Kira

~

Despite how cold and distant Troy could be, that in no way hindered my excitement of dragging him around. After we finalized everything in the admissions office, I then pulled him to class.

I wasn't yet sure if it was good or bad he got placed in my class.

"You can let go of my elbow now." He said, eyes glaring at where I held him like he'd cut it off if he could.

"How do I know you won't get nervous and run away?" I joked.

"Why would I?"

"You don't seem to be the best at human interaction."

"That's because I'm not human." He yanked his arm away, "Once I finish my God-given mission here on earth I'll be called back to my rightful place among my kind."

It was all I could do not to burst out laughing. I sternly remembered I was in the hallway and people were staring because Troy was just that good-looking.

I stood up straighter, "I'll make fun of you later. Right now, we need to get to class." I got behind him and started to push.

"You're annoying and embarrassing." He hissed, not budging.

"If you don't want us to remain here then move." I gritted out.

I didn't see the expression he made but he seemed to sigh. Moving quickly so I just barely managed to get my footing. I jogged after him, "Wrong way." I called out as he turned down one hallway.

"Troy! You finally made it!" Moriko squealed as soon as we entered, "Everyone has been talking about the cute new kid they saw entering the school. Tell me, do you like it here?"

He simply nodded, looking over her at the classroom.

"Oh right, there's a free desk up front. Oh no, it's right where the teacher would see you." She led him to the desk.

Troy set his bag down, "I have no intention of causing trouble so I fear no authority." He said before taking a seat.

I smiled nervously, noting how some of the different groups in the class were already pointing his way. I saw a group of girls approach him, most of them blushing and shy and the other half looking smug, probably feeling they looked good enough.

I counted them. Eight.

The bravest seemed to be Ayaka, I only knew her because Momo introduced us but she always seemed wary of me. I guess no one was going to forget the bathroom incident so soon.

My reputation was ruined before I even got a chance.

"Hi there, Troy. Your name's pretty nice. I'm Moriyama Ayaka." She held out a hand.

He ignored it, "Zhao Troy, how may I help you, ladies?"

"You're new so we wanted to know if you'd need help." Someone piped up eagerly.

"We could show you around." Another said.

"Or help you catch up," Ayaka added, a sweet smile plastered on her face as she leaned in.

If I didn't kind of already know Troy I would have thought he was done for. Honestly, she was pretty, smelled super good, and had a nice rack, but I digress.

"Not necessary. Vermillion is already my guide." He said simply, "I would also like all of you to leave, I dislike crowds."

Cold.

I walked over to his seat as girls left in various stages of heartbreak, "Not exactly subtle are you?"

"I say what's on my mind, if I don't like people, I tell them. Pretending is stressful and a waste of time." He pulled out some notebooks and set them down, "I advise you to settle down for homeroom."

"Just because Kuro isn't here to keep your attention doesn't mean you should pick on me." I teased, "I'll tell him you missed him."

I felt smug about the slight irritation that crossed his face. Me, one. Him...I lost count but I still had a win and that's all that mattered.

I hurried over to my seat, not surprised to see Jade was already in hers.

"He seems to be settling in fine." She tilted her head in Troy's general direction, "It'll be hard for anyone to stay mad when he's that hot though."

As I sat down I couldn't help but think about how I couldn't agree more. I never considered myself to be mad at Troy though, he might not trust me and might be waiting to decapitate me at the slight moment if I showed betrayal towards him and Kuro but I guess that was just him.

I wasn't going to force him to like working with me, we all wanted to do our part toward stopping Nightmare. Speaking of which...

'Lucifer, I need to get stronger. Is there a faster way?'

His voice was a drawl as usual like he really couldn't be bothered with me unless he was getting a kick out of me getting kicked around. 'Simmer down, Flesh sack, it's only been what? A week? You've gone pretty far from where I thought you'd be.'

'Thanks for the compliment but we don't have much time. You said Nightmare is building an army right? Getting stronger each day so he'll be powerful enough to bring down the 'Makai Kekkai'. That's a bad thing right? I have to hand these powers so that someone more capable can handle them.'

The Makai Kekkai, otherwise known as the Demon Barrier. Lucifer and the boys had all explained it as a force that separates the physical plane from every other plane. The spirit plane especially.

It was a force that grew stronger as the human race advanced and became less dependent on magic and the creatures associated with it. These creatures, Yokai benefited from human interaction but as humans advanced, they became more irritated and violent.

Only very high-class spirits could get through but even then they couldn't take a physical form unless a soul was given.

At least, those were the rules until the Keeper Seal was created. According to Lucifer, I would be able to give him and the others physical forms as long as I had the strength and energy.

Nightmare wasn't targeting me because he wanted the Seal, he just didn't want me trying to stop him. Despite how much I'd rather not get involved, he probably won't stop until all obstacles in his path were cleared.

Demona was clearly an obstacle.

'If you rush yourself, you'll burn out like you did in the underground passage,' He warned, 'And like I said, you weren't destined for this, your involvement was a coincidence meaning your body and mind aren't exactly suitable for the job.'

'I get that you think I'm weak but I got to twenty percent on a week, give me some credit.'

'Which means you're attuned to Pride." He sneered, 'You're stubborn and don't admit to faults easily, you're just like me, Kira.'

I said nothing.

'Your will to live happily is admirable, that is when you haven't given up on looking for other solutions. Learn to think outside the box, Vermillion. I'll discuss speeding up your training with the others.'

I felt his presence vanish.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

Leaving me to focus my mind back on what was going on in class. The teacher had walked in a long time ago and my body had gone into autopilot. But even after our conversation was over, I couldn't get Lucifer's words out of my head.

Others.

More like him.

I sighed. In just a week, my whole life had crumbled right before me and I was struggling to hold on to the least affected bits.

Right now, I wasn't Demona. I was Kira Vermillion, a high school student who had to pick up trash after school and go sign up for Volleyball tryouts. I didn't have to save anyone else now, just myself.

***

The day went by in a flash and sooner than I'd hoped, I found myself picking up the trash on the grounds. Troy was in the library, copying the notes I had lent him while Jade and Moriko had gone home.

My only company was Kuro who was strangely quiet. He said nothing, just casting me warm toothy grins anytime I looked at him.

It wasn't awkward, I found myself liking his presence and was more than happy to leave things as is but I liked when he talked better.

"Don't tell me you developed a crush on me, pal, I'm way out of your league," I said offhandedly as I tossed a second full bag into the trash bin.

He didn't even blush, "You wish. I was just thinking of how cool you can be, despite how reluctant you are- I can tell by the way," he chuckled, "Despite how much you don't want to do this, you're making all the right calls, asking for help, for training and looking out for us. You're doing an amazing job as our leader so far."

That gave me pause. Leader? Now I never signed up for that. "Kuro, both you and Troy know what you're doing better than I do. I can't lead when I don't even know what I'm doing."

"You're the one who suggested a team, you gave us conditions we agreed to, and you arranged our schedules for training and patrol. I'm pretty sure a leader does all those things." He said, "I just wanted to let you know me and Troy are okay with it, I trust you so he trusts you, kind of."

My mind was racing a mile a minute, trying to think up a way to convince him otherwise. They really put me on the spot here. I'd be the one calling the shots. All our failures or victories would be because of what I say.

"How much thought did you both put into this?" I asked knowing that all he'd said couldn't be the whole story. We were walking back towards the main school building.

Kuro grinned, "A lot actually. You have more to lose between the three of us, which means you should be the one to carry the burden of leadership...Just remember whatever decision you make will carry on to your family."

Of course.

"This is exhausting," I said simply

We arrived at the auditorium where I was to sign up only to meet that it was empty, save for one girl I think was a senior.

I ran up to her, Kuro at my heels.

"Excuse me, but aren't the Volleyball tryouts meant to be held here?" I asked.

"Oh yeah, they are but it's been moved to Friday, the manager couldn't make it to school today and the coach is busy with the boys' team." She replied.

"Oh." I couldn't keep the slight disappointment out of my voice.

She gave me a reassuring smile, "No worries, this just gives you more time to practice. Anyone can join the team but if you want to be a regular player for tournaments, you need to bring your A game."

I nodded, "Thank you...uh..."

"Kamura Asuna, second year, it's nice to meet you."

"Thanks, Kamura-senpai, I'm Kira."

"I think I've heard that name-"

"She's the one that broke the sink." Kuro chirped in not too helpfully.

Kamura's face burst into a grin, "Oh right, the daughter of the big-money American family. Nice. Bring that kind of strength and your sure to make it on the regular team."

I flushed, embarrassed and excited beyond words, "O-of course."

The senior patted me on the shoulder, "I'm going to be here after school every day, if you need pointers just come find me."

I waited for her to leave before falling onto one of the benches from exhaustion and disappointment, "And I was looking forward to today too."

"Are you sure this is wise?" Kuro asked, sitting beside me and leaning comfortably against the wall.

"Huh?"

"I mean, you already have so much on your plate, why add more?"

"You probably think I'm stupid right?"

"More like I think you're a glutton for punishment."

I huffed out a laugh, "I may not look it but I've thought far ahead of what I want to become and what I want from life. After that fateful day, my family was taken. Ares found me, he loves me but his family will never let me be part of them. Everything goes to Kat since she's his official daughter." I looked up onto the court, nostalgia, and warmth flooded me, seeping their way into my words, "I've always been good and physical work, I love sports and volleyball enchanted me when I got to The States. I can't sit on my ass waiting for Ares to pass something to me. I don't want him to think he's not doing enough, because he's done more than enough."

"So you want to play Professional Volleyball when you grow up?"

"Yeah! And I'll run my own gym and sports equipment store." I grinned, "And no interruption of Demons, yokai, and psycho murders is going to take that dream from me."

I turned to find his eyes watching me.

A smile graced his face, "Kira... that's amazing."

I nodded proudly, "Now, I've got homework to do before we head to training." I gave him a bright smile, "Kuro, you're super smart right?"

He narrowed his eyes at me, "What's that question supposed to mean?"

I chuckled nervously, "You'll help your big sis with her homework won't you."

"No."

"You say it so strictly. Come on please."

"I knew you were pathetic Vermillion but please have some dignity." Troy emerged at the entrance to the court, "You're begging a brat."

"You're here." My tone was dry.

The blond handed me my notes, "Your writing is atrocious. Do something about it. Let's finish that homework so we can train."

I felt the insult to my writing pierce through my heart like an arrow, "Changing from English to Japanese is hard you know?"

"I write in English, Japanese and Chinese. Like I said, do something about it." He instructed.

I turned to Kuro, and Troy led the way back to the library, "Are you sure I'm the leader?"

***

"Today's training will be different," Troy announced, wind billowing past his short cloak and hood. No matter how big a jerk he was, even I had the decency to admit he looked damn gorgeous with his hair braided long.

"Pay attention Vermillion and stop ogling my hair." He spat.

Kuro laughed, loudly.

Troy gave him a demeaning look but it seemed to have no effect whatsoever. He turned to me, "We've been instructing you throughout last week, teaching you and correcting everything from your stances to how you attack.

"I know the influx of information you've had to suck in was overwhelming but you don't have the luxury of years to catch up.

"If you want to be stronger in a short amount of time, you have to train more, work more, and sleep less."

We've had this kind of discussion before, but this time I could tell there was something different. He was looking at me as a teammate instead of a slight inconvenience.

I wonder if it had something to do with what happened in the sewers.

"You're fighting me today, a real fight." He stated boldly. Harshly dragging me from my thoughts to the moment when his lightning lit up the surrounding area.

I flinched, "Wait, what?"

"He's going to try and murder you." Kuro beamed, practically bouncing on the ledge where he stood, "I actually wanted to be the one but that match would be over in seconds if I went with my weakest attack so he just seemed the best option."

"You're bragging." Troy and I stated in unison.

He nodded ecstatically.

Troy rolled his eyes, waving his hands through the air, bending the light and energy to will. Turning the destructive form of nature at his command into Sais.

I had never seen him do that before.

"You've gotten used to seeing me attack with my main weapon, and you seem to succeed more at throwing long-distance wind attacks. I wonder what will happen if I break into your space and force you to actually use that staff to defend 'and' attack."

'He's going to be reading you,' Lucifer informed as I formed my weapon, 'You can try to keep a distance but he's more experienced, he'll break through and still engage in the close-range attack. It's inevitable, but you need to keep your head and find an opening.'

"Pressure? That's what this is about right?"

"So you do have a brain?"

The vein in my forehead twitched from agitation. That was about all I was willing to take this evening. I felt the stone of the roof give a bit as I lunged at him.

'Control how much force you put into your lunges.'

I nodded and attacked Troy head-on. I had the larger and longer weapon. It didn't make me confident but it gave me an advantage.

He dodged the first swing and caught the second one with the longer edge of his left sai.

"Precision. Keep your eyes on any weak spot and go for it repeatedly, some fighters can't always block so well."

"Let's hope I don't chop off your hand."

"Please do!" Kuro squealed.

"Shut up!" We both ordered before returning to our fight. I attacked again, I had to control the fight at all costs, subtly increasing the strength of my blows on my right side since I had noticed he was left-handed.

Something I noticed while watching him do homework.

With each time our weapons connected, the air roared past me, the stench of ozone and rain filling my nostrils. I pushed him to the edge but he just jumped to another rooftop, slightly lower. He beckoned me over.

'Would a heavy descent help me out?" I asked Lucifer. My blood was pumping through my veins at a frantic pace, the kind of rush I'd gotten when I was fighting the Jorōgumo but I could tell Troy wasn't at full strength yet.

'Probably. Try not to destroy the roof.' He replied.

I smirked and launched myself down at the blond. Suddenly he lit up again, almost blinding this time. I lost aim and tumbled to the ground. I barely registered my surroundings before he came at me almost immediately.

This time with Kitanas.

Shit.

I sprung out of reach, wiping at my split lip before moving once more.

To my total surprise and annoyance, he was leading with his right hand this time. This guy was a freak.

"I knew you'd fall for it." He said dryly, noticing how I was taking his strikes with difficulty, "If it wasn't for your enhanced strength, I might have broken your wrist by now."

"Lucky me." I spat, using the staff to stop the downward strike that might have left me without both arms if not for my reflexes. We locked gazes, he was stubbornly trying to drive the stack down. He was in terms of physical strength, I was probably still far behind but I had powers too.

I took advantage of how close he was and created a powerful whirlwind that threw him back into a wall.

A cry of victory left my lips, "You were totally focused on thinking I wanted to prove you wrong about what you said about my long-range attacks that you forgot I could still do that."

I could see the anger and irritation in his eyes at being called out. He wanted to come for me once more but Kuro's shout called out.

"You two get back!"

We both flew back in opposite directions as a bright green ball of energy struck where we had been standing.

An unfamiliar voice chuckled, "What a pleasant fight!"

I stared in confusion as the wisps of green smoke cleared to reveal a tall figure with an imposing aura.

At some point, Kuro had taken his place beside me, and in a quiet whisper I heard him say in the most venomous tone ever,

"Nightmare."