The farewell between Karori and Shura was short-lived as the fiery redhead was ushered onto her first of many important missions early in the morning. This left Kaori sipping some tea and her eyes drifting to focus out the large window. She left hours ago and it's only seven in the morning. She sighed, I guess I should make my way to the Tokara Islands. It was better to get there early in the day then to show up at the ferry dock while it's obscenely crowded.
Chugging the rest of her smooth mug she set it down and briskly made her way out her flat, the door swinging and locking behind her. She wouldn't be back until much later, perhaps even days depending on what exactly Mephisto even had in mind for her. In all honesty, the reasoning for this mission escaped her but she didn't allow herself to delve too much into questioning it. No, he's my supervisor. Whatever he asks his exorcists to do, they must follow orders. While this assignment is vague, and I have many questions, he told me that I would know later.
A pair of golden eyes was focused on the attractive young woman from a distance. The mossy haired male was accompanied by Mephisto as they both seemed to tail Kaori on her assignment.
"You've been quiet since we arrived on the island, Amaimon. You were practically itching to leave the office yet now all you do is watch this little bird flutter and follow its course, hm?" Mephisto was reclining in the air as he kept pace with his younger brother. It's been centuries since his attention has been this captivated by something.
"I'm only studying her brother and trying to figure out why this one is so special to you." Amaimon's gaze had only torn away from the woman for merely a moment to lock eyes with his older brother before allowing them to wander back to her.
Mephisto's cold gaze caused the hairs on the back of Amaimon's neck to crawl and stand on end. "I'm not at liberty to share that with you just yet. Simply do as I tell you and we'll have no problems. Alright?"
Amaimon was never fond of upsetting his elder brother, he loved his sibling as well as any demon could really. "Of course."
Kaori was gentle with how she treated the plants and nature around her even while traversing overgrown paths. She would whisper small apologies and soothing words to any dead tendril vines or branches that she needed to cut out of the way with a large hunting knife she brought with her. She would properly sheath the instrument to her thigh when she had no need for it, trudging onward, deeper into the forest. It's lovely, perhaps I'll be able to take in the gorgeous Yakushima forest more when I finish what needs to be done. Whatever that happens to be anyway.
Eleven was roughly the time she managed to reach the Jōmon Sugi, this aged Cryptomeria left her awestruck in a sense that she managed to tune absolutely everything else out just to admire it.
Mephisto's heart caught in his throat over Kaori's expression and his cheeks flushed lightly. Aren't only anime girls supposed to be this cute? Mentally shrugging it off he caught Amaimon preparing to approach. "Ah ah. Not yet. Don't you believe that the proper element of surprise is necessary here?"
Amaimon only stared at Mephisto before shrugging and then leaning back. He unwrapped a lollipop and popped it into his mouth.
Kaori's right hand clutched her upper left arm as she simply stared upwards at the large and gorgeous tree in front of her. Shaking her head once she released her grip and began walking around the Cryptomeria, studying it thoroughly. "Honestly everything seems alright but…hm…"
She unsheathed her hunting knife and slid it gently across her open palm to give her just enough for a summon. "Sakura and Rozen Dragons, heed my call."
A flurry of Cherry blossom petals to her left and a rose petal rain to her right as her two familiars formed. "I…require a second opinion." She nodded in the direction of the Cryptomeria and both familiars seemed to understand her order. The petals scattered, and they began to flow around the tree. "And while they do that…" She rolled up her sleeves and surveyed the tree once more. "I wouldn't mind climbing you dear, just not until I know for sure that everything is as it should be."
Instead Kaori sat at the base of the tree with her back flush against it and she stared upwards through its branches as well as the canopy of the other trees in the area. Slowly her eyes began to close, and very quickly after she went limp against the wide trunk of the Jōmon Sugi. For the moment, she slept peacefully as her familiars were working on their task.
Amaimon crunched on a section of his sucker, splitting it in half. "How long do I need to wait, brother?"
The violet haired libertine simply grinned at his younger sibling, "Patience, I don't believe I've seen you this eager in a while, hm? You'll have your fun." Mephisto was relaxing in a treetop nearby so he had the perfect view of Kaori and her working familiars. While I admire Amaimon's tenacity. My brother needs to learn more patience.
Kaori's chest rose and fell very slowly the deeper she sank into REM sleep.
''Ghh, the hell?'' Struggling to sit up Kaori sucked air in sharply through her teeth, clutching her left side. Specifically, her ribs, the throbbing was one thing but moving cause excruciating pain. Kaori shakily shifted to her knees and attempted to stand only to be thrown back down with such force that her breathing nearly halted. She coughed harshly, her vision shuddered as her eyes traveled upward. The figure in front of her was only a silhouette for the moment but the scent was familiar, like that of a well-watered garden or soaked earth of a forest. Kaori attempted to force herself up again but this time a clawed hand wrapped itself around her neck.
"You should stay down. It's irritating every time you choose to rise from where you belong." The voice was unfamiliar to her but what she could deter was that is was masculine. The figure's gaze bore through her with striking golden eyes.
Kaori grabbed at her neck, trying to pry his clawed digits away. Her lungs and throat burned for oxygen. Though that feeling quickly left her just as that firm hand did. Just as she lost consciousness, that familiar voice she knew so well was distorted to her fading senses. The last thing she noticed through her tilted glasses was the purple interior of a certain Time Kings cape.
Mephisto waved Amaimon forward, "Alright just take your place. She's about to wake up."
His golden eyes glimmered curiously at his older brother just before he slid down the tree and approached the stirring Kaori. His pupils narrowed to slits the closer he was to her. Just as she woke, he leered over her form, his right palm resting against the rugged trunk of the aged Cryptomeria.
It was at this moment that Kaori's eyes shot opened and she clutched her chest, to her dismay she didn't have much time to compose herself when she noticed an unfamiliar demon leaning over her. Due to her sense of unease, her familiars were called back, the Sakura dragon mounting her shoulder first as the Rozen Dragon was still reforming. "You're much too close to me."
Amaimon pivoted on the balls of his heels and leaned back, simply blinking. "I'm to introduce myself to you, Kaori Suzuki." He had long since finished his candy, so the scent of his breath was similar to that of cherries.
"And what would a demon want with me?" Her Rozen Dragon had reconstructed its form and leered its neck over her left shoulder, snarling at the moss haired demon king.
"You're educated enough to atleast realize I'm more than a demon aren't you." His thumbs were in his pockets as he slouched some, getting a better look at the woman in front of him.
Kaori hissed through her teeth while trying to regain her already unsteady composure, "Not the point."
"Mm, indeed." He dangled the hunting knife loosely in his right hand, just enough to grab her attention.
"Eh? Hey!" She took a step forward but was interrupted with a sudden close proximity of Amaimon appearing right in front of her.
His golden orbs forcing her to freeze in place. "Let's get to know each other, shall we?" Amaimon twirled the large blade in his fingers without much effort, successfully adding to the growing nerves of an already frustrated Kaori.
Kaori shuddered under that familiar golden gaze, Why do I…recognize those eyes?
She then folded her arms and tapped her foot. "You already seem to know my name, but didn't you mention something about introducing yourself?"
His fingers grew still, and he caught the knife by its hilt. "Amaimon, King of earth." His eyes locked onto hers again and the air around him was practically suffocating to inhale.
Kaori took two steps back, fixing her glasses. "And your reason for seeking me?"
It only took the adjustment of her glasses for him to quickly move again, this time behind her and leering over her right shoulder. "To challenge you. You harness abilities of my kin and of Ignis." He leaned back and paced off to her side, so she could better see him. "I'm curious as to if you deserve to harness the ability of two different kin types."
Wait…the dream. This is…that same pair of eyes. Kaori steadied her voice with much difficulty, "That seems unnecessary. Considering the kins I can harness and the one you control, neither could really be considered the victor." She inhaled sharply trying to step back more to create some extra distance.
Amaimon gave her a dark and cruel smile. "It wasn't an optional proposal." The knife was now tossed to the side, Kaori wasn't exactly paying attention as to where. "I came here to play, Kaori Suzuki."
Her eyes widened, the Rozen Dragon taking its proper place in front of her. The Sakura dragon scaled down her left arm and eyed her carefully as if waiting for an order. Except right now Kaori was much to distracted to properly strategize. Images of her nightmare flooding back to her mind and effectively cementing her in place.
Mephisto rested his cheek against his fist as his eyes focused on Kaori. "How will you cope with this, Ri? You may not have to worry about me but what about another one of the demon kings? What would you choose to do?" He mused to himself as he studied her reaction. Intelligent, I would be concerned if she wasn't at least a little shaken by one of the eight approaching her for a fight. That cool composure can only carry you so far, darling.
Kaori clutched her left arm hard while staring at Amaimon. Stop it. Stop shaking. I shouldn't be this surprised. I've been around Mephisto so how much more difficult could one of his brothers be? With a shaky breath she fixed her glasses again along with her posture too. "Invocation of divine flame. Scent spread, charm." The Rozen dragon burst into divine lavender flames and the Sakura dragon burst into petals swirling on the wind and strengthening the effect of her pheromone scent.
Amaimon quirked a brow before laughing and giving the young woman a grin. "We finally get to play! Come now, Kaori. Let's have fun alright?"
His shrill laughter shook her to her core, but she refused to lose her nerve. I just need to keep my distance while my familiar fights. One wrong move could be the end of me. Tch, this wasn't what I had in mind. I just came here to check on the Cryptomeria. I'll be damned if our fight damages it either. Kaori made a beeline across the clearing to the other side to lure Amaimon somewhere else.
The mossy haired king chuckled, "Oh we're playing tag? It seems I'm it doesn't it?"
Her Rozen flame engulfed familiar made its way between the two of them, serving as a message that it wouldn't just allow him to touch her.
Mephisto's hand fell to his lap, "Hm, I suppose survival would be the primary objective here. Except…it isn't just herself that she's concerned about. Just as I thought! She's thinking of the Jōmon Sugi! Ah, I expected nothing less."
Amaimon's laughter only increased in volume. "Or maybe it's keep away? How about we do both games, yea?" The skin on his arms hardened and became green. His lengthened clawed hand burst through the neck of the familiar as it scattered into lavender flaming petals. "Now how long can you keep it up though, Kaori?"
Ri swallowed hard and ducked past some trees going through a narrow route, she managed to retrieve her hunting knife almost losing balance as she picked it up mid run. Catching herself on a tree to balance, she again continued her run. Sakura blossoms fluttered past her shoulders but would loop back around her neck in a pattern. Come on, come on! Reform. Reform! Her Rose Dragon reformed, engulfing Amaimon inflame.
Though the victory was short lived as he simply scattered the familiars' fiery pieces again. "Oh, please Kaori, you don't want me to get bored, do you? Surely you have more games we could play."
The footsteps behind her seemed to stop, checking behind her she no longer saw him. Though her chest seized as she hesitantly looked back in front of her, being nearly inches from the Earth king. She gasped hard and her chest hurt just from the sheer shock. Her wrist was held by a hard, discolored clawed hand.
Amaimon grinned at her. "Seems I caught you." He spun her around so that her back was against his chest. "That's a dirty trick that you use, hm? The ability to lure me or anyone really. Do you know what else can do that?" His grip tightened hard enough that her left wrist snapped, causing a fracture. "Succubi. Though what baffles me is that you are so obviously human."
Kaori's breath caught in her throat and tears pricked her eyes. She sucked in a sharp breath to suppress the need to cry out in pain. The entire time he held her, she never stopped trying to get away from him. The visions from that nightmare flashed through her thoughts as she nearly exhausted herself just trying to pull away from Amaimon.
Mephisto's hand was curled into a hard fist, he could feel his claws biting his palms through the thin fabric of his gloves. "He should be stopping soon. I gave him rules." His chest tightened slightly, Except… that Amaimon hasn't been properly exposed to her raw pheromones before. No no. I'm thinking too much into this. I've taught him well, this shouldn't unhinge his sanity…right?
"Is this how you charmed brother into taking so much interest in you?" He yanked her arm hard pulling the joint out of it's socket and allowing her to crumple to the ground.
Amaimon's ramblings feel on deaf ears, Kaori's familiars disappeared since she no longer could hold the concentration to keep them out to assist her. She was on her left side still trying to bite back screams though now she could no longer hide the tears.
Amaimon blinked and stared down at her, "Is that really all? How could you possibly hold so much interest to anyone? You are quite defenseless without those dragons of yours, aren't you?" He did a sweeping spin kick hard into her right side.
Kaori felt her ribs crack and a few of them even came loose. At least three were broken and she wasn't quite sure how many more were fractured but that wasn't exactly what was on her mind. The tears fell freely, and her body shook hard, this only intensified the pain that would act up while she moved. Her breathing was shallow, ragged and strained as she looked up at Amaimon through obscured vision. Glasses were falling off her face and she had dropped her knife again at Amaimon's feet when he originally injured her wrist.
Mephisto stood up and his expression was firm. This isn't what we discussed. He descended and landed a few feet from Amaimon, out of Kaori's cone of vision. Not that it really mattered. "Amaimon, Enough." His voice was stern and intimidating, the authoritative tone he'd use when he needed to converse with the other kings or threaten anyone really.
Amaimon simply gave Mephisto a twisted grin, "But brother I'm having so much fun!~" He waved his fingers lightly, moving the earth under Kaori and rising her to a mock standing position, similar to how a puppet would be posed. "She's such an interesting toy, can't I play with her for just a bit longer brother?"
Mephisto's claws tore through the fingers of his gloves and embedded themselves into his palms. "I believe I said, that's enough." He snapped his fingers which were now slightly bloody, the ground rippled under Amaimon offsetting his balance.
Amaimon cackled loudly, "Brother, Brother aren't you happy with me? I did good, didn't I? I didn't break her. She's still in decent shape, right?" There were tears pricking Amaimon's eyes, but he just continued to cackle.
Mephisto's heart ached as it throbbed in his own throat. Little brother. I do hope you'll forgive me or perhaps tolerate me afterwards. Twirling his wrist with a flourish he waved his parasol and choked out his incantation in a surprisingly steady voice. "Eins, Zwei…Drei. Kuchens Kuckucksuhr." An oversized familiar cuckoo clock appeared. The front doors opened revealing the cuckoo, the animated bird opened its beak and closed around Amaimon, dragging him back into the interior.
Amaimon struggled against the grip of the mechanic device produced by his brothers magic as he watched the girl on the mock raised earth. With his loss of focus the earth resumed its original pattern and her weak frame rested on the ground. It was at this moment that he began to regain his sanity. "Brother no, please!"
Mephisto flinched, not mustering more than brief eye contact with his younger sibling before Amaimon was pulled within. The cuckoo clock disappeared as Mephisto strode over to Kaori. She had already lost consciousness due to the pain she endured. Bringing his hand up to the bridge of his brow he squeezed there and sighed, his glimmering green eyes tracing over her ragged state.
"It seems I underestimate this turn of events." The images of Kaori's fear-stricken features stuck in his mind, he should have taken it as a warning. She…seemed to know something before things even began. Though how could that be? With his power he could go through time, manipulate it, rewrite it and even cross into other timelines. What could she have known that escaped him?
Shaking his head slightly, his hand dropped from his face as he held it over her. "Perhaps I could get Yukio to look over her injuries. It's about time they meet."
Snapping his fingers, the two of them were back in his office. Kaori's glasses and sheathed knife were on the coffee table in the center of the room. Her limp form was resting on his couch, atleast for the moment. It wasn't as though he hadn't had blood removed from the upholstery before. Though now was no such time to think of these things.
Flicking out his cellphone he dialed a number and the charms clinked together near his ear. "Mr Okumura? Yes, this is Mephisto. I require you to come to my office." His eyes glazed over the heaving woman on his couch. "Quickly if you would." He shut the phone without another word and stood near the window, his gaze wandering outside to the midday afternoon.
I'm not looking forward to Shura's initial reaction upon learning this news. Hm, I'll put it off for now. He waved his hand dismissively as he watched the courtyard below his window.
Shura heaved the longest sigh she was able, glancing over the curly brunette. Asako Tsukki was the name on her file, a middle second class exorcist knight and tamer. Jeez I really am babysitting, and what's with these ridiculously tedious missions? They're long and much too simple for what I should be handling.
Asako rubbed the back of her own wrist, looking up to the taller woman. "Shura, you've been real quiet since we left." Her voice seemed to shake slightly.
Shura glanced off to the side and clawed her fingers through her loose ponytail. "Yea well it's nothing more than what I'm normally thinking about. I swear if that clown does anything to Kaori or if she ends up hurt, I'm going to skewer him."
Asako winced and clutched her own wrist hard. "I'll agree that Mephisto's tactics tend to throw anyone for a loop but would you truly believe that he would intentionally hurt any exorcists or just any humans for that matter?"
Asako's large green eyes caught Shura's gaze and she offered a timid smile. "I know Kaori, I think she'll be alright. While I haven't had much time to speak to her, she always seems to persevere."
Shura stared at the smaller girl for a moment or two before exhaling hard. "Yea. If anyone knows Kaori better than me, it's you."
She stood up and motioned Asako to come with her. "I'd say our lunch break is long over due to be finished huh? Time for some work."
Asako inwardly groaned at the mention of getting work done. There's so many people around and those demons are literally scaling all over these buildings. And Osaka is huge, this job is going to take forever. She didn't dare voice any of this to Shura because she didn't want to put an even worse damper on her partners mood.
Shura glanced behind herself briefly, "Your dawdling abit, come on Asako!"
Being ripped harshly from her own thoughts she caught up and did her best to keep pace with Shura. "Sorry, sorry. I must have been day dreaming again."
Shura simply shrugged, "It's not a big deal. I'm used to Kaori doing that too."
Asako giggled, "Eheh, Yea. Just when she wants something, even through her many distractions, she'll do what's necessary to get things done."
Shura just nodded and traced her gaze over the demons climbing the many buildings. "This will be tedious. The entire reason this place hasn't been cleared of all the demons is due to the population and constant all day traffic these streets get. Too many witnesses and civilians."
Asako fell silent for just a moment mulling something over before suggesting, "Couldn't we just take to the roofs? We could lure any building scaling demons up top and we'd be out of site for the most part."
Shura was pleasantly surprised and grinned at her. "Well now, That's a brilliant idea."
Asako's face flushed lightly from the praise. "Let's get to the top of one of the taller buildings for a proper vantage point."
Shura leaned back some with her arms behind her head, "Alright, but I owe you a drink when this is all said and done."
Asako's green eyes glimmered at the suggestion and she gave a slight hop in her pace as they made their way into one of the taller buildings.