I glance at the grass as the wind gently brushes them across the land while not moving them at all. My dark, black cloak flows in the same direction the wind does. Based on my appearance, I seem to be twenty or so. Unfortunately, I know I'm much older, by a few hundred years. My life is cursed by a ritual my father tried to create. But that's way back in the past. My eyes with dark crimson pupils scan over the vast pasture. Peaceful, too peaceful. I breathe in air and curse at the peacefulness.

'Why should I suffer with this job while the world is so tranquil?'

I wonder what the government is going to do about me. Set up another reward for my "murders". They've done so before, and all that resulted was an increase in the death rate. But what do I care? My job is to kill, so I suppose I shouldn't complain. At least it's an enjoyable job, for someone like me. I smile wickedly, allowing my fanged teeth to show. The sweet music of screams and the intoxicating sent of blood rings in my mind. And even more, a chance to kill a race I loathe with my entire being. The Kyuuketsuki. I frown. How I hate them. The troublesome brats have been trying to kill me for the past century!

"Shini-dono," someone shouts to me.

I turn to see one of the followers of a school that I am supposed to look into, in order to see if any of the students are capable of a career like mine. The boy runs up to me. Kashika Yuki, a black haired youth.

"What is it?" I ask, hiding my irritation badly.

Yuki bows. "The master wishes for your presence, Shini-dono."

I scowl. I hate the master of these students, but my job will kill me if I don't perform this little "tradition" when they're ready for me. And I had other things to do today.

"Lead on," I order.

The boy turns around and leads me to a man in a white robe and a black skirt, the traditional garb for the men in old Japan to put it simply. I peer around, noticing students sitting on the ground. Some are boys, but there are a more girls for some reason. The girls are dressed in a black kimono, while the boys are dressed in the same outfit the sensei is wearing.

"Well?" The master says. His black hair flows in the wind.

"Let's get this over with," I say with a frown. "I have more important places to be."

The master looks irked, but he knows better than to try anything. "We'll try to make it worth your time then."

"Quit the small talk," I demand. "That is a waste of my time."

He just nods. "Fine," he says to me. He turns to the students. "You heard him, give it your all."

They all rise as one and I see swords in their hands, though some of the girls have bladed fans.

"Yes, Sensei!" They shout.

They charge me, but each from a different angle. I duck a sword and dodge a fan blade, while my scythe blocks, or destroys the rest. During this fight I knock down several of them. Now and then I do get a cut or gash and I catch a glimpse of their faces so I can remember those with skill. Another fan blade sweeps toward me and I swat it away with my hand. Only a superficial cut is left behind. This minor fight takes less than a minute. Then I peer at those who have fallen and those who have made contact.

The master glances at me.

I point to some of the individuals. "Go to the far right of me."

They go where told, which leaves about five. No surprise to see that most of them are females. There's some who look tired and others who look somewhat bored. One looks to be about nineteen and has brownish black hair. Something about her bothered me, inciting made me to call out.

"You," I point to her. "What's your name?"

"My name is Isao, Shini-dono."

I smile and the master looks at me. "Ah. The male name meaning honor, am I correct?"

She nods.

"What's a male name doing on you?"

"I naturally have two names, Shini-dono. You of all people should know that."

I nod. "And what is your second name?"

"Katsumi."

I smile, showing the fangs I have for teeth. "Victorious beauty."

She nods again. She has something in her eyes that shows vengeance and rage. She contains a blood lust, despite her fragile appearance. I can definitely see that.

"You were the one, who, above all, landed more hits than the others." I say with the smile on my face. "You should feel proud. You are ready. What you want to do will be done by my power. So name it, and it will be done."

I bow and wait for an answer.

'She'll probably choose a seat in the government. Ha! So typical!'

I smile as I wait.

"I choose to travel with you, Shini-dono."

My smile fades and I look up. She's standing and has hold of a pack.

I scowl. "I'm not looking for disciples."

"It's out of your hands. You have to let me come with you. You don't have a choice."

I look at the ground and curse. I figure out that I'm beat and turn to the rest of them.

"Those to the right of me train harder, your performance was pathetic!" I spit, "The rest of you can help train them."

I turn around and begin to walk off. I notice that she isn't following.

"Isao!" I shout. "Come on or you'll be left here!"

'I wish I could do that right now.'

She runs to catch up with me and we head off toward a nearby town.

She treads in silence when we enter the town limits and head to the center. Then she finds the courage to speak up.

"Where are we going?" She inquires.

"To do business," I snap harshly, "so watch closely if you want to know what you got into."

 We enter a courtyard to a tall building looks to be like one of the old style towers.

I slide open the door and appear to glide across the room to the stairs. We reach the top floor and I see an old man sitting on a pillow with his legs crossed. He looks to be sixty but with the ages to be different than the human world, who knows? His beard lightly brushes the floor every time he breathes. He looks up and spots us,

Sighing, "You have come."

I nod. "Are you ready?"

He sighs. "I don't feel prepared... do you prefer interesting, or not?"

I grin a horrid sneer. "Interesting."

He nods and raises his boney, withered hand to snap even thinner fingers.

Doors open on either side of the room and three dozen arrows follow.

 My arm rises and an invisible shield surrounds me and Isao. The only way you would see it was by the black rays at the bottom. The arrows strike it and fall to the floor without touching us. Several thugs emerge from the doors. I grin wider.

"Ah, more death and more blood." I say. "Perfect."

One comes at me and my scythe moves without being seen. My body is in a post-strike stance as the thugs body falls to the ground his top half one way, the lower half another. I smile. All that movement with my hood up. Simple.

More attack and they meet the same fate. One lashes at me with a sword and his blade clangs with the staff of my scythe. I shove him back and flash-step behind him, I grab and slash his neck with the blade of my scythe. The others keep coming. I kill each one of them as I rush toward the old man with a sinister leer on my face. I flash-step in front of the old man and stop there.

My eyes aren't seeable but if he saw them his mood might be more terrified, but the smile remains on my face as I lick my lips to taste the blood that has splattered there. My scythe has the blood of the victims dripping from its curved point.

"Your turn." I say.

He nods and sighs.

"Just end it quickly." He says in a resigned voice.

I grin, a sick dark sneer.

He closes his eyes and I send my scythe through him. Blood flecks my face and his body falls limply to the floor. I turn and see Isao standing there in shock. Her green eyes look at my red ones. Her body trembles as mine is still.

"Still wanting to come?"

She snaps back to her usual self. "I made the choice, didn't I?"

I smile allowing my blood stained fangs to show. We leave the town and continue our travels. As we walk, silence fills the air. She thinks about what she's seen. She was given the choice for anything at all, but she chose this. Which begs the question, why come with me? What does she want to accomplish by coming with me? Does she want to kill me for some half-forgotten vengeance vow, or does she want to take my job?

"Why?" I murmur.

"Why I came with you?" She says. "It's obvious you're asking that question. I came for my own reasons and I won't tell you yet. And maybe never at all."

I nod.

'Why did she have to say that? That only makes me want to know her secret even more than before. Ugh why do girls have to pique a male's interest? It's annoying! But then again it probably happens with girls too... So I guess we can both complain'.

We find ourselves in the country and the day begins to fade. I have my black cloak on and I use my scythe as a walking stick. She glances at me and then away, then back again, and away. This goes on for a few minutes and I finally become irked.

"What is it?" I snap suddenly.

"I was just wondering if you have anything else to wear except that filthy cloak."

I look at her strangely. "What's wrong with this cloak?" I couldn't find anything wrong with my cloak

"It seems a bit out of the ordinary; can't you blend in a bit?"

I remove the cloak revealing my tight-fitting black shirt, showing my slenderness. My black pants and belt with silver rings my natural choice of clothing. I have many old scars on my semi- muscular arms. She looks at me in amazement.

"Better?" I ask rudely.

 Quietly: "Yeah..."

I place my hand out palm down and my cloak and scythe disappear together.

"Where did they go?"

"My hiding place."

"Where's that?"

"Hidden." 'Fool... like I would tell her...Ha!'

"You look better without that old rag."

I glare at her darkly, and then look away.

"Shut up and let's get going."

    We continue walking for a while and my companion begins to fidget. Finally I raise my hand up in a clearing that I find to my liking.

"We'll stop and rest here for the night." I say

I hear a rustling in the trees off to the right. I look and I see a tall figure move lighting quick to the left.

"Kyuuketsuki." I murmur.

"What?" Isao asks, puzzled.

"Nothing, just be silent for a moment."

I walk in a circle muttering a chant. I finish and a black Kanji character in the middle of a circle appears and disappears in a few seconds later.

Isao looks at the ground in awe. The character was "Shi".

I look around and the woods rustle more and more. I smile. Seems the Kyuuketsuki have become frustrated by my little action. That always pleases me. Isao peers around.

"What are we going to eat?" She asks.

"I'll go catch something, okay?"

"Where?" She asks. "There certainly can't be any game around here... can there?"

"There's a stream nearby and I bet there are some fish." I say. "When I leave you do not leave this spot. The enchantment I placed around us is only fifteen feet in diameter, and we're in the center.  So don't go anywhere."

"Why? There can't be anything out there... right?"

I look at her. "Oh yes, Isao, there is most definitely something out there. Far worse than any big game. Creatures that can use majutsu like me."

She looks at me in shock.

"But they can't defeat you, can they? I mean, you're the Shinigami."

"I'm known as the most powerful god in this world, yes," I explain, "however, I can be defeated. There are only few of them but one of the creatures controls another beast. The Ryuujin controls the Kokuryuu, and the Kokuryuu are very dangerous and are very hard to kill. Only a Ryuujin can appease it and make them do his bidding."

"But why haven't I ever heard this?" I detect a slight indignance

"Your master never wished you to learn this. Those creatures are more of my problem, which is why I was shocked when you asked to come along with me. I can defeat them, however I may also die. A god in this world is only immortal to the time. We can be killed, though we're so powerful most people gave up trying." I smile. "Especially when they saw me come to their presence."

"So... I'm safe."

"Only if you stay inside my enchantment, never leave it unless a beast has found away to enter it. But then that's very rare. If they do don't fight. Run and scream for me. I have used my most powerful enchantment, so if it doesn't work then the creature is quite powerful." I sigh with the thought in my head. "I'm going to head out now."

I rise and step to the edge of the enchantment.

"Wait." She calls.

I turn to her. "Yes?"

"Wouldn't be easier for me to come with you?"

"No," I answer. "If there are any of those creatures out there, I doubt there's only one."

She nods and sits down. She looks worried and concerned. I walk over to her and place my hand on her head. She looks up at me.

"I'll hurry back."

I turn and run to the stream. I sit down and wait for a specific type of fish. It's a demonic fish that waits near the shore for its victim. Its poison is ten times stronger than that of a basilisk, yet it comes in a small creature. As I wait I hear a faint splashing. I grin. The fish is very tempted by my presence, unfortunately it doesn't sense the power radiating out of my being. I sense about ten of them come at me with a blinding speed. I close my eyes and wait. At the sound of a splash, I open my eyes and quickly thrust a hand at them. They stop in midair and plummet to the ground in front of me. The fish look like a carp but twice the size of one, their mouths are circles when opened to their full extent, their teeth are razor sharp and are all fangs, with fins like the blades of the sharpest katana. I raise my hand and they are lifted in the air again. I turn and start to walk back; they follow me, floating. Upon my return, I see three Kyuuketsuki there. Two are standing there waiting for my arrival, the other is there with a blade hidden in its uniform. The Kyuuketsuki are a military based operation, which I could never understand. These three here are scouts. You can tell the difference by the mask they wear; they have different patterns for the different ranks and position, and by their uniform. The black top robe is above a white robe. The skirt is grey. Their hands, hidden in their cloaks, hold gleaming blades. Very sharp. I stare at them while the fish hover in the air, dead by now. We don't speak as we observe each other.

 "Shinigami." One says in a smooth tone. "We have come for one reason."

"Like all the others before you," I say. "You are here to destroy me and take the soul of the girl. Though I find it interesting that you haven't killed her yet. Why?"

"She is worth waiting on devouring." The leader says.

I nod. "Though you may not have the time to wait."

"We will see. But I doubt you will survive what we brought to aid us. I mean, without your scythe, that is. Where is it, and that old cloak that you wore formerly?" They hadn't been following very long then, based on that question.

"The girl wanted a change, so I decided I'd appease her want this once."

"So does that mean the Shinigami's grown soft? Pity, I wished to fight with the utmost power you could manage. But... I see that will be impossible now." He is godding me... I still become enraged.

"You underestimate my power!" I growl. "Well, I've yet to show a beauty of a blade, truly the best I have. Let me retrieve it from my armory."

I raise my hand and then a black smoke appears, and from the smoke a sword takes shape in my hand. The blade looks like something out of a twisted drawing. The blade has three hollows in it to gain the appearance I wish. The blade a black, dual sided blade with a silver fire blazing in the center where the fire's tip nearly touches the tip of the blade. The black, obsidian edge shines in the moon light. It's a long sword with a power inside it, majutsu. But they don't know that. I look at them and any emotion is hidden behind the masks they wear. Though Isao looks terrified.

"So where is your beast to attack me?" I ask them.

I glimpse a dark figure rushing me from the left. I just have time to raise my sword and block the attack. The creature is a human female. At least I wish it was human. She has a mithril claw on her left arm and is clothed by a black shinobi outfit, yet it has no hood. The figure looks at me with her red eyes. Her smile shows her fangs. I sneer to show mine. She hisses at me and I can tell she's a creature, or being I should say, that's closest to what I am.

"So you're the Shinigami now, Akio?" She hisses in my ear.

I nearly drop the sword at her words. "How do you know my name?!"

"Don't you remember me, Akio?" She says. "It's me, Minako." Her tone is scathing

That name shocks me, to the point that my knees buckle and I fall.

"Minako?" I say shocked. "But... that's impossible, you were killed in the attack on our village!"

She smiles. "You'd like to think so, wouldn't you?"

I can't say anything.  But she continues.

"Did you forget me, Akio?"

I shake my head. "Not once, Minako."

She shakes her head. "I guess it doesn't matter now, does it?" she says looking at me. "I have to kill you as my masters have ordered me. So let's make this fight interesting."

I stand up. "I will not kill an old friend, that vow was made long ago. I certainly will not destroy an old fiancé." I say.

She smiles, a bit on the sweet side. "You remembered." She says. "Well, this fight will be interesting then. I'll make you a deal. If you can kill those three before I can kill you, then you have set me free from their chains and I will come with you if you want. But make no mistake, I will attack you with everything I have."

I nod. A solemn moment, considering I'll be fighting a former lover.

"Well then," She says. "Shall we get started?"

I put my sword in its sheath and stand there. "Yes. Whenever you're ready Minako."

She disappears and I flash step toward the three holding Isao. As I move toward them she appears in front of me and slashes one of her claws at me. I raise my sword and block the attack. She then flash-steps behind me and places her right arm over my right shoulder and whispers in my ear, "Remember this?"

I feel her slash my back with her claws. I flash-step away from her. She glances at me after I reveal my position. She smiles and I sense something wrong. I feel myself slow, as if the gravity is stronger than it had been. I look at her blades, astonished.

"Like it?" She says mockingly. "The blades I have on have a special ability. They make whatever they cut 'heavier', though the object hasn't gained weight. Interesting, isn't it?"

"It'll make the fight a bit more fun." I say with a smirk on my face.

She smirks. "That's the Akio I know."

She disappears and so do I. Chanting something, I make a majutsu character appear then disperse, She doesn't see it and steps right in it. As soon as she does she freezes in her stance. I walk over to her. I wrap my arm, from behind her around her waist, and I whisper in her ear, "You remember this?"

"What did you do?" She asks incredulously.

I let go and walk around to be in front of her. "I placed an enchantment trap that should freeze you until I say otherwise. So just sit tight and wait for me alright?"

She smiles. "Hrmph. Nicely played. Still your old self. But not as hard as you once were."

"Oh you just wait. My bloodlust is just now getting hold of me." I grin.

"Have fun ripping them limb from limb."

I turn to the Kyuuketsuki and walk toward them. I smile and my fangs grow longer by two inches from the thirst of blood, and rage. "Who's first?" I ask them.

The three come to me, the one who had hold of Isao dropped her and joined the others in flanking me. They circle around me and two of them show their blades. The leader doesn't yet. He nods and they charge me. They're nearly on me when I flash step to a tree limb and stand there. My sword is in its sheath and my arms are crossed.

"You fools," I scoff at them. "I'm up here. Why would you think I'm down there?"

The run to me and I chant something under my breath and then I disappear. I appear in front of the leader.

"You guys are slow, but then again you're just Kyuuketsuki. Nothing special right?" My voice is mocking, hinting at a quiet laughter inside.

"He's right," Someone says and I smirk. They turn to see another me in the tree they were charging. "Sorry guys, but you're just pathetic."

"Wh...Which one is the real one?" One of the underlings stammers.

"It doesn't matter." Says the leader looking at me. "We'll kill them both."

I flash step and so does my clone. In one simultaneous swoop we kill both grunts and stand in front of the leader.

Behind us the bodies of the two have fallen and split in half. The leader looks at both me's and then only at me. I send my duplicate back into myself and I raise my sword to the leader. "A show down," I challenge.

He smiles dryly behind the mask. It does not reach his voice. "Really? And what do I owe the pleasure of this moment to?"

"You will try to strike me down as my sword will be in its sheath. You have to kill me or I kill you... Fair deal?"

     He nods and gets into his fighting position. I place my sword in its sheath and wait for his strike. He stands there for one moment and then he's gone in a moment. I hear nothing but I sense his energy nearby. I pull my sword and swing it back behind me above my head. The body of the leader, splits into half and falls past me onto the ground. I return the sword in its sheath and walk over to Isao.

"You okay?" I ask her.

"Yeah," She replies. She gets up and brushes herself off.

I walk over to Minako and release her from the majutsu enchantment trap. She looks at me and smiles gratefully.

"You have released me, Akio," She says, walking to me for a hug. I wrap my arms around her as she says, "thank you."

I lo0k at her and gently say, "You're welcome."

Isao looks at her and then asks me, "Is she coming along?"

"Well we can't leave her for the same fools who captured her, now can we?"

"I guess not." Isao sighs.

"Oh shut up Isao."

Makino looks at me. "Isao?" She looks at the girl. "But you're a girl? Isn't that a male's name?"

"It is." I answer. "But her parents planned that name for her. Don't know why though."

"How do you know my parents named me that?"

"Who else would name you? I'm sorry, but isn't that normally your parents?"

"Yeah." She sighs reluctantly. She has submitted, finally!

"Fool." I say as I turn around. I see the fish in mid air. I bring them to the fire and set them in the pan on the fire. The sizzle sounds off instantly and the smell wafts around. It's a nice smell; the fish will be good by the scent.

We sit down and wait for it to finish.

"So Minako, how did you break the spell that was cast around Isao?" I ask.

"The same as usual." She says. "A little enchantment around the blades I possess and use it to break your enchantment."

I nod, pondering who else might know.

Isao looks at me and her. Minako sits next to me and leans on my shoulders. She sighs and says. "It's been a long time Akio."

"I know. But we're back together and you're well and safe."

I look at Isao. "And you're still wanting to follow me around eh?"

She gives me a look that makes me smile. The only thing that actually amuses me is anything that looks angry or vile.

"Drop that scowl." I demand, still smirking a bit.

She doesn't listen, but she does change her expression... a little. It still amuses me.

"So Akio," Minako starts to say. "How did you acquire you're father's old 'job'?"

I look at the ground, a hint of a sorrow gradually showing in my eyes.

'Why did she have to ask that question?'

She stares at me through the silence and then asks, "Don't you want to tell me?"

Sighing mournfully, "I obtained this 'job' after a shi ritual went completely wrong."

I remember that night which had tainted my life with blood... forever.

"When my dad started the ritual something caused it to change. A figure appeared from the sacrificial flames. It looked feminine and spoke to him; went through him. My dad fell to the floor and the figure had hold of a silvery orb she ate it. It did the same for my mother, but when it came to me it stopped. It told me that that I had blood stained on me and my time as the Shinigami had come. I was given the majutstu of the Shinigami and was ordered my duty was to kill those who were about to die. But the bloodlust was so alluring, and intoxicating I killed anything and everything just to get by on blood."

She nods and looks to see my eyes show the memory, and the sorrow that followed it. She places her hand on mine. I welcome the comfort and allow it to flow into every inch of my being. I look at the fish and ,with a wave of my hand, they float out and travel to each of us. We grasp the stick the fish are skewered on and eat in silence. After the meal Minako and Isao lie down and drift to sleep. I stay up and watch the fire dance and sway in the darkness. Its light flickers and blocks the creeping darkness. I hear rustling in the trees and I turn to see a doe and her fawn shy back into the trees after detecting our presence. I look up and see the vast sky with the trillions of stars. The moon is full and is shining its cold, soft light around the land. All of this peace and quiet. So calming and soft..., yet I don't feel content. My sorrow grows and grows. My satisfaction has not been met. I sigh, a  resigning breath.

'Come to think of it, I haven't had my satisfaction for the past century... and even longer still.'

I hear shuffling behind me and I turn to see Minako squirm in her dream.

Minako...

'She was the first taste of satisfaction I've had in my life... or at least for as long as I can remember.'

I turn back to the warmth of the fire. I feel a hand placed on my shoulder and I turn to see Minako sitting down beside me.

"What are you doing up at this hour?" She  says to me. "It's very late."

I look up toward the moon and see it's in the low part of the sky. So low that very shortly dawn's light glows faintly in the distance.

"I know."

She studies my face. "Has that memory kept you up all night?"

"Not really. Just the feeling. It just won't let me be..."

She nods. "I see."

I don't look at her. But I can feel her gaze on me.

"Is there any way you can let it go?" She asks.

"Not really, I've tried everything. The only thing left is to obliterate my memory. And I don't want to do that."

She nods.

We hear shuffling and we turn to see Isao wake up and spot us near the fire.

"What are you two doing up?" She inquires.

"Talking," I sigh. "Want to join us."

She gets up and sits in front of the fire across from us. "Not like there's anything better to do."

"You could jump off a cliff." I say to myself.

Minako elbows me after she hears that.

"What?" I groan.

She shakes her head smiling.

I stare at the fire.

"So," Isao starts, "how did you two fist become engaged since Akio looks to be eighteen."

"We were engaged when I turned eighteen," Minako says. "Akio here turned twenty. But he aged to the age of eighteen and that's when his aging time had ceased. He stayed in his eighteen appearance and fitness. He told me about it and I felt a little depressed. But he had figured out a way for someone to be in the same situation as him without the powers of the Shinigami and the 'career', so to speak."

"So you were eighteen and Akio was twenty. I see. But what caused you to separate."

"I-"Minako says, "er- we don't like to talk about it."

Isao nods. "Okay."

I glance at the sky and see that there's enough light to continue our adventure.

"Come on," I say to the Isao and Minako. "Let's keep moving."

Minako stands up and so does Isao.

"Why?" Isao asks.

"Just do what he says." Minako tells her. "He gets very annoyed when you ask him why if not for a legitimist reason."

"Okay." Isao sighs.

We walk five miles before I sense something. I stop to get a better sense of it. It feels to be powerful.

Minako notices that I've stopped. "Something wrong Akio?"

"I sense something," I say. "I sensed it before. But I can't put my finger on what it is."

She looks around as if trying to sense the presence too.

"I can't sense anything." She says finally.

I sense the creature and then I realize it's two creatures not one, that and they are both powerful. I finally hear a faint wing beat in the far off distance.

"Ryuujin," I say faintly.

"What?" Isao says.

"Ryuujin, the creature is an Ryuujin and a Kokuryuu. They're coming."

Minako stares at me in fear.

"They're coming here?!" She shrieks.

"Shh." I hiss at her. "You take Isao to a hiding spot I think I know who the Ryuujin is. Just go and hide and find a way to hide you energy. If I can sense it I guaranty that they Kokuryuu and Ryuujin can."

"Okay."

She grabs Isao's hand and darts off through the trees and moves out of my sight. I can't sense their energy, which is relieving. I turn and stare at the sky. The wing beats draw closer to my position. Finally I see the small figure of the Kokuryuu and its rider. I watch it draw near. I feel the wind rush past me from each wing beat that the creature gives as it lands. I then see the rider disappear and I raise my blade behind my back and hear a clang behind me. I stare at the Ryuujin from over my shoulder. His dark chain mail and plate legs glisten in the sun. His blood red hair matches his eyes. They try to pierce me but my gaze blocks them from doing so.

"Surely that's not the best you can do." I sneer.

"It's not," He says withdrawing his obsidian scimitar. "But then again I'm not here looking for a fight, though my dragon needs feeding."

He nods to the black dragon stepping closer to us and sniffing the air and then me his giant nostrils making a hideous noise. His yellow eyes glare at me.

"Oh come now," I say to the dragon patting his nose. "You must not act like that."

The dragon doesn't growl but instead gives this low purr as if it were a giant cat. It's long tail slowly wagging. I turn to the Ryuujin and he smirks. "Know you're dragon lore, do you?"

"Ofcource," I smirk back. I hold my hand out palm up and a piece of meat appears in it, I toss it over my shoulder to the dragon. He raises his head in a quick motion and snaps his jaws on the meat and eats it gleefully.

"I must if I am to succeed as the Shinigami." I finish.

"Indeed." He says. "The master wishes you to come and visit with him about a problem he has."

"You mean old Mamoru wants to talk to me?"

"That is correct."

"And what, dare I ask, is the problem that is annoying him so much?"

"He has not told me," the young Ryuujin says. "He told me it was classified, so you'll have to talk to him."

The dragon lifts his head in the air and sniffs. I feel the presence of my companions slowly growing as they draw nearer. I turn my head over my shoulder in shock, anger, and concern.

"So there's more eh?" The Ryuujin smirks. He nods to his dragon. "Go."

I jump in front of the Kokuryuu and hold up my hand. "Halt!" I yell at it.

It stops and looks at me. I flash step on top of it with my hand grasping the reigns.

"What are you doing Shinigami?!" The Ryuujin demands.

"Those intruders are companions of mine. And neither you nor your pet will harm them. Or else I will kill you." I growl at him.

He stares at me and snaps his fingers angered. Then Kokuryuu stops and obeys. Sure enough Minako and Isao come out of the tree line and stop when they see the dragon.

"Well keep coming," I beckon.

They step closer as they stare at my mount.

"Come now it's not going to bite," I say, I then pause and add, "much."

Minako disappears and then manifests behind me on the Kokuryuu with her hands around my stomach. Isao however just stares at us.

"Either, you come here, or I come to you, we need to leave to help a," I pause, "friend of mine."

"Your voice says different." Isao says.

"Would you just get on the Kokuryuu?!"

"Fine."

I walk the dragon to Isao and she clambers on.

The Ryuujin glares at us.

"Knowing you creatures, from my studies, you naturally have another Kokuryuu at the ready."

He snarls, "Of course I do, what kind of person do you think I am?!"

"Do I need to say anything?"

"No," Minako whispers. "Let us go before you have to kill him."

I stare at the Ryuujin on the ground as I motion the dragon to take flight. The pounding of its wings rushes air against the trees nearly making them snap in half. Higher and higher we go. Isao starts to freak out and I then whisper to the dragon. "To your home lands my friend."

He makes a small roar of delight and flies off in a southerly direction and makes for the lands of his fathers way in the mountains. He gains speed as if wanting to get home as quickly as possible. Isao has to cover her face while gripping onto the dragon for dear life. Minako just sits comfortably behind me with her arms wrapped around my waist. We fly past clouds and Minako places her hand in one and the fluffy air runs through her fingers as water does when you place your fingertips in the stream. She brings it back around me, and I compel to look down at the land below. Forests are a giant green blur as are the woods. But the desserts seem vast and strange. I look back up and see the mountains up a head. They must be a good few hundred feet. The dragon sees the mountains and places his energy into his wings increasing speed immediately. Further and further we go toward the mountains. Finally we reach the lower peaks and I see the land below in different sections. We pass many villages and I see the other Ryuujin women and children run inside their houses as the men stare up and catch my face and run off to mount their dragon. The Kokuryuu sniffs the air and then turns east, a few seconds afterwards we see a huge building in the shape of a tall tower in the middle of a small, wide house. It starts to go into a dive and we all hang on to the dragon. It lands in a hug garden and we dismount. I stare at the construction in front of us and smile. "That's old Mamoru alright."

I step closer to the building when several soldiers come and aims their bows and arrows at Minako, Isao, and myself. To my relief they mainly aim at me.

"Shinigami," someone shouts. I glare at a man walking out of the tower toward us wearing a black and red armor, and cape. His sword at his side represents the old katanas of lore.

"Mamoru," I growl, "what is the meaning of this?"

"You are under my custody. At least until the trial and hearing."

"What have I done wrong?"

"Nothing. But we must make sure you're who we think you are."

I glare at him and think of a hundred different ways to show him that I am the Shinigami. And none of them end with him walking away alive.

"What about my companions?"

"They shall be kept with you in a dungeon somewhere. But they can be freed if you pass the hearing."

"And if I don't?" I growl.

He smiles softly and sighs. "We kill you."

"You call your boys off and I won't need a trial to have you believe that I'm the Shinigami. Now let us go or feel my wrath."

"Now, now... no threats please," He says smiling. "Guard, place the 'Shinigami' and his friends in custody and send them to the dungeon."

"Mamoru, you will pay for this," I scream as many guards come around and restrain me.

"Bye-bye Shinigami," He chuckles.

They start to drag me and the others off.

"Mamoru!!"

We go to an underground chamber and they throw us all into a cell together. I turn and rush at them they only smile with their mouths revealed under an armor hiding their eyes to me and slam the door before I could reach them. I slam my fists on the door and curse at them.

"Damn you Mamoru." I scowl.

"Akio, it's okay the hearing will come and you can tell them you're the Shinigami," Minako says trying to help with my anger.

"I'll kill them," I growl. "I'll kill them all! None of them will ever think of doing this against the Shinigami, none of them!"

"Akio calm down." Minako calls.

"They will regret the day they did this to me!"

"Hey shut up!" Isao calls to me.

I turn and glare at her. "Don't you tell me what to do you insignificant-"

"Akio!" Minako shouts.

I turn to her.

"You need to calm down and help think of a way out of here."

I look at around and think. "It's probably no use, they'd have put several enchantments and barriers to make sure if the real Shinigami, me, was here. Mamoru is thick but he's not that stupid."

"Well there has to be a way out of here somehow?" Isao sighs in annoyance.

"There is," I reply. "It's called shut up and let me and Minako think."

"No need to snap, I didn't do anything." She snaps back.

"You're the one who wanted to come with me in the first place!"

We step up closer and get into each other's faces.

"I wanted away from the life I didn't want."

"Then you could've asked me to kill you!"

She's hurt by that but tries not to show it. "Then why don't you!"

"Because I can't I-"

I stop and smirk in a horrid manner. Minako sees this and gets between us.

"Settle down we need to think of a plan,"

I turn and walk away from them into a corner of the cell with a small window with bars for light. I stare far out into the horizon. Minako comes to me and gently touches my shoulder.

"Are you okay?"

"I need blood, if I can't kill something in the next day, I'm going turn and you know what happens when that occurs. I don't want to, especially around you and Isao."

"You like her don't you?"

"No," I reply looking at her. "I just can't killer her or else the spirit that made me the Shinigami will kill me."

She nods.

'Oh how I long to just kill Isao. She's been a pain in my side ever since the start. There has to be some way to have her killed! But how?'

I stare at a small wall and think about it when I hear a small whimpering in the dark.

"Isao cut it out!" I snap in a demanding tone.

"It's not me." She snaps back.

I turn around getting ready to accept death by throttling her but then I sense another presence. I look around and wait for the person or creature to show itself. I beckon Minako to come to me. She steps to me and I wait to see if the whimpering settles down or grows louder. Sure enough though, it dissipates in the darkness and I can no longer feel the presence of who or whatever that was.

"Please tell me you heard that," I softly whisper to Minako.

"I heard it," she replies to me looking around. "Did you feel it?"

"Yeah, but somehow it was very feint. What do you think it was?"

"I don't know but I hope I never have to feel it again, it felt like despair."

I nod and Isao looks at us.

"What are you talking about despair?"

"There was a presence and it felt like despair." Minako replies.

"Well then there's your culprit," she says pointing her index finger at me. "He brings despair where ever he goes."

I advance on her and Minako steps in front of me to stop me from killing her.

"Let it go Akio, is it really worth dying for killing one person?"

"No," I sigh. But then I growl. "But it could be here in a minute."

She shakes her head against my stubbornness.

"I bring despair because it's something I have to do, if you want to end it, say you're not with this group and leave." I snap at her.

"I made a choice didn't I?" She snaps back. "You damn right I'm staying."

I glare at her and her at me. We stand there for a few seconds and then I turn away knowing if I stared into those eyes any longer, they'd roll back in her head as she fell to the ground.

'Maybe one day I will be able to, and let her pray to her ancestors that they shall not feel her pain.'

I turn back and stare into the sky as the sun starts to set. As I stare at it I get this feeling of dread and hopelessness. I then turn to where I think the source is and walk to a wall to discover a small window at the floor with bars on it. As I come closer I start to hear a small whimper.

"Akio," Minako asks. "What are you doing?"

I don't answer I'm too concerned on learning what this presence is with us. I bend down on one knee and look through the window to see a small girl there curled up with her knees against her head and her arms around her legs. Her hair has cobwebs in some areas and has lost most of its sheen. She starts to whimper a bit louder to where I can hear what she's saying.

"Death, Death go away," She says in a small tune. "Come again some other day."

'What is she down here for? What crime has this small child committed to be locked up in here like this?'

I stare at her and then she starts her tune again.

"Death, Death has come again," she then sings a little louder and turn her head towards me. Her pitch black eyes and her blood stained fangs show she's something I've never wanted to encounter before and it sends a small chill down my spine. She stares at me as she finishes her song in a horrid hiss. "Now Death must be my friend."

 I get up and walk backwards to the opposite wall as she laughs a horrid and sick laugh. Her kind is those who call themselves the Majos. This happens to fit very well for them, since the term of the word means "witch".

The Majos are a supernatural group of some horrid twisted realm for it must be that same realm that made them so vile and dark. Most people don't know what realm they did come from but everyone wishes they hadn't. They will murder men after a marriage and use their souls for spells or potions. They breed the same way a succubus does, though without casting a spell. They are very attractive to men and will simply go with whoever wants them. They may act sweet, merciful, and innocent. But I know them for what they really are... a murderous, blood thirsty batch. Their very existence plagues this world. This is a youngling but one must never underestimate it. They are powerful from birth in fact quite like the Shinigami, like me. I had to fight a small group of four and barely made it out with whatever life I have left.

"Akio, what is it?" Minako asks me.

"He probably realized all the pain and suffering he's committed." Isao says in a small, sarcastic scoff.

I place my hand on the floor and make a demonic hand grasp her leg. She stares down at it and stares at me from across the cell, which is actually bigger than most I've been trapped in...about a good five yard square. More grasp her and pull her to the floor restraining her. She starts to scream and curse when another covers her mouth. She can breathe through her nose, but cannot speak.

'Finally sweet silence comes from her direction.'

As I smirk at what I've done I feel a pain shoot through my head. Followed by a horrid whisper.

"I know you saw me, Shinigami," says the horrid female youngling's hiss. "You will follow my orders and you will be my slave."

'Please... you're just a youngling. You can force me to do nothing.'

"Take a look at my cell again and call me a youngling." It laughs in a small hiss.

I stare at the window and slowly walk to it.

"Closer, Shinigami, closer."

I arrive to it and crouch down. As I look in it I see a figure move forward, her elegance shows in her steps, she appears to be older in her early twenties. As she approaches the window I see her face has changed, it still has the fangs but the eyes have changes. They're crimson red.

'Just like mine.'

Her beauty shows but she looks familiar, as the answer reveals itself I stare at her in shock and horror.

"Why Shinigami," she start in a smooth silvery voice. "You look like you've just saw the living dead."

'How did you get her image?!' I demand in my head. "How did you get the image of my very mother?!'

"It wasn't very hard," she chuckles in my mind. "I just took you're worst experience, in this case your parents death, and became the one you held most dear."

'You vile, damn-'

"Now, now. No name calling."

'Change to your normal self now or I swear I will kill you in the most horrid way I can think of.'

She steps off into the shadows and then comes back. Her image has changed a little she's not my mother anymore but the elegance still shows and her beauty is very alluring.

"I will make you a deal, Shinigami," she smiles with determination. She walks over to me and brushes the back of her fingers on my face through the bars. "We will call a truce to help each other break out of this cell only if you promise to kill two people."

I think of my chances of actually being able to trust this person.

"And if I should deny this deal?" I whisper to her softly so Minako and Isao can't hear.

Her determined smile turns to a horrid grin. "Then I will kill the one you love."

I turn away from her and reply over my shoulder, "we will talk tomorrow of a plan."

"Later tonight, tomorrow I stand trial."

"Then use you're beauty and power to...dazzle them. But my demand stands. Tomorrow night at this same time we will talk of a plan."

She shakes her head. "So stubborn... fine tomorrow night."

I get up and walk away from her. As I go to a wall away from the door Minako comes to me. I sit against the stone and let her lean against me.

"What are we going to do Akio?" She sighs.

"Something will be planned out, Minako, don't worry."

She leans back against my chest and smiles as she closes her eyes. "I know you won't let anything happen."

I give a small kiss on the top of her head and stare out a window as the final light of the day leaves the sky and night falls.

'No... I will never let anything happen to you.'

I stare at Isao and she has fallen asleep with the demonic arms still clutching her, pinning her to the floor. I give a small chuckle and smile before I turn back to the night sky peeping in through the window.

I awake at the sound of steel doors banging open. I remember that the Majo stands trial. I stand up and run to the door as I hear the guard leader giving orders.

"This Majo is nothing special, but keep your eyes on her and don't be seduced. If one of you should be we have to kill you."

Another guard scoffs. "And if you should fall to the seduction, we just let you walk away with her?"

I hear a hand slap skin. No doubt the leader took offence to that remark. "Fool! I have way more experience than any of you. I served in many wars and battles, I saw things that would make your blood turn to ice."

"Oh yeah sure you saw battle, from atop a hill watching the deaths of your people as you cowered in fear at the fight of the Northern Mountains."  One laughs.

Then more laugh as the guard leader curses at them, their voices tell me they draw closer as they get louder. I walk to the cell door and look out the iron barred window watching them approach. They turn a corner and walk to the Majo's door. As they do they spot me.

"And what are you doing?" The leader of the guards ask in a very demanding tone.

"Just waiting for the show."

"You best not be thinking that the Majo will fight us?"

"Oh I bet you she won't, yet. But she will when the time permits it. And I'll watch you ride off on your horse back to your house like you did from atop the mountain at the battle for the Northern Mountains."

He gets furious as the rest of the guards nearly bust a gut laughing.

"You will watch that tone!" He yells as he sends his hand through the bars around my throat.

I let my blood lust take control for a second and let the majustu take over my finger nails to make them longer and sharper. They cut through his armor and into his arm. I bite down on it and allow some of the blood to flow into my system. Once I've had my fill of his disgusting taste, I let it go and he retracts it faster than light. He looks at it and looks at me.

"Thank you for your wonderful donation of blood; that should hold the blood lust for a while longer." I smile as I lick my lips to get the remains of it.

He stares at me in horror and so do his followers. Then he moves to the huge iron door next to mine and opens it after waving his hand across a rune lock of a spell casters making. It opens up and the majo comes out. As they bring her past my cell she stares at me with her same look as last night.

"Nice demonstration," she says with a twisted smile. "Should've let your blood lust go on longer, would have made you a lot more interesting."

"I'm not trying to impress you, majo." I reply. "But thanks for the complement."

They take her away and I move back into my corner of the cell away from the light, away from the others praying they cannot see me. I want to let my blood lust die down since I've regained some of the familiar taste. That guard's was awful. As I sit there trying to think of what can be done about my trial I hear someone wake up. I don't turn around and look for they come to me and lightly place a hand on my shoulder. I look up at Minako's beautiful and concerned face. She sits down beside me and stares into my eyes.

"You drank blood today didn't you?"

I turn away, "Yes, one of the guard leaders. He's alive but I had to make him try to attack me to get some."

"Why didn't you just ask for mine?"

I turn back to her. "Because I always take blood from you, I need some to stop me from turning and that guard leader was my only option if I didn't want to steal yours."

She shakes her head as I stare at the ground. "You're not stealing anything from me. I'm giving it to you by choice."

I slowly chuckle, "Only because I turn if I don't have some."

"You can't stop who you are, Akio," She sighs. "Why do you wish to run from it?"

"I'm not trying to run from it. It's a fact I turn yes. Do I like it, no. But I will never try to run from it."

She sighs and I stare at the ground with a tired look.

"You didn't get much sleep last night did you?"

"No, I was too busy thinking about the trial a head. Knowing Mamoru he won't make it easy."

She slides closer to me and I place my head on her bosom and slowly start to drift to sleep as the gently slides her hand across the top of my head. I hear Isao wake up and hear her snicker at the scene. I place my hand on the floor and the demonic arms grasping her pull outwards stretching her limbs. She gives of a small muffled scream and I smile in amusement. I hear Minako's heart beat and I think about how my life has been and what is to come. In the back of my mind I hear something.

"You cannot sway me fickle Ryuujin." The majo laughs. After that I hear her scream in pain and laugh after the pains leaves. Then it comes again, then she chuckles after the pain is taken away. Finally the pain comes back in more intense pain and she screams a horrid laughter. This keeps going on until I hear her address me.

"The trial has gone well Shinigami. They suspect nothing of you and I meeting."

'The leader of the guards knows we've met during today but in the night I will doubt.'

"Very true, they're going to lead me back to my cell. Be prepared they're going to take one person from your cell and Mamoru is going to come personally.

'What?!'

"You heard me Shinigami. They are going to take one person from your cell, apparently there's three, and one of them are named Minako."

'What?! They can't take her!!'

"What is she to you Shinigami?" She chuckles in amusement. "Lover perhaps?"

'Get out of my head.'

She laughs, "You might want to hurry of a plan then Shinigami. They will be coming soon."

She leaves my thoughts as I open my eyes in rage thinking what Momaru will do to her.

'If it's anything like the Majo's I won't allow it.'

"Akio, what's wrong? Your heart's racing."

I stand up and get ready at the door.

"Hide in a corner Minako, please just do as I ask."

I place my hand on the wall and the demonic hands let go of Isao and disappear into the floor.

"What was that all about?!" She shouts at me.

I turn to her with the most murderous look on my face, her rebel expression turns to terror.

"Shut up if you want to live and sit next to Minako. Any one of you stand in front of me, I will have no control of myself and might kill you."

Minako immediately runs to me and grabs hold of my shoulder and arm.

"You cannot turn now Akio, they will kill you."

"Let them try, I will murder every one of them."

I hear the door open at the far end of the corridor.

"Time's almost up Shinigami." The majo says in my thoughts.

'You better hide if you want to live.'

"They will put me in my cell," She replies. "Is that blood lust I feel in you?"

'Just do as I say.'

They walk past my cell and open the majo's door. They shove her in and then lock it. The lock on my door starts to unlock and I charm my finger nails to extend to claws. They start to open the door and I get ready to attack.

"Shinigami, you must send forth one named Minako."

At that I dart toward the door and send my claws into one of the guards. He buckles over and then I turn my attack to the rest. They charge me with spears and swords. I knock one blade out of the way as I dodge a spear from embedding itself in my side. I slice one's neck open and then stab my claws into two more. They all fall at my hands, except for one. I walk to him as Minako walks out to the cell door.

"You will never get out of this corridor. Our Kokuryuu will destroy all of you before you make it to the door."

I sneer a sick, wicked smile as I kneel down to meet him. "Well let me worry about that."

I send my hand into his torso and pull out a small, pail, light orb. As it floats in midair above my hand a few inches I draw it closer to my face. I eat the soul of the guard and then drink the blood spilled on my hands. I stand up as I stare at his dead body.

"Yes, let me worry about that."

I grab the keys and open the cell door to the majo's holding room. She walks out and stares at my work.

"Lovely," She smiles. "I'll give it a nine for demonic work."

"Shut up and let's get out of here." I reply as I turn to Minako.

She stares at me with slight concern but walks up and gives a small kiss on my cheek. Isao comes out and stares at the familiar sight.

"Reminds me of the old man's house after I chose to venture with you." She says in awe.

I turn to her, "I told you about this job. This is just another demonstration on what is yet to come... do you still wish to come?"

She looks around and stares at the bodies of all the guards. "I don't think I can go back, I came this far."

I nod. I hold out my hand and my blade appears. I put it in the sheath on my back and walk down the corridor with Minako and the Majo following behind.

"Since we're working together might as well tell me your name." I say over my shoulder to the majo.

"Hisoka," she replies. "Don't ask where it come from."

'Did she have to say that? Now I'm starting to get curious. Why does every single woman I meet always say something to peek interest?'

"Maybe because some want to seduce you," She states in my head.

'Did you have to eavesdrop on myinternal conversation?'

"No, but I wanted to." She chuckles.

'Typical.'

"What is your name Shinigami?" She asks in a slight sneer.

"Something that you don't need to worry about." I reply.

We stop as we hear shouting from up ahead.

"What's going on down there?" A man calls. "Why hasn't the girl been brought up yet?"

I flash step right in front of them and they stare at me in terror as they see the Shinigami has escaped.

"They took a little nap." I sneer. "Now then... who's next on the menu?"

I send my blade slashing into one man's body successfully cutting him in half. I then stab the other and watch him fall. I turn to ready myself for another taste of a fresh morsel but looking to see him run through a passage of the underground maze of the tower.

I rush after him quickly though I lose track of him in the corridors. I sense him still near.

"A little game before another snack..." I call to him. "That makes this a little more interesting. Hope you won't disappoint."

I place my hand on the stone wall and use my senses to find him. He's in a dead end corridor not far from me, but he's heaving silently, breathless no doubt, and stares around the wall for any sign of my presence upon him. I use power to send myself into the tiny cracks of the wall and travel to him. He lets out a small sigh of relief when he thinks the area's clear of my presence. I call out through the entire chamber as I approach him.

"Death, Death go away," a sneer as I use Hisoka's chant, "come again another day."

He turns to the wall I start to come out of and I sense his blood turn cold.

"Death, Death  has come again." I chant as I come from the wall and closer to him. "Now death will kill again."

He lets out a horrified scream as I send my blade into his middle and then slice it out of his right shoulder.

He falls to the floor partly separate as I look down and summon his spirit to my hand. It leaves through the hole in his chest and comes to float over my hand. I let it absorb into my skin giving me more power of a satisfying meal. I turn the corner to see Minako, Hisoka, and Isao standing there waiting for my arrival.

"Has Death claimed another morsel?" Hisoka asks with a slight sneer on her face.

I look at Minako to see that she looks a little disappointed. I turn away from her slightly disgusted.

"Shut up and let's go," I reply to Hisako.

We turn a corner and then I hear a loud thundering boom. I turn to see a wall created behind me and Hisoka leaving only us alone in the dead end room of the maze. She then slams me against a wall with her majutsu she walks closer to me. As she presses closer to me she whispers in my ear, "I know who you are Akio... and you need to learn to accept who you are."

"You know nothing about me." I growl struggling to move.

"I know much about you..." she replies staring into my eyes. "You're parents' death, you're journeys, when you met Minako and Isao, I even know what happened between Misako and you."

"Shut up."

"You've grown soft," she slights scowls. "You need to remember what made you who are and what you can do."

"Shut up."

"You need to regain what you lost. You're a dark,"

"Shut up."

"Evil,"

"Shut up."

"Hated,"

"Shut up!"

"A powerful and a soul sucking creature."

"SHUT UP!"

I raise my hand up and use my power to slam her against the other wall choking her and demolish the other one blocking Minako and Isao. They stare at me as I slowly tread to Hisoka. As I move to her I regain my speech. "You know nothing. About the true power I hold."

She smiles in a very sinister way, "now that's the real you."

I stop and stare at her as I contemplate what she just said. I lower my hand and she falls to the gasping for her breath. I look Minako and see her fearful expression. I then turn away and send myself into the wall and dart away from them.

"AKIO!" Minako screams. "Come back please!"

But I can't, I simply... I can't.

'Sorry Minako, but she's right... I'm becoming who I once was, and I can't change it. I don't want history replaying itself again.'

I come from the wall at another dead end I think is far enough from them.

'Minako will guide them out... and I'll let Momoru kill me and end this reign of horror and darkness.'

"And now you've hit a low I can't even begin to even dare spit at!" I hear a voice coming from the chamber.

"SHUT UP!" I scream trying to get rid of Hisoka.

She appears from the shadows in a corner of my presence. She steps forward and slaps me.

"You are pathetic. This isn't even you're nice side anymore. This has to be a horrid excuse of a personality."

"Go away." I mummer as I sit down next to the wall. I don't look at her as I wait for something else to happen.

She doesn't speak for a second. She just stares at me with a disgraced expression on her face.

She then finally mutters something. "Fine," she says as she turns to the shadow corner. "But think of what your loved one will say when she sees you like this."

"Don't bring her here," I demand. "If you bring her here I'll kill you."

She turns from me as Minako comes from the shadows. I stare at her, my eyes filled with shocked.

"Too late." She says over her shoulder. She then walks into the shadow and disappears.

I turn away trying to disappear but Minako places her hand on my arm stopping me from doing so.

"Please don't," she says softly to me. "Please don't leave again. I... I wish to help you. Please..."

"Minako..." I try to speak, however I fear that if I do something will go even worse than what it is.

"I sense remorse, anger, sorrow..." she says moving in front of me to get a better look at my face, "...fear."

I silently stand there... unable to move... unable to speak.

"Akio," she sighs. "I know you're going through hard times... but we can get through this. Just let me help you. We can figure this out."

"How?" I finally ask.

"I don't know, but there has to be away." She replies. "We can find one."

"The only way to help him is to let him become who he truly is." Hisoka's voice comes from everywhere in the room.

Minako turns about trying to find Hisoka. "What do you mean?"

We see Hisoka come from the shadows again and this time her glare fixes on Minako.

"I mean you must leave him." She replies.

"Shut up." I glare at Hisoka darkly.

"I still don't understand," Minako says confused.

"Really?" Hisoka laughs. "You still don't get it?"

Minako shakes her head slowly.

Hisoka laughs again. "He changed for you. He let go of his own personality just to be with you."

"Hisoka not another word." I growl.

"He had embarrassed his full potential before you came to play a role in his life... you killed him, his spirit, his way of life, his own opinions he gave up on because he loves you. Do you understand now?"

Minako stares at Hisoka shocked and unable to answer.

"You're killing him!" Hisoka shouts at Minako. "You're very idea of a blissful life is murdering the one you hold most dear!"

"No, that can't be." Minako breaths softly.

"It can," Hisoka snaps. "... and it is. You thought you saved him. You thought you kept him from a horrible fate only to find out that you're the reason why he's dying! You are killing him! He's losing every last hint of who he was every time you're near him... if he hasn't died already."

I stare at Minako who looks as though she's about to break. Hisoka paces around her like a hungry predator torturing its prey for the kill.

"How does it feel," Hisoka whispers harshly in Minako's ear. "To find out that you're killing the only one you love while you thought you were trying to save him. Every time he has a hint of himself start to come back, he sees you and he kills himself again... all to make you believe you are bringing peace to his life while the truth is that you're causing more chaos than ever before."

I try to step forward but I hit a wall that Hisoka created. I can see and hear them. But only Hisoka can hear and see me.

"Look for yourself," she continues to torture Minako. "He left you here... abandoning you after you tried to save him. That's a hint for you to leave him."

"Minako no," I cry out trying to be heard even though I know it's useless. "Don't believe her! Minako look at me I'm right here!"

As if slightly hearing she turns her head to where I am and I slightly smile thinking that Hisoka didn't have that type of power. But once her eyes started to water and tears slowly fall I knew I was dead wrong. She couldn't hear nor see me... and Hisoka was corrupting Minako every time her mouth opened.

I tried everything to break the spell. All of my tricks but none worked. I stare hopelessly watching Minako break more and more. She then turns and leaves back into the wall as I try one of the most powerful enchantments to get rid of Hisoka's spell when she removes it herself. I stare at the wall where Minako left. Trying to think of some way to call her back, as I do, Hisoka starts to chuckle.

"You'll get over her," she starts. "She was holding back who you really were."

I glare at the wall with growing rage.

"You were dying Akio. And you know it." She hisses in my ear. "I just saved who you were."

"And in doing so..." I turn to her smiling in a most sinister way. "You brought your own demise."

She stares at me confused. "What?"

I raise my hand and slam her into the wall. She starts choking for air as I draw every last breathe from her lungs. I use my power to bring the demonic hands from the wall and start pulling her limbs from her body away very slowly listening to the sweet sound of bones popping and cracking.

She starts to smile as she chokes out, "Now that's what I wanted to see."

I walk up to her and come inches from her face. "You haven't seen nothing yet... what I was most feared for was this."

I turn myself into particles and send myself into her mind.

I cause nightmares as I look into her worst fears, her very thoughts, and her darkest secrets.

I enter one secret to see her struggling to get away from a witch hunt. Dogs barking, men howling, and the sound of horses drawing near. I watch her beg for something in her native tongue, or Majo language as some call it. She looks around for company only to see me there waiting for her.

"Looks like another meal for me... but for a majo to be taken down by a few mere humans, isn't that just pathetic."

"Help me please." She begs. "Please!"

"Sure," I sneer as I send her to a dark part of her dream... one that I made for her.

We enter there and she looks around for me. "You said you'd help me!"

"I did," I reply. "But everything comes with a cost."

"No!"

"I know what you truly are to the rest of the Majos," I whisper harshly to her. "Nothing more than a runt in their race. They wish only to dispose of you. Your very existence... an accident that no one wants to admit to. Maybe I should help more by killing you."

I dart to her and watch another secret. What I find absolutely brings me to pity for who she is.

In a place, I can't figure out where. She sits around staring at everyone of her friends, relatives, and parents. Hanging there from the rafters after punishing herself after she told them she wants to become... me. They tried to kill her and after being pushed she destroyed everything. Even her very soul. Scorned not to be truly anything without what she is.

I leave her mind and appear back in the room staring at her.

She glares at me darkly with tear stains. "I hope you understand why I am who I am. And you are who you must be."

"Doesn't mean anything after what you've done to me." I scowl at her.

"It just proved that you haven't died completely," She replies. "And now you're back to who you truly are."

I turn away from her and stare at the wall. I release her and she stands there.

"You can't escape what you are Akio, you took the life, you were, and are now, the best. Since you're back to original state," she calls. "And even more so after having the one you love leave you."

I start to walk away from her.

"Where are you going 'Shinigami'?" She asks loudly. "Certainly not to find her."

"Burn in hell," I reply as I leave.

As I continue my way through the maze rage builds up... guards who stand in my way are killed instantly. I progress to the area where the guards appear to be coming from. Sure enough they come down a spiral staircase leading to the court, or torture, room. I use a spell to paralyze my foes and have it eat their flesh away... they are allowed to have their senses work... so they feel every last bit of flesh being dissolve. I move higher and higher up the stair case encountering no guards.

'Most likely they know I'm coming...'

As I come to the top of the stairs I hear a voice...

"That's got to be him..." Isao calls to the guards.

I become enraged believing that she turned against me. I summon a pure black orb and allow it to grow in my hands. As I hear the guards coming closer to the door I sneer.

I send the orb into the door and it shatters it sending shards into the guards nearby. I walk in quickly sending my blade into the rest of them that are alive. I then turn to see Isao bound near the wall with several dead bodies near her... apparently I was wrong.

"I tried to warn them..." she says looking at the bodies. She then looks to me. "Can you get me out?"

"Will I, would be the better question..." I reply dryly.

I walk behind her and cut the robe with my blade. As she stands up rubbing her hands, she turns to me and simply stares at me until I become a little irked at the fact.

"What is it?" I snap suddenly.

She doesn't flinch, but her lips curve a little into a small smirk, "... Don't you want to know where Minako is?"

I glare at her in rage that she brought that up with the look she's giving me now.

"You best speak now or you will regret the fact for the rest of your life." I growl.

"What are you going to do," she chuckles in mockery. "You can't kill me."

Now it is my turn to sneer, with the most sinister grin on my face, "That is true... but I can torture you. And you have no idea about how long I've been wanting to do so... and what idea I'll choose from my entire list of methods."

"You wouldn't..." She replies.

"Oh yes he would..." I hear Hisoka call behind me.

We turn to see her there a scowl apon her face, most likely for the fact I amgoing after Minako, and she looks a little satisfied once you get past the disappointment.

"Name one of them then," Isao snaps.

'Feeling that in control do you?'

"Most likely..." Hisoka replies in my head. She then says out loud. "I can do better... I can show you a victim from one of his... 'list of methods.'"

She waves her hands and I see a body walk into the room. It's skin has been removed, and all you see is muscle and bone with the person is still alive... maybe... I look to see Isao look mortally terrified as it walks to her trying to beg for help... no doubt it's being manipulated by Hisoka. She screams and huddles into a corner of the small room as it continues its limping advance to her. I place a charm on my sword's blade and send it into the body. It then starts to expand slowly as if it's being filled with air, then it explodes sending blood, muscle and origins all over the room. Isao is covered as she stares up at me. The blood intensifies the death glare at her as I wait to speak.