Author Note: Hello again for another... okay, this isn't an omake. I was busy so I did not get to write for a while, and I know readers are anxious for more chapters of the main story. So I decided to imemdiately start working on that one, and instead put something else in the Omake fic: the story's prototype.
It may surprise some, but chapter 1 was not actually the first chapter. Before that, I wrote a different chapter 1 and chapter 3 (chapter 2 was skipped) and sent them to Citsimsan in pieces as I wrote. They were not published anywhere, both because I still did not feel confident to do so, and because I was unsatisfied with how it all started (which prompted me to restart, and I liked the new start so much that I immediately published it). But since I like finding and reading prototypes, I decided to publish this for all to see (after doing some editing because my syntax skills were even worse than they are now)!
Hope you like it!
! BECAUSE OF SPOILERS, DON'T READ UNLESS YOU FINISHED AROUND 40 CHAPTERS OF THE MAIN STORY !
Chapter 1 (Prototype)
The Cinema xxx in Tokyo was filled with people. As it was usual with cinemas, people were waiting for a movie to start.
Something was off however. There was an air of unusual excitment... excitment and fear.
Some were waiting for the movie to start, stabbing their fingers into their foods or drinks (and some strongly holding hands of their partners), not moving an eye from the wall.
Others were talking. Talking without a pause. However, should you listen a bit longer to them, you'd soon notice that they were not really talking. Their mouths open, words come out but with every sentence the topic changes. And nobody complains. This is simply their way to deal with fear.
The lights turn off and everyone goes silent.
The movie starts.
Some start to shiver. Some proclaim they should leave but they still remain sitting.
Yes, there is fear here. However, what is stronger than fear is human curiosity.
A bandaged head wearing a western hat appears on the wall.
These people have not come to watch the movie.
He takes out two antique silver guns.
No, they have come to watch a horror.
And than the figure jumped out into the world of humans, as if jumping through a window.
No, they have come to feel fear many could only see only in their dreams.
And the figure started shooting and humans started screaming.
And then everyone wonders: Was it worth it?
~)(~
"And thus, this cute little lady is joining our Paranormal Investigation Club!" proclaimed Ichinoe Araya to others as she introduced Kibiki Sakura to them.
"Araya-san... please tell me she is a willing volunteer." Nura Rihan begged.
Araya started complaining. "Why, of course she-"
"I am here of my own free will!" the new girl proclaimed and puffed.
Araya made a victorious face. "See?"
Rihan ignored her. "Glad to hear it." He then rose from his seat and smiled. "In that case lets introduce ourselves. You said you were called..."
Araya started complaining "She is Kibiki Sakura. And don't you be ignori-"
"I am Kibiki Sakura, please take good care of me." The 1st year girl answered. She had long orange hair with a plastic pink flower as an heir accessory.
"Et tu, Brute?" Ichinoe Araya, a 1st year girl with glasses, black hair and a ponytail, said something in some alien language.
"And I am Nura Rihan." Answered a 1st year brown haired boy. Not that his introduction was needed as he was popular in the school, altough he looked incredibly... normal. "Glad to meet you."
The girl blushed and tried to say something but nothing came from her mouth.
She was too late however. "And I am Nura Ritsura, this idiot's older sister." Said a 2nd year girl with long black hair.
"Glad to meet you Ritsura-senpai."
"No need to call me senpai darling."
"No, I can't do that. It would be-"
"You may call me Ritsura-sama. But you can also call me Master!" she said shamelessly and with a golden smile, like she was proudly doing a good deed.
"...huh?"
"Just..." Rihan suddenly hit her with his elbow. "...ignore her."
"Glad to have another normal person here." A blonde tall boy with pricles walked to her. "I am Shima Ryu, 2nd year." Tough his face was filled with pricles, his manner of speech and elegance made up for it. "I am the one who founded this club with Ritsura-san as well as its leader, but was later overthrown by the glasses girl."
Nobody noticed Araya's delighted face at this comment.
"Indeed, the number of normal people will finally be equal to number of weirdos here. I am so glad." A girl with long brown hair commented. "Onieda Mayuri, 1st year." Her beauty, manner of speech and body movements made Sakura think of her as a princess.
"Glad to meet you. Hope I don't disappoint you two!" she said filled with enthusiasm.
"Et tu, Brute!" Araya proclaimed again.
"Et tu, Brute!" Ritsura yelled, hoping she guessed what it meant.
"...wait, am I being classified with the weird ones?" Rihan said shocked. "Et tu... whatever!"
~)(~
"So tell me Sakura-chan..." Araya put her hand over the newbie's shoulder. "...tell me your sad story."
"...sad story Araya-san?" Sakura was confused.
"Come on, there must be some story behind you suddenly wishing to join our unusual club!"
"Aaah... yes there is!"
"Oh no... oh gods please don't let it make her weird, please don't let it make her weird..." Shima-san prayed silently.
"You see, few days ago my... Araya-san, why are you holding your mobile phone?"
"Well, we are a Youkai Club! What is the point if we don't preserve all we find out about."
"Umm... I can understand that but... it is making me kinda uncomfortable..." she objected with an awkward smile.
"Now listen here Sakur-HEY!"
"No means no Araya-san." Rihan said as he stole Araya's phone. "Don't you mind her Kibiki-san. You don't need to say anything if you don't want to."
"Thank you Nura-kun. Wait... why are you one of the weird three?"
Rihan made a face like someone stabbed him in the heart. "Et tu... Brute..."
"You don't even know what it means." Ritsura acted like she knew.
"Well, guess you don't want to talk about it... thanks again, but I'll still talk... I did come here to talk about it after all."
"Ohhhh... so something happened?" Araya replied with frightening happiness in her eyes.
"Well you see... have you heard about the Film Hatter?"
"Film Hatter?" Onieda said. "Of course, he is everywhere in the news. Could it be that you have..."
~)(~
Film Hatter... a name of the new Urban Legend that appeared seven weeks ago when a movie called Hatter's Vengeance premiered in Tokyo. Those who came to watch the movie were found murdered, filled with bullet wounds.
However, rumors say that there were no bullets in the bodies. They also say that nobody who was outside the chamber heard either gunshots or screams... and some even said they could hear the movie normally.
Only one person survived, a man in his thirties. He was mentally broken, rambling about the movie's villain coming out of the screen and murdering everyone, jumping back into the movie once the deed was done.
Yet the movie continued to air throughout Japan. However, next three times nothing happened... and in fourth the Urban Legend, now known as the Film Hatter, attacked again. But while he shoot everyone and everyone felt pain, nobody died. They just woke up, with memories of being shot. Some were mentally broken due to this, but most were left only with bad memories. And every fourth time the movie aired in any cinema, the same happened: a figure jumped out of the movie and attacked the audience.
However, since nobody died the public agreement was that all the supposed victims just pretended in order to attract attention to themselves.
Than you go to the Internet where it is accepted as truth, if for no other reason than because people found it entertaining.
Than, two weeks ago, everything went as the first time... with only exception that nobody survived. Than it went back to harmless attacks. Than it happened again and permanently returned to being harmless.
Nobody could notice anything that would hint at why everyone was murdered again.
Well, at least the humans couldn't notice why... certain other individuals tough...
~)(~
"Oh no, not me..." Sakura replied before Mayuri could finish her question. "A friend of mine went to watch it... altough I said her not to so many times..."
"She... is she alright?" Rihan asked with a worried face.
"Oh don't worry, it was one of the harmless attacks. As a matter of fact, she seems to believe that it was some kind of new entertainment technology. But... it still pisses me off though..."
Everyone stayed quiet for a moment than Ritsura broke the short silence.
"So you want to punish the criminal Youkai responsible for this?"
"Oh no... nothing like that... I just want to know... why are they doing this? Why do Youkai... do this to us?" answered Sakura sadly.
"It is in their nature." Araya replied. "More exactly, some Youkai exist to attack humans and make a name for themselves."
"But... why?"
"Human Fear is like a food to them." said Araya with smile.
"Don't take it wrong tough Kibiki-san." Rihan jumped in. "There are many Youkai that don't attack humans and some of them even protect them."
"How do you... wait, could the gossips be..."
"Yep!" Shima put a hand over Rihan's shoulder. "Our Nura siblings here are not fully human. And they are already working on teaching the Film Hatter a message!"
Kibiki Sakura did not reply. She just looked at the siblings with awe.
And then...
"YES! Every detail was successfully recorded!" Araya yelled.
And chaos errupted.
~)(~
"Film Hatter, Film Hatter..." Ritsura started complaining as she and Rihan were walking back home. "The annoying bastard must be delighted to be bathing in all the attention he gets." She kicked (and froze) a can.
"Well, he IS a big threat Ritsura. Of course everyone will talk about him."
"May as well stop coming to watch that damn movie than. They KNOW when he will appear yet they come to watch it anyway. Yet rarely anyone comes when he is not supposed to appear."
"Well, the movie is supposedly one of the worst made in last..."
"That. Is. Not. The. Point!"
"I know, I know... but does it matter why they come? The only thing that matters is that a Youkai is attacking humans, sometimes even killing them."
"Killing them... thats exactly why it matters..." the air around her turned cold. "Not counting the premiere, both times everyone got murdered was when someone from our clan was present." She than turned back to him. "We can't confront him without endangering the lives of all those fools that came to watch the show."
"That just means that... oh, the bus is coming..." The siblings stopped and waited for the bus to come. Detecting the signal from the bracelets, it stopped and the doors opened.
"That just means that we need to keep them away while we go in and deal with him." he said silently as theywalked towards a place nobody could hear them.
"We tried that already. The coward didn't even appear, instead appearing in that town in Shikoku an hour later." She jumped on a seat on teh isolated part of the bus. "Ahhhh... he seems to have a grudge against us yet he doesn't dare show his face when we come. The hell does he wa-"
Ringtone of Rihan's phone cut her off. "Father..." he said after looking at it. He than accepted the call.
"Hello, you there kids?" voice of Nura Rikuo came out. He still used an ancient mobile phone so no face appeared.
""We are here dad."" They said in communion.
"Thought so... I am not disturbing am I?"
"No, we are not goign home with friends this time. How is it in the USA?"
"Everything is alright here. Just sold some books to some nice family here and enjoyed some tea with them." he said delighted.
~)(~
For those wondering, Nura Rikuo always dreamed of working abroad and visiting many places he heard about. Few years ago he decided to finally do just that: leave for USA and work as... a traveling merchant.
Yes, you read it right. A Traveling Merchant. The great Nura Rikuo, who unified all of Japan's Youkai and brought down the mighty Nue is... a Traveling Merchant... in USA... selling cheap goods.
However, it is a perfect job for those who want to travel and talk with all kinds of different people. And with his charisma and friendly behavior, he made quite a profit.
~)(~
Ritsura jumped into the conversation. "Forget about selling, have you bought anything for us?"
"Nee-san..."
"I am kind of out of the ideas of what to buy you that I already hadn't, Hole in the Wallet..."
"Buy. Me. Something. Or. I. Won't. Love. You. Daddy." She said acting like a five-year-old brat. She does it more for fun than because she actually wants or expects something bought.
"*sigh* I'll try to find something for both of you. More importantly..."
The siblings looked at one another, already guessing what the he called them for.
"...I hear that some Youkai is causing a ruckus on our turf."
"Yes... the Film Hatter..." Rihan answered.
"Why was I not told about this?"
"You are on a vacation daddy." Ritsura complained. "We can deal with it ourselves."
"Small thing?! That Youkai..."
"In other words daddy..." she cut in. "...you coming here won't solve anything and will also just be a bother to us becasue everyone will feel responsible for you ending your vacation."
"Don't worry. We are prepared to take care that the next time Film Hatter attacks gets to be the last time he attacks."
3rd Commander sighed "Well, I see your points and you two are old enough to take care of this yourselves. But should something bigger come up, call me immediately."
"Something bigger?"
"Yes... something about this Youkai makes me nostalgic... and wary. So don't play here: more than your pride and feelings are at stake."
"Yes father. We will take care you get notified if the problem ends up being something more than a renegade Youkai."
"Good... so when is the next time he is supposed to attack."
"Judging by the airing schedules (which we altered a bit), it is tomorrow night, right in Ukiyoe town."
"I see... well good luck than to all of you. And Ritsura... I have a perfect gift for you... an encyclopedia about baskets. Bye!"
"...how does he manage to sell that crap?" she commented after he hanged up.
"How does the Hatter manage to never lack targets?"
"Good point! Now..." she than moved her hand and few moments later...
"COOOOOLDDD!" Ichinoe Araya screamed. "Can't you just greet us properly?!"
"Are you alright Araya-san?" the new girl was worried.
"Oh, they noticed us." Mayuri said.
"I said you can't hide from Nuras." Shima joined in.
The whole Club seems to have been on the bus.
"Hi guys!" Ritsura greeted them. "See? I greet properly everyone besides you."
"So than... now that our cover is blown let's go on some drinks!" Shima tried to restore order.
And the Strategy Meeting was delayed for the greater good of socializing.
~)(~
"Why guys..." Shima started... "Why did you guys not take us to some normal place rather than a... Youkai bar?!"
"Oh stop it you Normality Freak." Araya said as a wolf-headed waitress poured them drinks.
"What did you say Araya?!"
"She said you are stupid." Ritsura replied.
"Not saying that I would not prefer going to a human bar Shima-kun..." Mayuri jumped in. "...but it is probably better for Kibiki-san to get used to... well, this kind of stuff."
"Hmph. You are right... just like Kiyotsugu-san brought my and Nura's father into troubles, so does Araya cause trouble for us."
"Come on guys, nothing wrong with some fun with youkai!" said Rihan, now in his youkai form. "Isn't that right Kibiki-san?"
The object of this conversation, Kibiki Sakura, wasn't even fully listening, instead focusing on gazing at Nura in his Youkai form. "Hah... oh yes, of course Rihan-sama!"
"I don't think she cares where she goes as long as Nuja-chama is with her." Araya replied with a smile. "Um, this is good!" she than commented on the drink.
"Back on topic... why did you guys stalk us instead of... you know... just go with us like you usually do?"
"Be reasonable Ritsura." Araya said while taking a tablet from her bag. "We knew you two wanted to focus on discussing the Film Hatter rather than hang with us. Still tough, we had to take the bus."
"...so why are we hanging together than?" Shima sked.
"With all due respect Shima-kun, you are the one who suggested this." Mayuri answered.
"But I did at the spur of the moment! You could have just rejected my offer!"
"Spur of the moment as well." Ritsura replied.
"Well, it doesn't mean that we will waste their time." Araya said while typing on her tablet. "Knowing their Household, they probably didn't properly check the almighty Internet for info so we will..."
"KYAAH!" Sakura's scream cut them off.
"Oi little human girl..." four menacing big youkai, the leader having elephant-like tusks, where standing dangerously close to them and looked angry "Some nice Hi-Tech stuff you have there... don't you know we don't like that in this bar?"
"Tough we like delicious human maidens." Said another youkai, looking like a frog.
Nuras looked annoyed while Kibiki, Mayuri and Shima went pale. Araya was shocked. "HOW CLICHE! Why don't you guys go jump into a pool and drown yourselves?!"
"...what?"
"What do you guys think this is? A prologue to some third-rate story where your obvious patheticness leads to getting your asses wiped by some random student with magical abilities!?"
"What, how dare you, you little..."
"Bah, may as well play along." She turned to Rihan who tried to silence her with hand signs. "Nuja-chama, go prove to your new girlfriend here how pathetic these pigs are!"
"OYRAAAA!" the menacing youkai yelled as they started running towards them. "Don't think we will go easy on you just because you are from the Nura Clan, you bastard!"
"Yeah, go show them!" Ritsura said and kicked Rihan from his seat towards them.
"Wha... can't we all just get along?!" Rihan said while taking his katana from gods know where (tough he didn't take it out of its sheaths) "Damn it, seems there is no helping it!"
And as the attackers moved onto him, he took his weapon and slashed it towar-
"Alright now, Let's all focus here!" Araya said to everyone at their table, completely ignoring the epic battle. "You too Sakura! I know you are love-smitten but since you are new here, you should pay more attention than anybody."
"What, love-smitten?!"
"Yes, you are very much in-"
"So say Ritsura, why are you still in your human form while your brother isn't?" Mayuri decided to stop Araya from bullying Sakura.
"Because everyone here is WEAK."
"Because we nicely asked her not to." A waitress walking by answered instead of her. "The girl doesn't know how to properly control her Fear so everyone ends up catching a cold."
"Ah yes, I know how that is like." Mayuri said and Shima nodded.
"So why do you ask?" Ritsura complained and Mayuri just smiled, showing her tongue.
"Fear?" Sakura asked in confusion.
"That's complicated so we will explain it to you another time." Araya replied.
"No guarantee you will understand it tough." Shima added.
"Shima, you are just a-"
"Oh come on now Araya!" Mayuri's coolness broke. "Stop picking fights here!"
"Hmph."
"Anyway Ichinoe-san..." Sakura started. "This is a Youkai... shouldn't that be something mystical and be researched via ancient mystical scrolls rather than... Internet?" She also started to look around, finally noticing where she ended. Still tough, she unconsciously got used to the scene.
"Good question girl!" Araya said when a big youkai suddenly flew over her head and broke through the wall onto the street. Everyone but Sakura ignored the scene. "The answer is quite simple tough: ancient scrolls are useful mainly for older youkai. When a new Youkai is created, and I don't mean birth here where mommy and daddy get a kid but when first of the kind appears, he reflects the current world."
"And the Film Hatter was born recently?"
"Yes... seven weeks ago to be exact. His first attack was probably also his birth you see. And do you know what a youkai feeds on?"
"Human suffering?"
"Nooot exactly right. It is Fear. It is Human respect and fear of them that makes them stronger and keeps them alive. And where do you think Urban Legends like Film Hatter get most attention?"
"The Internet?"
"Exactly! Internet spreads stories about them, lets everyone read them and is practically a food source for all young youkai."
"As a matter of fact..." Ritsura joined in. "One of the clans my father fought against used Internet as a weapon to create Youkai."
"Woah..." Sakura was impressed. "I had no idea that technology was so mystical."
"And while nobody... does it intentionally..." Rihan came back, obviously exhausted after trashing a few dozens of Youkai. "...from time to time, the Internet and its rumors give birth to new Youkai."
"Rihan-sama, you are ba-"
"Here Araya, I found this flower while fighting and gave my best to keep it alive so I could give it to..."
"...someone who ain't me." She rejected him without second thought, not moving her eyes from the Tablet PC.
"Oh man..." he sighed.
"Rejected by her again." Ritsura smirked and then she looked towards stoned Sakura. "Oh look, you froze that poor girl's heart?"
"Huh? What happened to her?"
Everyone but him and Stone Sakura sighed. "How pitiable."
"Anyway guys!" Mayuri raised her hand with enthusiasm! "Let's try to find out the darkest of secrets about the evil Film Hatter!"
"YES!" Everyone, but Sakura, cheered.
It ended up being a waste of time as they found nothing.
~)(~
The Film Hatter was sitting on the floor, surrounded by televisions from all ages.
Since he did not exist in human world (besides the times he attacked), he lived in his own world, made out of his own Fear.
The televisions, which aired all kinds of shows, suddenly acted like they lost signal.
And a voice came, making the Hatter happy like a kid.
"Why are you wasting your life in this dull world my child?"
"I like it here."
"Don't lie."
"...because this sacrifice strengthens my Fear. And I need a lot of Fear to reach your expectations."
"...you are not expected to survive tough. This is a waste."
"Doesn't matter. What matters is the one who gave me life."
"You lie again."
"I... I hope I can defeat him... I believe I can defeat him."
"How can you hope and believe when you have never met him?"
"If he proves too powerful, I will retreat. And I'll know him better and thus be stronger for the next time."
"And he will know you better as well. However, it is unlikely Rihan will let you flee. The Heirs of the Nura Clan are cautious... and strong."
"So you believe I will die?"
"Yes, I do. That's why I wish you spent your time better."
"Then I will prove you wrong."
"Tomorrow, you will attack in town he lives in. Expect him there. Try to kill him if you want, but at least kill a few humans first. The damage to his spirit will be more permanent than any wound on his body."
"As you command."
"Why don't you go out at least today than? Seeing as tomorrow-"
"No."
The voice sighed. "Good luck than my child. And sorry for giving you such a short life." With those words, the TV's turned off.
"No... thank you for giving me a life. I will make you proud!"
Chapter 3 (Prototype)
"Alright guys, let's go over the plan again." Started Nura Rihan (Author Note: Gyuki wanted to let him practice leading a bit so he leads the attack this time). He, Ritsura, Gyuki, Aotabou, Kubinashi and Kejorou were sitting on terrace of an open cafe, not far from Cinema YYY where the Film Hatter was supposed to attack in thirty minutes.
"First priority is to keep humans away from the Cinema." Kejorou started. "Hitotsume, Gozumaru and Mezumaru should be dealing with that problem right now, telling to humans that the movie will be airing in another cinema."
"Of course, the Film Hatter will not attack unless he sees humans are present." Gyuki added. "That is why I will create illusions of humans waiting for the movie to start."
"You sure he will buy it?" Ritsura asked.
"I am a thousand years old Ayakashi and master of illusions. An amateur like him will not notice a thing."
"Me and Kejorou will stand prepared to immobilize the Film Hatter before he can run away." Kubinashi then added. Seeing as the Film Hatter ran away whenever he noticed that there were too many enemies, the two of them were planning on stopping him from escaping.
"And before he is able to act, we finish him." Ritsura added. "Sounds easy."
"The plan is perfect." Gyuki started saying when his mobile phone started ringing. "There is no way... forgive me... Mezumaru, what... WHAAAAAT?! WE WILL BE RIGHT THERE!" he then turned towards everyone. "We have a problem!"
~)(~
"Gyyuuuuki-saaamaaa..." Mezumaru was shivering. "S-s-s-sorrry..."
"Calm down Mezu. What happened?"
"Hitotsume suddenly ran away. Gozu went after him and I was left alone. Without Hitotsume, none of the humans believed my story and..."
"What?! Why did he run away?" Aotabou asked.
"Ummm... I am sorry?" Everyone turned towards the source of the voice.
Hitotsume returned. He was in his human form, which only differed from his real one by the fact that he had two normal eyes. He was dressed in a gray tuxedo with a hat and a monocle, supposedly pretending to be the owner of the cinema. It was too late to change his outfit but luckily humans bought his disguise.
"What happened Hitotsume?" Ritsura asked.
"Well... you see... I..."
"The fool saw some kid dressed as the Hatter and went after him!" Gozumaru replied instead, walking from behind Hitotsume.
"Hey, you went as well brat! And how dare you call me-"
"I went after you!"
"Calm down you two!" Rihan put himself between them. "It is still not too late. Hitotsume, go in and-"
"It is too late." A girl's voice cut in. Rihan's classmate, Ichinoe Araya, suddenly appeared.
"Oh, the Smartass Girl is here to lecture us again!" Aotabou commented with a tired voice.
"I am not paid enough for all this..." Kejorou was also not amused.
"Araya, what are you doing here?" Rihan asked.
"Why, to see the Film Hatter of course. Seeing as you guys were coming, I thought it would be safer than usual so I came. But more importantly..."
Than a voice came from inside the cinema. "Again, we apologize for false reports. The movie will air as scheduled in this Cinema in Hall 1. Please call your friends back and report the con to the police."
A short silence ensued only to be broken by Araya: "Seems like our friend Film Hatter knows how to hack into Computer controlled cinemas."
~)(~
"Alright, we are changing the plan. Kubinashi and Gyuki, you will be keeping humans safe while Kejorou..." Rihan was telling the group the changed plan outside Hall 1 while Ritsura sneaked into the nearby and empty Hall 2.
Sorry, but I feel like this is turning into a trap... she took out her cellphone and dialed Onieda Mayuri's number.
"Good evening Ritsura-san."
"Hello Mayuri. Sorry to be so rash, but you said your brother was a hacker, right?"
"Yes, he is right here hacking something again... Ritsura-san, what are you planning?"
"Great! Give him to me for a sec, will you? This is important, I'll explain all tomorrow!"
"Alright... Nii-san, Ritsura-san wants to-"
"Hello? Ah, Ritsura-san!"
"Tell me... do you have the balls to hack into Cinema YYY and air Hatter's Vengeance in Hall 2 before it airs in Hall 1?"
"Sounds like child's play."
"Great! Love you! Bye!" and she ended the call. She than looked at the katana in her other hand. "Oh, I forgot to give Nenekirimaru to brother... ah well, it will probably be more useful to me now."
~)(~
Rihan was sitting in first row, around five minutes before the movie was supposed to start. The rest of the team, were in their positions as well:
Gyuuki was on the very end of the hall, filling the hall with fake humans.
Kejorou was sitting at the right edge of the first row from where she was supposed to jump at her real position when the movie starts: left of the screen to catch the Hatter when he comes out.
Kubinashi and Aotabou were somewhere in the middle, preparing plans on how to protect the humans from Hatter's attacks. Their role was no doubt the hardest.
Ritsura, Mezu and Gozu were scattered in the hall and will join Rihan in dealing with Hatter should Kejorou fail to immobilize him... and he decides to not retreat.
Hitotsume was arrested by the police under charges that he was financially hurting the YYY Cinema for good of another. He is currently on his way to the Police Station where he will try to get himself out of trouble.
Ichinoe Araya was sitting left of him, preparing to open a bag of chips and eat them while drinking... wait a minute!
"Araya, why are you here?" he asked her very politely.
"As I said, I came to see the Film Hatter. This is my last chance." She then handed him a can of orange juice. "Here, you seem tired so have some drinks."
"Araya, I know I am repeating this for a hundredth time but... you really shouldn't be I nthis place."
"Rihan-kun, I know I am repeating this for a hundredth time but... I am staying."
"I am getting very close to calling you Smartass Girl like the rest of my clan." He said and drank some of the juice. He needs energy both for the Hatter and to deal with girl. "This is dangerous... more dangerous than all other-"
"Most others. I think that-"
"As you wish. More dangerous than most other incidents. But Araya-san, you will get yourself killed if you keep up acting like this!"
"Don't worry." She tapped him on the shoulder. "I am sure you will put your life on line for everyone here, including your dear old friend Araya-chwan."
"I'll give up on hopeless attempts of making you leave. Can't you at least go to a back row. The first row is the most dangerous one."
"He is using guns Rihan." She said. "Every row is equally dangerous... no, the fact that you are here means that he will focus on you rather than anyone else in the first row."
"I find your speech about how I will be the first to get filled with bullets disturbing, especially when you say it with such casual tone."
"Oh don't take it wrong Riha-chan." She smiled and tapped him on the head. "I do care what happens with you."
"Well, thank you." He said with a blush. "But seriously, you should lea-"
Then the cinema turned dark and the movie was starting.
"Dammit!" he rose from his seat and took out his... his... "Where is Nenekirimaru? Hey Ritsura, could you give me Nenekirimaru!"
...
"Ritsura?"
...
"Ritsura, where are you?!"
"Forget about your Nene and Ritsina!" someone yelled from the public. "Where is the Film Hatter?"
Then he noticed that the movie started normally, without the Hatter appearing.
"Rihan –sama!" he could hear Kejorou who already took her position. "I can hear the movie in the neighboring Hall!"
"You gotta be kidding me!" he took out his phone in order to call his sister.
~)(~
A few moments ago... The Film Hatter was in his world of Fear, standing without moving a muscle.
His eyes closed and his fingers on the triggers of his guns. He was concentrating.
He then felt a window open.
He opened his eyes and, not wanting to lose any second this time, ran through it.
He immediately moved his left hand towards that guy without a neck and his right hand just left of him, where that long haired courtesan was supposed to be waiting for him.
Not wasting a moment, he started firing bullets.
So it is Hall 2 after all...
Noticing that it was not the hall where Rihan's group was, he moved both of his guns towards where that sneaky girl was standing.
She immediately created a wall of ice. He continued to fire at the wall with his left gun.
As he predicted, the girl started running right.
His right gun already prepared, he shot a bullet at her.
As expected, he didn't miss. But the girl took out her sword and slashed the bullet with it.
Then he noticed that her appearance had changed a bit. Her black hair turned white while her kimono turned gray. Only her scarf remained the same.
"Say girl..." he relaxed his hands, not pointing his guns at anything. "Seeing as one of us is destined to die here... you wouldn't mind having a little chat, would you?"
The girl smiled. "Hmph, wanting to have a friendly chat before showering a girl with fires of your passion." She sheathed her sword. "Didn't think you'd be such a gentleman."
~)(~
"OYRRAAAAA!" Aotabou yelled as he jumped towards the doors of Hall 2. However, he failed to do any damage to the doors.
"I am telling you, the Film Hatter's fear doesn't allow anyone to enter or leave the room until he is finished." Araya, always ready to lecture those who knew better, commented on Aotabou's attempts to break into Hall 2.
"HA! You underestimate my strength. Once I..."
"Don't even think about using your full strength." Gyuki, who was with him and Araya, jumped in. "You want to destroy the entire theater including Ritsura-sama?"
"That... AHHH... OYRAAA!" angry, Aotabou just started hitting the doors. "Then if I keep hitting, they must break."
"Aotabou-san..." Araya started. "I think this is that time when you are supposed to use your head rather than your brawns."
"Good idea!" he said and changed his plan. Now he was hitting the door with his head.
"Rihan-sama, did you find out Ritsura-sama's new number?" Gyuki asked Rihan who was few meters away, with the rest of the team (minus Gozumaru and Mezumaru who were keeping watch in Hall 1)
"I am working on it... hello mom, did Ritsura by some chance... yes, I am alright. Listen, I have to... yes, I eat... listen to me! I..."
"You gotta hurry! Ritsura-sama is not sitting and drinking juice in there."
~)(~
"So Hatter-san, which kind of juice do you like?" Ritsura asked while looking at the vending machine in Hall 2.
"Give me whatever you want." He said from other end of the Hall, standing with his back on the wall.
"Alright... let's give you coffee rather than juice." She took a can of coffee and threw it to him. "I'll take some strawberry ice cream."
"They don't sell ice creams."
She didn't reply. She just bought strawberry juice, held the can with both hands for a moment, created a knife from ice, removed the bottom of the can, thrust the knife into frozen juice and took the ice cream out.
"Anyway Hatter-san..." she started while sitting on one of the chairs. "I saw you starting to shoot at two certain locations like you were expecting someone to be there. You knew my subordinates were going to be there?"
"I come to my destination before that horrible movie airs." since he had no mouth, he just started playing with the can. "And when I come, all camera's become my eyes."
"You say you control only the cameras. So the public announcement about the movie not airing was not your doing?"
"It was. The entire Cinema is under my control."
"Yet you fell in my trap."
"I didn't fall into your trap girl. You were a lone target, while the others were a group. It was my choice to not interfere and let destiny choose where I'll fight. Both situations were fine to me. Now my time to ask a question."
"Go on."
"Who are you exactly?"
"Nura Ritsura, daughter of the Supreme Commander of the Nura Clan." She answered. "Speaking about my clan... you have a grudge against us or something?"
"Not really a grudge. I simply knew you would be the ones to kill me one day."
"You fear us yet you continued attacking humans? Why?"
"Why does a human breath. Why does a fish swim? Why do you freeze the air around you? It is my Fear girl, I do it because I am the Film Hatter."
"Or do you do it because you were created for that purpose?" She jumped at the topic that interested her the most. "Or for your Clan maybe?"
"You sound like you are beating around the bush girl."
"In short, I am not buying that you are alone in all of this. Also, it was impossible for you to know that our subordinates were directing the humans to another cinema... unless someone told it to you after they took care of the problem themselves."
"Girl, it is not hard to predict what was happening out there."
"That is neither a confirmation nor denial."
"Riddles are only fun until they are solved. Who am I to end your entertainment?" he threw the coffee can in the air and put his hands on his guns. "Well, seems like you are finished with your ice. Then let's move onto the deserts."
His first bullet destroyed the can, the rest were targeted at his enemy.
~)(~
The relief of finally finding out her number was negated by pain in his ears after his sister answered. "Ritsura, what is happening in there?!"
"You have horrible timing brother. I just started spending my quality time with the Film Hatter here!"
"What?!"
"He is quite fired up about the two of us. Oh, and his hidden face may make him look shy, but he is actually quite a gentleman!"
"Nee-san, please take this seriously!"
"Hey, I am quite serious about the two of us! After this is done, where once were two lives there will be one."
"Nee-san!" the noise from the phone became even louder.
"Sorry brother, I am being banged at the wall here! Will talk to you later, bye!"
And the she hung up.
"How is she doing?" Kejorou asked when Rihan put his phone into his pocket.
"Seeing that each of her sentences was a perverted joke, I'm sure she is doing just fine."
"If it gets bad, she can always use Nenekirimaru to cut through the wall. No matter what his Fear is, that sword will cut it." Gyuki said. "Ritsura-sama is more than able to take care of herself so let's just be glad that we won't need to worry about the humans."
Rihan sighed. "You are right. So let's just wait here and..."
"Wait?" Gyuuki did not seem entertained by the idea. "No chance in hell Rihan-sama."
"Huh, what?"
"Do you know how much money we lost to this? Not knowing how big our assault team would be, I had to secure great many tickets... not knowing in which exact cinema the movie would air due to administrative difficulties resulted in us buying tickets in every Cinema in this part of Tokyo... we lost a lot of money here Rihan-sama!"
"So what you are saying is..." Kubinashi started.
"We will watch the movie! I am not letting all the money go down the drain!"
"Can't we just return the tickets Gyuki-sama?" Kejorou asked, trying to avoid watching the movie.
"No!" he started walking towards Hall 1. "I had to get them illegally and you don't get your money returned when you use those methods!" he made quite a scene opening the doors. "So let's enjoy the movie!"
"Why do I have a bad feeling about this..." Kejorou said and started following him.
"Let's go Ao, Ritsura-sama can get out herself." Kubinashi called Ao inside.
"I... I am not giving up..." he said to the doors. "I am just... respectfully accepting that you are worth my fists... but if I had used my true strength... you would be dead by now!" and he left as well.
"Araya-san?" Rihan called the girl who was sitting on a bench. "Won't you go watch the movie?"
"I did not use his ticket... and I have already seen that movie." she answered. "Also, someone must keep the guard, no?" she answered with a smile.
"If you say so... but I'd prefer if you left for home. You never know what may happen here."
"Rihan-sama, don't you dare run away from this responsibility!" Gyuki appeared behind him and started pulling him towards Hall 1. "You are acting as a leader here and you must serve as a model to everyone!"
"As you say Gyuuki-san... well, see you Araya-san. And please leave."
"Bye bye..."
Than the doors of Hall 1 closed.
"Finally..." girl calling herself Araya said and took out her mobile and put it on her ear without dialing a number. "Neto no Yose, you there?"
She then removed the phone from her ear and looked at text that appeared on it.
Of course Shiori-sama! No matter what I do or where I am, I'll always be at your side! ^_^
"You know where I am right?"
Of course! In Cinema YYY... why are you not watching the movie Shiori-sama? O_O
"Forget about the movie. Are the cameras in Hall 2 intact?"
One is destroyed, but the rest are woah what is going on in there?! :-O
"Real life movie. Connect the cameras to my phone so I can watch it too."
Instead of a reply, the screen showed Film Hatter trying to fill Nura Ritsura with bullets and his victim running around, protecting herself by creating blocks of ice. "Oh, and something else Neto: keep an eye on the other cameras as well. If you see someone going towards me, send me some random message using the Swallow Ringtone."
As you command... aww, why did nobody ever invent e-popcorn?! T_T
"Seems like they just got started. I see that Hatter kept his promise and delayed the fight so I would not miss too much. Good boy!"
~)(~
Ritsura was running around the hall, trying to hit her opponent.
However, the battle did not go well for her. His shower of bullets didn't stop for a moment and she had to resort to creating thick blocks of ice and larger obstacles (which could endure long enough to let her catch a breath). It was hard to get close to him and one time she did, he jumped at other end of the hall.
As if exhaustion catching up to her wasn't bad enough, he himself was getting better at predicting her moves. She knew that the longer this battle lasted, the closer she is to turning into Swiss Cheese. And she did not like Swiss Cheese.
"No choice... gotta call her for an advice." She said while taking the ancient item called mobile phone.
"RITSURA!" her mom yelled the moment she answered. Even the Film Hatter seems to have stopped shooting for a moment. "What do you think you are doing, going all alone there?!"
"I-"
"Reckless, just like your father... and grandfather... and great grandfather! But going all alone... even they wouldn't do that!"
"Well you see, I-"
"Are those sounds... gods, are you alright Ritsura?!"
"Still fine mom! Say, do you have any ideas how I could hit someone from afar? I mean, someone whose Fear is too strong to be frozen with a basic spell?"
"...we talked about that last week dearie."
"Oh yes... you did say something about-"
"Why didn't you listen?"
"Well, I didn't think it would be useful... didn't expect a youkai with pistols... he he..." a bullet barely missed her head. "BUT THAT BARELLY MATTERS NOW! Could you please repeat it?!"
"I see I need to be quick so listen carefully!"
~)(~
"Do you have any idea with whom you are dealing with?" Hitotsume complained while he was being brought into a police station.
"Please, enlighten us Hitotsume-san." A policeman asked with a boring tone.
"I am yakuza! Yakuza you hear?! A big-shoot!"
"I deal with Yakuza Hitotsume-san." The other policeman said. "And I am sure I never heard about you."
"Well, I am a memb-" he wanted to say more but then he remembered certain words.
"Hitotsume, if you say just a word to humans that we are a youkai yakuza, I'll freeze your entrails, then the rest of you, and then break you into such small pieces that people will think you are snow itself!" Ritsura-sama once said.
"He he... you caught me..."
"Haaa?" some shady man opened one of the doors and came out. Three dangerous looking men were following him. "Did I hear someone pretending to be a member of the yakuza?"
"Umm... I am..." he bit his tongue. "...sorry?"
"Officer... this man is a friend of mine. Could you let me and my friends have a private chat with him?" said man whom Hitotsume recognized as the most powerful leader of Yakuza in Tokyo.
"Sure, why not." The officer replied. The dangerous looking men smiled and started training their fists.
"EEEEEEEEEEEEEEKKKK!"
~)(~
"Did you hear it all Ritsura?"
"Yes mom... thank you and bye!"
"Be careful! And if you-" the phone got blown into pieces by the Film Hatter. She continued running around.
"Alright... let's now... no wait..." while still running, she took a piece of rubble from the floor and threw it towards the Film Hatter. It didn't have time to fly for a meter before it got shot.
"Well, this sure ain't gonna be enough... dammit, should have left this to Rihan, he is better at hiding his presence than I am. Well, at least I didn't jump into fray this time."
"You are wasting your breath Nura girl." He suddenly jumped close to her and prepared to fire a point-black shoot into her face. "Farewell." And he pulled the trigger.
She had no time to flee and got shot right between her eyes... or so it looked like. Next moment, she was standing half a meter to right from her illusion. She may not use the Nurarihyon abilities nearly as well as her brother, but doing an illusion so near herself was doable.
She slashed Nenekirimaru upwards but he dodged it, jumped back and shot a few bullets, from which she protected herself by forming an ice wall. It cracked after few shots, but it served its purpose.
He then stopped. "The girl still has few tricks up her sleeve I see."
"And so does the cowboy." Dammit, he is as dangerous up close! I should use Nenekirimaru and break through this barrier and-
"You are literally right girl." He put the gun from his left hand into his pocket. Then he waved his left hand and from his sleeve three red sticks came out.
She didn't immediately realize what it was, but then she remembered what it was... something she saw in American movies... dynamite.
"You are kidding... right?"
"The End." The dynamites infused themselves and he threw them around her, blocking her escape.
She created ice walls just before they could explode. While she survived the explosion, some of the shards stabbed into her body.
The worst however was the Film Hatter who appeared two meters in front of her, both guns in his hands. He pulled the triggers.
As hurt as she were, she still managed to slash few bullets and block the rest. She than felt something hit her right arm.
It was the Hatter's leg. The Nenekirimaru flew away from her hands.
Damn him! He is too fast and... if he could only not see me. "Wait... not see me?"
~)(~
The girl in front of him suddenly smiled. The Hatter did not need to be an expert in psychology to conclude she came up with something bad.
"I'll offer you this only once Cowboy..." she started talking. "Put down your guns, stop with this ridiculous circus and join my Hyakki... or die."
"You are not the one who should be making such offers." He answered. "And even if I was the one on verge of death, I'd still reject it." For I already have my master.
"Your choice." She then put her pointing finger in front of her mouth and started reciting something.
Well, if she is planning something, better to end it as soon as possible. He already removed the anti-youkai weapon from her hands. In case she gets it back, he will just get more careful again.
She may try to use it to break through the barrier, but in that case he will focus on killing as many humans as he can, just as he was ordered.
He jumped towards her, but she threw a block of ice into his face, not intending to fall into the same trap. So he started shooting towards her and they returned to their cat-and-mouse game.
Than he noticed the snowflakes flying around. She tried to freeze him when they started fighting, but it failed as his Fear was far too strong.
No... she is not planning to freeze me again...
The graceful dance of snowflakes turned into a vicious blizzard. He could not see anything.
So... that is what you were planning... predictable... He stopped running and stood in one place. She will probably use this to get close to me. But I am prepared... I can see far enough to take you down if you-
He then felt something stab his right shoulder.
But, she didn't... He then realized that it was not a sword that stabbed him. It was an ice spike.
Than another stabbed his left knee. He started shooting around, ignoring the pain of using his right arm.
But another projectile hit him into his abdomen, from different direction than the first two.
This is starting to look bad...
~)(~
Will need to remember to buy some ice cream for mom. She commented to herself. And to grandma... she was the one who told her the story of a Yuki Onna who used this technique to force a human to get lost in the mountains.
The victim here was not a human and they were not in mountains, but the poor guy was lost anyway. He tried jumping around, hoping she couldn't see him either. But a blizzard is Yuki Onna's ally, it won't hide anyone from her eyes.
She shot few more spikes into him before taking Nenekirimaru back into her hands. IOT was time to end this.
She jumped towards the Film Hatter and tried to slash him. However, he used his left leg to save his life.
She jumped away from him, preparing for an attack from him. But he doesn't seem to be able to do anything anymore.
"I am going against my words here but I'll make this offer again: throw your guns down, stop harassing humans and join me. Else, I will finish you once and for all."
He didn't say a word, but she noticed that he strengthened the grip on his pistols. The guns weren't leaving his hands.
"As you will." She strengthened the grip on her sword and prepared to jump at her target again. He was barely able to kneel so he probably won't be able to do anything.
She jumped for the final attack.
Than he made his own final attack: he opened his jacket and Ritsura stopped moving after seeing two dozens of Fear-infused dynamites. "My beloved mother, with this my tale... ends."
Ritsura did not waste time on contemplating his last words. She started running backwards, creating an ice shield in process.
The explosion threw her from her feet and she flew through the hall... and through the wall.
She found herself lying on floor of the hallway, with pain in the back of her body. But she could no longer sense the Hatter's Fear and the fact that she could leave the room further confirmed his demise. Well, not that you need a confirmation when your enemy blows himself up.
Suddenly, while she is still lying and facing the ceiling, Gyuki's face showed itself in front of her. "Ritsura-sama, may the scars of this battle be a lesson to you. Never go alone and without notifying the rest of your comrades. The heirs of Nura Clan must never be alone." He then left, as suddenly as he appeared.
Then Araya's face appeared in front of her. She just stared at her serious for few moments, as if she is thinking about something.
After some time, she opened her mouth and said. "Couldn't you have just used the door?"
"What?" Ritsura raised her head. "Oh..."
A hole appeared just right from the doors.
"I am not paying repairing fees for this." Araya added.
~)(~
Seems like breaking the wall went unheard, just like the noises that happened inside while the Hatter was still alive.
In other words, the rest of the Clan were still enjoying their time by watching the movie.
Ritsura, who spent twenty minutes resting on a bench and tending to her wounds (with Araya's help), was now at a vending machine in the hallway, buying some juice. She called Mayuri's brother to ask him to turn off the lights in the cinema after the movie ends so that humans don't notice what happened in the room just on other side of the wall from them.
Ichinoe Araya was in the room that was a battlefield until a few minutes ago. While Hatter was dead, Ritsura was still feeling worried so she returned to Hall 2 once she bought her juice.
"Araya, please stop jumping into dangerous places like this." She said to the girl who entered the hall which was, until few minutes ago, a battlefield.
"Are you suggesting he is not dead Ritsu-chan?"
"He is, but he seems to have had comrades. It wouldn't be healthy for you if they appeared here."
"There is only one entrance Ritsu-chan. And you were standing next to it. I doubt they could have sneaked up by you."
"Still tough... ah forget it! You never listen anyway." Ritsura gave up.
"Neither do you. I hear your comrades constantly complain about you jumping alone into situations like these."
"Doubt I'd have time to worry about protecting both them and killing the Hatter. I am better of alone."
"Judging by your wounds, I am not that sure if that was a wise decision." Araya looked at her wounds and gave her trademark smile. "They are centuries old Youkai Ritsu-chan. Maybe you should start listening."
"I am daughter of the Supreme Commander. I must be able to take care of one enemy alone. It is not like I jumped at an entire Hyakki alone."
"Heh." She turned around. "I feel you are overestimating yourself." She said, tough there was little worry in her tone. But then, Araya always talked in her mockingly carefree tone.
"So, won't you ask me what happened?"
"Ritsu-chan... you completely misjudged my curiosity." She moved her glasses with her finger. "I'll have you write me a detailed report... for the Club."
"What?! No way I am doing something as bothersome as that!"
"Alright, then YOU pay the repairing fees. Let's see... cleaning, broken wall, destroyed vending machine, destroyed seats, destroyed electronics, re-building of one entire room, cleaning the video archives, making the police leave their investigation into this terrorism and hacking inci-"
"Hey wait now I was just kidding!" Ritsura changed her mind after seeing money burning in front of her eyes. "A detailed report, right?"
"Yes... everything you did, everything he did, everything you taught about... including the ecchi stuff if available... oh, and make a bunch of pretty drawings showing me how he looked like." The evil capitalist girl made her demands.
"Sounds... easy... thanks again for wasting your money on us."
"It is just a few yens." The rich girl answered.
Than the lights turned off.
"Well, seems like the movie is over." Ritsura commented. "Ahh, I wish I could have watched it as we-"
Suddenly, doors of Hall 1 opened and people were running away like a demon was on their heels. They could even hear them thanking the gods it was over. Looking at them now, turning the lights off may have been redundant.
"What?! Did something happen there?" Ritsura was shocked.
"Nah... It is just that..."
Then Rihan ran out as well and, after looking around, entered Hall 2. "Listen to me... never EVER watch this movie! Never!"
"What?"
"Oh... you killed the Film Hatter?" just than Rihan remembered why they were here.
"Yes... yes I did."
"Why would you do something like that?!" Gozumaru appeared, yelling like she did something atrocious.
"Huh? What do you mean why?"
"This is the worst movie I have ever watched in my life..." Kubinashi walked in. "The Film Hatter is the lesser evil here!"
"I started praying for the Hatter to appear and save us from this Hell!" Aotabou joined in.
"But the savior never arrived!" Mezumaru said as he walked in, with tears going down his skull.
"I wish I was dead..." Kejorou followed.
"Ah... hah." She then turned towards Araya. "Let me change what I intended to say: I am so glad I was not able to watch it."
"By the way... where is Gyuuki?" Rihan than asked.
"He left the room soon after the movie started and just sat in far corner of the hallway. He left the cinema after he saw that Ritsura killed the Hatter."
"""WHAAAT?!""" Kejorou, Kubinashi and Aotabou yelled like one.
"Gyuuki you bastard... you made us watch the movie and fled like a coward before it even really started!"
"Gyuuki-sama... how could you do that to us?!" Gozumaru and Mezumaru were on brink of tears due to the inhuman betrayal.
"Alright guys... let's hunt the traitor down!" Kejorou proclaimed. Everyone, but Ritsura and Araya, yelled in approval and the two girls were left alone again.
"Well, guess it is time for us to leave as well." Ritsura said and started walking when suddenly Araya caught her hand. "What?"
"I can't see in the dark you senile Hanyou!"
"Ah yeah..." she said and the two girls started leaving the room.
~)(~
The girls were sitting on a bench near the cinema, waiting for their respective buses.
"You seem to be in bad mood Ritsu-chan. Something bad happened? I'd expect you to be pleased that you dealt with the enemy, not let down."
"I am pleased... what worried me is that he is not alone."
"Not alone?"
"Yes... I started suspecting it when I noticed how conveniently our plan was beaten... but just before he died, he yelled Mother."
"Hmmm? Some of your subordinate clans rebelling maybe?"
"No... he wasn't a member of any clans that pledged their loyalty to the Nura Clan."
"How can you be so sure? He is supposed to be born not long ago, right?"
"Yes... but most of our clans are conservative and not that welcoming towards young Urban Legends."
"Cooold. Not throwing a pun at you mind you." She winked. "So, any ideas who might be the enemy?"
"No... well, unless we count one of the Clans father destroyed while he was still young... the ones led by Sanmoto Gorozaemon."
"Sanmoto Gorozaemon? Who is that?"
"An old youkai from Edo Era, killed by my grandfather. Well, he was originally a wealthy human able to create youkai. How did father call him again? A pathetic and pitiable wealthy man, bored with the world, who took pleasure in creating youkai that would fill the streets with terror and darkness. Also thought he could become a Buddha or something."
"Huh? You never talked about him before." Araya's bus than stopped and opened its doors. It was empty, but seeing as it was late night it was not that surprising. "Well gotta go. Don't forget to bring me the report after the weekend."
"Don't forget to repair the cinema." Ritsura replied before the doors closed.
~)(~
The girl named Araya entered the supposedly empty bus.
A cat with golden fur and emerald eyes jumped into her arms. Araya was not surprised by its appearance and instead just petted it.
"A pathetic and pitiable wealthy girl bored with the world, who took pleasure in creating youkai that would fill the streets with terror and darkness. Also thought of herself as a godess or something." The girl smirked at her own words, that were an imitation of what Ritsura had just said. "Fitting."
The seemingly empty bus was not really empty. Alongside herself and the cat, there was now a man dressed like a Plaguedoctor from Middle Age Europe (bird mask with long beak, a staff and white robe that shows no skin), a winged skeleton-like monster, a masked woman dressed all in red and few other inhuman beings.
"You said something, Araya-sama?" the Plaguedoctor asked.
"No, just talking to myself." Said the human who lead this group, Sanmoto Araya, the young head of the Sanmoto family.
I-I-I-I-I
Author Notes
- If one thing did not change, it is that the story practically starts Kibiki Sakura meeting the club. But though the names are the same, they are very much different characters, and the target of their crush is also different (Yashagoro was not yet created in my head, nor was Sakura's profession). And while most characters here have been in my head for a long while, Sakura was created when I started writing this prototype in ordered to introduce the reader to the characters. She sure has grown...
- I wonder if anyone remembers the Film Hatter from the main story. He had made a short appearance in the second arc, but fought a different character and is currently still alive in the main story. I liked his character enough that I wanted to keep him in the main version as well
- back then, I had such an embarrassingly stupid method of keeping Rikuo away from the story (though it was based on what Rikuo dreamed of doing)
- speaking of embarrassing stuff, Ritsura had a different name back then. No, I will not let you see what it was…
- Rihan's fight against the Cliché Youkai was, though minor, a fight of epic proportions. Shame you couldn't see it because it was off-screen though
- indeed, back in this time, Mayuri's brother was just a nameless character swooning over the resident yuki-hime (and was a high school student like the rest of them). He changed since then, not to small part because I came up with the faction called Shin Sekai and made Oniedas the leader of it
- the siblings were also different from their "canonical" versions: Ritsura used to be more of a loner and rebel, while Rihan was a team-player and slightly heroic. More or less, their roles got reversed
- yes, I always enjoyed making Hitotsume and Gyuki act as comic reliefs. Some things never change
- Araya/Shiori did not change much though: she was still the baddie of House Sanmoto. If there was a difference, it was the fact that name Shiori did not exist yet (Araya itself was actually supposed to be a placeholder, but I forgot to replace it before publishing chapter 1)