When I woke up, I was confused. My thoughts were still hazy, still twisted up in dreams and nightmares; it took me longer than it should have to figure out where I was.

I tried to remember how I got here, but nothing came at first.

I did remember arms, warm ones, tucking me into bed. Hands that brushed my hair back affectionately and a faint whisper of, "Thank you".

And I remembered Yura, who'd nearly collapsed with relief when she'd found me asleep in her room. When she'd been unable to rouse me from my sleep, she had been forced to half drag; half carry me to the train station, my arm draped over her shoulder and her arm firm around my waist.

I was back at home.

I looked at the clock on my wall. The green numbers said it was four o'clock, but they gave no indication if it was night or day. The curtains had been pulled securely, and no edge of light escaped the edge of the fabric.

I rose stiffly and staggered to the windows, pulling back the drapes.

It was dark outside. Four in the morning, then.

I was dressed in a loose grey T-shirt, and a pair of my favourite holey sweats. I just hoped that Yura had been the one to change me.

I was on my way to the adjoining bathroom to shower when a light rap on the door made me start.

"Can I come in?" Yura asked.

I took a deep breath. "Sure."

She walked in, dark shadows under her eyes, looking more like a corpse than a person. She looked me over cautiously. "You look like you could sleep more."

I shook my head. "What day is it?"

"Monday. School doesn't start till eight, though."

"I am alright. Thank you for… Carrying me home."

Yura looked a little taken aback to be thanked. Brushing a stray strand of hair out of her eyes, she smiled faintly. "It's fine. You'll have to talk to your Grandmother though – I told her what happened."

I sighed. She would be extremely angry with me for running off on my own.

"And my sword?"

"Your grandmother has it. I think she wants to ground you for life."

"Excuse me?!"

Yura chuckled. "I was just kidding."

I rolled my eyes. "Gee, thanks."

"She is angry though, but more at me than you, I think." Yura sighed, her tone serious.

"I am sorry. I did not mean to run off." I said, feeling a pang of guilt.

"Don't do it again," Yura cautioned, heading off to her own room after her warning.

I kept silent, knowing better than to make promises I couldn't keep. I felt awful for deceiving her when she was only trying to do what she'd been told, and my stomach churned at the thought of it.

Pushing my thoughts aside, I headed to the bathroom to get cleaned up. The familiar smell of my lavender soap calmed me down, and I was able to soak in the tub for a good hour, luxuriating in the feel of the soapy bubbles against my tired skin. When I had dried myself with a fluffy white towel, I changed into my school uniform, my thick brown hair straggling in fragrant tangles around my face.

After unsuccessfully yanking a brush through my hair to smoothen it out, I decided to wear it up for convenience's sake, and pulled my hair back into a strict, no nonsense ponytail.

I wasn't surprised to find my Grandmother awake and alert. At least she waited until after breakfast to pounce on me.

Yura had scarpered at the first sign of trouble. She could face down a hoard of yokai without even batting an eyelid, but an old woman – a harmless one at that – was able to scare her silly.

"What happened?" Grandmother demanded, not beating around the bush in the slightest. "You were supposed to stay with Yura. Was it really that hard to follow instructions?"

I kept my voice level, not wanting to fight, but not wanting to give in either.

"Grandmother, I am perfectly capable of looking after myself."

"You don't understand..."

"I do. I am not a pet. You cannot keep me locked up every time there is a yokai attack. I refuse to run and hide."

Grandmother shook her head. "You sound like Nurarihyon."

"Who?"

"No one. Tell me the truth. You encountered one of them, didn't you?"

"Er… Three, actually."

Grandmother gasped. "Who?"

"Gozumaru, Gyuuki and… The third heir?"

At first, Grandmother stared at me, as if there were answers hidden under the skin that she could only see if she looked carefully.

"You met them all. And lived?"

I nodded.

Grandmother sucked in a breath.

"Carry shikigami on you at all times. Keep your phone in your pocket. I want to be able to reach you."

"Okay."

"And keep me updated on your schedule in case –" Her voice cracked. "But his grandson won't hurt you. He'll keep you safe. Just like he kept the original safe."

Worried that I'd pushed her off the deep end, I merely nodded. But I didn't understand.

I went through school like a sleepwalker. All I could think about was my Grandmother's words as I went through the notions of class.

The only one who could have told me what she meant was the Ayakashi himself. And it was clear he wasn't going to show up.

At midday, I gave up, and tagged along with Yura to her club.

Her friends were all nice, remembering me from the trip to Mt. Nejireme, and accepted me into their little group easily.

Club took place on the roof, where Yura showed them 'uho', an ancient art handed down by the Keikains from generation to generation. Though it looked more like a dance to me, I kept my mouth shut and sat on the ground next to Kana.

"Kana-san, are you okay? You do not look well."

She nearly jumped a foot into the air, and laughed sheepishly at herself.

"I'm sorry. I just haven't gotten enough sleep, I guess."

"Did you have a nightmare?"

"Um…" She swallowed, her already pale skin blanching, and I decided not to probe any further.

Her skin was pale, with a green tinge, and there were dark smudges under her eyes. I rested my hand on her forehead.

"Mm, you do feel a bit warm." I murmured, frowning as I looked at her sallow complexion. "Maybe you should – Oh!"

I gasped as my fingertips trembled; they shone with the intensity of a supernova, and burned just as hotly. However, Kana seemed better when I pulled my hand away - her skin practically glowed with radiance, and she seemed more energetic, as if she'd had a cup of coffee to energize herself.

Her eyes were huge. "Wha-What did you –?"

"SSHHH!" I hushed her instantly. "You cannot tell anyone!"

"But –"

"Please. If I'm your friend, just… Do not. Okay?"

Fear threatened to wash over me like a tidal wave and pull me under. I hadn't expected this. Not in a million years.

"Miss Ienaga! This is for your benefit, so please pay attention!"

Kana nodded hesitantly in response to my request, and turned her attention back to Tori and Maki, who had their limbs stretched out in such strange angles, that a contortionist would have screamed. Her large eyes kept drifting over to the courtyard, where Nura and that blue haired girl were – for a lack of a better word – flirting. Really, there was no other word for it.

"Jealous?"

"Wha – No! I'm just… Curious…" She trailed off, gulping, when the look on my face clearly told her that I was not buying it.

I cast my eyes heavenwards. "Look, if you want to leave, then just go. I will make something up."

"Are you…?"

"Go."

And this time she went.

"Where's Ienaga-san going?" Yura demanded, flopping down beside me.

I think she's killed them, I thought, staring in awe – and horror – at Tori and Maki, who were lying spread-eagled on the floor of the roof, their limbs flapping like wet spaghetti.

"She, um, has a dinner date. With her family, you know?"

"Oh. Right. It is her birthday, after all. Speaking of which, yours is coming up soon, right?"

"Umm… In about 2 weeks or so." I shrugged, carefully avoiding her eyes. "Why?"

"Do you want to celebrate? I could get you a present."

"No, it is fine. You do not need to trouble yourself over my account."

"But-"

"Yura. It's fine."

Something in my voice must have told her that this was a touchy subject, so she merely pursed her lips and fell silent.

I wasn't even sure if I would live till next week and I didn't want to jinx anything.

I got to my feet and heaved my satchel onto my shoulder.

"Where're you going?"

"Home. Relax. I'll be fine."

She raised an eyebrow. "You're… Speaking normally?"

"Normally?"

"Like… Less formally. More like a regular teenager."

I smiled, and waved goodbye. "I guess I am."

I headed down the stairwell, dyed crimson by the light of the setting sun. My shoes clicked eerily on the stairs, and I quickened my pace, eager to get back home. Maybe I was being paranoid, but I got the sense that something was wrong.

The tinier, less powerful (but still annoying nonetheless) yokai were nowhere to be found. I couldn't sense them. And that meant that someone – or something – had scared them away.

I took a deep breath.

The best course of action would be to call Yura to investigate and preferably exterminate the yokai. The second would be to run like hell for the exit.

Then the stairwell lights flickered out. With shaking fingers, I drew my phone out from my school bag, but the phone was dead. And I'd knew I'd charged it this morning.

I am in danger.

A heartbeat later, the hallways shivered, and went out of focus. I spun, grabbing for my sword, which I didn't have.

Above me, at the top of the dark stairwell, a voice that was definitely not human hissed, "Have you come to join Kana's birthday party?"

Hey, guys! Here's an update! Stay tuned for the next chapter, another fight's going to break out! Reviews and comments are appreciated!