Japan, modern times...

Kira

~

I wouldn't say I was angry, but it's pretty hard to put your emotions into words when your mind feels practically numb.

The irritated thrum beneath my skin continues throb as I sit at my desk seething a bit childishly while looking out the window. I hold my phone but I'd quickly become bored of it at some point.

My eyes then move from the Tokyo cityscape view beyond my window to the small family portrait which rests not that far from me on the desk. It was framed in a dull gold rectangle with intricate heart patterns in silver.

The picture held only three people. Me, my stepsister, Kat, and my stepdad, Ares Vermilion.

That's right, I'm the adopted one. Not as big a deal as you might think.

Kat never saw it that way despite my best efforts to sweep the negative emotions under the rug over the years so we could actually be sisters in more than name. I'd given long time ago though, all that mattered was making Ares happy, even if it meant coming back so close to the place that held nothing but bad memories for me.

A mirthless smile tugs at my lips as I remember the promise I made to come back. All those years ago, braver and more jaded than I am now.

It's been seven years since then.

Seven years since the night I witnessed my parents run into our burning apartment complex to get my younger brother, but no one ever came out. And what did I do? I ran, ran so much my memories became hazy, words and people blurring into each other until I awoke the next day in the police station to bear all the adults speaking over me.

All bodies were yet to be recovered but was safe to say there were no survivors. Most likely an arson case but no culprits were caught. As if the fire had must started from nowhere. I was put into the foster care system but my memories from that time are ones I like ignore the most. The pain I'd caused, the people I'd hurt, all because I thought that a stupid kid could find their family's murder.

It was a stroke of luck that I'd managed to run into Ares a night I ran away from another family. He came to Nagoya for business and left back to America with a little child. He gave me new chance at life, a chance to put my past and the death of my family behind me. Whoever I was in the past was an identity locked in a coded safe at the back of my mind.

Realistically I was still far away from my old home, but not far enough.

I could never be far enough from the memories, but I could ignore them and pour my all into forgetting.

My first year of high school starts tomorrow, and this time I wasn't going to let my past or paranoia ruin it for me.

It didn't help that Tokyo had some vigilante patrolling its streets. A vigilante that got away with murdering people.

I'd heard about it even years ago, some hooded person who the people called 'Demona' because all the criminals she didn't kill always turn up at the doorsteps of the police station muttering shit about demons.

Back when I was a kid in Nagoya I'd thought it was an urban myth of some kind. But now, looking at the news reports, and some grainy internet videos on my phone now and again I realized this menace was very much real.

I don't believe in demons, but do believe in terrible people masking their violence as sick, twisted justice. I used to be one of those people.

The thought made me sick.

I scroll through more stories. It seemed like this Demona person had been around for a long time, which is why most people weren't too concerned about cases concerning them.

Their victims always turned out to be criminals.

Lately though, there are multiple new reports of people turning up dead with missing chunks of their bodies in the weirdest places. There were debates online on whether it was Demona's doing or not.

The killings had started a little over three weeks ago.

Not long after we settled here.

I sigh heavily, this is my life now, living in a city with a batshit vigilante swinging through rooftops like she was some Spider-Man copycat while possibly being serial murderer.

Standing up from the desk I face the rest of my room, thinking about this wouldn't do me any good, maybe helping with dinner would help me calm down. It was between that or unpacking and I really wasn't in the mood to start digging through boxes.

I look at the sorry state of my still-bare room. The posters were yet to be up leaving my lavender-painted walls bare and plain looking.

My bed was neatly made, the only piece of furniture other than the closet, which had a piece of me to show its ownership. The shelves on the other hand were empty.

My deepest fear being that if I got too comfortable here, something bad might happen again.

I was going to give this a chance though. I had a life to live and dreams to chase. Where we lived wasn't going to change that.

Nevertheless, I was leaving my stuff in my boxes just in case Ares finished whatever job he had at any given moment. Was it dumb? Agreeably so, but I wasn't ready. I turn off the lights and shut the door behind me, hoping against hope, that this time I could leave the past behind.

Our new home was a penthouse. Stylish, luxurious, and high class. Ares always liked to say he'd get nothing but the best for me and Kat. It was sweet the way he always tried to make us happy.

Not complaining but he always did tend to go overboard. I make my way to the kitchen where I witness him struggling with some vegetables.

Did I forget to mention none of us know how to cook?

"Just order takeout, dad," Kat's drawl reaches my ears just as she pushes past me to the dining area. Her short auburn hair sways lightly as she casts a nasty look over her shoulder.

As far as she was concerned, I was the reason her parents split up, I was the reason they hated each other. She wasn't going to see things any other way and I'd grown tired of trying to defend myself.

"I'm very sure I'll get it this time, honey," Ares beams as he narrowly avoids chopping his thumb off along with the tomato.

"Sure, Ares." I pat his back, supportive. I then take the seat across from Kat. She glances up from her phone and makes a small noise of disgust.

"What's got you so pressed?"

"It's just really disrespectful, you know?" She huffs coolly.

"What is?"

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"That you have the nerve to call him by his first name. After all this time you still do that. It's obvious that he's not your real father but can you be more respectful if youinsist on ruining everything. "

"Kat, it's okay, I asked her to-"

"It's been seven years will you-" I glared.

"Will I ignore my life fell apart because you wormed your way into it?! I won’t!"

I'mstanding, looming over her at the other end of thetable an anger and guilt thud throughmy veins, "Its been years, stop pinning that on me-"

"You know I'm right-"

"Girls that's enough!" Ares cuts between us, voice stern enough to make both of us quiet.

I hiss in annoyance, staring deep it her eyes before turning towards the living room. I should've realized sooner, her default when she's pissed off at something is to drag me to her level.

"Where are you going?" He asks.

"For a walk, I'll be back by dinner."

"Kira-"

"That's right, hope you stay where you belong!" Kat cuts him off.

"Katherine!"

I hear the sound of a chair scraping against the floor which probably meant she was leaving the dining area as well. My shoes properly on, I leave the penthouse, taking the elevator to the ground floor and stomping out into the busy streets.

Stupid Kat.

I've did nothing wrong.

Her words should mean nothing to me, only Ares mattered but even then a part me, however small, still wants her acceptance even if I don't know why.

I don't want to think about why.

I take out my phone and pull up a map, mybe I'd see some sights and take some pics for my socials. I don't do much on any of them, especially in the interaction department.

I search my pockets further.

No money for a bus or something.

Well, I did say a walk.

I sigh and do some little discreet stretching movements before I start my exploration.

My Japanese wasn't as rusty as some would think. I'd used phrases now and then to insult Kat when she went too far. Ares helped me practice a week before we moved since he had learned the language as well.

In all, I was able to ask for directions easily, from those around me.

I take pictures and post them a few on my social media accounts. Unlike Kat I don’t have an overwhelming amount of followers but being and part of the Vermillion family had spurred many of my classmates to follow me back then. I could pick out some of them in the replies. One comment in particular, I frown and ignore. It was nice indulging myself the bright neon lights and flashy caricatures of tv characters all around, I wouldn't sour my own mood anymore today. I lift my mood by ogling every clothes store window and taking down names in my notes app enthusiastically.

Grinning stupidly at my list which had grown ridiculously over time, I can't help thinking how fun coming out for shopping another day would be.

I keep up my walk, aiming to get home a little later just so Ares would give Kat a little bit of hell for chasing me off so long. I wouldn't call myself vindictive...I guess.

I stop, looking around to get my bearings since I've been walking pretty aimlessly. It had grown dark pretty quickly and the city seemed to have dimmed a bit actually. The neon lights from several stores that had threatened to blind me everywhere had turned out like everyone had decided to close up early. The streets as well had quickly thinned out without my notice.

Maybe it was getting too late. I pulled out my phone only to see it was almost 9 pm. Sure it was a bit late for me who palnned to get home before then but it was normal time for night life.

Then I remember the curfew the Demona articles talked about.

Shit.

I pulled up a map to find my way home when my screen suddenly goes black.

Double shit.

My mind goes back to the serial murder news articles. I really wasn't liking this, becoming a serial killer's statistic was on my top ten ways not to die list.

I scan the area and approach the first person that comes into sight. It was a young man clearly rushing home himself but kind enough to give me directions to the area where the apartment complex would be which was good enough.

Scolding myself for getting so carried away I start my brisk walk home.

I've barely taken three steps back when...I feel it.

A strange icky sensation spreading across my skin. Was someone watching me?

My eyes dart around the street. I'm the only person still there. I ignore it and keep walking, jogging actually, my gut urging me to get as far away as possible. My short sprint is interrupted by the sudden sensation of the world being overturned. Everything spinning and my feet losing balance until it come slamming right into the ground.

Panick sweeps through me as my scream drowns into a pained groan and vision swims. My mind is full of questions as I try to pull myself up and see what had thrown me into the alley.

I feel sick already.

It stands at the entrance of the alley, a large spider-like form, as big as a car standing on eight legs that seemed just as thick as tree branches. And where the insect's face was meant to be was the sick twisted body of a woman from the waist up, with stringy hair and dry cracked lips muttering in words I can't understand.

All thoughts leave my head, my feet are trembling and the scream aching to leave my chest is stuck in my throat. I see it move closer and my body is spurred by instinct to avoid, I stand, managing not to trip over myself in fear and notice the piece of web attached to the back of my legs where I'd been lifted and thrown.

Shit, shit, shit.

I turn back to the large menacing thing that's still slowly approaching me like it's playing some sick twisted game. My heartbeat is fast enough to hurt in my chest, whatever this thing was, I couldn't let it kill me. Kat would be way too happy at my death.

With that motivatio, I yank the web off and start running toward the strange monster. The woman makes to grab me but I slide under the beast. Ignoring it's disgusting underbelly as I do.

'Get to the main street,' I tell myself.

There's a shrill cry behind me. That icky feeling washing over me once more before i feel my leg stuck, I fall and glare at the web pulling me toward her.

I kick and tug but unfortunately, some above average skills in volleyball, gymnastics qnd taekwondo didn't prepare you for giant spider women attacks. I scream for help, tears prickling at my eyes as I dig my nails into the ground to stop myself from being pulled by the thread.

My life couldn't end way, it just couldn't!

A giant spider-lady thing was about to kill me?!

How was it possible, and why me?

Cold clammy hands wrapped around my body. Dread sinks into my gut and I squirm trying to evade the repulsive being to no avail. The head comes closer to my neck and I can feel the hot sticky breath, not as rancid as I'd expect but carrying the most intoxicating scent of roses.

I scream one last time, completely unaware when the monster joins me quickly after until I'm violently thrown aside.

My head hits the ground multiple times as I roll into the concrete. With a pained groan, I push myself up to take a glance at what was going on.

A hooded human form had a large sword plunged into the monster's back. The air implodes with rippling ethereal energy, knocking me back a little bit more as the monster's shrill cry fades until just its legs are the only twitching part of it.

The large sword disappeared and the hood-wearing stranger turns to me, it's too dark to see a face but I could make out burning turquoise slits for eyes.

Demona.

I don't know why I Know but I do.

I struggle to my feet ready to run but they are right next to me already, holding my shoulder in a vice-like grip.

"Leave me alone!" I yell, struggling only to fall. My legs are shaking again.

"Settle down." A calm feminine voice instructs.

I shake my head, using my hands to pull myself back. Away. My eyes do to the monster that lay twitching, who ever could do that wasn't to trusted.

She follows my gaze, her voice is a bit airy when she speaks, "Jorōgumo."

"Huh?"

"Spider bride, it's a youkai, an evil one specifically but don't worry, I've eliminated it. You're safe."

I stared at her in disbelief. Youkai? Spider bride? What in the hell?! "What are you?"

"A helper, that's all you need to know. Where do you live...Kira?"

I say nothing, stunned at the chain of events as well as the fact that she has used my name without asking for it.

"Or don't bother I know where you live as well. Let's g-"

I slap her hand away from me, "Stay away you freak!" I screech, bolting up and running for the street.

No sooner, my knees buckle and my vision swims causing me to fall to the ground. A prick of pain make itself known in my neck and my arm goes up to inspect it.

With the last slivers of my vision, I could see it was a tiny dart. I slump, hitting the ground again. I hear Demona's heavy footsteps coming my way.

"I know, Sint. I'll deal with it properly after I return her home...it's not like there's much it can do now, it's dead the murders will stop for a while... Asmodeus, shut up..."

Who was she talking to? More spirits?

This didn't make any sense.

Nothing made sense.

The darkness is slowly closing in but I try to keep it at bay. I'm being lifted up with no real effort, it feels so warm and nice.

"Why..." The question dies in my throat, what was I going to ask again?

Something is pushing past my lips into my mouth.

"Hush now, and forget everything." Her voice is sweet, enticing slow as whatever she's fed me goes down my throat.

Forget? What does she mean?

I don’t want to forget.