~* Kasumi's POV *~

It was dark. But it wasn't silent. I could hear the screams of despair from other people trapped here. A fox fire emitted in my hand as I looked around, realizing I was still in Ookuninushi's shrine. Why am I still here?

"Help me! Somebody!"

I looked to my left. There was a man, yelling and sobbing as he watched his own body wither away. I watched in horror he disintegrated right there and then, his screams silenced as soon as he disappeared. What the hell?

"You're new here, aren't you?"

I jumped in surprise and spun around, facing the person who had spoken to me. It was a woman, a lower ranking yokai, with black cat ears poking out from her ebony colored hair. She was dressed in a green kimono. A recognized her clothing as one of the servants of the shrine.

My eyes widened as I saw that from her waist down, there was nothing. She was just floating with no legs. Following my gaze, the woman sighed, knowing what I was staring at.

"Yeah, horrible isn't it?" she questioned, hiding herself with her kimono. I asked, "What's going on around here?"

"When someone tries to kill a God and ends up dying, they are trapped in the God's shrine. Stay here too long and you will disappear slowly," she explained with a sad look on her face, "I've been here for almost two weeks. That man you just saw die was here for less than a month."

"You tried to kill Ookuninushi?"

She nodded, "Didn't you try to as well?"

"Yes," I replied bitterly, remembering that nuisance of a God, "Why though?"

"Me and my sister worked as servants in his shrine. But then he killed her just because of one mistake. One. She forgot to remind Ookuninushi that he had a guest and that visitor ended up being an assassin. Ookuninushi got hurt but survived the attack. But he was still very angry at my sister and murdered her. Once I found out, I tried to kill him, only to die and be trapped in the last place I wanted to be," she clenched her fist, her eyes glazed over as if replaying the memory in her mind, "But enough about me. Why did you try and kill him?"

"Well, he's a sick, perverted bastard that doesn't know the difference between objects and people. He also kidnapped me and tried to make me his familiar against my will. Oh and his smug smirk just pisses me off. Shall I go on?" I sighed dramatically.

She laughed, shaking her head, agreeing with me. I couldn't help but to follow, trying to brighten up the dark and gloomy atmosphere.

"My name's Kasumi," I introduced myself, "And you are..?"

"Sakura."

I smiled, "Nice to meet you, Sakura."

She grinned, "Same here."

A mighty roar suddenly shook the shrine. The loud sound was so horrid and filled with pure anger, I had to clamp my hands over my head to stop my head from hurting. Sakura cringed, her eyes widening in fear.

She grabbed my wrist and began to run, "We have to hide!"

Opening a random door, we scampered inside and got into a wardrobe, covering ourselves with racks of clothing. Sakura pressed a hidden button inside, a secret passageway opening in front of us. I took a moment to gawk in awe before I was shoved inside, Sakura climbing in after me. She shut the door and locked it, placing her index finger over her mouth in a shush manor, the sound of thunderous footsteps stomping echoing as it went. Screams of pain rang in my ears, each begging to be saved only to be silenced with the sound of a growl.

It came closer. I could hear the harsh breathing of the monster, it sneering out an angry huff. Sakura held her breath as it stopped in front of the room we were in but soon walked away. She breathed out a sigh of relief, clenching her pounding heart.

"What just happened?" I whispered.

A look of fear crossed her face as she spoke, "That was the most dangerous being trapped in here. I haven't seen him before but I heard he had glowing red slitted eyes, a dangerous scythe that could kill anyone and is ginormous. The stench of death went with him, the wails of his victims still cast along with him. He kills anyone he sees in the spiritual realm out of anger of not being able to escape this place. They call him, the Red Reaper."

I frowned, "What a douchebag."

She rolled her eyes at my answer, her lips tugging into a smile at the snarky comment. She giggled and nodded, "Yup, he's a total douchebag."

"KASUMI!!"

My eyes widened at the familiar voice. I thought it was my own imagination and shrugged it off,. There is no way he is here. No way. Even he can't get into the spiritual realm.

"Where are you, Kasumi!!??"

I gasped and reached for the knob. This is real. Pushing it open, I ran out, screaming, "Kurama!! Over here!!"

Sakura placed her hand over my mouth and yanked me back. I struggled desperately, trying to break free as she pushed me back into the wardrobe. Kurama! He really is here! Kurama..

Once she let go, I asked her harshly, "What the hell was that for?"

"The Red Reaper is still out there. We have to wait for a few hours until he falls back asleep. Going back out is like signing your death warrant."

"I'm already dead. How can he kill me?"

"His scythe has a supernatural stone that traps the souls that is stabbed by that weapon. He feeds off the souls and becomes more powerful with every spirit he takes," she explained, frightened as another roar echoed through the air. It sounded nearby.

"Kurama is out there! I have to save him!" I panicked, trying to get around her to the exit but she blocked my path stubbornly. I ordered, "Get out of my way! I don't want to hurt you!"

"And I don't want to see you get hurt," she snapped, her eyes brimming with tears, making me stop and stare at her in shock as she sobbed, "You remind me of my sister. I can't stand to lose her again. I've already failed her once, I won't let her die again."

My glare softened. I wiped the tears falling from her face and spoke to her softly, "I'm sorry, but I am not your sister. You have to accept that she has already died. You didn't fail her, not once. I'm positive that she loved you until the very end."

She sniffled, calming done, smiling at me sadly.

I turned the knob, the door opening. I paused and turned around, saying confidently, "I won't die. I will kick the Red Reaper's ass, that's a promise."

She rolled her eyes, nodding at me. I sent her a thumbs up, reassuring her that I would be alright.

With that, I ran out of the room, abandoning a friend and all hopes of coming back alive.

A/N: Heyya! Yesterday was my birthday! (Philippine time) Whoop, whoop! So do my a favor and..

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