This post contains mild language
“Heiji Tarō, you have certainly proved you worth. You worked the books, you cleaned the place, and you earned a spot among our ranks. I thank you for your paitience and time.”
“It is I who should thank you, Akataka-san.”
“You have become so much a part of our family that my men have given you a codename; a proof of your worth, a sign of trust. What is the name they gave you?”
“My name is…Kuroshiro. Black/white.”
“An audacious name indeed. So I ask of you, Kuroshiro. What do you intend to do to show you are worthy of such a name?”
“My worth?”
“Why yes. Your friend, the one we call Oniken. A tattooed rakshasa clutching a zanbatō adorns his heart. Lieutenant Kumo slashed off his smallest fingers, leaving only his eight necessary ones. And I myself bought and painted the red Century you often see me drive. So what’s it going to be, Kuroshiro? How will you swear fealty?”
“I’ll think of something. Trust me…”
Kuroshiro awoke from his nap, tired and a tad nauseous. Another memory, his induction ceremony into the ranks of the gang, had revealed itself. Often times, if spirits needed help to complete a task before passing on, memories would guide them. This meant that he had to do something regarding the gang.
It was half past eleven when he woke up. Ugh, jet lag. So it finally hits. He realized he had been floating in mid-air, unable to actually sleep on a solid surface. It must have freaked out the other housemates. He dismounted from the air and returned to the ground. He decided to take more of a walk around the place.
Darkness crowded the corridors on every side. If not for the small night activated lights, Kuroshiro would just be completely lost. He began to walk up the stairs when he noticed someone out of bed.
It was a woman wearing nothing but a see through slip and particularly immodest underwear. Her golden hair decorated her back like a giant coat. Sitting by a window seat, she was a giant billboard for the phrase “sex sells”. Kuroshiro wished to avoid her, but her golden eyes followed him.
“Well, I didn’t expect someone to be up this late. Oh, and someone cute too.”
“I don’t believe we’ve met yet. Unless you were at my in-turo-dakushon, my name is Kuroshiro.”
“Oh, my. How…different.”
“Ma’am, if I had any sense left, I’d find that somewhat racist.”
“Please, when you are around me, it’s mademoiselle. Mademoiselle Vevila, at your loving service. Perhaps you wish to gaze upon my figure, bathed in moonlight.”
“That’s nice. I didn’t want to seek you out. It’s just that I decided to take a walk.”
“I see. Well, if you need company, I’m always here for you; and Kuroshiro?
“Yes?”
“Don’t let my beauty fool you. If you weren’t a ghost, why, there’s no telling what would happen. It would be very tempting, I’m sure. Quaint how you’re dead and all.”
Under his breath, he uttered “I don’t usually insult women, but learn some damn manners, you hellcat.”
“What was that, dearie?”
“Nothing . Absolutely nothing.”
He kept walking, reminded again that not everyone here was stable and if he interacted with Vevila, it would be under supervision.
Continuing down a flight of stairs, he made his way to the first floor. All was quiet as the house slept. Everyone slept except he and Vevila. However, he heard noises. Perhaps he wasn’t alone. They came from the other room. He pressed against the wall and decided to phase through, just to get a glimpse of what was going on. He almost couldn’t believe his eyes.
Akira and Griffin were seated at a table, going over plans by overhead light. Kuroshiro watched as he slowly inched his seat closer. Really Griffin. Putting the moves on Akira in the middle of the night. How dare you. He had just about enough and walked through the entryway to his left.
“I hope I’m not in-tarapu-ting.”
Akira and Griffin looked up from their soiree and looked slightly opposite the other. The werewolf spoke with a confused edge. “Hello, Kuroshiro. We’re just making plans for when Sebastian returns. We may have to abandon the mansion. Depends on the next few days.”
Griffin felt interested the newcomer. “So, you are the renowned Kuroshiro? It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Hope we can work together.”
Kuroshiro looked with a stern stare. “Tu-keza. Right.”
Griffin sat down and went back to his planning; Akira joined him. “Now, there are three exits throughout the forest. Cutting through that in necessity will give us coverage and options. If we have to split up…”
“Akira stated we are not to supu-ritto up.”
Akira looked up from her plans with a look of sheer stupidity accusation. “Well, when lives are on the line, I think we can afford a split. I’m not letting these kids down.”
Akira set again to planning. “If we take to the tool shed before we exit, I’m pretty sure there are several farm tools in there. Could be useful for weapons; we just have to find a key to it. Looping around the shed towards the west face, there could be a possible foxhole…”
“Illogical.”
Akira looked back to Kuroshiro. “Now what?”
He shrugged his shoulders. “Well, if you plant a foxhole here, there would be no way to wrap around the south end if we’re pin-do. That also cuts out the tu-ru shed. If you wrap this way, to the east, the forest is still in play.”
“Yes, but there is a secret passage… I thought I told you not to interfere.”
“Oh, but it looks so fun.”
Griffin stood up. “Well, I really don’t like you now. I suggest you apologize to her and I before I make a scene.”
Kuroshiro leaned his head forward and look up. He spat with conviction. “You? Make a scene? Please. There is no chance for you to touch me. If you have kampu-rii-torii fa-gatuen, I’m a kami, a spirit. Try dying and come back later.”
Akira just stared at him. “Kuroshiro, what’s wrong with you? This isn’t like you at all.”
“You’re right. That’s because you really don’t know me. I’m just like your boy Griffin over there. Simply put, I’m stoic, apa-setiku, but not a care in the world. Of course, he cares so much for you. Is that right, dragon boy?”
Griffin’s eyes bulged. “Wyvern. At least get it right.”
“Fine. All I’m saying is you could be a bit karu-ma around me. Perhaps you could keep calm around Akira too.”
His voice arose to dull roar levels. “You shut the hell up.”
“See, that’s a bit illogical. I’m the one talking calmly, telling you how to make a battle plan and save you sorry hide. You are the one getting all worked up about nothing. Unless, you think that supe-sharu little thing you share with Akira is actually worth something.”
The spirit had just kicked the biggest hornet’s nest in his afterlife. Griffin grabbed a knife and turned to stab. Only to meet the point of Kuroshiro’s katana, Yurokibō. Both weapons unsheathed, the men kept their distances. What could have been a terrible incident was interrupted by a shout.
“Idiots! Both of you! If you ‘d stop already, you’d realize we have guests.”
Griffin cocked his head towards Akira. “Akira, this is not the time.”
“No, she’s right. This is ridiculous and absolutely illogical. I’m a spirit; you’re a fai-ofarun hybrid.” Kuroshiro sheathed his katana. “We can’t make a single mark. So, Akira, what’s going on?”
Akira turned her head to the left. Her ears twitched a bit, trying to pick up the faint sounds. “It sounds like…thieves.”
黒白
Kuroshiro followed Griffin and Akira down a hallway towards the main entrance. They saw nothing in the darkness but could hear the men about to enter the mansion. The lock wouldn’t hold for long.
Akira drew her claws and fangs in defense. Griffin unfurled his draconic wings and clutched the knife from earlier. Kuroshiro unsheathed Yurokibō and stood in a scorpion stance. In the faded moonlight shining from the window, Akira began to turn slightly feral. However, this moon was
It was do or die at this point. They had to take this fight on the offense. Kuroshiro turned to Akira. “Is there any way the se-kure-tii system is active?”
In her growls, she reacted, “That’s what I’ve wanted to tell you. Our security system went down due to Xenogenesis Laboratories coming through. Perhaps I should have mentioned them. We’ll talk later. Now, we have more pressing matters at hand.”
Kuroshiro nodded towards the door. “I’m going to phase through, see what’s up. I’ll have to use inu-fisuru-biriti so don’t expect to see me for a few seconds.”
He focused his energy and began to turn invisible. “Can you see me?”
They both disagreed. It was impossible to see Kuroshiro in his invisible form.
He began to phase through the door, a process that took powerful amounts of energy. How long has it been since I phased while invisible? Ugh, and jet lag. Yeah, I really should take a long nap after this.
With his head through the door, he could see a baseball bat being slammed against the lock. Four or five men surrounded the door, each carrying a small weapon. One of them had a gun. The situation looked bleak, very bleak. Though, Kuroshiro could tell something was very much different than a simple robbery.
For one, their eyes were very dulled and they seemed to lose life from their face every second, like they were being drained. Perhaps they were.
He returned to the house with a look on his face. “I suggest trying to disu-amu them before you attempt to kill.”
Griffin was obviously itching to make a move. “Or, we could defend our house and-.”
“No. I feel they are being controlled by something else. Something sini-suta. A demon. Destroying these humans won’t destroy the demon. He is most likely somewhere on the grounds.”
Akira, now losing human sanity, repressed her powers and spoke, “So WHAT NOW?!”
“I’ll take the demons. You take out the humans. Just don’t hurt them if you can help it.”
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Okay, I wanted this post to be longer but it’s late and I am heading on vacation for the next week. It was well earned and I can’t wait to get back to writing. I leave this one up to you, guys.
