Kira

~

"Kira! Kira, wake up!"

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

Wait? Sheets?!

I sat up abruptly, my heart racing and, my mind struggling to catch up to my surroundings. My groggy eyes flew open to assess every inch of where I was.

I was in my room.

In my bed.

Without a single scratch on my body.

How?!

I threw off the sheets and hopped onto the floor, I shook my left arm vigorously but to no one's surprise it stayed on, and on my wrist, there was a small bracelet of brown beads.

My eyes lingered on it for a split second before I shrieked. Pulling it off and tossing it across the room as if it had burned me.

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

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

'Please remember, me.'

A cold shiver ran down my spine as the memory rose from the depths of my mind.

Had she really...died?

I sunk to the ground, staring blankly at my arm and trying to make sense of what was going on.

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

I snapped out of it fast. If I didn't start the day with everyone else things would definitely be much harder for me.

With a sigh, I decided 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 yelled, "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 heard his footsteps leave the door. I got out of my night clothes, grabbed my bathrobe, and ran off to the bathroom. I paused closing the door to give the bracelet across the room one last look. There was a heavy feeling in my stomach but I would put that aside.

For now.

My new uniform was nothing special. It had been delivered over two weeks ago. The only thing I hated about it was that I had to wear it.

Just a plain white button-down with a stuffy tie topped with a blazer which had a color I couldn't figure out, probably between navy blue and black.

The skirt was a deep blue with plaid stripes.

Why did I have to wear this again?

I pulled on the also white socks, grabbed my bag, and headed toward the door. Today was going to be my first day in a foreign school, I could not screw up.

"You look so cute," Ares said as I appeared at the kitchen doorway. I grabbed the bowl of cereal he held out and accepted the kiss on the forehead without much trouble. "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 fell just a bit.

"It's fine... I'll just eat this before it gets... soggy." I sat down and began to shovel the rainbow-colored flakes into my mouth. I stopped. "Um, I have to ask something."

"Sure, what's up?" Ares asked.

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

Kat shot me a weird look and her dad looked just as confused.

"What do you mean, Kira?" Ares asked.

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

"You did look really tired."

"You waltzed in like some zombie and said you were going to sleep while ignoring all our other questions." Kat huffed, sounding uninterested.

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

"Kira are you-"

"Wow, look at the time, gotta go now," I exclaimed, 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 waited at the door while he told Kat goodbye and made her promise not to try and make anything that might result in the penthouse burning down.

I took the back seat in the car, so I could 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.

Yeah, I was fine. I didn't need him butting into my affairs because I was fine.

I blinked rapidly, taking deep breaths to calm down. Ares was 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-"

I slammed the door with more force than necessary, a sudden sense of indignation and fury filling me to the core, "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. Dad"

Just as quick as it came, the feeling left, leaving only the cold dread from the words that I had spoken to settle in the pits of my stomach.

The strained smile on Ares' face did nothing to help. I opened my mouth to say something but no words came out, mainly because I wasn't sure what I could that wouldn't make me sound like a desperate little girl in front of all the other students who were now whispering at our display.

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

I nodded and turned to jog in, hearing the car drive off only a few seconds later. What had just happened?

All students were directed to the auditorium where new students like me were welcomed and informed.

I was officially a first-year student at Hamada High school.

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

Why had I snapped at Ares like that? Of course, he could be weirdly overbearing sometimes but it 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 walked right into two girls who were in front of me. They let out disgruntled huffs.

"Sorry," I said stiffly while taking the path around them.

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

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 stood at the doorway, hoping my panic wasn't obvious on my face.

"Excuse me."

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

"I haven't seen you around before. Are you new?" She asked, she seemed very excited.

"I am, I only got admitted last month."

"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 but it's really-".

"Hey everyone, we got another foreigner!" She squealed drawing the attention of everyone in the room.

Oh shit. My initial plan was to act like I didn't just come from the states but guess that was out the window now.

Wait a minute, 'another?'

I looked around the class but couldn't pick out anyone. Just eyes staring at me.

Almost immediately they all went back to their conversations.

Well, that had almost no effect whatsoever.

I turned back, hoping I could make an acquaintance out of Moriko but to my absolute surprise she was 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 was just two rows from the back and had a good view out the window.

I sat down, actually glad I picked this seat out before anyone else could. I looked out, and I had to admit, despite all the thoughts running through my head, it was a really beautiful morning.

"Pretty ain't it?"

That was said in English. A little bit of New York in there too.

I turned to my side to see a girl with glowing bronze skin taking the seat beside me. Her hair was a dyed purple color and she looked absolutely bored to be here.

I could sympathize. "It's okay, I guess."

"Jade Keller."

"Kira Vermilion."

"Moriko said we should try being friends since we're kind of new." She said switching to Japanese.

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

She nodded, eyes going to where Moriko stood, "She's the social butterfly type, knows almost everyone and she's okay, I like her enough. Just has a little trouble focusing on anything other than Demona."

I felt my heart stutter a bit, "Demona?"

"Yeah, she's a huge Demona fan girl. Bet that's who's she talking about right now." Jade shrugged, "Personally, I don't know what to feel about, Demona, not really into demons and shit."

I let a relieved sigh flood my mind at the thought that I wouldn't have to hear Demona's name in every conversation, "Then what are you into?" I was prepared to hear anything; books, anime, rock collecting, anything other than what she said.

"Witchcraft and occult rituals." She grinned with a smirk.

"That's...nice." Why was I suddenly not good at words today?

"Settle down everyone, it's time for class." A short middle-aged man said as he walked into the class.

Jade gave me a small smile, "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 talked to a Demona fangirl and an occult enthusiast. I was praying to any supreme being up there that this wasn't a foreshadowing of my future life.

I should have known prayers hardly come true.

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

Minutes ticked by and gradually my anxiety gave way to boredom. My eyes traveled out the window 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." A gentle somber voice kept echoing in my head, "Please, please, please, PLEASE!"

"Shut up." I hissed to myself under my breath.

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

I flinched, turning around to scan the class for who had 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 may have been a little louder than necessary.

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

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

"Kira Vermilion, Sensei."

"Yes. Is there a problem?"

I shook my head, "Eyes back on the board, students." He ordered the class.

'I'm talking to you in your head stupid.' The strange, male voice huffed, 'Stupid, aren't you?'

'Who and What are you?' I asked in my head.

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

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

'Since you insist, I am an evil spirit.'

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

A few heads turned. I smiled nervously.

I heard a scoff inside my head, 'Do not associate me with those lowly creatures you disgusting flesh sack, I am what you'll commonly describe as 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 echoed again.

My mind went blank for split second, there were several questions I could ask, many that should ask, but at that moment, my whole world seemed to stop.

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 demanded, hoping I sounded calmer than I felt.

'You sound like you're going into a panic attack, it's obvious.' He informed, 'Besides, you are far too weak, I'm disgusted to even address you as my master. You have no control over me Kira Vermilion, as soon as your concentration slips and an opportunity presents itself I will make your life a living hell, maybe snap at your new friend like I made you do to daddy dearest.'

There was a loud bang that came as a result of me slapping my hands against the desk. I forced a polite smile to my face and turned to the teacher.

"May I be excused?" I asked.

He gestured to the door.

I hurried out and made my way to the girls' bathroom. After making sure I was alone, I walked over to the sink and leaned against it, 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 judgment. Nothing much.'

He sounded absolutely smug and it was starting to piss me off.

"Explain," I demanded.

He chuckled, 'You're far more entertaining than the others. I guess I'll be a little bit nicer. Take off your shirt.'

"What?!"

'I won't repeat myself.'

This was really humiliating but I had no choice. I knew I wasn't talking to myself, after everything that had happened on that rooftop, 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 shirt, pulling the buttons loose with shaky hands until finally, they were all free. With a puff of breath, I pulled it off and bit my lips to keep myself from screaming.

Right there, just below my right shoulder was a mark of black ink with swirls around it. Each swirl moved in a different direction from the one within it and at the center was an even stranger symbol that seemed to change shape.

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

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

'It takes a while to manifest.' He replied 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, to use our power to fight spirits who wanted to have free reign over the mortal world. The seal was made with good intentions but the creator fell victim to certain dark forces and so the first Keeper killed it and has been protecting it for years on end, passing it down like an heirloom to the pure of heart.' I felt a chill run down my spine, the kind you get when you know someone is looking at you with contempt.

'You, Kira Vermilion are neither brave nor pure of heart, but you'll have to make due. Say goodbye to your regular life now because you are now Demona.'

"What do you mean?"

'Did I forget to mention that evil forces are after this seal? I don't think so. I for one do not care what happens to you pathetic human flesh bags but some others do. I just want out but right now I can't have out. 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 hissed stubbornly.

"If you remain with people, they die. You're a walking Yokai magnet, it's only a matter of time.' He was laughing now, amused for reasons I couldn't understand.

"How do I get rid of this seal?"

His laughter died down, 'Your reactions and emotions bring me so much joy. There is no getting rid of it. You just have to pass it down.'

"How do I pass it down?"

'The process of passing down is a hectic one that requires the Keeper to be strong in spirit or whatever.' He huffed, 'You, human child are in fact terribly weak, so weak you can't even see my most basic form through a mirror.'

"Then I'll become stronger."

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

'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 alright to run then you'll run like a little ba-'

"I said shut up!" I screamed and slammed my hand down on the sink. I felt it budge just a bit before completely collapsing at my feet. The damaged pipe splashed water into my face, snapping me out of my trance enough to take in the horror of what I had done.

I looked down at my hand, then back at the broken sink.

The sound of the door opening caused me to turn, meeting the eyes of some random girl who ran as soon as she saw the damage.

'You got a hang of that quickly,' I heard Lucifer say.

I gestured at the sink, "Of what exactly? I damaged school property."

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

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

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