Akuma
People were introducing themselves, though all I heard was a whole lot of 'blah blah blah'-ing going on. I rolled my eyes, propping my chin in my hand and observing everyone around me. It seemed like none of them would pose a real threat, except for, perhaps, that guy with horns, tail, and wings ((Yoru)). What a freakshow, I thought to myself, and smirked. Since I couldn't bother to remember his name, perhaps that's what I'd call him from now on.
I slanted a glance at my brother, who seemed perfectly content listening to everyone introduce themselves. Well, at least that would make less work for me, in the end. Our 'Aunt' entered the room, with a rather annoying puppy in tow, and said something about a ceremony. I really couldn't bring myself to care too much, and instead trailed behind the rest of the group as we made our way towards who-knows-where.
Along the way, a voice attracted my attention. I narrowed my eyes as a cocky-looking guy spoke. "So, you all are my lovely little group, eh?" What in the world was that supposed to mean?
"Who are you, anyways?" I asked suspiciously, immediately distrusting. The only person I would trust was Tamostu. And that was it.
"It's Runihura, and I guess I should all properly welcome you to the games. If you morons haven't figured it out yet, I'm your team leader. So, with that said, you better do a good job," he responded. I gritted my teeth, who was that pretty boy calling a moron? A calming pat from Tamotsu served to mollify me, and I simply scowled at 'Hura-Hura', before we continued on our way.
More talking and introducing of various teams. It seemed like there were quite a few dead people who had been resurrected, but that worked fine with me. More people I'd get to take out my anger on, after all.
"Now, with that done, our first event shall be Tag."
"What the-" I barely managed to get out, before Runihara's amused laughter sounded in my ears.
"Well, good luck!" he exclaimed, before the coliseum around us began to morph into something different. All of a sudden I heard the sound of ticking, and I immediately glanced towards Freakshow and... Janus, who's palms had morphed into ticking time bombs. Well, wasn't that unfortunate.
I burst into laughter and shook my head. "Good luck with those," I snickered, before turning towards Tamotsu and gesturing a bit a ways away, wanting to distance myself from the main group so as not to provide such a large target. Tamo nodded silently and followed behind me, as I gave a last wave and mocking smirk at my 'team'. To hell with that. I wasn't working with those low-lives.
"Aku, where are you going?" Tamotsu asked from behind me. I could practically sense the concern in his voice, almost see him as he turned around and looked from the group through the foliage.
"Away from those idiots," I muttered curtly in response, shaking away the black hair that had fallen into my eyes.
"Are you sure that's wise?" my brother continued, and I abruptly stopped and turned around, glaring at him.
"Of course I'm sure that's wise. What would you have us do?" I really didn't want to argue with my brother, but ever since I stepped foot into this blasted place my patience had been wearing thin. Everyone here was far too happy-go-lucky for my tastes. I just wanted to come back to life so I could extract my revenge and be able to live peacefully. With Tamotsu. My eyes softened and I stepped towards him. "I'm sorry, Tamo. I just... want to win this game."
"I know," he replied, reaching out to pat my head fondly. "But it'd be best if we stayed near the others. They don't have to know we're there." He smiled mischievously and I smirked, beginning to head back in the way we came.
A sobbing noise from nearby caught my attention and I peered through the foliage to see Yoru tagging some little girl, who burst into tears. Tch. Pathetic. Though that meant that there were others out there, others who were trying to tag others. Just as I was thinking this a rustling noise from behind me caught my attention and my hand instantly went to my shuriken as I pivoted and peered at my surroundings.
Much to my irritation, Tamotsu stepped in front of me, shielding me from whatever was approaching us. I jumped up, attempting to see over my brother's giant wings, and gasped at what met my eyes. It was a hulking, disfigured creature, entirely black save for two red spots on what I supposed was its head. Those were probably its eyes, though I wasn't putting my money on that.
"What in the world is that monstrosity?" I breathed, wrinkling my nose as it crept closer towards us. Along with the thing came a repulsive stench, which caused me to gag for a few moments, though Tamo didn't flinch in the face of the creature. He was a strong one, Tamotsu.
"Look," my brother murmured, pointing towards the "hand" of the creature. Sure enough, there lay a clock, which was slowly ticking down as it drew nearer. There were less than two minutes left until the thing would explode, but I certainly didn't want to be around to see such a thing.
"Alright, well, it was nice meeting you Ugly, but my brother and I really have other business to attend to. It really wasn't a pleasure--"
I never got to finish my statement. The monster reared back on its legs and launched itself straight into the air, heading for me and my brother. "Watch out!" Tamotsu exclaimed, turning around as his wings extended, and wrapping me within his arms. Soon white feathers surrounded both of us, though an unearthly shriek resounded throughout the forest as the creature made an impact with my brother's wings.
Everything fell silent, but I gasped when I heard the ticking sound resume. I fearfully averted my gaze towards Tamotsu's hand, where a clock had appeared, slowly counting the minutes down until his life would, once again end. No, I would not let that happen.
"Let's go!" I half-dragged, half-ran with Tamotsu as we looked around in search of someone to 'tag'. The hideous creature had long since disappeared after completing its original goal, but as we continued onwards we didn't cross the path of any more disfigured beasts. My feet led me aimlessly through the forest, until I stumbled into a clearing and spotted two figures within it, who appeared to be arguing. They seemed like mirror images of one another.
"This is all your fault!" they cried in unison. Both sneered simultaneously, "No, it's your fault. Stop copying me!" They threw up their hands and huffed, appearing as though they were going to walk away from each other when both turned their heads towards where Tamotsu and I stood. They shared a look, and I found it somewhat odd as I couldn't tell whether they were male or female. They were both pure white in color, paler than was humanly possible, with strange markings painted over their bodies in iridescent colors.
"Look, we have playmates!" Both smiled, an eery expression that sent shivers up and down my spine. I growled at them and took a menacing step forward, my shuriken poised and ready to be thrown.
"Playmates my arse. You both are going to die, so prepare yourselves!"
One let out a raucous laugh while the other clapped its hands together gleefully. "She's a fun one! I'll take one-"
"And I'll take the other!"
With cheerful giggles both of the mysterious forms sprung forward, floating almost as if they were suspended in water. One flew straight towards me, a wide grin stretching its face. I immediately ducked out of its way and it landed just behind me, lashing out with its leg and forcing me to dance out of reach. We continued this lethal ballet, with neither of us getting anywhere until we reached the opposite end of the clearing.
My eyes flicked towards where Tamostu was dealing with the other freak of nature, though he was having a much harder time, as his wings impeded lithe movements. I ducked a punch from the thing I was fighting and its fist connected with the tree trunk just behind me, running straight through and causing it to slam into the tree.
"Tamo, jump!" With a flick of my wrist I sent three shuriken straight for his opponent. As he lifted off the ground, propelled further as his wings began to flap and he hovered in midair, the shuriken sliced through the air, embedding themselves into the leg of Tamotsu's assailant and cutting clean through.
With an agonized wail it toppled over onto the ground, and its twin continued to struggle with its arm, still encased deeply within the trunk of the tree. I stalked over towards the one on the floor and kicked its ribs, warranting another scream. "Serves you right, you filthy--"
I felt a hand on my arm and turned towards Tamostu, who, as usual, had a serene expression on his face. He brushed a feather off of his arm and kneeled down, gently touching the forehead of the crippled thing. The clock on his hand disappeared just as the timer reached ten seconds, and I dragged my brother away from both creatures. Just moments later the two beings exploded in unison, and I smirked.
"Well, that was fun," I mused, as we strolled back towards our initial destination, wherever that was.
"Let us find the group, and not waste time," Tamotsu suggested, and I nodded my agreement, laughing as I realized that that was the most fun I had ever had in my life.
~
Sorry, that got a little long. ^^; Hope it was alright! I'll write from Tamo's point of view next time, and just alternate like that, since the two are always together!
