, feeling cold and unmoving as Mika tried to reason with himself. He swallowed the knot that had formed within his throat and then wrapped his arms shakily around the other boy's broken and battered body.

"Yuu, it's alright….I'm here…..I'll help you okay?" as the words left him a sinister smirk was felt against his throat and instantly, agony ripped through him as he looked to the boy who had torn his hand through his stomach just as the Vampire that killed their family had done four years prior.

"Yuuichiro?" his voice sounded brittle as shock and terror filled him.

"I believe that you are far too weak to befitting of the title of my master. You are quite weak and faint of heart when it comes to those you love…for you see…this is your worst fear. That the thing hiding inside your precious little brother will be evil and monstrous and it will destroy all that you and he hold dear." The voice sounded like his brother; however, he was given the distinct sensation that the thing speaking with him was anything but.

"W-What…" Mika took in a shuttering breath as the figure pulled him closer, touching his face and hair as he coughed up blood and sharp fangs pricked his throat.

"You fear that the esoteric power within your brother will be dangerous and that this dark angel you see before you will become a horrific reality….simply put: you fear him in every manner imaginable," the boy whispered to him as he licked the wound on the side of his throat. Mika gritted his teeth and narrowed his eyes as he kept a grasp upon the person who had attacked him and now had accused him of fearing his brother.

"You're….the Demon…." He said sharply.

"Hmmm~ did you figure it out? How little child?" Mika flinched in pain as he reached up and placed a hand in the blood soaked and messy trestles of black-hair that was just below his chin. He took in another breath and did all he could to remain calm in the face of this obstacle.

"Because….Yuu….isn't like this, and you're wrong! I fear his power may overtake him….but I can help him if it does! So can Shinoa, and Yoichi…Guren….and Kimizuki. We're here for him and they are here for me. I'm not afraid of this because it can't be stopped…."

"Oh? Then what do you fear child?" the voice was icy and taunting; nothing like the warm and jovial voice of his brother.

"I'm scared of this because I know that Yuu could suffer from it. I know his power is strong….but so is mine!" he stated.

"Well, curses be….you are far smarter than I granted you credit for. Allow me to ponder a guess: you desire my power? For revenge? For your brother's safety? Child, these are highly petty wishes, and are rather light for what I can do…" the Demon wrapped it's arms around him and he flinched when the pain in his stomach stopped while it held him closely in an almost frighteningly intimate manner.

"You're right: I want your power to keep him safe and I do want revenge," he answered as he used his past experiences to keep the Demon from winning at the mind game he was trapped within.

"Are you certain that you wish to keep him safe? You are aware that he is no mere mortal….but I am sure you know that: you are aware of what is inside him after all." It pressed its lips close to his ear as it whispered these words.

It was a strange experience, Mika would admit that. The Demon who had taken on the guise of his brother sounded like him, and by now the wicked changes to his form had changed to the point that it had copied his exact appearance; right down to the boy's sharp emerald eyes and even his scent. Mika took in a steadying breath, reminding himself to keep calm in the face of what the Demon would do to trip him up and glanced to it.

"Of course I want him safe: he's my brother. Yuuichiro and I are family and I couldn't think of any better reason than to have your power….but, I don't just want to protect him….we have a new family now and I want to help protect them too. The best way for me to do that is to fight alongside them," he told the demon and it scratched it's nails across his scalp as it knotted it's fingers in his hair.

"You are a rather interesting person. I find it entertaining that you have not broken even though I materialized the thing you fear most. What I find even more interesting and troublesome from someone such as yourself is that you love these people and your unnatural sibling…I detest love." Mika laughed a bit.

"That's a common thing with you Demons: you hate love, you hate affection, but it's those things that make us humans strong," he said. The Demon sighed as it stepped back and looked to him with the same sharp emerald gaze as his brother.

"Well, you desire my power?" Mika nodded.

"I want it so I can help keep Yuu safe and so I can help him protect our new family," he said.

"You are aware that by accepting my power and forming a contract with one such as myself…you put yourself at quite the risk of me possessing you one day, correct? If your decisiveness wavers, I will…." The blonde smiled as he nodded his head in agreement.

"I know what's at risk and I accept it wholly. If I wasn't prepared for that I wouldn't be here now." The Demon looked him over once more and its form changed from that if his brother to a giant wolf. It was as tall – if not taller – than him and white as snow. The wolf before him was beautiful and heart stopping despite the menacing presense it had. Glowing, ice-blue eyes turned to him as he stared it over and the wolf nodded its head.

"Tell me your name….an introduction is polite," it said.

"Well, a Demon with manners; that's something different." The wolf whined.

"It isn't as uncommon as you humans would like to think," it explained.

"Alright. My name is Hyakuya Mikaela." The wolf-Demon looked to him fully, growing closer as it nuzzled him, it's massive head taking up his entire torso.

"I am Fenrir. As of this moment, I am at your service, Hyakuya Mikaela and I will help you honor your resolution to defend your family and those you so desire to protect, so long as those declarations do not waver."

"I'm glad to have you," he said.

"Ah! As your humble assistant, I find myself aligned to tell you something of rather great importance…." The wolf looked to him.

"What is it?" the wolf flicked its ears.

"While you may indeed be aware that your sibling is not quite of the mortal-realm; neither are you. Something within you is of Aesir…there is something bonded unto you that would make the Gods and Goddesses rather curious," he stated.

"What does that mean?"

"The blood of Valkyries seems to run deep within your veins." The wolf began to walk away at that.

"Wait! What are you talking about? I…."

{Chamber: 6:59pm}

"What the…." Mika shot up with a startled gasp as the others started towards him in faint worry while the blonde shivered as the last bit of ice from Fenrir's domain faded from his system.

"Well, look who's up. Congratulations Mikaela, you're the second one to come back with a contract," Guren said. Sapphire-blue eyes looked around.

"Who else….Kimizuki? You succeeded?" blue eyes locked onto Kimizuki who looked him over.

"Yea, I was first; but your brother and Saotome are still out of it," he answered.

"So, how was your trip into the realm of a Demon?" Mika turned his attention to Shinoa.

"It was…uncanny….he copied Yuu's appearance down to the way he smells and sounds…." She nodded.

"Demons tend to do that. They'll do whatever it takes to trip you up, no matter how acerbic or demented. Kind of makes you wonder what your brother and Yoichi are going through right now, huh?" she asked.

"But, it wasn't…" Mika looked to his brother who gritted his teeth in pain as his hand clenched the sword's hilt, causing him to feel panic flare within him. he attention turned to Guren who was watching the other two.

"Is he okay?" Guren sighed.

"So far, it seems that the Demon is just trying to hurt him and he's fighting it back. However, it's been rather harsh with him and Yoichi hasn't moved once. Despite that…."

"AHHHH!"" The resounding scream caught the group of four off guard as the black-haired boy's body arched up, the hand that wasn't latched onto the sword – which was so tight that the boy's knuckles had turned white – clawed at the group as his head tilted back. Kimizuki felt his eyes wide when the boy's body dropped back to the ground as he took in a shuttering breath and the blonde leaped off the ground.

"Yuu!" Mika went to his brother, but as he made it to the circle, a shock of energy lashed him backwards and onto the ground as he let out a pained hiss.

"You can't help him Mikaela. There's nothing that can be done for now," Guren told him.

"He's hurting! That fucking Demon is trying to kill him and you're just gonna stand by? What the hell are you thinking?" Guren narrowed his eyes.

"I have no power of the way the contract seals work. Don't assume this is my fault just because you're pissed," he said.

"He better not die…." Shinoa felt her heart clench inside her chest as she watched Mika bang his fists on the invisible wall that kept him away from his brother.

"What will you do if he becomes a monster? Will you be the one to deal the killing blow?" Guren inquired. Sapphire-blue eyes went wide, the blue around his pupils lightening to the point that they were almost electric in color as it fanned out in his iris.

"Damn you….I'll save him! To hell with whatever you think is going to happen! I won't let you kill my brother you son of a bitch!" the Lieutenant Colonel felt his eyes widen while the others stared at the boy as he sat there upon the ground next to his brother with a glare settled upon them.

"Hyakuya, listen to me. He can fight this, he stronger than you think. Besides…" Mika shook his head at Kimizuki's statement.

"None of you get it….probably because none of you know…." Shinoa crouched down next to him.

"Know what?" she asked. The blonde gritted his teeth.

"Akane, she was still alive when he ran out of Sanguinem with me. Even now he blames himself for leaving her behind. I don't know what that Demon is doing to him; but I'll be damned if I let it do anymore to him. I won't let anyone take my family from me…not after all this hell we've gone through." Shinoa nearly reached out to place a comforting hand on the boy but stopped herself.

"Nothing I do will change how worried he is….all I can do now is wait with him." she thought.

"Then stay strong and wait. He'll wake up, you've got to have faith in that much," Kimizuki stated as he stood behind the blonde alongside Guren.

"He better, and if something happens….if any of you even try and attack him…." they looked to him as the blonde gave them a murderous look that caused him to appear almost wild.

"I will cut you down myself! Am I clear?" Guren frowned.

"It's pretty rare to see this side of Mikaela. The feral one was Yuuichiro. Up until now, Mika has always been the calmer of the two…but right now he's afraid of losing the only family he feels he has left….we just need to keep him calm or that Psychometric trait is going to copy off that Demon instead of what he needs to copy off of."

"Take a deep breath and focus on the goals ahead Mikaela. That threat won't be needed, and you'll see that soon enough," he said.

{Yoichi…..}

"It's pretty mean of you to take the form of my sister," he said.

"Well, you should have expected that. We pride ourselves in recreating the worst event of your lives. I am a Demon after all…..but, I see we have a bit of a problem." He looked her over.

"What's that exactly?" he asked nervously.

"You're personally to gentle and kind. Your greatest emotion of the day your sister died was that you lived! And to top it off, you're intimidated and afraid of people you call friends." Yoichi froze in place.

"No! I'm not! I trust Yuu, Mika, Shinoa, and Kimizuki! I'm not scared of intimidated by them!" the Demon shook her head.

"Oh, no your wrong there sweetie. You fear them because they're stronger than you! And that is the greatest emotion that the human race feels: fear of the arcane!" she said with a laugh. The demon stood and caught him by the throat, causing him to choke a bit as he shook and looked the Demon in the eye.

"You…are….wr…." she sighed, rolling her eyes.

"No, I'm not wrong here kid. You are a prime example, and look at yourself. You don't even have the strength or desire to fight me for your own life! You don't care if you die! How pathetic! If you want my power and revenge for your sister then I suggest you hand over your body, kid…."

"No…I…."

"I desire a master with a strong will: you have no will." A sinister smile came to her face.

"P-Please….I…."

"Give me your body…..Saotome Yoichi….."

{Yuuichiro…}

Once again, pain ripped through him as black spears pierced through his body. Emerald-eyes narrowed at the ground as blood started to drip upon the surface before his gaze. They were in the orphanage, and the person who stood before him was none other than Akane. She was stained in blood to the point that the white of her dress had turned a sickly red and she wore a calm expression as she looked him over. Yuuichiro took in a shuttering breath as he steeled himself against the Demon's assault before he turned his gaze upon her. No longer would this monster have the power to overthrow him. His convictions were sound, and he knew why he was here even though she had toyed with his heart and mind until he felt the strain physically: he would never break. Another deep breath entered his lungs as he kept his gaze narrowed upon the Demon who had stolen the form of Akane.

"Enough….." the girl sighed.

"Oh, you breaking? Good, I was getting…" a faint laugh left him.

"Enough of your games bitch. I need your power!" the Demon frowned.

"Then give me your body," she said. The demon moved a bit closer and crouched before him as she caught his chin and looked into his eyes.

"Like hell I'm doing that! I have people who need me! Who the hell do you think you are? Taking her form?" she frowned.

"You have such pretty eyes boy…..your fairly attractive, for what you are. Don't you want to stay with me? We can have a bit of fun…." The girl leaned a bit closer to him and he hissed at her.

"Who do you think you are? Trying to torture me to make me give up my body…I am not going to do it! Screw you! I am asking for your power because I have to protect what's precious to me!" he snapped. She stared at him, laughing a bit as she grazed her thumb across his bottom lip.

"Precious to you? You aren't even human! What kind of person has Gifts like you do? What are you even? Some sort of monster that's taken the form of a mortal? Why do you have to protect anything? Look at what you are child: you are a Demon just like I am." Emerald eyes gleamed electric-green, startling the Demon before him.

"NO I'M NOT! I'M NOT A DEMON!" she stared.

"Oh, come now, it's not so bad…" he shook his head.

"No matter what you or anyone else says: I am not a monster, and I am not a Demon. I am here to protect Mika and my friends….to defend the ones I love! To hell with you, I've never bowed to anyone in my life and I am not starting now!" he snarled, his teeth sharpening as his eyes continued to gleam bright green. The Demon looked him over.

"That Psychometric ability is pretty interesting…..it's a nice look for you. It suits your fiery attitude and sharp words…..but, you should save your breath…you're about to break, besides…." She started.

"GIVE ME YOUR POWER YOU FUCKING DEMON! BEFORE I MAKE YOU WISH YOU'D NEVER MET ME!" the boy's eyes remained bright, electric-green as he bared fangs at her and broke free from his restraints before he caught the thing by the throat. The moment he did, it hissed in pain at his touch while he kept a stern gaze upon the Demon.

"You're…a…Ser…" he pulled it close.

"I need your power to protect my family. So shut up and hand it over!"

The Demon looked to him and slowly, the dimly lit orphanage room because a void filled with a white mist. The black-haired teenager watched as the Demon formed into a young girl in a black-and-white dress with long, curly, and flowing violet-blue hair and ruby eyes. She held out her hand and grasped nothingness as she looked to him and her bare feet touched the ground. Yuuichiro watched her as she walked around him and seemed to think before stopping in front of him. Emerald eyes met ruby ones and she sighed with a bit of a laugh.

"Hmm….I like you. You have fire and spirit, plus a lot of courage. Alright, I'll follow you, but if you waver in your ambitions, your body is mine. Am I clear?" the black-haired teenager smirked.

"Fine, I guess that's fair. But don't try anything stupid. I won't waver from what I chose so easily," he stated.

"I figured…I can't take you over as easily as other mortals. You're different because of the three Gifts you were granted…..plus….something about you isn't human." He rose an eyebrow at that.

"What do you mean by that exactly?" he asked.

"Well, I mean that your composition is really strange. About ten percent of your body isn't human. It's something else….and if you're a half-blood you're one I've never encountered. Well, you'll figure it out soon enough. You're strong, so what's your name kid?" the boy gave her a slight smile.

"I'm Hyakuya Yuuichiro," he stated.

"My name is Asuramaru. If you need me, call my name and my power will be at your disposal."

"Alright then, Asuramaru it is. I'm glad to have you as my partner," he said. The Demoness smiled faintly.

"You know….I'm oddly glad to have you as a master."

{Chamber: 7:20pm}

After what felt like hours, the invisible barrier around the black-haired boy shattered and Mika looked up as slowly, Yuuichiro opened his eyes and looked around the room as he took in a deep breath and then turned his gaze towards his brother. The black-haired boy slowly sat up, feeling his head throb a bit as he came out of the daze that the Demon had put him into. As he did so though, he was enveloped in two tight embraces. Shinoa and Mika were the first to get to him, wrapping their arms around him as he realized that he now had a Cursed Gear of his own.

A faint bit of gratefulness filled him as he mentally thanked Asuramaru while his gaze turned towards Shinoa who had her head rested against his shoulder while he reached up and placed a gentle hand upon her head before he felt his heart flutter in his chest and smiled as he glanced away and felt a blush come to his face. Mika put his hand on his head and smiled in evident relief. Finally, the blonde backed away while Shinoa stayed put as she glanced up to the boy and stared into his emerald eyes as he blinked before she sat back and smiled softly to him.

"I'm glad to see you're okay. You scared us for a moment," she said.

"Sorry, Asuramaru can be a bitch apparently…." He glanced at the sword at his side and Guren smiled while Mika looked at the katana.

"Is that the name of the Demon?" he asked.

"Yea, she didn't like the fact that she couldn't take me over. Something about the Gifts that I have or something like that." Kimizuki frowned and then looked at the boy.

"Well, now all we have to do is wait for Saotome," he said. Emerald eyes looked to him and he tensed before the boy looked to the other one lying on the floor still.

"Wait….Yoichi is still unconscious? What's going on?" the others shook their heads.

"I wish we knew. He hasn't even flinched…even you bowed back and screamed at one point and showed a physical effort to defeat it. What did that Demon do to you exactly?" Shinoa probed.

"Tried to wear me down. I wouldn't budge so she got pissed and tried to tell me that I wasn't a human and that I was just like her – a Demon – but it failed too and she submitted after a while. Asuramaru was what she said her name was." Guren hummed as he took in those details before looking to the last person in the group they were waiting on.

"Are you positive that Yoichi is going to be okay?" Mika asked.

"We can only just wait for now and hope that…"

Before Guren could finish his statement, there was a loud crash and the group looked up to see the statue before them had split completely up the center and a figure now stood within the rafters holding a bow and glowing-green arrows. In fear, they dared to turn their gaze to where Yoichi had once been only to find him gone. Shinoa felt her eyes grow wide as she felt her chest tighten while Guren frowned, not liking what the result had been. He turned his gaze to Yuuichiro and Mikaela who kept anxious expressions upon their face as they braced themselves for what was to possibly come. Guren took in a deep breath, knowing that this was going to become a bitter situation.

"Alright you three. Listen up!" the three teenagers looked to him.

"Guren, you can't…." Shinoa muttered.

"Now that you've gotten your Cursed Gear: here is your first mission as Cursers. There is a man-eating Demon in this room somewhere. Your task is to locate it, survive, and destroy it," he said bluntly. They looked to him in horror as above them, a wicked tune was being hummed in their friend's voice. Emerald eyes turned towards the rafters.

"I can't."

{…}

And if you need me to, I will save you….

{…}

Author's Note: Well, I hope that the information was fairly clear. Now, I want to address some details on the Demons and their own desires that while they didn't express them fully were hinted at:

Kiseki-O: Perception. She wants a master who can see past their own petty reasons which is why she was okay with accepting Kimizuki after he convinced himself that he wasn't scared and was also wasn't prejudice against those around him. The other key detail is that she changes perceptions on her victims.

Fenrir: Honor. He desired a master who upheld their honor and when they vowed something would keep it. Fenrir is based on the Norse Mythology of the wolf of the same name and the Nordic peoples were fairly high on the Honor factors. However, Fenrir can also be cunning: seeing as he's the son of Loki. But, Fenrir is also the Father of all Wolves and they bear a pack mentality thus they protect their own.

Gekkoin: Will. She preferred a master with a great deal of personal Will and determination; however, at the time Yoichi wasn't that. The reason why it seems she's that way is because she breaks the will of her victims just as Kiseki-O breaks the means of perception or common ground and Fenrir wishes to break the Honor of his victims.

Asuramaru: Courage. She often seems to embody both Honor, Will, and Perception. The way she works is interesting because she wants to make a person doubt themselves and their convictions and the courage they thought they possessed. Yuuichiro was able to be accepted willingly because he is Courageous and Strong, things she likes and dislikes at the same time.

Hope everyone's having a great day or night.

Sincerely,

ShadowDragon94

Chapter 7: A New Family