Kira

~

"Kira! Kira, wake up!"

I turn over and bury myself deeper into the sheets to muffle Ares' wake-up call.

Wait? Sheets?!

Abruptly, I sit up, heart racing in my chest, mind struggling to catch up to my surroundings. My groggy eyes wildly assess every inch of where I am.

My room.

In my bed.

Without a single scratch on my body.

How?!

I throw off the sheets and hop onto the floor, shaking my left arm vigorously but it stayed on. On my wrist though, there was a small bracelet of brown beads that definitely didn't belong to me.

My eyes only linger for a split second before the memories blossom to life in my mind, I'm shrieking, pulling it off and tossing it across the room as if it had burned me.

I continue to stare at it, all too suddenly feeling sick.

No, that couldn't have happened, it couldn't-

'Please remember, me.'

A cold shiver runs down my spine as the words echo in my head.

Did she really...die?

I sink to the ground, staring blankly at my arm and trying to make sense of what's going on.

"Kira! You're going to be late for school," Ares' voice comes through the door along with some knocks, "Kira...is everything alright? You don't have to go today if you're too nervous."

I pull myself together, back to the present. If I didn't start the day with everyone else things would definitely be much harder for me. Quickly, I pick up the bracelet, shoving it in my bag as I make the decision to push the dark thoughts aside and focus on what I needed to do that minute, going to school. I'd make sense of the madness later.

"It's okay!" I yell, "I'll be ready in ten minutes."

"You sure?"

I really don't know why he worried so much, I was perfectly capable of taking care of myself. "I'm sure!" I drew out the 'sure' just so he would get the point.

After I hear his footsteps leave the door. I get out of my night clothes, grab my bathrobe, and make my way to the bathroom, pausing at the door to give my bag across the room one last look, my mind conjuring the image of the bracelet within.

A knot of dread forms in my gut but I ignore it.

For now.

***

My new uniform is nothing special. It had been delivered about a week before. The only thing I hated about it was that I had to wear it.

A plain white button-down with a stuffy tie topped with a grey vest and smooth, dark red blazer while the skirt was a deep blue with black and red plaid stripes.

Why did I have to wear this again? I ponder as I pull on some black socks. Dress code stated those could be any color, not that anyone cared that much about socks. Grabbing my bag, I head toward the door. Today was going to be my first day in a new school, I couldn't screw up and isolate myself like last time.

"You look so cute," Ares' cool reaches my ears as I march through the kitchen doorway. I grab the bowl of cereal he held out, accepting the kiss on my forehead without much trouble before slurping my breakfast down. "Kat, doesn't she look adorable?"

To no one's surprise, she kept her nose buried in her phone, thoroughly refusing to acknowledge my presence.

Ares' smile falls just a bit.

"I'll just finish this before it gets... soggy." I sat down and began to shovel the rainbow-colored flakes into my mouth.

"Slow down," she scoffs with a side eye of disgust.

I want to ignore her in petty revenge but I have a question burning at the back of my mind for both of them, "Um, I have to ask something."

"Sure, what's up?" Ares hums, putting away some dishes.

"How...did I get home last night?"

Kat shoots me a weird look and her dad seems just as confused.

"What do you mean, Kira?"

"I was just asking how I got here last night, everything's kind of blurry."

"You did look really tired." He tries taking my temperature with the back of his hand but I'm pretty sure I don't have a fever.

"You waltzed in like some zombie and said you were going to sleep while ignoring all our other questions." Kat's tone is derisive as always.

"Oh." I could feel Ares' eyes studying me intently.

"Kira are you-"

"Wow, look at the time, gotta go now," I exclaim, jumping off my seat.

"I'll drive."

"I can walk, Ares."

"Come on, just for today." He pleaded.

"Aren't you going to work or something?"

He flashed a bright smile, "I'll head there after dropping you off."

It was a losing battle, once he set his mind to doing something as embarrassing as this there was technically no way out for me.

I wait at the door while he tells Kat goodbye and makes her promise not to try and cook anything. All I can gather from her muffled reply is that she'd be streaming play-throughs all day.

One good thing about moving I didn't mind was the lack of paparazzi, and stalkers, the Vermillion family was a big name back in the States but here we could more or less not worry about being followed around by strangers.

We get to the parking lot and I take the back seat in the car, so I can distract myself with my phone without having to make conversation with Ares. We got along pretty well but due to recent events, I just knew he was going to ask...

"You nervous, kiddo?"

There it was. "I'm fine." It was a half-honest reply. I didn't know if there was anything wrong but I did feel fine.

Fine.

Stop butting in already.

I blink rapidly, caught off guard by the odd toneof my own thought. Taking deep breaths to calm down I tell myself Ares is just being nice.

"Remember, just excuse yourself and call if you need anything." The car came to a stop in front of the school gates. "And if you're feeling sick just-"

Indignation floods my system at his coddling, I slam the door with more force than necessary. I glare at him, hissing through my teeth, "I told you I'm fine, stop babying me. I'm not some brat like Kat so you can stop trying to pacify and appease me. I. Don't. Need. It. Ares!"

Just as quick as it'd come, the feeling fades, leaving me numb with shame from the words that I had spoken. Towards I'd never say no matter how annoying his hovering could be because I knew he loved me. I stare muted, trying to think what to say.

The strained smile on Ares' face does nothing to help. I open my mouth to speak but no words come out, mainly because I have no idea what I could say that wouldn't make me sound like I was making excuses in front of all the other students who were now whispering at our display.

'I didn't feel like myself.'

'Something came over me.'

They all sounded stupid.

A dark chuckle bubbles up around me making my skin tingle, I'm about to look around to find who the hell thinks this is funny when Ares finally speaks.

"It's okay Kira, was just doing my best to look out for you." His eyes look a little pained, "See you at home, okay?"

I nod dumbly and turn to jog through the gates, hearing the car drive off only a few seconds later.

What had just happened?

***

All students were directed to the auditorium where first years like me were welcomed and informed about all we'd need to know as the proud new students of Hamada Private High School.

Finding my class after was easy since I had papers and all that but how I would be received was the question at the forefront of my mind.

Alongside pondering why I'd snapped at Ares like that? Of course, he could be weirdly overbearing sometimes but this time wasn't that bad. I'd never got too angry at him before. Yelling back was something I'd also never do.

He deserved it. A dark part of my mind whispered. He was pushing too much.

No, he didn't.

Yes, he did.

No-

I'm jarred from my thoughts as I crash right into the backs two girls who were in front of me. They let out disgruntled huffs.

"Sorry," I bow, blushing and taking the path around them.

I come to a stop in front of a door with numbers printed upon it, '1-C'. This was the place. I walk in through the open door only to be met with sounds of chatter from every corner of the room.

Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

Everywhere I looked everyone seemed to know everyone. Was this one of those special cases where everyone in the same class came from the same middle school?

If so, how was I going to blend in with anyone? They would probably see me as the new kid even if this was our first day.

I stand at the doorway, hoping my panic isn't obvious on my face.

"Excuse me."

I turn around to meet inquisitive brown eyes staring at me. The girl was around my height with her blond hair drawn up into long, curly pigtails.

"I haven't seen you around before. Are you new?" Her tone excitedly out of breath for a Monday morning.

We're all new, though...

"Just got admitted last month," I smile, hoping it isn't awkward.

"Oh, so that's why! We all got in long before that and we had this big get-together to get to know all our 1-C members. I'm Kobayashi Moriko but you can just call me Momo. It's nice to meet you-"

I knew people could talk fast but her rapid-fire Japanese was going right over my head.

"What's your name?"

"Um, Kira Vermilion."

"Vermilion? It sounds foreign. Are you foreign? You don't look foreign."

"I am, kinda, but it's really-".

She doesn't let me finish, screaming to the class instead, "Hey everyone, we got another foreigner!"

Oh shit. My initial plan to not draw attention for a bit was out the window now. Everyone was looking our way now.

Wait a minute.

Another?

I look around the class but can't pick out anyone in particular, just eyes staring at us.

Almost immediately though, they all go back to their conversations.

My shoulders slump in relief, and maybe also some hurt. Did I really look that uninteresting?

I turn back to Moriko, hoping I could make an acquaintance out of her but to my absolute surprise she's halfway across the room chatting it up with some other group of people.

With a heavy sigh, I decided to put my energy to good use by looking for a proper seat. I found one that’s just two rows from the back, having a good view out the window facing the large blooming Sakura trees.

I sat down, actually glad I got to pick this seat out before anyone else could. I stare out at the clear blue skies, admittedly, even with all the tumultuous thoughts running through my head, it was morning.

"What's got you zoning out so early?"

English.

Startled, I turn swiftly to the desk across to see a very tall girl with dark brown skin taking the seat beside me. Her hair was a soft purple color and she looked absolutely bored to be here. A part of me could sympathise.

"Jade Keller," she introduces without me asking.

Ah, so this was the other.

"Kira Vermilion."

"Momo says we should try being friends since we're both from out of town." She hums switching to Japanese.

"Did you join that get-together thing they had?"

She nods eyes moving to where Moriko stood, "We've been friends a couple weeks now, she can be a pain with all the bouncing around and gossip but she's okay when she's not drooling over Demona," her gaze shifts to me, giving away nothingness, her tone on the other hand, strikes a weird chord in my chest.

My heart stutters a bit, "Demona?"

"Yeah, she's a huge Demona fangirl. Bet that's who she's talking about right now." Jade shrugs, "Personally, I don't know what to feel about Japan's urban legend, not really into superheroes and shit."

I let a relieved sigh fall from my lips at the thought that I wouldn't have to hear Demona's name in every conversation if we became friends, "Then what are you into?" I was prepared to hear anything; books, anime, rock collecting, anything other than what she actually says.

"Witchcraft," She grins with a smirk.

"That's...nice."

Before I could have a mental breakdown about why everyone here was obsessed with the supernatural the teacher walks, "Settle down everyone, it's time for class."

Jade gave me a small smile, something about me had amused her and I hated not knowing what it was, "You seem okay, Vermilion, let's talk after class." She gave me a thumbs up which I returned weakly.

So on my first day of school, I had talked to a Demona fangirl and a Witchcraft enthusiast. Was this really a foreshadowing of my future life?

I brush the thoughts aside, these had nothing to do with the events of the previous week. A normal school day was all I need tonset my mind straight.

Magic didn't exist.

Giant spider ladies didn't exist.

And Demon-wielding vigilantes sure as hell didn't exist!

After homeroom, our school day began in earnest, the first class being History. Schoolwork wasn't my strong suit but I didn't plan on slacking off on the first day.

Minutes ticked by and slowly, but surely, my anxiety gave way to boredom. My eyes travelling out the window on occasion to rest on the city beyond. The skies had darkened again, looking eerily similar to those of the previous evening despite how early in the morning it was.

'Please, remember me.'

Gentle, sombre, echoey. The voice clawed at my mind.

'Please, please, please, PLEASE!'

"Shut up." I hiss under my breath.

'My, my, so selfish. You definitely won't last long.'

Flinching, I turn around, scanning the class for who'd said that. "Who? What the..."

'I see why Hikari was so nervous to hand things over to you, I mean, we all saw it but being inside you firsthand, it's obvious you're just some self-obsessed teenager that won't even give the dying wishes of a young girl the time of day.'

"Who said that?" I grip my pen tightly, a little louder than necessary from irritation.

I could feel all the eyes in the class on me. I cut my gaze to Jade who's giving me a questioning look.

"Anything wrong..." The teacher squints hard as if trying to remember something.

"Kira Vermilion, Sensei."

"Yes. Is there a problem?"

I shake my head, "Eyes back on the board, students." He orders the class, satisfied.

'I'm talking to you in your head moron' The strange, male voice huffs, 'How slow are you?'

I ignore the jab, thinking, 'Who and What are you?'

'Just a figment of your imagination.' It replies sarcastically.

I growl lowly, gripping my pen tighter, 'What are you?'

'Since you're unfortunately ignorant, I'm what humans would classify as an evil spirit.'

"Some sort of Yokai?" I ask, shocked to the point I actually say it out loud

A few heads turn. I smile nervously, pretending to take notes vigorously.

I hear a scoff inside my head, 'Do not associate me with those lowly creatures you disgusting flesh sack, I am a Demon, more powerful than your average spirit with abilities beyond your mortal comprehension.' I could literally hear the smirk in his next statement, 'You may address me as Lucifer, Prince of Pride.'

'Try not to give into pride, he's a bit persuasive.' The voice of the young girl, Hikari apparently, echoes again.

My mind goes blank for a split second, there are several questions I could ask, many that I should ask, but at that moment, my whole world is tilted on its axis allowing for a catastrophic wave of dread to wash through me.

A demon was talking to me...inside my head...in my classroom.

What the actual f-

'You should probably leave the classroom now. Your awful facial expressions are drawing some unwarranted attention.'

And true to his words, I was getting sideway glances from everyone.

'I want answers.' I demand, hoping I sounded calmer than I felt.

As if reading my mind, 'You sound like you're going into a panic attack, it's obvious.' He informs, not answering though. 'You have no control over me Kira Vermilion, as soon as your concentration slips and an opportunity presents itself I will make your body my personal toy, maybe snap at your new friend like I made you do to daddy dearest. Nothing matters anymore as you're far too weak to serve our purpose.'

My hands crash against the desk loudly. I could care less about drawing attention now, I could take many things but hurting my family was where I drew the line.

Even for Kat.

Forcing a neutral expression, I look at the teacher, "Sensei, may I be excused?"

He gestures to the door.

I bow, hurrying out and making my way to the girls' bathroom. After ensuring no one's in, I walk over to the sink, leaning against it and seething angrily, "You were behind my outburst this morning?"

'I can't take all the credit, just twisted some emotions here, whispered a few thoughts there, and clouded your overall judgement. Nothing much.'

He sounds absolutely smug and it pisses me off even more.

"Explain," I scowl into the empty toilet.

He chuckles, 'Your reactions are far more entertaining than the others. Be grateful I'm in a good mood. Take off your shirt.'

"What?!"

'I won't repeat myself.'

Humiliated but needing answers, I concede. Whatever had happened on that rooftop, I couldn't deny it any longer. I was sane, and no sane person could dream up a Demon speaking in their mind.

Putting all the previous events together and assuming they had really happened, I had no reason to doubt who this guy said he was. That and I had this gut feeling, a strong sensation that reassured me of his honesty. I took off the blazer and got to work on my vest and shirt, pulling the buttons loose with shaky hands until finally, the first four are free. With a puff of breath, I pull it off at the shoulders, pausing as my eyes catching a bright red glow in the mirror.

I bite my lips to keep myself from screaming.

Right there on my right shoulder was a mark of red vivid ink. Circles within circles spinning in opposite directions while strange symbols swirl and dance within them. At the center was an even stranger symbol that seemed to shift blurry shapes constantly, the clearest I could make out was a little jewelled crown with an ornate staff.

Pride.

'That, right there is a Keeper's seal. Hikari, the last Demon Keeper, has passed it down to you.'

"This wasn't there when I had a bath earlier."

'It takes a while to manifest.' He answers blithely, 'I don't like repeating myself so listen closely, a long time ago six demons, myself, and five others were bound to that Seal, for a purpose, we completed it then but the maker fell victim to certain dark forces and so the first Keeper claimed it and has been protecting it for years on end, passing down it's power to those with the Universe’s Blessing because the world needs the Demon Keeper.' I feel a chill run down my spine, the kind you get when you know someone is watching you with contempt.

'You, Kira Vermilion do not have that blessing, you barely had the minimum Magic Energy levels required of a human to use Magic. But you'll have to make due because Hikari made a desperate choice, one that couldn't be helped. You are Demona now.'

"What do you mean?"

'Evil forces are after this seal, the only reason this school hasn't been attacked is because you brought that bracelet, it hides the Keeper's Aura and Magic Energy traces. I, for one, do not care what happens to you pathetic human flesh bags any longer but someone does.'

I can't help but wonder who that someone is for such an asshole Demon to obey.

Lucifer continues, caring little to ask if I'd been following , 'If you want everyone in your life to be happy you have to leave and pretend as if you have no human life whatsoever.'

"Not happening." I shoot back stubbornly.

"If you remain with people, they die. You're a walking Yokai magnet, it's only a matter of time before that bracelet runs out of juice. If you decide to do as I tell you though, you could learn how to protect your identity in time.' He was laughing now, amused for reasons I couldn't understand.

"One problem, I don't give a shit about magic or Demona, how do I get rid of this seal?"

His laughter dies down, 'The chaos of your soul brings me so much joy. There is no getting rid of it. You just have to pass it down.'

"How do I pass it down?"

'You're not strong enough, what use is telling you?' The taunt is smooth but brutal, stabbing at my already conflicted emotions.

"Then I'll become stronger," I try not to trip over my words.

Almost immediately my mind is filled with manic laughter, causing me to shrink back and grab at my ears from how loud it is.

'You? Become stronger? Don't make me laugh.' I could hear the contempt, the disdain like he was talking to a mere insect.

"Stop it."

'You're just a weak little girl who likes pretending she can do things on her own but face it, you always fail, Kira!'

"Shut up!"

'You want to prove me wrong don't you, but it's the truth, if you can convince yourself it's alright to run then you'll run like you did all those years ago!'

"I said shut up!" I scream and slam my hand down on the sink. I felt it budge just a bit before completely collapsing at my feet. The damaged pipe splashing water into my face and snapping me out of my trance enough to take in the horror of what I had done. I fall helplessly to the ground, looking down at my hands, then back at the broken sink.

I was strong, but not that strong.

The sound of the door opening makes me spin, meeting the eyes of some random girl who runs as soon as she takes in the scene.

'That was quick,' I hear Lucifer say.

I gesture at the sink, "The hell are you talking about?! I'm about to get expelled!"

'I guess it does look bad doesn't it?'

I slump to the ground, holding my head in my hands. Was it too late to hope this was all a nightmare?