Japan, modern times...

Kira

~

There was only one word to describe the boiling-hot feeling in my chest.

Anger.

Okay, maybe not really anger but more of an irritated thrum beneath my skin as I sat at my desk seething childishly while looking out the window. I held my phone but I'd quickly become bored of it.

My eyes then moved to the small family portrait which sat not far away 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 was the adopted one. Not as big a deal as you might think.

Kat never saw it that way though, she'd been giving me hell because of it for years. Never really got that girl, and I'd given up on trying. I was happy being part of a family again and Ares was the best dad so I'd do anything in my power to see him smile.

Including moving to Tokyo against my wishes.

Well, I did say I'd come back, huh? I thought to myself with a sad smile on my face.

My story isn't a very interesting one. I spent a few years in Nagoya before my family was murdered. I wasn't home that day and when I got back there were cops everywhere and I didn't want to go into social services.

I was devasted but I was also a dumb kid who decided on her own that living on the streets would be better than having the roof of an orphanage over her head.

It was a stroke of luck that I'd managed to run into Ares, he came to Japan 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.

He gave me a new name, a new identity, and a new home. Whoever I was in the past was an identity locked in a coded safe at the back of my mind.

I'm forever grateful to Ares. So I wasn't going to complain. The main issue I had right now was that we have no idea when we might be returning to America. The hurt from then still followed me to this day but over the years I'd learned to ignore it to the best of my abilities. I always thought I was ready to come back, face the ghosts of the past that haunted the depths, but being back in Japan now, I wasn't sure I was ready.

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

Ares said he wasn't sure when he'd no longer be needed, so now we have to act like we're citizens instead of tourists.

Meaning I have to start my first year of high school in another country.

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 back in America, 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.

I really didn't feel safe here.

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 on my phone I realized this menace was very much real.

Protector of Tokyo my arse, she was probably some terrorist bidding her time until she felt it was right to strike.

That thought made me sick.

I scrolled through more stories. To me, it seemed like this Demona person had been around for a long time, which was why most people weren't too concerned.

Bullshit.

In addition to that, there were multiple other 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 sighed heavily, this was my life now, living in a city with a psychotic chick swinging through rooftops like she was some Spider-Man copy and a possible serial murderer who might still be the same chick.

I stood up from the desk, 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 looked 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 was that if I got too comfortable here, something bad might happen. This country didn't hold kind memories for me, not in the least.

I was going to give it 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 turned off the lights and shut the door behind me, hoping against hope that we'd return to America soon.

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 made my way to the kitchen where I witnessed him struggling with some vegetables.

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

"Just order pizza, dad," Kat said with a drawl as she pushed past me to the dining table. Her short auburn hair swayed lightly as she cast a nasty look over her shoulder.

Seven years of hatred and still going strong. 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 beamed, narrowly avoiding chopping his thumb off with the tomato.

"Sure, Ares." I patted his back, supportive. I then took the seat across from Kat. She glanced up from her phone and made a small noise of disgust.

"Anything wrong, Kat?" I still can't believe this childish crybaby is older than me.

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

"What is?"

"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 at least."

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

"What's your problem with me really, Kat?" I glared.

"My problem is that you don't belong here and you're just taking up the space that belongs to someone else you brat."

"Its been years, stop pinning that on me-"

"You know I'm right-"

"Girls that's enough," Ares said sternly.

I bit my lip in annoyance before getting up and turning to the living room. She was clearly in a bad mood from something and I couldn't handle her when she was.

"Where are you going?" He asked.

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

"Kira-"

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

"Katherine."

I heard the sound of a chair scraping against the floor which probably meant she was leaving the dining area as well.

I put on my shoes and walked out of the penthouse, taking the elevator to the ground floor and stomping out into the busy streets.

Stupid Kat.

I really didn't want to think of her words at the moment. Didn't even want to get into it.

I did nothing wrong.

Was wanting to be happy a bad thing? Why did she have to remind me of my difference every second we made eye contact? There was only so much I was willing to take.

I took out my phone and pulled up a map. Maybe I could see some sights while I was here.

I searched my pockets.

No money for a bus or something.

Well, I did say a walk.

It seems it was going to be a long one at that.

Despite my earlier complaints about moving, I actually found myself enjoying the time outside. My Japanese wasn't as rusty as some would think.

I used phrases now and then to insult Kat. 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 from those around me.

I took pictures and posted a few on my social media accounts. It was nice indulging myself the bright neon lights and flashy caricatures of tv characters all around.

I decided I'd come out for shopping another day.

I kept up my walk, aiming to get home a little later just so Ares would give Kat a little bit of hell. She deserved it.

I stopped, looking around Tlto get my bearings. It had grown dark 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 been out like everyone had decided to close up early. The streets as well has 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.

Shit.

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

Double shit.

My mind went back to the serial murder news articles. I really wasn't liking this. The first time I decide to step out of the house and this happened.

I looked around and approached the first person that came into sight. It was a young man who kindly gave me directions to the best of his knowledge and informed me it was past curfew.

Curfew?

I began my brisk walk home, surprised about how far I had actually traveled on my own.

Then I felt it.

A strange icky feeling spread across my skin. Was someone watching me?

My eyes went around the street. I was the only one there. I decided to ignore it and keep walking, jogging actually.

My short sprint was interrupted by the sudden sensation of the world being overturned. Everything began to spin until it came to a sudden stop, with me slamming right onto the floor.

It wouldn't take a genius to know that I was just thrown like a garbage bag full of trash.

But I would need a genius to explain what I was looking at.

It stood at the entrance of the alley it had thrown me in. 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 form of a woman with stringy hair from the waist up, muttering in words I couldn't understand.

I screamed because what else was someone meant to do in that situation? I stood up quickly, managing not to trip over myself in fear and notice the piece of web attached to the back of my legs. This could not be happening.

I turned to the large menacing thing that was approaching me now. My heartbeat was 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.

I yanked the web off and started a run toward the strange monster. The woman made the grab me with one hand but I slid under the beast.

I needed to get to the main street.

There was a shrill cry from behind me. That icky feeling washed over me once more before I was finally pulled again. I fought this time.

Unfortunately, average skills in volleyball and gymnastics didn't prepare you for giant spider women attacks.

I screamed for help, tears already escaping my eyes as I dug my nails into the ground to stop myself from being pulled by the thread.

Was this my end?

Despite the fear coursing through my veins, I still couldn't wrap my head around it.

A giant spider was about to kill me.

It was unbelievable. Cold clammy hands wrapped around me. All I could feel was dread and slime, my body squirming to evade the repulsive being.

The head came closer to my neck and I could feel the hot sticky breath of the monster as it opened up to eat me.

I screamed, completely unaware that the monster had joined me until I was violently thrown aside.

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

A hooded form had a large sword plunged into the monster's back. The air seemed to implode as energy rippled through, knocking me back a little bit more as the monster's shrill cry seemed to fade until just its legs were twitching, the only signs indicating what little life it had left.

The large sword disappeared and the hood-wearing stranger turned to me, it was too dark to see a face but I could make out bright green eyes.

Demona. A small voice in the back of my mind informed me.

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

"Leave me alone!" I yelled, struggling only to fall. My legs were shaking.

"Settle down." A calm feminine voice instructed.

I shook my head, using my hands to pull myself backward. My eyes went to the monster that lay twitching.

She turned back to it. I heard the disgust in her voice when she said, "Jorōgumo."

"Huh?"

"Spider bride, it's a spirit but don't worry, I've eliminated it. You're safe."

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

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

I said nothing, stunned at the chain of events that had happened as well as the fact that she has used my name.

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

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

Soon my knees buckled and my vision swam causing me to fall to the ground. A prick of pain made itself known in my neck and my arm went up to inspect it.

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

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

Who was she talking to? More spirits?

This didn't make sense.

Nothing made sense.

The darkness was slowly closing in on me but I tried to keep it at bay. Soon I felt like I was being lifted up with no real effort.

"When you wake up Kira Vermilion, this will all seem like one bad dream."

That wasn't a try at comforting me, it held no warmth or sympathy. It was an instruction, one I could feel my brain prepare to carry out as it forced me into sleep.

But I didn't want to forget.

Those were my last thoughts as the dark cloud of slumber lulled me off.

Thanks for reading and please do pardon the errors. 

Hope you liked this chapter and I would like to know your thoughts in the comments.